Hiking with Kids

PLANNING

The number 1 rule in family hiking or camping is "Be flexible". Kids go at a slower pace, tire easily, are often hungry, and have shorter strides.

 

Start by setting a reasonable daily schedule, and then be prepared to make changes. It takes much longer than you would think to break or set up camp or to get ready for a day hike, not to mention getting from point A to point B!

 

Any hike with children should be shorter in miles, lower in elevation, and less steep in gradient than for yourself. Plan your hike to miss the height of bug season, and avoid extremes of heat, cold, rain and wind.

 

High altitudes can be dangerous for infants and small children. Limit gain or loss to less than 500 feet when choosing trails because nothing wears out little legs faster than lots of up and down. Avoid trails that wind too close to rivers with swift currents or involve creek crossings.

 

It's fun to have a goal such as a lake, summit, or waterfall, and it gives you a feeling of accomplishment. Remember though, your hike will take at least three times longer than you may expect, so set realistic goals. Your group can only move as fast as its slowest member.

 

HUP, TWO, THREE, FOUR

You won't break any speed records hiking with children, and forget a steady pace. Enjoy thier wonderment and questions. Point out details they might miss: nesting birds, tiny ants carrying huge loads, baby lizards on a branch. Play games along the way: children love to guess what made tracks along the trail or the water's edge, finding a camouflaged bug, watching polly wogs swimming in a warm pond.

 

Children want to dawdle, dally, and delay, plan on it and enjoy the moment with them. Plan the longer, more taxing hikes for when your children are older and able to keep a pace. The age of wonderment and awe pass so quickly, make that your goal. Taking enough rest stops with young children is not usually a problem, and plenty of snacks or the occasional nap helps keep the cranky factor low (in both kids and parents).

 

Let your children take a turn being the leader (on well marked trails). Let them carry the map or determine break times. If they are old enough, give them the compass, show them how to use it, and periodically ask them which way is north. If your child is a toddler, put a "leash" and harness on him while the group is walking places that would be dangerous, such as by steep terrain or fast moving water. Avoid those areas if you might have trouble with the trail yourself.
 (Shop Maps)  (Shop Compasses)

 

TAKE A BREAK

Little legs tire easily. Be careful not to push too hard, especially the first day. Use the breaks for eating lunch, snacks, taking in the view, swimming, or fishing. Assign "jobs" to each child. Have them find a bug, tree, flower, or bird to identify (bring books along to help you). Read a story, take a nap, or just stop and smell the flowers.

 

DRINK UP

Encourage children to drink lots of water, even if they aren't thirsty. Thirst is a sign the body has entered the early stages of dehydration. One of the best ways to monitor this is by the color of their urine: clear indicates a well-hydrated child and dark yellow means poor hydration. If you find it difficult to get kids to drink water, add enough powdered flavoring to make the water more interesting. Make sure they know not to drink untreated water and why.  (Shop Water Purifiers)

 

For treating dehydration, use sports drinks or electrolyte additives for kids, not plain water. You can make your own rehydration solution by adding 1 tsp. of sugar and a pinch of salt to 1 qt. of water. Don't use salt tablets, they're hard to digest.  (Shop Water Bottles)

 

Older kids will probably really love their own hydration pack. These packs make carrying a seemingly endless supply of water easy and very, very fun.  (Shop Hydration Packs)

 

MAKING CAMP

If you are camping overnight, include your kids in campsite chores. Everyone should have a role, and it's important that they feel their contribution is essential. Set aside quiet time, particularly in the early morning and evening hours when critters are chirping, hooting, and howling. Teach map and compass skills, locate constellations and the North Star, identify flora and fauna, use a magnifying lens or binoculars. Rain doesn't have to spoil a trip. As long as you're dressed properly, go out and enjoy the rain. For tent-bound days plan fun activities such as travel board games, card games, activity books, telling stories, practicing knot tying, or reading a book.

 

COLD WEATHER

Children lose core temperature faster than adults do, so make sure they're dressed properly for the cold. Several layers of synthetic clothing (no cotton!) will keep them warmer, and they can subtract layers as they heat up. Include a hat to hold in heat, winter boots (not summer boots with extra socks), and mittens (not gloves). Infants in child carriers should be dressed warmer than a hiker, and should be taken out of the carrier regularly to stretch and ensure good circulation.

 

Make sure children stay well-hydrated, eat regularly on outdoor trips, and stay as dry as possible. Watch them closely for telltale signs of hypothermia: loss of normal level of consciousness, loss of normal coordination, and shivering. If these symptoms develop, change them into dry clothing, and snuggle to warm them up. Seek immediate medical assistance if they exhibit symptoms of hypothermia.  (Shop Emergency Supplies)

 

HOT WEATHER

Children are more susceptible than adults to heat problems. Their little bodies generate more heat for the same amount of activity, they sweat less, and it takes longer for them to acclimate to a hot environment. Also, the younger the child, the less developed the internal heat-regulating system. Allow children time to acclimatize by going easy for the first few days, increasing the activity level progressively.

 

Dress children in loosely woven clothing so air can circulate freely and moisture can evaporate. Avoid snug-fitting clothes that restrict blood circulation, and include a wide brimmed hat for shade and protection. Avoid giving antihistamines because many contain ingredients that block the nerves that stimulate sweating. You want your child to sweat freely because it's the only mechanism their body has to dissipate heat. Monitor overweight children because excess body fat reduces heat-shedding capabilities, retaining heat instead.

 

An overheated child may appear flushed and weak and have a rapid heart rate, headache, nausea, and vomiting. He needs rest in the shade and lots of fluids, especially water. Loosen clothing, then sponge or splash the child with water, and fan him to increase the cooling rate. If he becomes confused or lethargic, he is likely developing heatstroke. Cool him immediately and get medical help.

 

SUN EXPOSURE

Even though it may not show up for 30 years, 80% of skin damage from the sun (including skin cancers) occurs in the first decades of life. Apply sunscreen (30 SPF) on all exposed (or soon to be exposed) skin, and don't forget the lip balm. Avoid hands (they end up in the mouth) and the upper and lower eyelids on young children. Keep infants out of the sun, only applying sunscreen to their sensitive skin when necessary. Encourage kids to wear sunglasses to reduce the chance of cataracts later in life. If swimming, a few inches of water will not protect the skin from sunburn.

 

Use a waterproof sunscreen and reapply often, even if the child has a tan. Tans prevent burning, but offer little protection from harmful ultraviolet rays. If they do get burned, replace lost fluids by having them drink lots of water, cool the burn with water or cold compresses, and apply aloe vera topically to soothe the burn. (Aloe vera also contains anti-inflammatory properties that help decrease pain and promote healing.) Ibuprofen (children's Advil or Motrin) is best for pain and also has anti-inflammatory properties. Make sure to re-apply sunscreen during the day and after swimming. Have them take shade breaks and limit sun exposure during mid day, when the sun is at it's strongest.

 

INSECT BITES

Children are typically less hygienic than adults and more apt to scratch a bite so bites and scratches have a higher rate of infection. Clean the site and apply an anti-itch cream, hydrocortisone or Neosporin with Lydocain. Open wounds, bites, scratches should be covered with a Band-Aid. For younger children, a Band-Aid on all bites will help keep them from scratching them open. An allergy medication (like Benadryl) can help alleviate the pain and itch of bug bites or mild allergic reactions. Use insect repellent for prevention, but avoid DEET. The lower the concentration the better (keep it under 10%), or choose a product made with natural repellents.

 

POISON OAK OR IVY

Teach children to identify these plants. A helpful phrase is "Leaves of three, let them be." Their sticky resin clings to almost anything and, though your child may not have reacted to it last time, a sensitivity can be developed at any time. If contact is made, washing with poison oak/ivy soap helps to breakdown the oily resin, making it easier to rinse away. Plain soap, used within 30 minutes after contact, is sometimes effective as well. Handle contaminated clothing, shoes and gear carefully and wash them immediately. The resin can stay active for years!

 

TICKS

Ticks crawl, they do not fly or jump. They crawl to the top of grass or another upright object and wait for you to brush up against it and then lock on for a ride. Walking in the middle of the trail will help you avoid these hitchhikers. Most tick related diseases are treatable with antibiotics, but prevention is your best defense. Dress children in long pants tucked into socks and long sleeve shirts tucked into the pants. Light colors make ticks easier to spot, and tightly woven cloth is harder for them to hang onto.

 

Many ticks transmit infections through their saliva. To prevent further saliva being released once they bite, do not twist or squeeze when removing. Grip as close as possible to the head and slowly pull it away from the skin. Wash with soap and water and apply an antiseptic. Preserve the tick in a vial or polybag for analysis (alive) in case disease symptoms appear.

 

STAYING FOUND

You have to watch children like a hawk in the wilderness only closer. If they wander off the trail, out of sight, they are lost. When hiking, stick together and use the buddy system if there are enough of you. One parent should lead the way, the other should bring up the rear in the "sweep" position. Make a plan for the whole family in case someone gets lost, and explain the importance of staying put. Remind the children of the plan every time you go hiking, they may forget.

 

Every child should have a whistle on a string around their neck at all times and understand they are to blow it only if lost--and then repeatedly. Let them practice using the whistle with you so they can get over the curiosity. Stress that the whistle is not a toy, but only to be used like 911. The minute they aren't sure they can find their way back, they should sit down in one spot and not move from it and start blowing their whistle.

 

INDIVIDUAL SURVIVAL KIT

As a minimum, all children on foot should carry a small daypack or fannypack with a jacket, snack, drink container with beverage, and an emergency whistle. To be prepared to spend a night in the woods, if necessary, older hikers should carry the following essentials for survival.
  (Shop Emergency Survival and First Aid Kits)

• Basic Survival List
• ( ) Flashlight, Extra Batteries
• ( ) Map & Compass
• ( ) Pocket Knife
• ( ) Whistle or Pocket Mirror
• ( ) First Aid Kit
• ( ) Waterproof Matches
• ( ) Candle or other Fire Starter Fuel
• ( ) Sunglasses, Sunscreen
• ( ) Emergency Clothing &/or Space Blanket
• ( ) Emergency Food (such as food bars)
• ( ) Water, Water Purification Tablets or Water Filtration

 

 

RULES OF THE TRAIL

• Carry out all garbage.
• Hike on marked trails, not across fragile alpine growth.
• Use existing campsites or sites away from water and trails.
• Respect and protect the wilderness.
• Tread lightly and only carry home photographs and memories.