18 Tips for Backpacking with Kids
1. Get adult sized sleeping bags and sleeping pads. The kid sizes are often lower quality, not as warm, and you will eventually have to upgrade anyway. Having all full sized sleeping bags and mats also provides more flexibility if an item is lost or gets wet.
2. Attach a whistle to each kid, and provide instruction to only use it in an emergency (lost, wild animal, etc.).
3. Feed them your backpacking meals at home, prior to your trip, to make sure they like the food. This might also help motivate them to go. Strangely enough, my boys look forward to eating some of the dehydrated meals.
4. Marshmallows!
5. Get them real backpacking packs. The first few times we went, they used random backpacks from school, which worked ok, but weren’t very comfortable. It’s also another way to get them excited to go on the hike.
6. Have them help scout out the tree/branch for your bear bag. I don’t recommend letting them throw the rock with your line attached though – the pendulum swing back might get them in the face.
7. If you have any old smartphones lying around, charge them up and give them to the kids to take pictures and videos. Don’t let them bring any phones which have service or video games though!
8. Get them involved in planning the trip. Investigate several options and show them the map. Print out a map for each child.
9. If camping next to a lake or creek, be prepared to help them capture crawdads/crawfish (bring a container or plastic bag, and some string and bait), or bring a fishing pole and some tackle.
10. Prepare a list of stories you can share while hiking. These can be stories from your past, historical events, or recent news items. My kids are always clamoring for another story, I feel like sometimes I can’t think of a new one.
11. Have them set up the tent, help if necessary. They are good at building things and it gives a sense of accomplishment.
12. Put them in charge of the fire. Kids loving building fires, and finding sticks, moss and pines cones to throw in it. A good poker stick or two is a necessity. Also, if there is any easily harvested sap nearby, that is a fun experiment to see how it helps the fire burn.
13. Powered Gatorade for their water bottles will help them stay hydrated.
14. Bring lots of snacks. Bite sized Snickers, beef jerky, dried fruit, ect.
15. Bring small binoculars or a monocular, and have them spy across the lake.
16. Let them saw wood for the fire, with the folding saw of course. And don’t forget your fire starters. We made several large batches at home, which is a fun project.
17. Bring a backpacking camping chair or stool. A creature comfort, or three, goes a long way to making everyone happy.
18. Walking sticks or hiking poles are a nice distraction from the monotony of hiking.
Backpacking with kids is tough, but definitely worth it!