Hiking With Young Children

When we're out on the trails with our little herd of children, we often get incredulous looks from our fellow hikers.  You're walking 5 miles with a 4 year old??  MADNESS!!  When I tell other people about how much I love and look forward to taking my kids hiking, the general reply is "good for you, sounds like misery to me".   It's not sunshine and roses all the time, we've had our moments, but it has largely been a roaring success and the kids look forward to it.  Kids like to be active, kids like to be outdoors.  I thought I'd share some tips for making the outing successful.  I'm not an expert hiker, but I am experienced.

1.  Get thee to the library.  Find a good hiking book for your local area.  Looks for titles that involve variations of "kids", "children", "creaky knees" (I say that because those types of titles have easier hikes for shorter legs) or Gem Trails (because they tend to be shorter and closer to the road for people hauling loads of awesome rocks and kids love rocks too!).  I have found these books at used book stores too.  They'll help you find wonderful trails that aren't too hard or too dangerous for kids. A local trail club can also help with invaluable, up-to-date information about the condition of trails and the roads that access them. 

While you're at it, find books about local plant and wildlife.  If you're not experienced with hiking or the wild, get books about that too!

2. Give kids responsibility.  Let them pack their our backpack and insist they ALWAYS carry it unless they're injured.  Provide a short, lightweight list of things they'll need.  We have the kids carry their own lunch, water, small first aid kit (band-aids, alcohol wipes, little packets of itch cream and ointment), extra socks, a large garbage bag, a whistle, an emergency thermal blanket, a hat and a warm jacket or coat. This seems like a lot, but it actually doesn't weight very much at all.  The likelihood of getting lost or hurt is low on these easier trails, but practicing what to do when you're lost or hurt is invaluable and gives kids of feeling of responsibility. 

Also, let the kids take turns being in front and in back of the line.  The kid in front is the leader and the kid in back is the caboose, who makes sure no one gets left behind.  We keep the youngest in hand or in the middle.

3. Give them incentive.  Provide a favorite snack!  Chocolate covered raisins, granola bars, dried fruit, Poptarts . . . Pick a hike that has an amazing natural wonder at the end.  A view, a beach, a waterfall, a lake . . .  Something they'll look forward to seeing.  We often promise the kids we'll get ice-cream cones  on the way home.  It's up to you! 

4. Teach and create routine.  I think it's good to impart a sense of routine and perform symbolic actions that help educate.  It starts with the packing.  Why are we bringing all of this stuff, what purpose does it serve?  How can we organize our pack?  Getting dressed to go hiking, what to wear, what not to wear and layering.  We always pick up garbage we see to teach our children the everyone is responsible for taking care of our environment.  Teaching good trail manners.  Teaching them how to be safe, what kinds of hazards to avoid, how to apply basic first aid, what to do when lost.  We usually take a long lunch break at the zenith of the hike and let the kids take of their packs and play for a good long while, so they feel ready to got home.  How do we read a map, how do we use a compass to find our way? 

5. Slow down the pace.  Take lots of breaks for water and snacks.  As often as needed.  No need to be in a hurry.  Don't schedule anything else for the day just to get rid of the desire to rush the kids through the trails, let them set the pace.  Start out early to avoid getting caught by evening.  Start out on short hikes and loops that may only be a mile or two and you can slowly build up to longer hikes and even overnight hikes.  At this age and experience, our kids have maxed out at 5 miles (which would take all day with lots of breaks and a lot of snacks).  I think by the time they're 10, they're be ready to carry the heavier pack required for camping.

6.  Comfortable shoes, comfortable pack.  Kids really must wear comfortable shoes that fit them properly to hike a long distance.  This can make or break their whole experience.  Nothing is more miserable than walking a long distance in stiff new shows, shoes that don't fit, shoes with no ankle or arch support . . .  Hiking boots are best, but for short hikes no longer than a few miles, a good pair of sneakers do just fine.  We always insist of closed toe shoes for safety reasons.  Bring an extra pair of socks.  On this note, ensure whatever backpack the child is wearing also fits them properly.  If the kids complain about their pack, it's a good sign it needs to be adjusted.  Even a heavy pack shouldn't feel like a painful burden.  It should sit high on their back and two shoulder straps should be padded.  We just use a comfortable, sturdy, child-size backpack.  I find them all the time at yard-sales and thrift stores for a few bucks.  They don't need to be new or fancy.  I've read children must not carry more than 10% of their body weight on their back. 

7. Keep it fun and interesting.  Let them see you're having a good time, stay upbeat and positive.  Point out interesting things along the way and get super excited when they see something you missed.  You don't have to have an encyclopedic knowledge of all things outdoors to see trees growing in strange ways, cool rocks or animals.  Encourage the kids to feel curious about what is around them, they'll think less about how tired they may feel. Take lots of pictures!  I'll gladly carry a heavy camera around my neck.  Bring a book or two about identifying local wildlife and a little notebook the kids can write or draw what they see, think, feel.    An amature naturalists journal of sorts. 

8. As an adult there is some extra equipment you should bring.  A complete first aid kid (plan for the worse and hope it never happens).  Some insect repellant, moleskin, sunscreen, baby wipes are endlessly useful, hand sanitizer, waterproof matches or some way to start a fire in an emergency or just to cook lunch!  Extra food and water, a knife, a flashlight, of course the map and a compass. Anticipate being forced to spend the night* for whatever reason and anticipate the hazards of the particular trail.  That might involve a change of clothes if hiking near water or extra water if hiking in the desert.  I  also bring a little jar of water purification tablets in case we run out of water.

There are some risks involved when you leave modern infrastructure behind.  But I think what your kids will gain from the experiences and the education they'll receive will be worth it.  Plan, prepare, educate and most of all, HAVE FUN!!

* You don't need to bring a tent or sleeping bags.  Just a little extra food and water.  Use the emergency thermal blankets and the plastic bags to create a dry shelter and wrap the kids up to keep them warm and dry.  Take care to let someone reliable know when you plan to be home in case you get lost, injured and need rescue.  Just in case.  Don't EVER leave the trail or follow a trail that isn't well marked with young children.  If you're unsure of the map or the trail, STOP!  Turn around and go back!!  Many people get lost or hurt by ignoring this very basic principle.