Family project
Start by saying, “We’re going on an adventure together,” as opposed to, “I’m taking my kids on a hike.” Give your kids a say in the planning—let them have a say in everything from what you’re going to do to what they can bring, like clothes, books, toys, and food.
Preparing for anything
Always make sure to pack the 10 essentials - survival items that hiking and scouting organizations recommend for safe travel: navigation, headlamp, sun protection, first aid kit, knife, fire, shelter, extra food, extra water, extra clothes. Additional kid-friendly supplies include: wet wipes or tissues; lip balm; binoculars; magnifying glass; field guides (to point things out to kids); camera; and safety whistles for each child (and teach them what they are for and when to use them).
Hiking with friends
If you're at all concerned about your child's motivation on the trail, bring a friend or a whole family of friends along. If there's a dog thrown into the mix too, all the better!
Responsibility
Everyone wants to be taken seriously, including children. Let them carry some of the provisions or binoculars or other equipment. yourself depending on their age. Or give them a map or compass and let the kids lead the walking group. This can help the kids feel empowered - just make sure the leadership rotates. By letting the kids lead, you can also make sure the pace is slow enough for them to keep up. Also - being trusted makes kids proud, and they learn early on to take responsibility for themselves and others.
Fun and diversity
The best conditions for a successful family trip are: diversity and good mood. Consider your trails before you go out. Announce a treasure hunt or give them unexpected tasks along the way. Have them look for signs of wild animals (dirt, bird holes in trees, fur) or count wild flowers and have them figure out that things are bumpy, smelly, small, big, alive, wet... just be and let your kids be creative!
Simple but functional
Choose a hike that isn’t too long or too strenuous – remember, for kids, hiking is all about the experience. Choosing a trail that has some feature – whether it’s a lake, stream, waterfall, or something else – will keep kids engaged and give them a goal to reach. And remember, it’s about the journey, not the destination. If your child is more interested in getting down on their hands and knees to explore the undergrowth, that’s the experience of the day – there’s always a next time.
Enjoy the moment
Reaching the final destination is not the most important thing. Focus on what it takes to be present and happy in the moment. Prepare alternative routes just in case the weather, wind, or even mood requires a change of plans. And remember – it is much better to stop or turn around in time, than to have a bad experience. That way, it is easier to preserve the magic of hiking.
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 explore - make sure they have time to get their fill of the wilderness.
Energy stops and snacks
HIKING WITH KIDS = LOTS (AND LOTS) OF SNACKS. This is without a doubt one of the most important tips for hiking with kids. If you run out of snacks or - God forbid - you bring the wrong snacks, your family hike will quickly turn into a disaster. Although the KIDS combo pack also includes a healthy fruit snack, we recommend that you let your kids put together their own snack mix before they go hiking. It's important to have fun on the hike, and it's definitely fun to bring your own snack pack. And then bring some extra (healthy) snacks. We guarantee they'll end up eating them all :)
Good memories
Let the kids take pictures on hikes. It's a great activity to help teach kids to appreciate nature while not destroying it by picking flowers, etc. But it's important to limit the time they get with their camera to keep them engaged. You can even use the camera as a reward for reaching certain points on the hike or distances.
Leave no trace
Children are the future stewards of our public spaces, so we might as well start teaching them how to care for these spectacular wild places at a young age. When you're out hiking, make sure all your trash is collected - the KIDS plastic backpack will work well for this - once the food is eaten, zip it up and put it back in the backpack (no leaks). At the end of the hike, you can take the strings with you for new purposes and put the rest through the packaging needle for recycling.
Walking carts
If you're just starting out hiking with a baby or toddler, get a good hiking carrier that's comfortable for extended periods of time. Hiking carriers are worth it because they free up your hands and are specifically designed to comfortably carry the weight of a baby or toddler for long periods of time.
Adjustable strings
If the KIDS backpack straps are too long for your children, tie the lower straps together at the top of the stomach, or make new, longer knots at the ends of the straps.
The cords can also be used to make various knots; here are some examples:
