Outdoorshopping Blog

Hiking with an infant or toddler can be quite the chore if you haven’t properly prepared for it, but it is certainly not an impossible task. With a little extra planning, hiking with your little one can be an excellent bonding experience, a great way to introduce them to the wilderness, and maybe even a stress-reliever for yourself.

Here are five tips that will make your hiking experience with your kid a bit more manageable and enjoyable:

1. Choose the right route. Pick a trail that you have hiked before and are relatively familiar with. You don’t want a long or difficult terrain when taking a child hiking, as this will make things harder for the both of you.Try to skip places with lots of bugs, sun, or other extreme temperatures. This only leads to more obstacles, more gear, and more complaints.

2. Dress for the occasion. Full coverage from head to toe is the best protection from bugs and the sun. This means: a large floppy or wide-brimmed hat, a long-sleeved t-shirt, light cotton or breezy pants, comfortable socks, and durable hiking shoes or boots.If you are hiking during one of the cooler months, be sure to bring some extra layers just in case. As for an infant, a warm, fleece bodysuit with fold-over mittens is ideal.

3. Bring all of the necessary gear.

a) Snacks and drinks: When hiking with an infant, be sure to bring enough milk or formula for however often they are feeding - plus extra! You never know when a short trip could become an emergency situation, so always bring more than you need. When hiking with a toddler, be sure to bring enough snacks to feed them every five minutes when they say they are hungry. Make sure you bring enough water bottles for each hiker, as well.

b) Sunscreen and bugspray: If for some reason, you cannot provide full clothing coverage for your child, don’t forget the sunscreen and bugspray. Too much sun and too many bugs and bites makes for one unhappy toddler and an even unhappier parent!

c) Transportation options: If you are hiking with an infant under 6 months old, a front carrier is ideal. From about 6 months to 1 year, a backpack carrier is probably the best choice. At 1-2 years old, your little one will most likely want to walk, but will actually need to be carried most of the way. In this case, you will want to take your backpack carrier or jogging stroller if possible. Once your toddler is over 2 years old, they can probably walk the majority of the trail with enough snacks and breaks.

4. Remember safety tips.

a) Dress in bright colors. Both toddlers and adults alike should dress in bright colors. This makes it easier to keep an eye on your toddler, and easier for your toddler to spot you if you become separated for any reason.

b) Provide your toddler with a whistle to wear around their neck. Teach them that if they become lost or separated from you, all they have to do is blow the whistle.

5. Start early, plan for breaks, and do not set time restraints!

a) Start your hike first thing in the morning. This way, your infant or toddler has just had a full night’s rest and you may even be back in time for an afternoon nap.

b) Plan for rest-stops. If you are hiking with an infant in a carrier, take a few breaks to get them out of the carrier to cool down or stretch out. If you are hiking with a toddler, you are going to need to take breaks for drinks, snacks, and resting.

c) Avoid setting time restraints. As if it isn’t hard enough to travel with children already, now you are adding trees, rocks, bugs, and plenty of other distractions to the mix. Do not try to finish your hike within a certain amount of time. It is most likely not going to happen. Plan to stop for distractions and exploration, and try your best to keep your patience if your toddler gets sidetracked. After all, this is meant to be fun for everyone!

Each of these tips will hopefully make your hiking experience more fun and pleasant for everybody. Just remember that hiking is supposed to be an enjoyable hobby, and it certainly still can be even with an infant or toddler tagging along.