If you and your partner enjoy hiking, you likely won’t want to give that up once you have kids. If you plan on hiking with kids, here are a few tips to keep them safe and entertained while on the trail.
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Keep the Trails Simple
The first thing you must do is choose a simple and easy trail. While it may not be a challenge for you, it is a huge thing for your child. This is especially true if it is their first hike, as it will be a whole new world and challenging no matter what.
A good test is to slip on your trail running shoes and test the route first. This is the best way to spot any challenges you may face, or find alternative paths to make it a bit easier for them.
Dress Appropriately
The next thing you need to do is ensure your kids are dressed appropriately. While there is no need to dress them up like seasoned hikers, they need to be dressed appropriately for the trail, weather, etc.
Firstly, they need comfortable shoes that protect their feet and ankles, as well as socks that will prevent rubbing and stop blisters. After that, a T-shirt and shorts or a little dress are fine for Summer, and layers are perfect for hiking in cooler temperatures.
Watch the Weather
Always keep an eye on the weather and ensure you aren’t hiking in adverse conditions. Heat and cold are two things that affect children differently, and an extreme temperature you can handle is almost definitely not one your child can handle.
Depending on their age, they will also struggle to communicate if they are getting too hot or too cold, meaning it is best to hike on a temperate day.
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Make it Fun
While it may not be too obvious at first, boredom can lead to danger. The last thing you want is for your child to become distracted and either fall, touch something they aren’t meant to, or do anything else that could bring them harm.
To prevent this, make the hike fun and engaging in a way that keeps them distracted safely. There is no right way to do this, but the goal is to simply not leave them to their own devices.
Plan for Stops
Always plan for pit stops along the route, no matter how short or easy it is. Kids get tired and cranky fast, and having a few stops to allow them to sit and relax for a bit will help keep their energy up.
You can also use these stops as a time to play a game or two, look at the wildlife, hunt for a hiking stick, or have a nature scavenger hunt.
First-Aid Kit
It is an absolute necessity to have a first-aid kit in your hiking pack when you are on the trail, and this is even more important when you have kids with you. Everything from a cut to a bee sting can be ten times worse for a child when compared to the pain you feel.
Your first-aid kit should have plasters, bandages, disinfectant spray, and wipes, but it should also have sunscreen, any medication they are allowed to take, etc.
Stay Patient
Always stay patient when hiking with your children, and don’t make them feel like they have to rush anywhere. Rushing or walking fast will almost always lead to them running, and that is when a fall or injury could occur.
Walk at their pace, stop when they stop, and let them dictate the speed and trajectory of the hike. They don’t have the same ideas about what a hike should be or what it can accomplish, therefore, you can’t expect them to follow you and hike how you usually hike.
Let Your Kids Lead
To make it more fun for your child and to ensure you always have your eyes on them, let them be the leader. This will allow them to walk at their own pace, and enjoy their surroundings at the same time.
If you have more than one child, alternate who the leader is to ensure they don’t get jealous or upset.
Snacks & Drinks
Always have drinks and snacks available, even if the hike will only take 30 minutes or an hour. Your child will be using a lot of energy on the hike, and they need to remain fuelled and hydrated the entire time.
Hunger and thirst are also two things that will lead to your child being upset or grumpy, and a quick snack and drink can easily turn their mood around.
Toddler Carrier
Finally, it is always best to take a toddler carrier of some kind on the hike with you. This can be an off-road buggy, or carrier backpack. While it may not happen, if your child does get injured, it is not a good idea to let them walk further, and you should turn around immediately.
A carrier will allow them to be carried safely back to your starting point, without the risk of them hurting themselves further.
