8 top tips for hiking with young children
Hiking with young children limits our ability to explore larger terrain and access certain areas - especially those in the high mountains or with significant elevation gain. It's not uncommon to see once-avid hikers take breaks for years after having children, as the effort and patience it takes to tow them to the trailer can be taxing. Understandable as it is, it is unfortunate because hiking is so beneficial for our physical and mental health and a wonderful world to expose our children to. With that in mind, here are 8 tips for hiking with young children.
1. Choose the right hikePlanning is everything. One good plan or one bad plan will make or break the whole experience and shape how hiking is viewed by our children. It is important to make sure that you know as much as possible about the trail before hiking it, including access, parking, length, elevation gain, trail condition, and potential hazards (such as than cliffs, fast moving water or an abundance of nasty insects). It's also important to be realistic about what can be achieved and start with much smaller hikes before moving on to larger ones as their interest and abilities grow. As a guideline, you should expect to pack under 2s for the majority of any hike and / or walk, but give them every chance to walk when they indicate they want to. You can then expect children 2-3 years old to walk 1 km alone, and those more used to hiking may be comfortable walking 2-3 km on mostly flat terrain, with some gain. minimum altitude. By the age of 4 it will become more of a mental motivational game than a physical challenge, but with enough interest it would be reasonable to see them run more than 5 km, with enough time and encouragement. If this is your first family hike after kids, a modest 2-3 mile loop with lots of interesting things to look at on the trail would be a good place to start. Frequently check the weather and any notices / trail condition information you may have access to before setting out.
Once you've decided on the hike and the timing (avoiding the hottest times of the day and naps, etc.), it's time to get the kids involved in the program. As in many other areas of life, our children tend to follow our enthusiasm for things, and if they see us upbeat and excited for a hike, chances are they are too. You can start creating that anticipation and excitement a day or two before the hike itself, by sharing with them that you are going on a great adventure, with plenty to see, experience, and do. Tell them that you are all going to find the "enchanted forest" or the "magic lake", and ask yourself what types of animals could live there are some fun ways to do it. If you're really creative, you can find ways to make the hike relevant to some of their favorite TV shows or games, like making it a real Dora The Explore mission. Creating lots of positive associations around the hike itself should indicate that the hike is a fun activity for them and that you can't wait to do it with them.
Dressing appropriately for the hike and the weather is key. As anyone can attest, it's hard to take advantage of anything when we're uncomfortable. Shoes are the most likely cause of discomfort, and it's too easy for sandals or casual sneakers to rub and cause blisters when miles of rugged terrain are covered. Wearing a pair of good hiking socks - pulled up so that there are no creases - and grippy, well-made shoes with ankle support will give our children the best chance for success. Any shoe that doesn't have a good grip can make it difficult to walk downhill and cause a "marble effect", and anything with straps is more likely to chafe. Unfortunately, good shoes don't always come cheap, but it's hard to put a price on comfort, stability, and healthy growth. Another cause of discomfort is rubbing of clothing, which is often seen with shorts or jeans rubbing between the thighs and creating a painful area. Leggings and joggers are preferable because they are comfortable and breathable. Also consider weather conditions - especially in the mountains where the weather can change quickly. Make sure all rain jackets are fully waterproof (not just weatherproof) and warm weather clothing is breathable and dries quickly.
It takes time to pack properly; forgetting an essential item can end your expedition prematurely and ruin your day. For kids in hot weather, we need to include all the essentials; water bottle, sunscreen and sun hat. If you find yourself in bear territory, bear spray is essential and should be placed on a hip holster or in an easily accessible open pocket. A first aid kit - including bandages, gauze, antiseptic / iodine wipes, surgical tape, and scissors - is also a must when you go out into the wild, along with all essential medicines (such as epipens) . If you have a baby, you'll want a change kit (don't forget the diaper bags), and snacks are really important for energy and incentives. Things like granola bars and fresh fruit make great trail snacks, and for a longer hike, you'll want to bring a lunch. Small amounts of chocolate or something that is considered a treat are also handy to have in your pocket if the kids need a bit of 'pick me up' along the way. Additional water for the whole family is a must, and depending on the area, you may also want to bring bug spray. An extra outfit for each child on the hike is also a good idea, as toddlers are very good at falling into puddles and other things that require a change of outfit. A warmer / long sleeve diaper is also a good idea if you are away longer than expected. Finally, a good hiking baby carrier for children is essential for the little ones; a backpack is preferable to any front baby carrier as they will support the weight on your hips and will not interfere with your own hike. It's always a balance between bringing what you need and not carrying a heavy load that you don't have. Use the above as essential and then decide each additional element over its bulk advantage.
It is really important to create a goal for the kids; it could be reaching a peak and having a picnic with a view, or reaching a magical lake and jumping rocks. Either way, kids need something in their minds that they walk towards rather than just meandering around, and if you can include something fun for them in the goal, it will help motivate them to. get there. It could be something as small as their favorite treat at the top or reaching a special spot. One of the biggest growls of a little older kids, say 4 years and older, is that of "why" and "where" they go. If you tackle this early on, it will help you mentally prepare them for the hike and feel left out of adventure planning.
One of the most difficult is to go at their own pace. It can seem painfully slow most of the time, especially when looking at bugs or drawing with sticks in the dirt. However, it is important to adopt the aspects of hiking that children enjoy. It also helps them take some ownership of the hike and not feel like they are just being dragged into your adventure. Of course, there are times when you will rush them, but try to do it in a way that explains why you have to keep walking and doesn't look down on their interests. It is so important that children enjoy their own "hike" and do not force a walk alongside adults. Taking frequent breaks is something 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 has to stop once an hour for a sip of water, assume your child will have to stop 3 times for theirs.
Perhaps the part that takes the most of our energy is the effort of making hiking fun for the kids. You may need to talk completely to your chatty 4 year old about "Frozen", or you may feed your 7 year old with riddles and jokes every two minutes. Games such as "eye spy" or "hide and seek" can introduce a fun element as you walk, and serve as a distraction from any strenuous sections 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 may be captivated by a ball mushroom or by guessing that the animals made these footprints. The more interested you are in your surroundings, the more likely it will result in your little ones.
8. Reward their effortsIt sounds obvious, but if your 5 year old has done 2 miles on his own, be sure to tell him how great a job he did and how proud you are. Encouragement can go a long way, and it's so good to positively reinforce their efforts, solidifying them as a positive experience and making them a lot more likely to be ready for the next hiking adventure.
It seems like a lot of energy and work goes into taking a young family on a hike, but exposing children to the outdoors from an early age has huge benefits, many of which can be worn throughout life. So take a deep breath, plan well, and enjoy returning to the trails, even if it's 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 enhance your profile, please contact us.