Hiking with kids: 10 + 1 must-haves for your next adventure

Written by Melanie Gath

Do you love hiking, but your kids aren’t always easy to motivate? There’s hardly a day when I’m not outside at some point, in some way. One reason for that, of course, is our dogs, who need their daily walks – but even more importantly, my daughter and I both get grumpy if we don’t get enough fresh air. We love spending time in nature together.

Over the past six years, I’ve put together a “must-have” or “good-to-have” list that might make hiking with kids easier for you.

1. Snacks & drinks
I have to admit, I feel a little guilty putting this at the very top of the list – but honestly, it’s always the first thing I pack before heading out. Without food in my backpack, there’s a real risk that morale will drop within minutes. Snack breaks are the best motivation!

"Just half an hour more, then we’ll take a break!" – That’s how we make it up the mountain. Even the promise of fries at a mountain hut can work wonders. Suddenly, peaks that seemed impossible to reach with kids become totally doable. #neverwithoutsnacks

2. Spare clothes or quick-drying clothing

…And I don’t just mean for the kids! Even if your little ones are past the stage of occasional accidents, there are plenty of other “mishaps” that might call for a fresh shirt or pants.

WATER is usually the biggest culprit. If it’s warm enough and they’re wearing quick-drying clothes – like Merino wool shirts from namuk – sometimes a sunny break is all they need to dry off. But if you slip in a cow patty (yes, that’s happened to me, too) or end up with ice cream, orange juice, or other sticky disasters on your shirt, it’s always better to have a backup.

And even if you think, “Oh, that’ll dry, or the stain doesn’t matter,” many kids go through a phase where even the smallest mishap can lead to a full-on meltdown. You know what I’m talking about, right?

3. Trail markers or a map

Sure, it’s usually us parents who plan the route and follow the app, but if you give your kids a map – even a hand-drawn one – they’ll feel like they have an important job to do. Even little ones who can’t read yet can have fun spotting and following the right trail signs. Suddenly, it feels like a real treasure hunt. The journey itself becomes the goal.

4. Their own backpack for collecting treasures

Who didn’t love collecting little treasures as a kid? Stones, shells, sticks, flowers, snail shells, leaves… My daughter finds something on every single walk, even the shortest ones with the dogs, that absolutely has to come home. If we’re out for hours or even days, we could theoretically fill multiple backpacks with all the treasures she picks up. Giving kids their own little bag or backpack to store their finds helps them be more mindful of what they collect. They’ll only take what they can carry – and they’ll be so proud to bring their collection home.

5. Tick protection

For the past 13 years, I’ve lived in areas with a high risk of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), meaning a tick bite can be seriously dangerous. That’s why we always use tick repellent and make sure our ankles and legs are covered.

6. A hat or cap

I never leave the house without some kind of hat, cap, or beanie for my little one. The main reason is sun protection, but it also helps with cold ears or keeping hair out of the face while playing. A little collection from the owl to spark some ideas.

7. Snacks wait…

Didn’t we already cover this? NEVER MIND! It’s just that important. Hiking with kids without enough snacks is simply a bad idea. And whatever you do, don’t forget the water bottle! A thirsty child is almost as “dangerous” as a hungry one – plus, dehydration is no joke, especially in warm weather.

8. Band-aids

More often than not, I was the mom who forgot to pack band-aids, and – naturally – my daughter was always the first to take a tumble or bump her head. What works best in these little accidents? Cooling and cleaning the wound, putting on a big Band-Aid, and then proudly showing everyone how brave you were. If the Band-Aid has a cute design, even better! What do you think – should we create namuk-themed Band-Aids?

9. An “Explorer’s Notebook”

We call it our little Explorer’s Notebook, and we’ve been bringing it along on all our outdoor adventures for a while now. Even though my five-year-old can’t write yet, she still loves recording everything she discovers in creative ways. We go on little scavenger hunts for unknown animals, sketching everything from the shape of animal droppings to gnawed branches and paw prints in the mud – everything gets drawn or noted down. Whatever can be glued in, gets glued in. It’s like a tiny nature logbook, waiting to be filled – something that makes every new outing even more exciting!

10. A rope

A simple rope opens up so many fun possibilities outdoors – you can use it to form a little climbing team, turn kids into horses or riders, fish something out of the water… It’s also a great way to keep kids engaged and moving forward on the trail!

11. A little secret…

Want to know how I’ve managed to get my daughter out into nature every single day for the past five years? Here’s the answer…

Dog walks are just part of her life, as natural as going to preschool. She was there from the start and still is. People often tell me, “That won’t last much longer.” But if she takes after her mom, it absolutely will. Because being outdoors makes us happy.

To make sure you don’t forget anything on your next hike, here’s a printable checklist for you! And don’t forget to pack a few things for yourself, too. ;)