Happy Hiking with Little Feet!

Tammi Hoerner July 29, 2008

The key to having a great time when hiking with little feet is to plan, plan, plan! Any parent knows that a child, no matter what the age, can be both fun and challenging. Add the outdoor challenges of heat, sun, insects and toxic plants, and you can instantly have your hands full! With a little insight and a tad of planning, you can avoid the hassles and struggles that can lie ahead.

When you are choosing a place to hike, keep in mind the physical abilities of your child, how long is the hike, how steep are the climbs, will you change elevations too quickly? There are many situations that can be avoided by choosing a trail that is easy for a child to be on. Choose one that is less hilly and perhaps a short round trip. Try LocalHikes.com and Walking.about.com for ideas of what to look for or for your local area family hiking trails.

Be sure to dress your child in appropriate clothing, proper fitting shoes and good hiking socks. Comfort will be the key to happiness.

The most important items to remember to pack when bringing children on a hike are:

  • Water
  • Band-aids
  • Healthy Snacks
  • Sunscreen
  • Bug repellent
  • Both sunscreen with adequate UV protection and bug repellent can be found in nontoxic formulas that are safe for infants and toddlers alike.

It is important to prepare your child(ren) for a day out in the wild by reviewing basic but vital safety rules for hiking. In a moment’s passing, a toddler can wander, a baby can eat a toxin, or a teen can make a fatal mistake by challenging the law of gravity. As the parent, it is your job to communicate and enforce appropriate safety behaviors in the wilderness, both for the safety of your child and the preservation of the places you visit. The following are some simple rules when you are hiking with little feet:

1. Be sure to start your hike with an appropriately fed and hydrated family. This will prevent dehydration and altitude sickness

2. Dress young children in bright colors that don’t blend with the environment you are going to visit. Take into consideration that reds and oranges may not be a good idea in the fall.

3. Supply your children with emergency whistles or mirrors, perhaps even a cell phone. If the child is old enough, tell them if they even feel lost, to stay put and whistle. A child may use a mirror to reflect sunlight. When searchers are looking, this is a great tool. Many cell phones today have GPS signals that will pick up the location of the child if that child can call out on the phone, even if they cant identify where they are located.

4. Strongly emphasize to your child, if they feel lost, hug a tree. Stay put no matter what!

Following these simple family safety guidelines, starting your hike with safety measures and taking the time to plan a hike that is doable for all involved, will make all the hikers happy!

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