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8 top tips for hiking with young children

Hiking with small children does limit our ability to explore larger terrain and access certain areas – particularly those in the high alpine or with a significant elevation gain. It is not uncommon to see once avid hikers taking multi-year hiatuses from hiking after having children, as the effort and patience necessary to bring them along in tow can be trying. Understandable as this is, it is unfortunate, as hiking is so beneficial for our physical and mental health and a wonderful world to expose our kids to. With that in mind, here are 8 top tips for hiking with small children. 1. Choose the right hike The planning is everything. A good plan or a bad plan will make or break the entire experience, and shape how hiking is perceived our children. It is important to make sure you that you know as much as possible about the trail prior to hiking it, including the access, parking, length, elevation gain, trail condition and potential hazards (such as cliffs, fast moving water or an abundance of unpleasant bugs). It is also important to be realistic about what can be achieved, and to start with much smaller hikes before easing into bigger ones as their interest and ability grows. As a rough guide, you should expect to pack those under 2 for the majority of any hike and/or walk, though do give them every opportunity to walk when they indicate that they would like to. You could then expect 2-3 year olds to walk 1km on their own, and those that are more used to hiking may be comfortable walking 2-3kms over mostly flat terrain, with minimal elevation gain. By the time they get to 4 years old it will become more of a mental motivation game than a physical challenge, but with enough interest it would be reasonable to see them cover 5kms plus, given ample time and encouragement. If it is your first family hike post kids, a modest 2-3km loop with lots of interesting things to look at on the trail would be a good place to start. Do check the weather frequently and any advisories/trail condition information that you may have access to before heading out. 2. Create excitement Once the hike has been decided as well as timing of it (avoiding the hottest part of the day and nap times etc…) it is time to get the kids on board with the program. As with many other areas of life our kids tend to follow our enthusiasm for things, and if they see us upbeat and excited for a hike then the chances are that they will be too. You can start building this anticipation and excitement up a day or two before the hike itself, sharing with them that you are going on a big adventure, with lots of things to see, discover and do. Telling them that you will all be going to find the `enchanted forest` or `magical lake`, and musing about what types of animals could live there are fun ways to do this. If you’re really creative, you could find ways to make the hike relevant to some of their favourite TV shows or games, like making it a real life Dora The Explore mission. Creating lots of positive associations around the hike itself should indicate that hiking is a fun activity for them to do, and that you are looking forward to doing it with them. 3. Suitable clothing Dressing suitably for hiking and the weather is key. As anyone can attest to, it is hard to enjoy anything when we are uncomfortable. The most likely cause of discomfort is footwear, and it is all too easy for sandals or casual sneakers to rub and cause blisters when kilometres of uneven terrain are covered. Wearing one pair of good hiking socks – pulled up so there are no creases – and some grippy, well made shoes with ankle support will set our kids up for the best chance of success. Any shoes that do not have good grip may make walking downhill difficult and could cause the `marble effect`, and anything with straps is more likely to rub. Unfortunately good shoes are not always cheap but it is hard to put a price on comfort, stability and healthy growth. Another cause for discomfort is clothing rubbing, which is often seen with shorts or jeans rubbing between the thighs and creating a sore area. Leggings and joggers are preferable as they are comfortable to move in and breathable. Do account for weather conditions too – particularly in the mountains where weather can change quickly. Make sure all rain jackets are fully waterproof (not just weatherproof), and that hot weather clothing is breathable and quick drying. 4. Pack accordingly Time should be given to packing properly; forgetting one essential item can prematurely end your expedition and spoil your day. For kids in hot weather we need to include all of the essentials; water bottle, sunscreen & sun hat. If in bear territory, bear spray is essential and should be either on a hip holster or in an easy access unzipped pocket. A first aid kit – including bandaids, gauzing, antiseptic wipes/iodine, surgical tape and scissors – is also a must when heading into the wilderness, as well as any essential medications (such as epipens). If you have an infant then you’ll want a change kit is (don`t forget the diaper bags), and snacks are really important for energy and incentives. Things like granola bars and fresh fruit make for good trail nibbles, and for a longer hike you will want to bring a lunch. Small amounts of chocolate or something that is considered as a treat are also handy to have in your pocket if the kids are needing a little `pick me up` along the way. Extra water for the whole family is a must, and depending on the area you may also want to bring some bug spray. An extra outfit for each child on the hike is a good idea too, as toddlers are so good at falling in puddles and other things that require an outfit change. An extra warmer/long sleeved layer is a good idea too incase you are out longer than expected. Lastly, a good hiking carrier for kids is essential for the little ones; a back pack is preferable over any front carriers as they will allow for the weight to be taken on your hips and will not get in the way of your own hiking. It is always a balance between bringing what you need, and not carrying around a heavy load that you don`t. Use the above as your essentials, and then decide each additional item against its bulk Vs benefit. 5. Set a goal It is really important to create a goal for kids; this could be reaching a summit and having a picnic lunch with a view, or reaching a magical lake and skipping stones across it. Whatever it is, kids need something in mind that they are walking towards as opposed to merely meandering, and if you can include something fun for them at the goal it will help to motivate to get them there. This could be something as small as their favourite treat at the top, or reaching a special place. One of the biggest grumbles of slightly older kids, say from 4 years and up, is that of `why` & `where` are they going. If you address this early, it will help to mentally prepare them for the hike and help them to feel apart of the adventure planning. 6. Follow their lead One of the harder ones is to go at their pace. This can feel painfully slow so much of the time, especially when they are watching insects or drawing with sticks in the dirt. It is however important to embrace the aspects of hiking that the kids enjoy. It also helps them to take some ownership of the hike, and not feel as if they are just being dragged along on your adventure. Of course there are times when you will hurry them along, but try to do it in a way that explains why you need to continue walking and is not dismissive of their interests. It is so important for kids to enjoy their own `hike` and not be on a forced march alongside of the adults. Taking frequent breaks is something that small children will need to do, so do your best to be patient with these – offering water and snacks along the way. If an adult needs to stop once every hour for a sip of water – assume that your child will need to stop 3 times for theirs. 7. Make it fun Perhaps the part that takes the most of our energy is the effort that goes in to making hiking fun for the kids. It may be that you need to talk all the way up and all the down to your chatty 4 year old about `Frozen`, or that you feed your 7 year old with riddles and jokes every other minute. Games such as `eye spy` or a `hide and seek` can introduce a playful element as you walk, a serve as a distraction to any tiring sections that you come across. Sharing interesting things and guiding their discovery of nature along the way is a great way to educate and share appreciation; your average 3 year old can be captivated by a puff ball mushroom or in guessing animals made those foot prints. The more interested in your surroundings that you show you are, the more likely that will translate to your little ones. 8. Reward their efforts It does seem obvious, but if your 5 year old walked 3kms by themselves, be sure to tell them what a great job they have done and how proud you are of them. Encouragement can go a long way, and it is so good to positively reinforce their efforts, solidifying it as a positive experience and making them far more likely to be up for the next hiking adventure. It does feel like an awful lot of energy and work has to go into taking a young family hiking, but exposing kids to the outdoors from an early age has huge advantages, many of which they can carry through life. So, breathe deep, plan well and enjoy being back on the trails – even if it is at a much slower pace. Nadine Robb is Owner and Instructor at Hakuba Ski Concierge. Hakuba Ski Concierge is a boutique ski school in Hakuba, Japan. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

Nadine Robb

Nadine Robb is Owner and Instructor at Hakuba Ski Concierge. Hakuba Ski Concierge is a boutique ski school specialising in private ski lessons, snowboard lessons and resort guiding services. The first of it`s kind in Hakuba, Japan – guests have the freedom to manage their time how they see fit, and have a choice of ski resorts, onsens and local lunch spots to ensure that they get the very most out of Hakuba. Originally from the UK, Nadine has been in Japan for 10 years now, with time spent in Austria and Canada previously. Author to the children`s book `Joey`s First Ski Lesson`, Nadine is also a professional Ski and Snowboard Instructor, Wilderness First Responder and Swift Water Rescue Technician and mother of two.

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18 Comments

  1. And here’s a 9th that I learnt the hard way over the years ….

    9. If they really, really don’t want to hike on that day – give up!

    There are days when the kids just don’t want to do it. We had one such grey day on Mull in Scotland. Eventually, I decided to give up and head back without too much of a battle.

    Three days later, the sun was shining, the kids were in a better mood and we had a really fun walk.

    1. Great comment Lorraine – I couldn`t agree more! We too have many `off days` with our small kids and just as you say, make the call to save it for another day. So often if they are not in the right frame of mind from the get go, our efforts and energies will all be for nothing.

  2. Before lockdown if I had suggested to my kids that we go out for a hike they would have looked at me as if I were mad. Over the last six months the world has changed. Once they’d experienced cabin fever they were very happy to get out and enjoy a long hike. Covid 19 has not been all bad.

    1. Absolutely, increased interest in the outdoors and in physical activities has been a silver lining to this destructive pandemic. It seems that as children get a little older it is harder to incentivise hiking; with that, making it a part of their everyday life in the early years may go some way towards making it better received once they hit the teens.

  3. You may think now that small children inhibit your ability to enjoy the great outdoors. Give it a decade and the tables will be turned. They’ll be the ones exasperated and frustrated as they wait for you to come puffing up a steep incline.

    1. So true! It is very hard to balance between encouraging them in the outdoors and pushing our will onto them. If our kids grow up to hike or ski us under the table, it is the best indicator that they have developed their own appreciation and interest for the sport and will then be something that can be enjoyed together and passed on to their own families.

  4. Now that so many First World countries are facing an obesity epidemic it’s more important than ever that parents take responsibility for developing healthy habits in their children.

    As many infant school children are on the verge of obesity it’s vital that parents start early and encourage their children to enjoy exercise and make it part of a healthy lifestyle as they grow up. Some very helpful tips here to set kids on a healthy path to adulthood.

    1. Thank you Julia! Indeed childhood obesity is a growing concern – excuse the pun – and there is a lot of evidence to suggest that the earlier we create positive eating and exercising habits, the better chance at avoiding weight issues there is. I do believe that with physical activity, a young person`s interest or willingness comes down to what has been instilled as `normal` in that individual. To expect a 10 year that has never been hiking before to then be enthusiastic about walking up a mountain one day is unrealistic, but for the one whose family goes hiking every weekend or even strolls their local nature trail once a week with the family will be far more receptive to bigger adventures.

  5. My folks used to work work all week with the occasional Sunday off and my favourite memories when I was young were from hikes up the local hills among other places. I didn’t think of it slowing the adults down or limiting their ability to explore, but I think that’s because I was the reason they were going so they probably wouldn’t have done it at all otherwise. I’m glad we did, I loved it as a kid being able to go off on an adventure, especially when you got to bits that were a bit different, going through styles or across water. We’d often have a picnic with us for part way and a kite or ball to have a play about and break up some of the walking.

    Excellent exercise, but it wasn’t extreme hiking or anything. It was very casual so I laughed at the photo here of the family with the table and nice tableware sitting down for lunch – I wish we had been that organised! Then again, it was just the three of us so I imagine more planning is needed if there are a couple of children in tow. I would highly recommend it for kids, it’s got so many benefits. With Dora the Explorer I imagine it’s all the more appealing for the much younger ones to have adventures of their own too. Aww this has brought back some nice memories!

    1. Thank you so much for your comment Jen, it sounds like you had many great childhood adventures!

      Great thought with kite flying and bringing along things to make it more entertaining for kids; games like `camouflage` and `hide and seek` can be fun trail games too – a way to break up the pace for kids.

  6. I’d totally agree with suitable clothing. The trouble is with my accident prone children the clothing they start out with is never enough. All three of them have the ability to fall into quicksand, streams and quagmires. In fact, anything messy and disgustingly smelly. Then they need a change of clothing. Urgently.

    My suggestion for point number 9 would be to carry a change of clothing as well.

    1. It was hard not to chuckle when reading your comment Zoe – thank you for sharing! I think you have hit the nail on the head and point 9 should absolutely be to bring a spare pair of clothes. As well as accident prone kids that gravitate towards all puddles, ponds and general mess – weather in the mountains can change so rapidly that extra layers should be brought in case the temperatures fall. Another reason why this is a good idea is that unforeseen incidents could result with you being outside much longer and later than expected, and having extra layers will keep you all warmer should this happen.

  7. I’m keen to start teaching my toddlers about hiking, which I didn’t think was possible at all. I just thought they were too young for that kind of activity. The only kind of hiking they do is around the neighborhood or at the park. I’m concerned about safety, and all the tips you’ve given me here, including what to take note of — pre-planning is very important — I will take note of. I’m particularly interested in managing how to pack light with kids in tow. What with all the toys, food, clothing, and gear (mosquito repellent and first aid kit). Still, it’s an awesome idea.

    1. Thank you for your comment Malaikah. Absolutely getting toddlers into hiking is not only possible, but a great way to set you up as a family for future adventures.

      When it comes to packing light, you mentioned toys. I personally recommend making a point of not bringing any toys along, and creating hiking an activity where the surroundings provide the entertainment. In the absence of toys, kids start to find interest in strange shaped mushrooms, tree sap and any small creatures that may be around. It allows their curiosity and imagination to take the lead. On a recent hike with my 4 year old we spend 6 hours discussing the possibility of fairies living in small holes that we saw along the trail, and what types of life they might have in the forest!

      As for other items; water, snacks, motivators (small treats to provide a `goal` and energy), extra layers, sun screen, hat & bug repellent. On very small children I do recommend long sleeves over repellent.

      Enjoy your hiking adventures!

  8. I am a new mom and it would be lovely to hike with my little bubba when she gets a little older. It is a great bank of memories and experience to build! I would definitely take note of all your tips. I could not wait until that day comes and I will truly take lots of photos and videos so we can have something to look back on in the future.

    1. What an exciting time for you I. Fenton – with many more to come. If you have a child carrier you can get your little one used to being outside for extended periods and absorbing their surroundings by packing them with you. This is great exposure for them and establishes hiking as a `normal` from a young age. It is also a great way to get back into shape post kids!

  9. Many parents are constantly finding ways to exhaust their children’s boundless energies so they can rest at the end of the day. Hiking is an activity that will surely drain their energy in a good way. They will be exposed to the beauty of nature and it will be a memorable learning experience for them to actually connect with the environment. Parents will be able to teach their kids to appreciate natural beauty at an early age, and its positive impact may develop a sense of responsibility in them to protect the environment.

    Hiking will also strengthen familial ties since spending more time with your children will also create a stronger bond. I think above all the eight tips listed in this article, number six is the most helpful. Letting them take part in decision making will surely make the entire experience and trip worthwhile because problems will less likely to happen. Children usually have tantrums whenever they feel uncomfortable with their surroundings and in what they are doing. Letting them lead in things like places they want to explore, the food they want to eat, and other activities they may want to try out will surely lessen negative emotions to flow.

    1. So much truth in all you have said Idrees! For us it has been real trial and error in raising our 2 and 4 year olds to find a balance that works for us all. It has made us very creative (and hopefully patient) as we navigate our way through being with young children in the outdoors. Exactly as you say, number 6 is something that initially did not give much space for, but we quickly realised how important it is. Of course, all children are different and so what works well and what deosn`t will be different for everyone.

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