Hiking with Kids

Tips for parents who want to share their love for hiking with their little ones.

As parents-to-be, we often hear the ole saying “life is over” or "enjoy your adventures now because that’ll all be over soon,” and so on. As avid hikers, trampers, trekkers whatever you want to call us, we knew we would continue our adventures outdoors regardless of what everyone was saying.

Our daughter Lia, now three years old, has grown up loving nature, loving her time exploring trails and “oooo”ing and “ahhh”ing all over New Zealand and the States. It’s possible to continue your love for scenic views and hours on the trails. We’ve learned through the years and we love to inspire others which is why I’m sharing our top tips and advice for hiking with kids.

Start them young

Bubs love to be as close as possible to mum or dad. The warmth, the comfort of our heartbeats so even if you’re not out walking, hiking, this is a great way to settle them on a fussy day when you need your hands. I remember putting Lia in ours in the first week when she wanted to be held and I desperately needed to cook.

Always make sure their legs are in the frog stance to protect their hips. Most come with instructions that mention this to avoid hip dysplasia. Also, hop on youtube or the brand’s website to find demonstration videos. I used these often to make sure she was placed in the carrier correctly.

Start slow (short trails)/practice

Don’t start with a multi-hour hike. Maybe not even an hour hike. Start by a local walk to the park, to the cafe, around town to get comfortable with the carrier and make sure bub is good. Even practice around the house.

Once you are both comfortable, head out on a trail. If you are alone with bub, make sure to find a backpack that fits comfortably over the carrier with bub in the front.

Make sure to pack the essentials (see below) and start off with an easy, short trail. Break when bub gets upset, needs a feed or a change.

Allow bub to nap in the carrier so they get used to sleeping in it which will help immensely with longer hikes in the future.

And after a few small hikes keep increasing the distance and time as you both get comfortable with the carrier.

For hiking with kids inspo, check out our story on hiking Mount Taranaki Summit with our daughter

Invest in a supportive carrier

Newborn/infant carriers

This is the most important. If you’re not comfortable or bub isn’t, nobody is going to be happy hiking.

We purchased the Lille Baby Airflow after I spent an ungodly amount of time researching. While we did love it especially for the waist/back support and breathable mesh, I probably wouldn’t purchase it again. One, we bought black thinking better for stains, but babies spit up pure white goo ha and the black attracts heat which is harder for summer/warmer hikes. But the main reason I wouldn’t purchase again is that when we moved Lia to the back fit (it can be worn many ways), the snap buttons kept popping off and it was very irritating.

We were also gifted a Boba X Carrier in an adorable fox print (see photos above). The fabric was super soft compared to the Lille, however, it didn’t have the same back support. For longer hikes, we’d use the Lille and for shorter ones, we’d choose the Boba.

Now that baby #2 is on the way, I’m once again on the hunt for the best baby carrier. From following other hiking families and chatting with friends, the Ergobaby line sounds like a top contender.

If you plan on doing big hikes with bubs then investing in a top-of-the-line is worth it for your’s and bub’s comfort. It’s a great item to put on your baby registry. Another option is getting a second-hand one from a friend or FB marketplace. Some of these brands even have their own FB groups where people sell them. Just ensure that it has no rips and is safe to use.

If you can I recommend finding a store where you can try them on. Some stores even have dummy weight babies to try them out with so you can get a good feel of the comfort level.

carriers for up to toddler age

Somewhere around eight or nine months (baby’s weight depending) is when you can start using the hiking backpack carriers, which I massively recommend. If you’ve ever backpacked (travel/hiking/camping) you know how key it is to have a good, supportive backpack.

Many outdoor brands now make a kids carrier with similar attributes and my god they are soooo much better than the infant carriers, especially when bub starts to pack on the pounds! We took way too long to invest in one because once again we were doing heaps of research. From the reviews and chatting with other hiking families, it was clear two brands were favoured: Deuter and Osprey. Both were impossible to find in New Zealand at the time and after trying out others (Kathmandu’s is horrific, Macpac’s is a bit better, we tested our friends), we realized we needed to find one abroad.

Thanks to my mother-in-law she bid on a barely used Osprey Poco Plus on eBay UK and shipped it to us. I can’t tell you how much we love it for the following reasons:

Large bottom storage with multiple side pockets and another top section for snacks etc.
Hip and back support just like a hiking backpack with additional little pockets on the hips
ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT!! This is huge. We can move it between XS to L depending on who is carrying our daughter.
Built-in sunshade for UV protection (Lia loves this because it feels like a safe little cocoon and she can nap easily inside).
Adjustable stirrups for extra comfort for bubs
Harness to keep babe safely secure while you’re bouncing around on the trails.
Easy to add a rain cover (snaps on over the entire backpack).

We are still using this carrier and Lia is 3.5 years old. It’s in incredible shape and we will be able to use it for years to come. It’s an investment, but the best one you’ll make if you plan on multi-hour/multi-day hikes with your littles.

For NZ families, Bivouac finally got the new Osprey Poco Plus in, but fair warning the price is hefty.

Take breaks

While you can still hike your usual pace with a bub on your body, make sure you factor in time for breaks.

Here are a few reasons why to stop and break on the trails:

Diaper change
Feeding/nursing time
Adding/removing layers
Babe is cranking and needs a rest, stretch or simply wants out.
Your body needs a break.
You need snacks.

When Lia was little, we took breaks for all the above reasons. These rest stops were essential to keeping us all happy in our hiking experience. Don’t expect to just bolt up the mountain. There’s a good chance bub will nap happily during the hike and they typically stay asleep while you’re moving.

Flying with kids soon? Click here for tips on traveling with a toddler. And click here for traveling with an infant.

Plan ahead

Now, this goes for all hiking situations, but when you’re carrying your bub, you need to be extra cautious.

Planning ahead is essential and here’s what to think about before hitting the trails with bub in tow:

Checking the weather forecast. Again and again. NZ weather is notorious for changing rapidly as most mountain regions are. Make sure to pack rain gear and extra layers if the forecast shows a chance.
Plan your hiking route. If it’s a new trail, make sure you know it well. Research info about it online, check reviews for any updates and make sure it’s doable for your fam.
Stick to your plan. Don’t make a new one last minute (especially if you’re unaware of that trail). Stay safe.
Sort out how long the hike will take and add an extra hour or two for stops.
Make sure to let a friend or family member know where you are going before you head off and send them a text when you’re safely out.
Check sunset times to make sure you’re hiking out before it gets dark and bring a headlamp/torch if you’re heading out at dusk just in case.

Pack smart

Your packing list looks a little different these days and you may need a bigger backpack.

First off, if you’re wearing the bub on your front and a backpack on your back like the photo above, make sure it’s a comfortable backpack and fits over your carrier well. Bonus if it has accessible side pockets like this one.

Second, I always recommend overpacking than under. Now that babe is coming with us it’s never a bad thing to be overprepared.

Here’s what I’d say is essential for hiking with kids:

Fresh diapers with a sealable bag to hold the smelly, soiled nappies to mask the smell.
Layers - for both you and bub including beanies, mittens, etc. We used our thick hiking socks to keep our bubs’ legs warm, also a great option if you forget mittens for them.
Back-up clothing for both you and bub. Prepare for poop explosions (that may also end up on your clothes) or pee leaks. Also spit-ups, ha basically bring back up clothes for any possible bodily fluid spill.
Snacks and plenty of water. If you’re breastfeeding, you need to stay hydrated for your bub and if you’re bottle-feeding and/or giving snacks, bring plenty of healthy snacks for the trail. Our daughter would snack on an apple for over an hour and it was an easy way to keep her happy.
Blanket to wrap up bub in case of cold weather, but also for use for change diapers on the go.
HIKING POLES, especially for uphill/downhill hikes. Plus, they help keep you sturdy over rocky terrain.
First aid kit.
Torch/flashlight in case you hike in the dark.
Sunscreen.
A favourite toy or stuffed animal to keep them happy.

Did I miss something? Feel free to comment your must-have items for hiking in the comment section below!

And there you have it. Hiking with Kids (infant to toddler age). Next up I’ll share all the tips for getting your toddlers to start hiking on their own.

Thanks so much for checking out my blog and I hope you’ve found it helpful! If you have any more tips or fav brands, feel free to comment below. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. I love chatting all things hiking and kiddos.

Happy hiking from our family to yours

Love, the De Doms’