9 Things You Should NEVER Forget to Bring Hiking with Kids

Over the years, we’ve learned some valuable lessons about what not to forget when hiking. If you have never experienced the panic of being in the woods with a child who needs to use the bathroom and you have no toilet paper, trust me when I say- you won’t forget that item again. While everyone has a slightly different list of hiking essentials, these are some of the items I don’t ever want to forget.

First Aid Kit

You should always carry a first aid kit when you are hiking with kids. We keep a more extensive kit in our vehicle when we are taking short hikes, and carry a few essentials along in our backpacks. On longer hikes, we carry a kit with us. I have found that ready-made first aid kits contain a lot of unnecessary items and not enough of the things you really need. And if you’re hiking with kids, that usually means bandages. You can never have too many Band-Aids! We also carry antibiotic ointment cream, Benadryl cream, bug-bite ointment, painkillers, and tweezers. We have an entire post about how to put together your own hiking first aid kit here.

Extra Water and Drinks

When you are hiking with kids, we encourage you to let them carry their own snacks and water as soon as they are old enough. Young kids won’t be able to carry enough water for themselves, however. The recommended weight for children to carry is about 10% of their body weight which limits heavy items like drinks. We solve this by giving them their own bottles to carry, but we bring extra water in our adult packs for refills. It’s very important that you have more than enough water for the distance you are hiking in case of accidents or emergencies.

Snacks

Kids eat. A lot. And when they are tired, working hard, or bored, they eat even more. I have never been on a hike when I wished I had brought fewer snacks, but I have been on several when I wished I had brought more! For younger children such as preschool or early elementary age, I would bring a snack for every half-hour or so you plan to be on the trail. Older children might be okay with snacking less often, but they are also capable of carrying their own food, so they might prefer to have more available. And we all know that teens will want as many snacks as time allows.

If you are like me, you tend to bring the same snacks over and over again. Visit this page I wrote with a huge list of hiking snack ideas.

Toilet Paper and Waste Bags

When nature calls, you gotta go. Especially if you’re a kid. So how do you go to the bathroom where there is no bathroom? First, be prepared. Make everyone go before you leave the trailhead if there’s a toilet there. Also, make sure you bring the necessary supplies. Carrying your waste out with you is the best method for short hikes. Yes, it seems a little gross, but it’s really not that different from doggy bags, and I recommend buying bags made especially for that use. (Pee can go right on the ground, just try to move away from water and populated areas). I go into more detail on how to poop in the woods in another post.

Personal Wipes and Sanitizer

Keep baby wipes or personal wipes in your bag because they can be used for many messy situations that you might encounter while hiking with kids, whether it’s dirt on your hands and faces or an unexpected messy diaper from the little ones on your crew. Our kids love getting dirty and playing in streams while we’re in the woods, but sometimes they also want to clean up before eating their snacks- especially when someone has been catching frogs. It’s also a good idea to bring hand sanitizer for the more germy possibilities and for bathroom breaks.

Sunscreen, Sunhats, and Sunglasses

Don’t forget to bring sun protection every time you hike with kids. People sometimes forget that the sun can still burn when it’s cold outside or even when it’s overcast. You can burn faster in high elevations and when it’s snowy. On short hikes, under 6 miles or so, we apply sunscreen before leaving so we don’t need to carry it. And remember, even dark-skinned people can sunburn, so don’t skip it! We also bring sunglasses and sunhats when needed. One of our sons was nearly bald for years because his hair was so pale, and the only way to protect his little head was with a hat.

Sweaters or Jackets

It’s a good idea for your kids to get in the habit of bringing a sweater or jacket every time you go hiking, even when it feels warm. Sure, there are some instances where you simply know that it won’t get chilly, even if you are stuck outside all night, but in most places, especially higher elevations and desert areas, the weather can change very quickly. Kids who are old enough can just fold a sweater in the bottom of their packs to keep them out of the way unless they are needed.

Baby Carrier

If you have a toddler, consider bringing a baby carrier even if you expect them to walk most of the way. This is especially important if they haven’t been hiking before or you are going farther than normal. While most 2- and 3-year-olds are ready to conquer hikes of a mile or two with practice and lots of breaks, they may not be able to go that far when they are new to the hobby. Having a baby carrier along is much better than carrying them on your shoulders for miles. I used a stretchy baby wrap and an Ergo carrier for years because they are easier to pack and lighter, and I found they were less painful for me.

Emergency Supplies

We always carry certain emergency supplies with us and have similar smaller emergency kits in our kids’ packs as soon as they can carry more weight. Most of the items are very lightweight, so by age 6 or so many kids can carry a few of these things. Your kit should have supplies such as a flashlight, emergency foil blanket, a lighter, and a multi-tool or knife. Also, carry bug spray and navigational tools such as a compass, map, and GPS if you know how to use them.

Our children usually have a whistle around their neck while we are in the woods, and they are not allowed to blow them unless they are lost or there’s an emergency. They can also carry some toilet paper or tissues, a flashlight, and bandages in their packs. Older children and teens can carry a multi-tool, lighter, and emergency blanket as well.