Heading on a family adventure is always thrilling for everyone involved. But what about the practicalities along the way? If you’re planning an outdoor expedition with your little ones, you might be thinking about spending a day or two hiking. Perfect for getting some fresh air and blowing off steam, hiking with kids is a great activity – but you’ll need to be prepared. Not sure where to start? We’ll explore the sorts of items you’ll need to include in your family survival kit and plenty of top tips along the way in our family hiking guide.
Family Survival Kit For Hiking
Wondering what outdoor gear to take hiking with children? Don’t worry. We’ve split our family survival kit into three handy segments: clothing, equipment and fuel. So to make sure you don’t forget any essentials, check out what you’ll need to go on a family hiking adventure below.
Clothing
• Sturdy kids’ hiking shoes. Ensure that your family hiking trip goes as smoothly as planned with a pair of quality, supportive kids’ walking boots or walking shoes.
• A waterproof jacket for kids. Keep the youngsters warm, dry and happy with a packable kids’ waterproof jacket – you never know when you might get hit by a burst of rain!
• A hat. For summer day treks or walks through a winter wonderland, hats provide unbeatable protection from the elements.
• A lightweight fleece. Perfect for changeable conditions or just a cosy mid layer on cold weather hikes, a kids’ fleece is a must have for your family survival kit.
Equipment
• Sunscreen. Protecting your skin from the sun is vital on any outdoor adventure, so be sure to pack plenty of sun cream. Or for added defence against the sun’s UV rays, pack some kids’ sun protective clothing.
• Entertainment. Embarking on a road trip to get to your destination? Don’t forget to take some form of entertainment for the journey, from audiobooks to simple games!
• First aid kit. Taking a small first aid kit on your hike is key. Remember to keep plasters, blister pads and antiseptic cream handy for any cuts or scrapes.
• Spare clothing. You never know what might happen on a family hiking trip, so be prepared for any eventuality with some spare clothing.
• Small rucksack for the children. Kids love to feel like they’re helping, so why not let them have their own mini kids’ hiking rucksack?
Fuel
• Plenty of water. Hiking is thirsty work, so make sure that you have plenty of water for the whole family to stay hydrated while exploring.
• Nutritious snacks. As well as a packed lunch, some nutritious snacks are key for keeping energy levels high on a tricky hike.
• A sweet treat. If you can’t treat your kids to something sweet on a long hike, when can you? Just try not to overdo it on the sugar, as this could lead to a sugar crash.
Which Family Rucksacks Are The Best For Hiking?
Wondering which family rucksack you should opt for? Unfortunately, there’s no clear answer. However, you can decide based on these factors: how long the hike is, how many children you have and whether you’re taking a meal with you or not.
For a longer hike with over two children, we’d recommend opting for a 26 or 30l rucksack – so you can comfortably stow away all the items highlighted above.
For a short hike, or an adventure with less than two children, you’ll be able to fit everything you need in a 16 to 22l rucksack.
Top Tips For Hiking With Children
So now you know what to pack on a family hiking trip (and what bag to put it all in), we’ll run you through some top tips for staying sane and happy on your adventure:
• Try to go at their pace. Walking too quickly could tire out the little ones and you won’t have the chance to stop and appreciate the moment.
• Take plenty of pit stops. Hiking is a pretty tiring activity, especially for little legs. Make sure to take a break every now and then so you’re all ready for the next phase of the route.
• Make it fun! Kids might struggle to find hiking interesting, so to avoid boredom, try and plan a route that involves lots of different sites and activities – from bolder hopping to crossing a stream.
• Have positive energy. While hiking with kids could be seen as stressful, it’s important not to show this to them as it could deter them from adventuring in the future! Stay positive, have fun and repeat.
And that concludes our family hiking guide. Ready to give it a go? Just use our handy packing list and tips and tricks for an enjoyable adventure for everyone involved.