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Jenn Savedge

Hiking gear for kids

Have a happy hike with these tips on finding hiking gear for kids.

Wed, Jul 29 2009 at 1:00 PM EST
 5

It doesn't matter how beautiful the scenery is, without the right gear, a hike with kids can be a harrowing experience. The most important things to consider when selecting hiking gear for kids are comfort and safety. Don’t assume that your kids will be willing to “tough it out” once they get on the trail.  Gear them up with the right stuff so that you at least have a chance at having a great time.  
 
Footwear: As a parent, I find it painful to slap down a significant amount of money on kids’ shoes. Kids’ feet grow like weeds, so it can be hard to find that happy balance of comfort, need and budget. If your kids don’t hike very often, they will probably do just fine in a pair of sturdy sneakers. But if they will be hiking a lot, or if they will be embarking on a substantial hike, it is worth it to invest in a pair of hiking boots. Keep in mind that it won’t matter how great their tent is or how many pockets their backpack has -- if their feet hurt, the hike is over.
 
Packs: From the age of about 2 or 3 on, kids will more than likely want to carry their own backpacks. Any small day pack will work for this age, just be sure to keep it light and be prepared to carry that pack for the better part of the day. Little ones can carry their own snacks, a sweater and possibly even their own water bottle. As kids get older, they can progress to larger packs that are designed to carry more gear. It’s still a good idea to keep a kid’s pack light to avoid injury.
 
Snacks: Hungry kids are cranky kids and that makes for a bad day for everyone on the trail. So make sure you pack plenty of nutritious and energy-boosting snacks to keep your kids hiking throughout the day. Steer clear of anything sugar-coated and opt for snacks like nuts, raisins, apples, crackers, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cereal, dried fruit, or granola bars.
 
Other stuff: Here are a few items that you'll want to have along for the hike: Reusable water bottle, sunscreen, bug lotion, binoculars, trail map or guide book, digital camera, extra clothes, flashlight, first aid kit, cell phone and sketch book. 
 
Photo: EriMax
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anonymous
freddy 11/12/2010 07:35 AM

Thanks for these awesome tips. Me and my son love to go on camping, i'll definitely tell him about this.. I usually get my gear on outdoor gear

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anonymous
dc shoes uk 11/16/2009 06:07 AM

its nice article thanks for sharing hope my kid will love it ..i mostly use dc shoes uk for my family its economical...

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anonymous
Kakie Fitzsimmons 08/08/2009 23:40 PM

Hi Jenn, I like this post. Kids develop passion for things in life by exposure to experiences like this. As parents, one of the most important things we can do for them is create memories and hiking is a good way to do that!

I write a series of children's books that teaches kids about self-esteem, sports and outdoors. I wanted to share a post I wrote with you called Award winning "Anna Goes Hiking" teaches kids about nature and outdoors. I would love to hear your thoughts about it..... More

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anonymous
Tim Koehler 07/29/2009 22:02 PM

Its great to get kids outdoors and hiking. I believe that introducing the outdoors to kids at an early age instills an appreciation and a respect for the outdoors and begins a healthy lifestyle that is lost on much of today's youth. If only kids realized that they can have real adventures outside instead of virtual ones inside, kids would be healthier and more aware of the world around them.
My kid is just about to turn a year old and I can't wait to get him on the trail. My buddies.... More

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anonymous
ben13 12/02/2010 09:20 AM

I also have a kid and I enrolled him on camping program coz I wanted him to appreciate the outside world and not just sit on the couch and play video games all day. Not only did he gained respect for the outdoors but for nature and life too. I researched on the internet about this and found the benefits of wilderness camps.

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