Hiking With Toddlers: A Guide
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Tips and Gear For
Hiking With A Toddler
As an active couple, before we had our daughter, we knew that we wanted to share our love of travel and hiking with our baby girl. So it was a no-brainer to start while she was several months.
The first trip was an Outerbanks road trip, and the following year was her first National Park (Glacier NP, Yellowstone, and the Grand Tetons). Her third trip was to Washington State to Olympic National Park but in between those trips are always heading into the mountains for mini road trips and or short hikes.
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Hiking with Toddlers
I know most parents could be intimated at the thought of going out hiking with a baby or toddler but you don’t have to feel that way. The first thing you have to think about before venturing out into the mountains to hike with a baby is to see if it’s the right time. If your baby can’t hold their head up yet (usually 6-8 months) then they are too young in my opinion. Secondly, you have to be well prepared with extra diapers, changing clothes, the right clothes, shoes, and enough food and water.
Besides the baby and toddler items mentioned in the following sections, they are a few other things to keep in mind.
* sunscreen and bug spray for yourself
* depending on where you are hiking, bear spray
* mini flashlight
* a couple of bandaids and anti-itch cream (in case of bug bites or poison ivy)
* travel size blanket for that picnic
* ziplock bag for those dirty diapers
Toddler Carrier
As far as toddler carriers go, we absolutely love our Deuter hiking baby carrier. We first got this before she turned one. She wasn't walking yet and we still wanted to go out hiking so this was a perfect fit. She is almost three and is still using it as it is good for up to 50 lbs.
The reason we love the Deuter Baby Toddler Carrier:
* RAIN SUN SHADE - You can add this removable sun/rain head cover which is perfect for protection from the sun and short rain showers. In addition to this if you are going when it's the heavy rainy season you may want to get additional cover protection for the sides.
* YEARS OF USAGE- It has a high weight limit. To be exact the limit is 48 lbs which means that it will be good for up to a 4-5-year-old. So that's a lot of years of using this durable toddler backpack. It's well worth the price.
* POCKETS - It has two side pockets for water bottles, small toys, or snacks and a larger one in the back for your phone, lunch, and diapers.
* It has a kick-out stand for easy loading.
* And several adjustable straps for your baby/toddler as they grow.
* SIZE - Fits in a large suitcase if flying somewhere.
Family hike using a Deuter baby carrier.
Besides having the Deuter toddler carrier I use a Deuter backpack to carry snacks, diapers, my tripod, and camera equipment. It’s perfect as everything I need fits in and makes it easy to carry.
Snacks and Water
You definitely won't want a hungry baby or toddler on your hands while hiking in the mountains. This will not make for a fun and adventurous hiking trip. Depending on how long your hike is and where it is in reference to your home or restaurants/grocery store you will need to prepare. Think ahead of time. Will you and your family be picnicking or will be a short hike and all you need are snacks?
Toddler Snacks:
Nuts (pecans, almonds, walnuts)
Trail mix
Fig bars
Grapes
Rice cakes
jello
Recently, I found these reusable bags for snacks and sandwiches. I absolutely love these because I started to realize how many sandwich bags we were using for our trips and just everyday use and felt bad.
Lunch ideas:
almond butter and jelly sandwich
cheese sandwich
Cheese and crackers
fruit (apples, bananas, pear)
bottle or formula
food packs for baby
You can never have too much water so don't forget a water bottle. I love this one. It's small enough for a side pocket in the toddler carrier.
Proper Clothes and Shoes
The last thing you want to happen while out in the elements with your kids is to be unprepared. Depending on the time of the year and location the weather can change quickly and without warning. Also, you want to be prepared if your hike takes longer than you originally thought.
If hiking in the fall or winter:
* Jacket
* warm hat
* gloves
* warm socks
* rain boots if a rainy day
* comfortable shoes, maybe hiking shoes if a toddler over 3 (they can be expensive)
* sunglasses (even if there is snow, these are important)
If in the spring or summer:
small towel for drying
swimwear if going near a river
sunglasses
Love these hiking shoes for toddlers | Forever Bebes
THESE ARE THE BEST WATER SHOES FOR THE MOUNTAINS | Forever Bebes
A Few Other Fun Stuff For Kids
There are a couple of items that toddlers and older kids might want to have while hiking. These items can be fun while making them feel like an adult.
kids backpack
a fannypack
Some Other Things To Think About
Protection From the Elements
Believe me, it's no fun to get sunburned or to hike while soaking wet. Even less is for your toddler to be soaked or burning hot. Be prepared and check the weather forecast beforehand but also know that in some areas the weather can change without warning. You could be walking in the sun at the moment and the next clouds are moving in and a thunderstorm is occurring. Some things to carry include:
* Sunscreen
* a thin rain jacket if in the summer
* hat for sun protection
* rainboots for toddlers
* plastic shoe cover for the adults
* some chemical-free bug spray for kids
Other Safety Tips
Not to scare you off from hiking in the forest but a lot of people go missing in National Parks, State Parks, and forests including kids. Some tips and things to think about when hiking to stay safe:
Make sure you know exactly where you going and stay on the trail and take a map. Many people get lost when they ver off the trail for a swim or a rest and lose their barrings.
Let someone know where you are going and that you will call or text them when you return.
Leave a note in your car of what trail you are taking, your destination, and when you expect to return. This is so if you do get lost and your car is found, rescue will know where to look for you.
Know what type of wildlife is around where you will be hiking, such as bears. (take bear spray)
Be prepared with water and snacks.
Know what kind of weather
Items to have when going hiking for longer hikes:
Compass or surviving gear
Capturing the Moment
Hiking with your kids can be an awesome adventure and a lot of fun but you will want to capture the experience in photos and or video. If you don't, later you might say to yourself, "I wish I had taken pictures. It was our first hiking trip." Photos are the best way to never forget the best of times and the funniest moments, especially when traveling with your family. Here are some ideas on what to take on your next or first hiking trip.
* cellphone (good camera on your cellphone if not a lot of space)
* a digital SLR camera
* fisheye lens for selfies with the whole background in the frame
* kit lens will be just fine for hiking
* tripod if you want to take selfies with a remote control or if you want to take photos of waterfalls (if waterfalls you'll need at least two neutral density filters)
* a waterproof camera carrier if it rains but not necessary
Check out this post about what's in my camera bag and my Amazon List Shop of favorite camera items.
Navigation
Another important thing to keep in mind is to have your navigation tools with you unless you are super familiar with the area and have been there many times before. It is best to be prepared. Here are a few ideas of what to take.
* compass
* map
* print out the hiking trail
* screenshot of the hike on your phone
* maps from the visitor center
National Parks and Local Forest
There more dozens and dozens more dozens of places to start your hiking adventure. Between local areas, National Parks, state parks, and National Forests you can find plenty of places to hike. Check out these sites to find hiking trails near you:
