Hiking Essentials
We have always been trekking and Hiking enthusiasts, but somehow this leisure yet adventurous activity was on a halt for quite some time. We were busy raising our kid and wanted him to be involved in our every adventure. This year, as he crossed 3, we planned to start again with small hikes, more for leisure and nature basking that our baby would enjoy along with us.
Having said that, it wasn’t easy, but in past 5 months, we have done 2 short hikes with our kid, successfully. The trails we chose were simple yet they showered us with mesmerizing experiences. Hitting the trails require lots of essentials and more so with a child, you need to be quite sure of things to carry.
Sharing the Hiking essentials for simple trails :
1. Lightweight Footwear :
Be it spring or summer or fall, we have always believed in lightweight trail runners over the heavy hiking boots for short hikes. Good quality sports shoes are breathable, light on weight, have great durability and they even dry quickly. They provide a super grip for a comfortable hike. HomeShop18 has come out with a new collection of Men Sports Shoes, do check it out. They are perfect as trail runners, walking shoes or even as casual sports shoes.
But if you have planned for a snowy hike or hike on a super tough terrain, then opt for hiking boots with ankle supports.
2. GPS :
GPS is our best friend, helping us count the miles, spot the nearby specific sites and the alternate routes. If you are going on a designated terrain, then you can also keep a map handy with all the emergency, food, drink stalls marked in the map.
3. Water and Food :
With a child along, we need to ensure that we all are hydrated optimally. Either carry a bottle with inbuilt filter, to use water from natural sources as water streams(This will keep you light). If not keep sufficient water bottles, finger foods, Energy bites or other nutrition dense dry foods, as quick fixes for the stretches where you don’t have anything nearby. Kids can feel hungry anytime, so keep a proper stock and be aware of the mid stops where you can get refills.
4. Umbrella, Raincoats :
Its always better to check the weather predictions. If the weather seems quite unpredictable, go for convertible clothing (shorts which convert into pants and similar for shirts). Wear light rain coat which works as a protective sheath as well. Dressing in layers basis the weather will make your backpack light.
5. Medications :
Carry a small medical kit, with basic medicines (for kid and self) and first-aid package.
6. Skincare :
Apply and pack sunscreen, moisturiser, Lip balm. Also use UV protecting sunglasses and hat for your hikes. Organic wipes / hand sanitizers are must, more so when a child is along.
7. Portable Battery :
We never wish to run out of the phone battery. Carry a good mah lightweight power bank or a portable battery to help you in emergency situations.
8. Comfortable Backpack
Well backpack you will carry must be super comfortable, water-proof, lightweight. It should be capable of holding the weight of essentials you take along. Padded straps will make backpack wearing quite comfortable.
9. Extra Clothing :
We usually carry extra set for our child and for us as the weather can abruptly take a U-turn. Also keep light weight blanket and sleep bags spare for any emergency.
10. Inflatable Tents / Shelter :
You’ll need that quite often with a child. And the best part is you can open and set your tent anytime anywhere for some rest and shelter. You can even plan for camping.
With small kids, short hikes are the best way to keep up up your zest for adventure and allow kids to explore and learn through experiences. It just needs little extra planning. Make the best of our natural treasures.
Keep Exploring!
Tea #FOTW
Thank you for this informative check list. I’ll pin your post for future hikes I plan to go on with my family, it will be very useful.
These are some great tips, lightweight shoes and a comfortable bag pack is so essential for a great hiking experience.
Awesome tips which will help us all however seasoned travelers one would be. Thank you so much. 🙂
Cheers!!
UK
That’s just the perfect list of essentials for any trip, with these important things in backpacks anyone could conquer the world
Happy trekking
This is cool! I loved the idea of water bottles with inbuilt filter. Your article has encouraged me to take a family hiking trip soon. It would be great if I can know which places are safe for hiking with kids near Delhi.
Perfect… These are the good tips and even very well explained. Most of the new people are not aware of small things. This is a good post for new comers. Thank you for sharing. Nice work.
That’s a very lovely article. Very helpful for people who love going for these kinda trails.
Hey, great tips! I never have tried taking kids on a proper hike, your post inspired me to try it.
Hiking with kids is a task always, the blog had few options mentioned which I never gave a thought to, loved reading each other every point mentioned thank you for sharing
So useful tips.. I love travelling to unexplored places and I am sure these tips will me a lot.
This will be my go-to guide for hiking. Well curated and I guess one look at the article before we leave our house for a hiking trip will help us understand if we have packed up enough or over…
Amazing and beautiful post. Very useful and beneficial tips for hiking. Super comfortable, water-proof, and lightweight backpack is very necessary for any trip. Great thoughts.
This is amazing.. All these are indeed much needed when u r hiking.. Gonna share this with my bro who is planning a hiking trip soon.
Such a great list. I’m not much of a hiker but I have enough enthusiasts around me to know I’ll be dragged to one. Saving this list for then 😀
We have not taken any adventurous trip with our soon to be 5 year old son but I think I might plan one this half term. Thanks for sharing the tips.
This is well thought of list of essentials for hiking with kids. I do agree extra set of clothes and a tent would be really handy. Great post Jhilmil.
Never took a hiking trip with my little one but surely would keep in mind all these points while hiking. Water, food and medicine is absolutely necessary.
Great blog that I will book and refer whenever I am planning to go on hike with child. Thanks for sharing the lovely writeup.
These are some really good tips for someone ready for hiking. Though it might be challenging with children, but I am sure a few snacks in the backpack might help. I will surely bookmark this blog and refer in future.
That’s really a very useful tip, thanks a lot for sharing will keep on this in mind for my kids as my daughter is planning to soon go for it
Thats such a cool post. Hiking with kids is honestly such a difficult job to do and the tip you’ve given is so helpful!
Great list! We haven’t been a hike yet with kiddos. We might do it in the next few years until kids are a little grownup. Bookmarked it!
That’s very helpful guide. My mother always makes ensure to travel with food and water. And this definitely comes as saviour when we got struck while traveling.
one has to be extra careful while tripping with kids, this is a perfect list that makes journey easy for you and kid,love it
I love the style of your blog and the detail of the article. Wonderful and relevant. Going hiking. This article is a must.
Very useful article must say.
Totally need to carry light weight shoes and also the skin care essentials cannot be skipped for sure.