10 Summer Fun Tips for Hiking with Kids

“I participated in an Ambassador Activation on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Banana Boat® Sun Care. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.”

We love to go hiking as a family. The kids really benefit from being outdoors and getting exercise. Taking all the kids on a hike can be a challenge though, so I’ve put together a few tips that will help you have a more enjoyable time while making awesome memories with your kids.

1. Plan your hike according your your youngest childs abilities. 

Please don’t plan on taking a hike that your youngest child will not be able to handle. Be sure it’s safe enough with no steep inclines and cliffs they could slip off of. Usually by visiting a website about local hikes you will be able to choose a trail that is appropriate for all of your children. Trust me, you don’t want to choose a hike that is too long or too steep, you’ll never hear the end of the whining. 😉

2. Wear the right shoes and clothing for the season.

Check the weather forecast and be sure to bring everything needed. You may even consider bringing ponchos even if there is no rain in the forecast. You never know. Keeping you and the kids comfortable is a #1 priority. Don’t buy new hiking boots and then wear them on your hike. You need to break them in by walking around the neighborhood a few times. Bring extra shoes and socks to keep in the car for changing into after the hike, just in case you got caught in the mud. Even if it’s hot outside, you may consider making sure everyone is wearing long pants, socks and boots. You don’t want scraped up legs from bushes, or even worse, poison ivy rubbing on their legs. If they fall, their legs will be protected better too. You know how kids are, they aren’t very steady on their feet yet. A little branch or rock in the wrong place could send them toppling over. Which brings me to tip #3.

3. Bring a first aid kit in a backpack.

First aid kits will come in handy when someone looses their balance. You never know when you’ll need a first aid kit. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Check to make sure your first aid kit is kid friendly. Some insect repellents and sunscreens in first aid kits are too harsh for children’s skin. Supplement your kit with these items for kids:

• Children’s Tylenol and/or ibuprofen (ask your physician for sample packs)
• Liquid antihistamine
• A lot of adhesive bandages (many different sizes and colors)
• Calamine lotion for bug bites
• Tweezers to remove splinters, ticks and needles
• Plenty of Anti-bacterial wipes
• Moleskin for blisters
• Epipen if your child has allergies

4. Bring Snacks and lots of Water in that backpack.

We actually have CamelBak’s for our kids to carry their own water and snacks. This is the best investment we have ever made for hiking. There is no need to stop every 10 steps to give someone a drink. They just get it themselves from the backpack’s “straw” whenever they feel thirsty. The ones we bought have little compartments for snacks and extra socks too 🙂 Bringing healthy snacks will help you and your kids keep up the energy required to continue with the hike. And it will also cut down on the whining. Anything to stop the whining, right?

5. Take breaks regularly.

Those little ones need more breaks than you do. Be sure to stop when they are tired and let them refuel. Sometimes you just need to stop and smell the roses, literally. Let your kids notice nature. Stop when they find something they want to explore. Bringing along a little notebook and pencils would be fun for them to try and draw what they see. We want them to appreciate the world around them. Rushing to get there won’t facilitate learning and appreciation.

6. Bring Sunblock.

Not only is it important to put sunblock on before you start your hike, but it’s important to remember to apply it throughout the day. It does wear off and needs to be re-applied. It’s recommended to add a golf ball size amount every 2 hours. Hats and clothing help out a lot, but you don’t want your kids coming home with a sunburn. That’s never fun. And it’s dangerous. My favorite brand of sunblock for my family is Banana Boat. You can sit back, relax and and enjoy the view knowing you’re covered.  Banana Boat® sunscreen is teaming up with actress and mother of two, Busy Philipps, to bring moms and their families the tips, tools and fun prizes they need to have the Best Summer Ever!

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7. Rotate Hiking Leaders.

What kid doesn’t like to play follow the leader? They always want to be the leader, so be sure to rotate throughout the hike. The leader get’s to choose when they stop and decides which trail to go on (with the help of mommy or daddy of course)

8. Bring a camera.

You’ll want to document all the cool stuff you find on your hike without having to bring it home. This comes in handy when you have a child that wants to pick every flower for you. Have a talk about “leaving no trace” and leaving things where they are in nature. “We can’t bring that home, but we can take a picture of it!” Also, Mommy, GET IN THE PICTURE. I know you are self conscious of yourself, every woman is, but get in the dang picture so your kids know you were there 🙂

9. Have some Camp Songs Ready for some fun.

Just because you’re not camping doesn’t mean you can’t sing camp songs. On one of your breaks, it would be fun to sing a few of these. THIS SITE has some fun Repeat-O Style songs the kids will love.

10. ENJOY!

Don’t stress out about the small stuff. Live in the NOW. Enjoy where you are. Enjoy the ride. Enjoy being with your family. Enjoy being in nature. Take your time and enjoy your children and get to know them better by listening to them as you go. Build family relationships. This is what’s really important.

Do you have any fun hikes planned soon? I’d love to know of any hikes you’ve taken that other families would enjoy. Leave me a comment telling me which ones are your favorite and where they are located. Enjoy your BEST SUMMER EVER!