Spending time with your kids outdoors has numerous benefits for them as they grow older. In particular, hiking with children allows them to view nature, build self-confidence, and feed their curiosity. In fact, behavioral researcher Eun-Young Lee and her team found that outdoor activities with children benefit their healthy growth and development. Through hiking, children can accumulate physical activity, which helps them build strong muscles and endurance and strengthens their bones.
Because trekking with small children can be quite a handful in terms of gear and equipment, we’ve compiled some of the essential items you should prepare for your next hiking trip.
Here are four things you should include in your family trekking packing list:
1. Hiking backpack
A good hiking backpack is a definite must because it allows you to carry all your children’s essentials. A hiking backpack must be comfortable while providing plenty of space to hold all your essential items, such as bottles, snacks, and protective gear. Plenty of backpacks in the market offer various features like sleeves for hydration bladders or side pockets for items that need to be easily accessed. For instance, Sprayground offers colorful and trendy backpacks that can double as a signpost for your children when a trekking path becomes too crowded.
2. Travel pushchair
With the innovations in strollers and pushchairs available on the market today, it’s definitely possible to bring your baby outdoors to enjoy the sun and get a healthy dose of fresh air. The modern design concepts embodied by the pushchairs on iCandy illustrate how these are now considered travel systems, complete with all-terrain features. They even come with wheel configuration options that work on both paved and dirt roads and hand brakes that keep your baby safe in inclined spaces. With these designs, avid hikers and outdoor enthusiasts can camp or hike with their babies, and not miss out on their outdoor adventures as their children grow.
3. Headlamps
Compared to traditional flashlights and torches, a headlamp provides a hands-free light source which is generally essential for parents handling toddlers. Keeping your hands free allows you to hold your children’s hands as they navigate muddy terrain or quickly attend to emergencies. Headlamps such as the Petzl Actik CORE fit different head sizes and provide a range of charging capabilities and beam strength. Should your headlamp need batteries to work, always remember to keep spare batteries inside your backpack to prevent the dreaded light outage in the middle of your outdoor adventure.
4. Sunscreen
A broad-spectrum sunscreen is an essential item in your trekking packing list. You and your kids need ample protection against UVA and UVB rays, so you need to choose a sunscreen with at least SPF30. Here at Fun Trips with Kids we listed sunscreen as one important thing you can bring on a beach trip. If you’re planning to go on a multi-day tour that combines beaches and mountain terrains, sunscreen should be top of mind to protect your child’s sensitive skin from the sun’s rays. With Blue Lizard Kids Mineral Sunscreen or CeraVe’s 100% Mineral Sunscreen, you can push your sense of adventure to the edge while remaining safe and healthy.
With the proper preparation, you can make your next family trekking trip fuss-free for you and your children. The right equipment will let you focus on your kids and the joy and adventure your hiking experience can offer your whole family.
Are you considering going to the Italian Alps or a lakeside destination in Austria? Visit our blog for ideas on exciting mountain excursions you can take with your children.
