Going for a hike is something I enjoyed before becoming a mom. I actually enjoy it even more after becoming a mom. However, there are some immense differences between hiking solo with a toddler and just hiking solo, other than the additional person or persons on the trip. For one, you cannot just grab your hiking boots, a map, some water, and go. You need to actually prep–because kids (especially toddlers) get hungry, thirsty, and tired. I created this guide to help you do just that: prep for hiking with a toddler.
What Kind of Hiking Trip are you Taking?
There are many different kinds of hiking trips that you may consider taking your toddler on. However, we are just going to discuss the primary difference between what you need for:
- Day Hike: A day hike could be hike that takes place for just a few hours or 12 hours.
- Overnight Hike: An overnight hike could be one night or one week.
I 100% recommend trying both with your toddler. I mean, if you actually think about it, an overnight hike is extremely similar to camping with your toddler. They key difference being that your camp site will change from night to night, which can make it that much more fun.
When taking any hike with your toddler be sure to scope out the area prior to packing up. Research the trail, read reviews, and decide how much hiking you are actually going to do. As well as where you are going to stop. Avoid being super spontaneous when you have a little life with you. Lastly, ensure that you have updated material (like a map) of the trail.
What Should you Have for a Day Hike with a Toddler?
A lot of what you will need for a Day Hike with a Toddler is also everything you out inside your Diaper Bag when leaving the house with your toddler. No Surprise there.
Some of these things would include:
- Snacks
- Some great hiking snacks to bring could be granola bars, crackers, pouches, fresh or dried fruit, carrot sticks, etc. I also recommend bringing at least one meal. This could be something like PBJ, carrot sticks, strawberries, and milk. Horizon carries a shelf stable milk.
- Change of Clothes
- Always good to have, just in case. An uncomfortable toddler is likely an unhappy one.
- Diapers and Wipes
- So, 100% bring diapers if your child is not potty trained. Bring wipes whether they are potty trained or not. Click Here for my Homemade Disposable Wipes Recipe.
- First Aid Kit
- Personally, I bring a first aid kit with us wherever we go. The one I have comes with a little clasp so it can be hooked to the outside of the diaper bag. I’m just one of those people. If you do not already have one, click here for the first aid kit I have.
- Drinking Cup
- If you do not already have a stainless-steel cup for your toddler, now is a good time to get one. A well-insulated cup can help keep their beverage cold. This is especially important if your toddler is a milk drinker like mine. Click here for the Stainless-Steel Cup I use.
- Weather Appropriate Gear
- This is a rather obvious one. However, I want to mention if you are not sure if it will be too cold or not make sure you are packing a hat and gloves. If you are expecting loads of sunshine, make sure to pack a sunhat and potentially sunglasses if your toddler will keep them on.
Hiking Specific Gear
Even when you are going on a short hike you will want some things that go beyond the contents of a diaper bag. Let’s talk about these things.
Day Hike Toddler Carrier
Please do not use your typical carrier when taking your child hiking. I highly recommend investing in a sturdy carrier with a steel frame and a 5-point harness that is designed for hiking. This will help keep your baby safe in the event that you fall. Additionally, they offer additional comfort for your child by providing a supportive seat. As well as additional comfort for you with a padded adjustable hip belt and shoulder straps. These features help to distribute the weight you’re carrying evenly. The carrier that I recommend also offers ample storage, a built-in sunshade for your child, and mesh paneling to keep your little one from sweating. For a simple day hiking trip, I recommend the Osprey Poco Light.
Click Here to Get the Osprey Poco Light.
Insect Repellant
Personally, I choose to use a Deet-Free mosquito repellent. There are tons of options on the market, however my favorite are the stickers that are essential oil infused or the pure citronella oil rollers. The stickers I usually place in the middle of my toddlers back, you could also place on your carrier.
Click Here to get Insect Repellant Stickers
Click Here to get the Citronella Oil Roll On
Sunscreen
I always recommend brining at an SPF 50 that is sweat and water resistant. Personally, I also really love to use spray sunscreen for myself; however, I use the rub on for my toddler to prevent inhalation. I also use a natural non-toxic sunscreen for my toddler. If you haven’t noticed by now, I am a bit of a crunchy mom.
Click Here to Get the Non-Toxic Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen
Click Here to Get the Reef Safe Sun Bum SPF 50 Spray Sunscreen
Poop Bags
Okay, so please do not litter the beautiful outdoors with your babies’ dirty diapers. If you do not want them touching all the contents of your hiking bag I highly recommend bringing designated poop bags. I recommend buying scented biodegradable poop bags so you also don’t have to smell them.
Toddler Hiking Boots
Your toddler will more than likely want to walk during some of the hike, and they absolutely should. That being said you are going to want to bring some high-quality hiking shoes for them. Something with a hard sole so they do not feel every rock, non-slip to help them with traction, water resistant to keep their feet dry, and high rise to protect their ankles.
Click Here to Get the Best Toddler Hiking Boots
Click Here to Get my Favorite Women’s Hiking Boots
Rain Guard
You never know when it is going to rain, even if the weather does not say it is going to rain. Always bring a rain guard for your toddler and for yourself. There is nothing worse than hiking while you are completely uncomfortable and soaked. The Osprey Poco Carrier also has a rain cover available for separate purchase. In my opinion, this is a necessity to keep your child warm and dry, as well as your gear.
Click here to Get a Rain Guard for your Toddler
Osprey Poco Carrier Rain Cover
Click Here to Get the Osprey Poco Plus Carrier
What Will you Need for an Overnight Hike with a Toddler?
There are a few additional things you are going to want to pack when you are staying overnight in the woods with a toddler. With that comes a larger carrier, so I am going to recommend getting the Osprey Poco Plus Carrier for a longer trip. I will tell you why! (Click Here to Get the Osprey Poco Plus)
Backpacking Stove
You will want to bring something that can cook but is also extremely portable. The Fire Maple Polaris Cooking System is just that. The portable stove is specifically designed for portability while bag packing. It comes with it’s own pot that is perfect for cooking a can of Spaghetti-Os or some Ramen Noodles. It is also BPA Free and is boils water extremely quickly. P.S. This is also the perfect tool for starting a quick fire or you can get a fire starter kit. (Click here to get a fire starter squares)
Click Here to Get the Fire Maple Camping Stove
Backpacking Tableware
If you are overnight hiking with multiple people, you are more than likely not going to all eat from the pan that comes with the portable fire maple stove. (Click here to get the Fire Maple portable camping stove mentioned above) Plus it is just nicer to have your own bowl and spoon or fork and plate. This set comes with four of each, perfect for a family of four or two meals for a family of two. It comes in an easy to pack or carry bag and it compact.
Click Here to get Tableware for Hiking
Tent
This is actually my favorite tent to take camping as well. You can set it up in less than a minute. There are no poles, and it is 100% instant. So instant that when you take it out of the bag make sure nobody is in harm’s way because as soon as you unclip it, it’s set up. If you don’t take my advice on anything else, get this. You will not regret it. Anyways, with a tent you will also need a toddler sleeping bag and sleeping essentials for yourself. A traditional sleeping bag is not recommended for infants or toddlers due to entrapment and suffocation risks, so you will want to get one specifically designed for toddlers (click here to see what I recommend). For yourself, I recommend getting a sleeping bag that is able to fold in a compact way or comes with a compression sack (click here to see what I recommend). This will give you more room in your pack and allow you to carry less weight. Also, be sure to practice putting these things away, as they can be tricky at first.
Click Here to get a Compression Sack Sleeping Bag
Click Here to het a Toddler Sleeping Bag
Solar Charging Capabilities
I highly recommend bringing something that has the ability to charge your devises using solar power. It is important to note that that these panels will only work to charge with sunlight, however I will also list one (that I also use) that is a solar charged battery pack that can be used in the evening. With this one I recommend clipping to the outside of your pack so that it immersed in sunlight all day. Lastly, I would bring some battery-operated lights. This could be a flashlight; however I strongly recommend using this battery powered light bulbs. You can hang them inside your tent and around your campsite.
Click Here to get Portable Solar Panels
Click Here to get a Solar Battery Pack
Battery Operated Lights or Compact Flashlight, Click on the one you want
Infant or Toddler Carrier
For day hiking I recommended using the Osprey Poco Light. However, for overnight hiking you are going to need significantly more storage space due to needing more supplies. The Osprey Poco Plus has just that, more storage. It still has the steel roll cage, pull-out sunshade, five-point harness, and padded adjustable waist belt and shoulder pads. It just has significantly more storage space with waist belt pockets, more room under the child and zippered pockets on the back. This carrier will fit everything that you could possibly need.
Click Here to get the Osprey Poco Plus
Water
This water purification system is portable and allows you to purify water from any source. This is important because you do not want to run out of water, and you also do not want to run out of clean water. The bag holds 1.5 gallons of water and can be easily hung from your pack or from a tree at your site.
Click Here to get the Water Purification System
And You are Ready to Take your Little Ones on a Hiking Adventure!
Did I forget anything? Let me know in the comments.
Very good
Thank you!