By Craghoppers Ambassador, Sabah Ahmed
When it comes to hiking with kids, there are a few key things to bear in mind in order to make the experience enjoyable for both you and your little ones.
Invest in good clothing
Kids love to jump In puddles, splash through streams and roll in mud. There’s nothing worse than a cold, wet and miserable child. So, waterproofs and at least one good insulating layer are vital when hiking with kids.
The perfect gift for little ones starting out exploring in the outdoors is the Peyton Jacket. This waterproof is a longer length and helps to keep more of Aadam dry and its padded inside and has fleece in the hood to keep him snug. It’s also part made from recycling plastic bottles.
For that all important insulating layer, you can’t go wrong with the Kaito, which is a deep pile sherpa fleece with pockets and hood, again made from recycling plastic bottles.
Start Them Young
Start a family tradition of going hiking as often as possible. Kids love a sense of adventure.
Introducing your kids to short hikes from a young age helps them create a connection to nature and the outdoors. This is fantastic for their development. Start with short family walks, then build up slowly.
With most children spending a good chunk of their time indoors, hiking on the weekend or holidays is a perfect way to get them outside, be it a local park or a more challenging hike.
Keep It Fun
Battling against grim weather to get to the top of a hill that’s cloaked in cloud might not seem the best idea when hiking with kids.
Keep things fun with games to play on a hike. Games such as scavenger hunt cards, I Spy and guessing animals or colours can keep them busy and entertained.
Good Carrier
Invest in a good hiking carrier. Ideally you want to carry your child on your back and not your front. This is to ensure you can see your footing in uneven terrain. Osprey has a great range, worth checking out and making the investment.
If you are a total beginner, practise in your local park on low level ground with a suitable carrier. It takes time for your muscles to adjust to carrying a child so practise is really important.
If your child naps during the day it’s a good idea to try and get them used to having a nap in the carrier. This means you don’t need to rush!
Snacks, Snacks & More Snacks
Pack more snacks then you think you will need! Distraction is key!
Positive Energy
Hiking is great for bonding with your children. It forces to you be present and opens the door for open conversations and bonding.
Be patient and encouraging in their curiosity and “slowness,” this will make the hike much more pleasant.
Kids can be unpredictable. Be prepared to ditch your plan and lower your expectations
Don’t Be Afraid To Take Risks
The more they push their boundaries and take safe risks in nature, the more self-confident they will be.
Sabah and husband Sam own and run expeditions from their company Summit Special.