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Hiking with
Children
I wasn’t raised in an outdoorsy, hiking kind of family. I’m from a California, techy kind of family. So when I married this rugged camping, hiking, hunting, mountaineer guy I had no idea what I was getting myself into. It wasn’t until our family started to grow and we were trying to find an identity of what kind of family we were going to be that my love of hiking began. It’s for the most part free, quiet, and a perfect way to grow together as a family. Also, I really believe in exposing my kids to a reasonable amount of risk as they grow so that they can learn what their little bodies are capable of and measure for themselves what might not be safe. These are invaluable skills to building self confidence and empowering them to do whatever they want.
I get asked all the time, “How do you hike with all those little kids?” Here’s my best advice and tips on the subject: Never, ever, ever, leave the house without food. EVER!! No matter how short the hike, no matter how long you’re planning on being out. Once you hit those trails the kids will start to turn. A couple granola bars, some fruit snacks, even a juice box does wonders to perk a tired hiker up. While we’re on the subject of food I like to have a pack of gum in my back pocket when we hike. Something sweet that will make good bubbles. Then once the kids start to complain I’ve got my secret weapon. “Once we get to that rock up there with no whining you can get a ½ piece of gum!” Then hand it out again after the next big obstacle or steep incline. It makes them excited to get to that rock and also it keep their mouths busy while we go. Try it! It’s amazing. If I know we’re not going to be around crowds or other hikers it’s fun sometimes to bring a little bluetooth speaker and play some music as we go. I even have a hiking playlist full of upbeat fun songs they all know. It keeps the pace up and helps keep their minds off tired legs. Research! Before you go on a hike try to read and learn about it as much as possible. Although sometimes it’s fun to just go and explore without a plan for the most part they like to know how long we are going to be hiking, what kind of cool things we’ll see and how intense it’s going to be. It also helps you plan for what kind of gear you need. Nothing like being the idiots trying to wrangle a double stroller up a single track trail. Speaking of gear, we tried it all. We’ve had all kinds of hiking backpacks, front packs, side packs. You name it we’ve probably tried it. Our very favorite hiking carrier of all time 8 l www.swmlife.com
