When is the last time you took a hike into the woods? Depending on where in the world you live this may be easier to do than other places. That doesn’t mean you can’t get out and find your way into the woods or mountains. Some of the greatest landscapes I have seen have been because of a hike. So what does this have to do with being a dad? Well, we love hiking. Also, we hear about the danger of hiking with a kid. Good judgment is key. However, of all the hikes we have done since having a kid we have only found one or two that we determined were too unsafe to take the little one with us.
So, what can you do to make these hikes a little easier?
Find the right trail
One of my favorite apps is AllTrails. Whether you are using the app (handy on the trail) or using the website version, it is incredibly easy to find the right trail for you. Each trail is labeled with the level of difficulty.
When you are choosing to take your kids on a hike it is important to be honest with yourself about what you are capable of doing with a kid on your back. If your kids are bit older it’s even more important to consider their capabilities. Also, depending on the trail you might also consider their comfort with heights.
Take the right equipment
Outside of picking the right trail, the most important thing you can do is make sure to have the right stuff. This is hard enough when your hiking with another adult. Now, add kids into the mix and the things you bring with you have doubled (do I need to tell you who’s carrying all the extra stuff or do your legs already feel tired just thinking about it?).
That’s where this back-saving device comes in – Osprey Poco AG Plus Child Carrier (4 mugs and a pint). This kid carrier was hands down the best purchase we made when it came to traveling around the woods and mountains with our little adventurer. We were able to hike and climb while she napped on our backs. Complete with a stowaway sunshade and a breathable mesh seat, she stayed cool and protected from the sun while we climbed. To anyone looking to maintain an active lifestyle with their little one, I would recommend this bag over and over again.
Pack the right snacks
Like anything we do, it’s important to have the right snacks. However, when you’re packing snacks for a hike it’s not quite as simple as when you’re headed to Target. Take a second to consider how long it will take you to do the hike. If this is the first time hiking with the new little one add 10 minutes for each mile on top of what you thought. Now, you will have a good base for how much food to bring.
Here is a list of our favorite hiking snacks:
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- Granola bars (Kid size Clif Bars in particular)
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- Trail mix (its right in the name so of course it’s good for hiking
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- Peanut butter (crackers, apples or anything else it comes on)
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- Apples, bananas, grapes (these tend to travel best among the fruits)
- Lots and lots of water
Hiking with your little mountaineer should be fun. Hopefully with these tips and a couple of these baby products your next hike will be a little easier than you thought.