As any parent can tell you in detail, life changes after having children in that some former activities are off-limits while some are simply altered to adapt to a new more responsible lifestyle. Dependent upon parental opinions, hiking with kids can be a fun and rewarding pastime, with some parents even carrying their toddlers along. Although very young children can be a handful when hiking due to their needs, children that are a little bit older (5 years and above) seem to have a ball hiking and camping with their parents. Safety tips for hiking with children should be learned well by parents and taught to children at every opportunity on the trail. In this manner a child will not only be safer on hiking trips, but will enjoy the activity greater because they have a better grasp of how to act in the outdoors.

A common mistake that parents make when taking kids hiking is to carry everything for their children on the journey. This is a huge mistake born of a parent’s kindness and desire to make the hike as pleasant as possible for their children. Each child should carry a small pack, with very minimal and basic survival gear in the circumstance they become briefly separated from their parents. A child’s pack should include a day’s water ration, a few trail bars or other energy snacks, a warm outer garment, a flashlight, and a cell phone if the child is old enough to know how to use it. A whistle can be used in place of a cell phone for a younger child. A child should be instructed thoroughly what to do should they become separated – stay put, and either telephone for help or blow the whistle constantly at 5 minute intervals until they are found.

Parents should always stay within 25 feet of children when hiking, and take the opportunity as they go along to teach children about the natural world at every chance. In new locations, a parent should always go first on a trail, and ensure that a child does not lag behind. Parents need to make certain that children are dressed properly, as well as behave properly as a guest around wildlife. A short lesson on poisonous and edible plants will prevent issues such as poison ivy or oak, as well as educating children on what plant life may be useful in a pinch. Since harsh weather can occur at any time, children should be constantly aware of changing conditions when hiking.

The greatest safety tips for hiking with children is to ensure that they have knowledge of the outdoors, a respect for nature, and the ability to react appropriately in any given situation. An excellent way to instill these skills is to throw hypothetical situations at your child as a learning tool, to listen to their answers closely, and to make corrections to their responses.