From the first day you hold your baby to the first teeny tiny steps, the happiness of being a parent is unmatchable. And as a hiker parent, it must be your dream to see your toddlers taking over and walking in your steps.
Simple traveling with children seems challenging, with them behaving weirdly or hyperactively. Hiking with children or toddlers becomes a challenge for almost every parent, especially when new to it.
So, how to hike with a toddler? There is no one-line answer to this query. If you’re already a hiker, you must know the hardships of the hiking terrains and prepare your toddler for the upcoming challenges.
Taking the toddler to hike is an excellent idea where you can practice your parenting in the fresh air while letting the toddler have fun on the trail.
Everyone knows some general rules, such as you should not opt for the longer hiking routes as your toddler cannot hike that much with tiny feet. They are all about discovering mother nature and enjoying the beauty of greens.
Going on short hikes with them will help you get attached to them and learn their tricks. We understand that going on the walks with toddlers seems scary, but with some rules, you are all good, and your toddler will have fun while being on the terrain and with you, of course. We have enlisted the tips to help you understand the rules on how to hike with a toddler.
Tips On Hiking With A Toddler
Select The Appropriate Trail
Selecting an excellent smooth trail while hiking with a toddler is not an easy task. You may think that the terrain you mostly go to is easy or short, but it may not be as easy for toddlers. Toddlers have different stimulations near mother nature, trying to grasp everything that seems eye-catching to them.
You don’t want your toddler to slip on the terrain; therefore, make sure to find out the landscapes or trails that are very short and smooth.
If you don’t know about the terrains much, you can always search on Google or ask a neighbor to help you figure out the perfect trail for the toddler. Make sure the course is not uneven or rocky or has rivers involved because the toddlers are not much experienced.
Match Your Speed With Toddlers
Children and toddlers, particularly, are prolonged when it comes to walking, running, or hiking. Either the toddlers are eager to explore nature and will get distracted from tiny things such as seeing a ladybug or a butterfly on a flower, and you will find yourself in the same spot for 15 minutes or more. Or, they will be bored and not enjoying themselves and drag their feet, so they don’t have to move fast.
If you feel like your toddler is not enjoying or having fun on the trail, then you can stop for a moment and start by encouraging them. Show them the different sites or views on the trails and let them walk slowly but enthusiastically.
And if you find them overwhelmed by the whole new experience, try to cheer them up more and tell them to look at the other things so they move their feet faster. Don’t let them run on the trail for more extended periods because they can get sore muscles that will hurt them and wake you up all night.
Play Games With Them
You are playing games with them while on the hiking terrain may be a terrific idea for toddlers who don’t seem to enjoy the trail or hiking. You can sing a song so that they repeat it after you while encouraging them to move.
Also, you can play hide and seek, race with them, try to play with the rocks, and count the steps to engage them during the whole hiking journey.
Every child is different and requires attention. Playing small games makes them feel wanted and encourages them in healthy activities to opt even when they are not hiking.
Carry the Toddler Carrier
Your toddler will be tired after some time and will not want to walk or hike with you. Instead, they will want to be carried along while you do the hustle. Instead of letting them hop on your shoulders, we suggest you take the carriers and let them sit free while you hike.
We tell you not to carry your kid yourself because they are not much experienced and have loose grip, while the hiking terrains can be uneven. So to make them safe, it’s wise to buy a toddler carrier and carry it with you on the hiking terrain.
Dress Them Properly
Make sure that you find good appropriate clothes for the toddlers while hiking. If the weather is cold, make them wear extra layering of warm clothes. If the weather is hot, try to find breathable garments for your kid to enjoy the sunny weather without rashes or allergies.
Also, we suggest not to take them while the sun is shining at its best. Wait till the afternoon because their skins are sensitive, and they may get red and flushed.
The boots should be appropriate and a perfect fit for them. Help them wear comfortable cushioned sole shoes so that they can walk with ease.
If the weather is cold, your toddler must wear knitted socks so that their feet remain warm and cozy, and if the weather is hot, the socks must also be made of breathable material so they don’t sweat and be uncomfortable.
Have Backpacks With Snacks
Kids, whether young or toddlers, love snacks. There is no time for being hungry for a toddler. They need something to eat to keep moving or going through the day. That is why to avoid a bad situation, keep some snacks in the backpack and give them some taste of joy.
Avoid taking the liquid things such as flavored milk or juices with you because the toddlers may get stomach pain due to continuous hiking, or they’ll need a washroom.
You can have PB&J sandwiches, pretzels, chips, popcorns, fruits, and their special feed like cerelac if necessary. Also, keep their water bottle around in case they are thirsty after the meal or just by hiking.
First Aid Kit And Bug Spray
When hiking with the toddlers, always take the first aid kit with you. Kids are restless creatures and will find ways to get past the narrow paths to discover what’s behind them.
Most of the time, they can slip or hurt themselves while exploring the n=mother nature. The first aid kit should have bandages, antiseptic and antibacterial ointments, and some tubes to soothe the injury.
Don’t Force Them To Complete Track
We understand that you, as an adult, are very goal-oriented, and completing the trail seems like a job done. We also know that you want to build a responsibility trait in your toddler, but you must understand that they are tiny and young. They cannot grasp the concept early, be patient with them.
If your child starts crying because he is tired or bored, then you need to let go and go back home with them instead of scolding them for not being responsible.
Let them be a toddler during the journey. Let them have fun catching the butterflies or collecting the weird rocks while on terrains. Enjoy with them while they capture the site of ants taking the leaves and caterpillars making cocoons. Embrace their curiosity and accept the changes.
Necessary Bag Packing
You may want to include other things in your toddler’s bag because the trails are very uncertain, and so are the toddlers. You must ready your backpacks with the supplies or say “toddler packing supplies.” The things to be included are:
- Water bottles
- Extra pair of clothes and shoes
- Socks
- Diapers and wipes
- Sunscreen and lotions
- First aid kit
- Bug spray
- Plastic bags
- Tissue rolls
- Snacks
- Hat or caps
If your toddler is all independent and curious about the hiking, let them have their backpack, so they wander around with their things behind their backs. It will lighten the load from your shoulder, making you feel at ease.
Choose the Time Wisely
Tired, hungry, and sleep-deprived toddlers will ruin all the good moods of the outdoor family trip. That is why choose the hiking time wisely according to the toddler’s schedule.
Children mostly take naps during noon and have little snacks or meals in between. If the routine disturbs them, they feel annoyed and cannot survive the trial if they are in a bad mood. Ensure they stay full of snacks while hiking; otherwise, they will throw unnecessary tantrums to gain your attention or make you leave the trail without completing it.
In the end, make a round of applause for being courageous so that they get encouraged and try to come more often with you in the outdoor activities. Parent behavior impacts the child’s nature, so make sure to let them feel appreciated and noticed.
Final Thoughts
Hiking is a great outdoor activity, but it may seem challenging with kids or toddlers. How to hike with the toddler? If you are a hiker, you already know the risks and enjoyment you get while walking.
If you want to take your toddler to the hiking terrains, then it’s not a problem. Just follow the tips mentioned above, and you’ll not face any issues.
Above all, check if the toddler is feeling fine and energetic. Make them suited in the best hiking gear to feel comfortable while enjoying mother nature. Take all the necessary things you might need during the hiking journey, and you’ll be good to go.