Hiking alone with your kids can be a daunting task. There are so many “what ifs” that pop into our heads. You might even be wondering how you could ever possibly carry all of that stuff with you on the trail when you can barely even get the car packed in the morning.
Actually it’s easier than you think. And I’m not just saying this because today I am an expert minimalist packer – I used to take allll of the things with me when we left for a few hours at the zoo. I had water bottles for every person, juice boxes for instant smiles, a full spread lunch, an entire day or two worth of diapers, and a change of clothes for everyone in the family. I probably also had at least 2 or 3 baby carriers, stuffed animals, hats and sunglasses, body lotion, a few toys, and of course my beloved iced coffee.
However, I found a lot of freedom in hiking with my kids once I was able to ditch the stroller, ditch all the extra stuff, and get down to just the basics.
What this means is that I am no longer the mom with the Mary Poppins bag. I won’t have a rope for the kid who decides she needs it to climb, or a poncho for the chance of rain. But what I will have, are shoulders that don’t ache from carrying too much stuff, and children who get to hike (mostly) burden free. This was a decision that was best for our family because I truly wanted our children to enjoy hiking, but carrying a lot of stuff just wasn’t making that dream a reality. And if I’m being honest, it was making me miserable, too.
So what should you realistically bring with you when you’re hiking with your children? Here is a list of just the basics plus a few other things I’ve found do not add to the burden and are truly helpful. This list may need to be adjusted for your individual family and for where you are hiking. For example, if you’re hiking in bear country, please do bring bear spray. Also always bring whatever tools or supplies you need to make you feel comfortable. You might want to consider keeping a pocket knife on you and a whistle on your backpack. Additionally, keep in mind that this list is aimed at families on a leisurely hike – we do not usually hike any more than 6 miles and this list has always suited us fine for our adventures. But, back to the pack list!
What To Bring
- Enough water for each person to stay hydrated
- Water filter (this is our go-to filter we clip to our backpack)
- 1-3 energy packed snacks per person
- Backpack for supplies (we love this budget water backpack)
- Small first aid kit
- Dog poop bags for trash (or poop)
- One diaper if needed
- Lightweight baby/toddler carrier if needed (I keep mine around my waist when not in use)
- Small supply of tissues/TP/wipes for emergencies
What NOT To Bring
- Excessive amounts of water. It’s too heavy, don’t do it. (But please know your limits, water requirements, and be aware of where you are going. Some conditions require more water than others. Obviously plan for enough to stay healthy and hydrated and air on the side of too much rather than too little, but excessive water just isn’t necessary). Instead, leave bottles of ice water in the car as a refreshing treat to return to.
- Changes of clothes. Keep this in the car, and let children know that if they get wet, they will stay wet for the duration of the hike.
- Food that requires refrigeration. There’s nothing more gross than hot, sweaty cheese.
- A full lunch spread. Unless you’re actually going out all day, in which you’re probably a more advanced hiker and your family can handle carrying extra weight. If not, LEAVE THE SALAD AT HOME.
- Food that takes up a lot of space. Consider calories vs size. For example: watermelon? Sure it’s refreshing, but it doesn’t have enough calories for it to make sense. Save it for when you get home. Sandwiches? That’s a personal call but unless we’re on a long hike I find that the bread isn’t worth the space it takes up.
- Too many layers. Consider how warm you will be while hiking, and wear appropriate clothing. If all of your kids start shedding layers, the sweatshirt pile can quickly get out of hand and you do not want to have to carry that.
Generally, if my children do not want to carry it, then they are instructed not to bring it. We all share the load by taking turns with the water backpack(s), stronger people having the earlier turns while the bag is still heaviest. By packing minimal, yes, we have occasionally wished we had something that we chose not to bring. But overall our hiking experiences have been better because we’ve not had to cart around a bunch of gear that weighed us down. As children grow, we are able to take more with us, like a few luxury items (binoculars, nature guides, etc.), but not having these items has never ruined a hike.
Hiking with kids will come with its challenges, especially without the help of another adult. But it isn’t impossible and it totally worth the rewards. Keep it minimal, and enjoy the journey.
Related Posts
