How to Backpack With Children

Proper gear will have you on your way to backpacking with children.

The thought of backpacking with children, especially small children, can be overwhelming. Carrying dirty diapers, mixing formula and a whiny toddler disposition can prevent even an experienced backpacker from hitting the trail with the family. Proper planning, quality gear and a positive attitude can have you on the trail sooner than you might think. Warm up with some camping practice in your own back yard or at a local state park, and introduce the children to the joys of outdoor adventure.

Things You'll Need

• Books on backpacking and wilderness first aid
• Backpack
• Kid-carrier backpack
• Hydration pack
• Snacks
• Compass
• Tent
• Sleeping pad
• Sleeping bag

Instructions

1. 

   Excercise with a loaded backpack to prepare for your trip.

   Prepare for backpacking with children by reading books on backpacking basics and wilderness first aid. Join a local hiking or backpacking club to learn practical tips and techniques to apply to your own backpacking trip. Exercise while wearing a training backpack to become accustomed to moving with extra weight. Stretch before and after working out as well as when you are on the trail.

2. 

   Pack appropriate clothing for your backpacking expedition.

   Map out your backpacking journey, realizing that you can realistically only hike about two to four miles per day with small children. Inform friends and family of your trip details, including your location, duration and return time. Turn back around on the trail in case of inclement weather or a difficult situation, instead of pushing the child to get through it. Pack appropriate clothes for all possible weather conditions to prevent hyperthermia and hypothermia along with plenty of water and food to prevent dehydration and energy loss.

3. 

   One adult will have to carry most of the camping gear.

   Determine the exact gear that you will need for your trip. For backpacking with very small children, one adult will be carrying a kid pack with some light gear and someone else will have to carry the remainder of the supplies. Small children can carry a hydration pack, and older kids can carry a backpack containing their sleeping gear, a water bottle and some snacks.

4. 

   Keep little hands clean to prevent illness.

   Limit the hiking time on the trail to 4 or 5 hours each day and include exploring time. Stop often for high-calorie snacks and rest breaks, and keep little hands and faces clean with liquid hand gel or soap and water to prevent illness. Give kids a destination to look for each day or each hour, such as a waterfall, river or mountain vista. Teach older children to use a compass, and let them help make decisions such as whether to turn east or west. Encourage children to hike slowly and steadily, instead of running and stopping, to prevent fatigue.

5. 

   Snuggle up together in your tent and sleeping bag.

   Build a fire before bed to help kids wind down from their busy day. Pack a lightweight tent for a sense of a cozy home on the trail. Include a sleeping pad and sleeping bag for added comfort.

References

• Backpacking Light: Lightweight Backpacking with Young Children
• Tiny Trekker: Hiking and Backpacking with Kids