Many of you are probably experienced hikers. We are not talking about Mt. Everest but hikes around the area. The following information is about hiking with your child no matter what age. Included are guides for local hikes as well. Have fun as you hit the trails. Help your child to enjoy hiking with you. It is about the journey, not the destination.
It’s important to pack snacks and plenty of water. One of the major reasons for whining and irritability is that a child is hungry but may not have the words to let you know.
- Carry along snacks- have your child help pick them out before the hike.
- Using a spray bottle can be fun and help the child not feel hot.
- Bug protection and ticks (Kidshealth)
- Sunscreen is important even if the skies are cloudy. Sun-blocking clothes can be beneficial.
- Sun safety (Kidshealth)
- Checking the weather is important to dress appropriately. It may start out warm at the bottom and get chilly towards the top. Bring clothing that can be layered.
When considering a sun hat- check out the following information:
- UPF 50+: This ensures the hat blocks almost all harmful UV rays.
- Wide Brim: A wide brim provides ample shade for the face, neck, and ears.
- Neck Flap: A neck flap adds extra protection for the back of the neck.
- Adjustability: Chin straps or ties help the hat stay on, which is essential for active toddlers.
- Breathability: Look for materials that are breathable to prevent overheating.
- Quick-drying: Materials that dry quickly are ideal for swimming or playtime in the sun.
Hiking with Infants (0-12 months)
- For infants, the best and safest way to hike is in a baby carrier.
- Kids need to be swaddled in front until roughly 6 months before graduating to a backpack-style carrier.
- Practicing with the carrier before heading on the trails is essential.
- Read Child Carriers: How to Choose to learn about different carriers that can be used.
- Ease into things by limiting first hikes to a couple of hours; be wary of cold, wind and rain, too, because babies aren’t great at regulating body temperature yet.
- Pack plenty of diapers, and enough waste bags to double-seal them when you carry all your soiled diapers out again.
Information from the American Academy of Dermatology about sun protection:
- Keep your baby in the shade. Shade is the best way to shield your baby from the sun, especially if he or she is younger than six months old. Keep your baby in the shade as much as possible, and if you can’t find shade, create your own using an umbrella, canopy or the hood of a stroller.
- Dress your baby in sun-protective clothing, such as a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt and pants. In addition, make sure your baby always wears a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV protection. Cover your baby with a sun hat that has a brim broad with at least an all-around 3-inch brim to shield the face, ears, and back of the neck.
- Minimize sunscreen use on children younger than six months old. However, if shade and adequate clothing are not available, parents may apply a minimal amount of broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to their children’s skin. If you have questions about this, consult with your baby’s pediatrician. Sunscreens containing titanium dioxide or zinc oxide are less likely to irritate a baby’s sensitive skin. Remember to reapply your child’s sunscreen every two hours or immediately after swimming or sweating, as there is no such thing as “waterproof” sunscreen.
- Stay safe on hot days. In addition to sun protection, stay safe on hot days by making sure your baby does not get overheated and drinks plenty of fluids. If your baby is fussy, crying excessively or has redness on any exposed skin, take him or her indoors immediately.
Hiking with Toddlers and Young Kids (1-4 years)
- Toddlers can be in and out of the carriers
- Toddlers want to “be independent”, so plan on lots of breaks to let them explore small areas in great detail.
- A brightly colored, creature-covered, kid-size water bottle encourages drinking.
- Kids love having gear of their own, so get your toddler a small pack to carry something lightweight like a jacket.
- Always be aware of how far you are from the trailhead because even the unstoppable toddler can tire out and need carrying all the way back.
- When your toddler is riding along, look for relatively flat, hazard-free areas where you can turn them loose.
- Bring a change of clothes if they get wet and irritable.
- Hats are important for sun protection.
Hiking with Grade-Schoolers (5-12 years)
- At this age, kids want to be more independent and no longer need any baby carriers.
- The younger school age child may still want to be carried when tired. It is important to have them take breaks to avoid needing to be carried.
- Involve them in the planning and preparation: everything from picking their trail to packing their pack.
- Kids bore quickly, so be creative to keep things fun: Spot blazes on trees, count squirrels, sing songs and make up verses, hold twig races in creeks, incorporate a scavenger hunt into your hike.
- Find places together to have a snack break.
- Teach kids Leave No Trace rules early on; then see how long it takes for them to “catch you” messing up.
- Have kids use a nature trail map and look at it together.
- Talk about the rule to always stay within sight of Mom, Dad or other responsible adult.
- As they get older, the rule can change to “hike ahead for short stretches, then stop and wait until you see your adult again.
- Kids should carry a safety whistle (many packs have them built into a strap buckle).
- Kids must know what to do when lost: Stop, stay put and blow the whistle in bursts of three.
Websites for hikes in New Hampshire and Vermont:
