Tips & Tricks that have worked for me hiking with my kids.
As for me presonally, I struggled at first, with how far to go, where to go, and wondered if they would enjoy it. I have learned through trial and error a few things. Hopefully it will be helpful and work for you also.
1. Family Time - The most important thing of all in hiking with your kids and family is just the quality time you get to be with them. It is time you will remember and treasure for the rest of your life.
2. Start out on a shorter hike - Of course age also plays a factor in it. Conner was 4 on his first big hike. I went on too long of a hike and ended up carrying him and 2 backpacks the last mile. I would suggest starting out with 1 mile or so hike. This lets you see if they enjoy it and if you can go longer next time. If they do well on the mile go longer next time.
3. Elevation Gains & Hills - Just because it says it is a mile, that doesn't mean it will feel like a mile to them. Check to see how much elevation gain there is on a trail. Also check reviews about how hilly the trail may be. I know we have went on some trails that were not that long, but the boys struggles a little due to very steep hills on the trail.
4. Hike to something - You should have a destination you are hiking toward with younger children. If you are just doing a 2 mile loop, but there is not much to see besides trees, they are not going to remember it or really get into the hike that much. Try to find a trail with something for them to remember like a waterfall, cave, lake, ect. These are the ones my boys have enjoyed and still talk about.
5. Eat a snack along the trail - We always take a snack with us. We usually eat it about half way or when we get to the specific thing we are hiking too. I usually carry the food in my pack. We typically take some peanuts or a small bag of chips to eat. I usually let them pick the spot to eat once we get there.
6. Let them carry their own backpack - Both of my boys carry a pack with them when we go. First it gets them used to carrying one, incase you want to do some overnight backpacking when they get older. I always put a few things in it before we go for them to use along the way. They both have their own water bottle to carry (Conner actually has a bladder pack now, so he doesn't use a water bottle). I also have things like binaculars, compass, butterfly net. We even have a little bug-sucker gun that they take.
7. Teach them things along the trail - You can teach them things about nature, like different kinds of trees and how to identify them. You can teach them skills along the way that they can use when they get older in life. I have been trying to teach Conner how to use a compass the right way and how to read a trail map.
8. Comfortable Shoes - Get comfortable shoes for you and your kids when hiking. I am a huge Merrell Shoes supporter. My boys wear Keen sandals in late spring, summer, & early fall. They wear old tennis shoes other times, due to water and the weather being a little colder.
9. Be prepared - I know no parent wants to think something bad is going to happen along the way, but it can happen. I try to be as prepared as possible on each hike. Right before we start a trail, I will call my wife and tell her what trail we are starting and how long it will possibly take. When we are finished I let her know we are back at the truck. I also keep in my pack a small survival kit, first-aid kit, toilet paper, compass, extra knife, fire-striker, ect. And I always try to have a trail map with me and check it often. I would also suggest if you were going on a weekend hike or something long to carry some kind of GPS personal tracker. Something like the Spot™ Gen3 Satellite GPS Messenger Personal Tracker. I hope you would never have to use it, but it would be horrible to need it and not have it.
I have put together some links, information, & reviews of products and reference material I use often.
None of these companies below, sponser this website. These are all things I use and want to suggest.
You can click on the logo of each item and it will take you to their website.
Reference Information -
Shoes & Apperal -
6pm.com is a great place to find name brand shoes, apperal, backpacks, ect. at a discount price. They maybe last years styles, limited colors, or sizes, but they are much cheaper than most places you find them. Make sure to check the size on the item. Much of their selection may only come in one size.
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Backpacks -
Other Information-
Tree Identification - National Audubon Society is a great place for tree identification. They have books, mobile apps, & website. You and your family will both enjoy trying figure out what tree is what. You can even make a game out of it. Audubon Society also have information on birds, plants, animals, ect. |
Wilderness Survival Skills - It is more like a hobby for me, studying and learning about, wilderness survival. But there is always a chance in nature to become lost, alone, or injured. It is a good idea to have at least look at different types of shelters, fire making, ways to make potable water, ect. I always carry a small survival kit with me in my pack.
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Finding online help- Looking online for help is always a good idea. Finding articles and blogs about backpacking and hiking can help you decide where to go and what to take. Jenreviews.com has a very good, complete article on backpacking. https://www.jenreviews.com/backpacking-trip/
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