What important items should you bring with you when you go hiking with kids? Obviously, there are some special items you can bring along for the journey that are just for them. This makes the trip much more enjoyable for everyone involved, and it also helps the kids feel like they are an important part of the group. One of the most important things you should have with you is a good set of kids binoculars so they can get in on the action too.
Take Your Kids into Consideration
Remember, bird watching using binoculars involves quite a bit of physical exercise. It’s important to keep that fact in mind whenever you go hiking with children. It might not be as easy for them to keep up or to manage the terrain that you might encounter. All of this can be handled successfully if you remember that they need to hike shorter distances and take more breaks in order to stay hydrated. If you plan the trip with them in mind, you can all have fun, and they won’t be too tired to enjoy watching the birds once you get there.
Items You Should Have with You
Without a doubt, there are other things that you should always take with you any time you go bird watching with kids. Many of those items will depend directly on how hot or cold the temperature is, what time of day you start out on your hike, and how long you plan to be gone. Your kids should be properly dressed, so they really shouldn’t be in shorts, even if it’s warm. You don’t want them to get sunburned or be bitten by bugs, so pants and sturdy shoes work best.
In addition, dress kids in long sleeves, preferably using a breathable cotton material. You might even choose to let them wear a small hat or cap. Just to be safe, bring along some sunscreen. In short, you want to make sure they’re dressed very similarly to your own attire. The idea is to keep them protected from the elements while still allowing them to have some fun.
Use a Backpack
Bringing a backpack is something you should do even when you go hiking on your own. It’s definitely something you should do if you’re hiking with kids. They need to take breaks more frequently, and it’s easy for them to get dehydrated, even when the weather isn’t really all that hot. Put several bottles of water in the backpack and include a favorite snack for your kids as well.
Obviously, it’s important to make sure that whatever snack you include isn’t something that will melt and turn into a giant mess. In reality, the best way to have fun is to keep things as simple as possible, including the items you pack.
It’s a good idea to have a first aid kit with you, too. As you probably already know, kids are quite prone to cuts, scrapes, and bruises so it’s better if you can take care of the issue right then as opposed to waiting until you get back. This can also help keep any infection from setting in. It also provides an added level of comfort for your kids, thereby making the whole trip more enjoyable.
Make it Personal
If you’d like, you can take just one or two items that belong to your child of their choosing. This can make the trip extra special for them. It gives them the chance to personalize things and makes them feel like they are really part of the adventure, as opposed to just being dragged along for the ride. This is an effective way to let them build important memories with you, and it gives them a small amount of responsibility at the same time.
You can make hiking trips a great time to be with your kids, especially when you go bird watching at the end of each hike. As long as you remember to bring a few extra items just for them, you can have fun together and stay safe. Before you know it, you can all be making these kinds of special memories together.