Gear Up! Everything You Need to Hike With Little Kids
As a dad, I tend to be closer to the “forgot to bring diapers” end of the spectrum rather than the “brought 3 dozen diapers” end. When you’re adventuring as a family, it’s important to find the sweet spot between unprepared and weighed down with too much stuff. Here are some essentials for a short hike close to home:
Water! Bring enough for everyone. I’m a lifelong fan of a 32-ounce narrow-mouth Nalgene, but pick your favorite water bottle and fill it up.
Snacks! Being outdoors takes energy, and a snack is a great way to take a break and get back on the trail. We love easy things like granola bars, trail mix, and whole fruit.
Appropriate clothing. Check the weather before you head out, and plan for it to change (yes, even in SoCal). Bring an extra layer if you think you might need it, and be sure to dress your kids in things that’ll get dirty and dusty.
Good footwear. Comfortable, durable shoes with good traction go a long way to making hikes easier for little feet. Merrill makes great and affordable hiking shoes for kids, but you don’t need to be fancy! A good pair of sneakers works, too.
Outdoor play. Leave inside toys and screens and home, but do bring things that might come in handy along the trail. Henry loves this (super rugged and waterproof) camera from Vtech, and Eloise explores with her binoculars. Whatever you bring, make sure your kids can carry it for themselves.
A carrier for little ones. We wanted to get outside with Eloise as soon as we could, and on longer or more strenuous hikes, the Bjorn just doesn’t cut it. The Deuter Kid Comfort has been with us to Olympic and Yosemite National Parks and all over Southern California, and I sometimes preferred it to the more-typical baby carriers, even for walking around the neighborhood, because it’s super-comfortable and well balanced. It’s definitely the Mercedes-Benz of baby carriers.
The bare essentials. Diapers and wipes (just as much as you need for as long as you’ll be gone), sunscreen, and some bandaids.
Do you need more? Probably not! Remember to leave no trace and pack out whatever you bring in. See you on the trail!
- Andy AKA “Outdoorsy Dad”
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