A family project
Start by saying "we're going on an adventure together" rather than "I'm taking my kids on a hike." Let the children take part in the planning – give them a say in everything from what you are going to do to what they can bring, such as clothes, books, toys and food.
Prepare for anything
Always pack the ten essentials – the survival items hiking and scouting organisations recommend for safe travel: navigation, head torch, sun protection, first aid kit, knife, fire, shelter, extra food, extra water and extra clothing. Additional child-friendly supplies are wet wipes or napkins, lip balm, binoculars, a magnifying glass, field guides (to point things out to the kids), a camera and a safety whistle for each child (and teach them what it is for and when to use it).
Hike with friends
If you are at all worried about your child's motivation on the trail, bring a friend or a whole family of friends. If there is a dog in the mix as well, even better!
Responsibility
Everyone wants to be taken seriously, and that goes for children too. Depending on their age, let them carry some of the provisions, the binoculars or other gear themselves. Or give them a map or compass and let the children lead the group. It can help them feel empowered – just make sure the lead rotates. Letting the children lead also keeps the pace slow enough for them to keep up. And being trusted makes children proud, and they learn early on to take responsibility for themselves and others.
Fun and variety
The best conditions for a successful family hike are variety and good spirits. Think about your trails before you head out. Announce a treasure hunt or give the kids unexpected tasks along the way. Get them to look for signs of wildlife (droppings, woodpecker holes in trees, fur) or count wildflower species, and let them discover that things are bumpy, smelly, small, big, alive, wet... just be there and let your children be creative!
Easy but interesting
Choose a hike that is not too long or too strenuous – remember that for children, hiking is about the experience. A trail with some features, whether a lake, a stream, a waterfall or something else, will keep the kids busy and give them a goal to reach. And remember, it is about the journey, not the destination. If your child is more interested in getting down on hands and knees to explore the undergrowth, then that is the experience of the day – there will always be a next time.
Enjoy the moment
Reaching the final destination is not the most important thing. Focus on what it takes for everyone to be present and happy in the moment. Prepare alternative routes in case the weather, the wind or even the mood calls for a change of plan. And remember – it is much better to stop or turn back in time than to have a bad experience. That way it is easier to keep the magic of hiking alive.
Time planning
Remember – time is your friend. Children are natural explorers and want to pick up and touch everything. This is one of the best things about hiking – there is so much of the natural world for children to discover and investigate – so make sure they have time to get their fill of the wild.
Energy stops and snacks
HIKING WITH KIDS = LOTS (AND LOTS) OF SNACKS. This is without doubt one of the most important tips for hiking with children. If you run out of snacks or – heaven forbid – bring the wrong snacks, your family hike will quickly turn into a disaster. Although the KIDS combo pack also contains a healthy fruit snack, we recommend letting your children put together their own snack mix before the hike. Having fun on the hike is important, and bringing your own snack pack is definitely fun. Then pack some extra (healthy) snacks too. We guarantee they will end up eating them all :)
Good memories
Let the children take pictures on the hike. It is a great way to teach them to appreciate nature without damaging it by picking flowers and so on. But limit the time they spend with the camera to keep them moving. You can even use the camera as a reward for reaching certain points or distances on the hike.
Leave no trace
Children are the future stewards of our public spaces, so we might as well start teaching them at a young age how to look after spectacular wild places. When you are out on a hike, make sure you collect all your rubbish – the KIDS plastic backpack works well for this: once the food is eaten, close the zip and put it back in your rucksack (no leaks). At the end of the hike you can keep the cords for new uses and recycle the rest of the packaging.
Child carriers
If you are just starting to hike with a baby or toddler, get a good child carrier that stays comfortable for long periods. Carriers are worth it because they free up your hands and are specially designed to carry the weight of a baby or toddler comfortably for a long time.
Adjustable cords
If the KIDS backpack cords are too long for your children, tie the lower cords together at the top across the stomach, or tie new, longer knots at the ends of the cords.
The cords can also be used to tie various knots; here are some examples:
