Hiking with children – our tips for everyone who wants to go straight away

Just get out into nature , away from the hustle and bustle - and ideally with the whole family? Nothing is more beautiful than that. But nothing is easier than that ? With the tips in this story, your family hike will be child's play. Literally.

Hiking with kids can be so much fun. The first trips in particular require a bit of preparation : What does the packing list for hiking look like? What provisions do you take with you when hiking? And how do you motivate your children to go hiking with you?

 

We have the answers to these and many other questions. Just read on quickly, pack your backpacks – and start hiking!

 

Hiking with children: motivation to get started

 

The bad news first: When children, especially small children, think about leisure and time with the family, they tend not to think about hiking. Now the good news: If you do it right, you can quickly get the little ones excited about your new family activity. What is particularly important here is the age of the children:

 

• Toddlers up to the age of 3 who are able to walk usually can't do more than two or three kilometers at a time.
• After about five or six kilometers, preschool children feel tired or run out of breath.
• With (untrained) primary school children you can aim for around ten kilometers.
• Teenagers and young adults usually keep up with you easily - or even challenge you.

 

The best news: This gives you basic information that makes it easy for you to spontaneously plan an adventure hiking trip with children. But before that happens, a few words about motivation:

 

Hiking with toddlers and preschool children: Walk less, experience more

 

Small children love it when they are, firstly, involved in the planning and, secondly, when they can experience something while hiking. Hiking with (small) children means, above all, choosing destinations that offer something beyond the actual activity and, above all, are attractive with short distances. Our tip: Take a look at destinations near or far that have something to offer thematically. Whether wildlife park , Dinoland , castles or short hiking routes from home to a forest playground or climbing park are ideal. Be sure to let the little ones pack the backpacks , for example by taking care of their own finger food or snacks for hiking. Maybe you want to choose a sun hat or hiking boots together?

 

For the journey itself there are small trophies that the child can win. For example, every 500 meters there is a small snack or a self-made medal , a stamp in the do-it-yourself hiking book or just a short break with lots of playing, cuddling and compliments. Very important: Be sure to plan the way back for your distances and always take a break when the child speaks up or you notice that the dwarf's focus, strength or mood is becoming less or worse!

 

If you want to invest a little more time, you can also prepare the short hiking route in advance and turn your children's hike into a little scavenger hunt . Always good because it's quick to improvise: the play of colors and shapes. You can give your child the task of collecting “something green, something round and something red” along the way; certain tactile properties such as “soft” or “hard” are also great. The whole thing then goes into the backpack and is proudly displayed in the “ traveling display case ” at home.

 

Last tip: check the condition of the short journey beforehand and take the stroller with you! Trust us: Hiking with a stroller prepares you for any surprises - and you can walk longer distances even with small children. If you like, you can also take a look at special, all-terrain strollers , but these often come at a price.

 

Dextro Energy* Spontaneous tips: Just go hiking on a nice day with small children? Nothing easier than that!

 

• Pack your backpack in advance in a quiet moment and have it ready to hand. You can then take drinks, snacks and finger food with you for hiking à la minute. Don't forget: the first aid kit!
• It's best to plan five to ten short trips in a quiet moment . The list is ready if you want to go spontaneously. Tip: Divide them into categories such as “bad weather”, “refreshments”, “adventure park”, etc.
• Ask friends and family in advance if they would like to be there. Spontaneous calls are also allowed!
• Prepare games and stories for the journey! Whether “I see something you don’t see” or the above-mentioned color and shape game, whether it’s a scavenger hunt, regional fairy tales or interesting facts about the route or destination: children love it when they notice that you’re making an effort.
• Children (even shy ones) are very good at overcoming challenges if they know roughly what to expect. So communication is important. In advance, in everyday life, you can tell the dwarf about hiking - and when the time comes, you can always give updates. When are we there? What exciting highlight is coming next? This makes hiking with children an experience for everyone.
• Prepare the stroller! We can't repeat it often enough: hiking with a stroller is the solution for every trip with small children. Parasol, blanket, teddy bear, functionality of the car: if you think about it beforehand, you will be even more spontaneous.
• A back carrier or “ cradle ” is also an option if you have the necessary strength and balance. Many models also have integrated storage space - so you kill two birds with one stone.
• When it comes to strollers and baby carriers : try everything out first. Walk short distances with your child so that you don't find out at the start of the hike that your child doesn't feel comfortable in the car or on your back.

 

Hiking with primary school children: There's something going on!

 

Older children usually have very distinct likes and dislikes . Accordingly, you have to be very careful and careful when it comes to motivation. The aspect of preparation is particularly important. Also because you can definitely plan longer tours with children of primary school age. Our tip: Look around for destinations near and far that have hiking trails of a maximum of ten to fifteen kilometers . Here you can easily focus on your child's hobbies and preferences: if he loves dinosaurs, there are children's hikes in or through a dinosaur park; if he loves plants and rivers, a short mountain hike might be ideal. And if you want something more chivalrous or spooky, hikes to castle ruins and enchanted castles are ideal.

 

The good thing: Short hut tours with children are also included. And what could be nicer than stopping somewhere after a family hike, eating and drinking something delicious and chatting about adventures you've experienced? Overnight stay included if desired.

 

To create the right vibe right away, you can involve your child in every step of the planning . Choose a backpack, pack it, choose equipment, snacks and drinks, help plan the route, think up games and stories: primary school children love coming on board. Depending on your age, you can consider packing the stroller - but older children in particular would probably see this as an affront! Before stupid arguments arise, it's better to avoid the "baby vehicle" - and plan the route more subtly and cleverly.

 

Very important: Don't overwhelm your child. Plan numerous breaks here too - and sweeten them with delicious food, games and plenty to drink. Especially when it comes to hydration, older children are often a bit... reserved.

 

Dextro Energy* Spontaneous tips: Your child can already manage a few more kilometers and would like to go on a nice tour? Here are our tips for hiking with children if you just want to get going:

 

• Choose the children's equipment for your hike together in advance. Whether it's shirts, jackets, pants, socks, shoes or the backpack: If your child is allowed to have a say and choose their own equipment (while you discreetly pay attention to quality and price in the background), a lot has already been achieved.
• The same applies to elementary school children: look for suitable goals in a quiet moment. If you want to spontaneously go hiking with children, you have five to ten destinations ready straight away. You can categorize these: “Hut”, “Action” or “Learning Path” are good categories that make spontaneous selection easier for you.
• Choose the tours together with your child! Elementary school children know exactly what they want - and what they don't want. To avoid dramas and be able to start hiking quickly, you can choose the destinations together with your sweetheart. This means that all interests are really taken into account.
• Invite your child to take friends with you and also ask other parents or favorite people in your closest circle. This way you can have some peace and quiet and/or interesting conversation partners on the tour.
• Think about the variety! Hand on heart: The length of time that primary school children can concentrate on one thing is not that impressive. It is all the more important that the route and process are varied. Therefore, be sure to think of games in advance and check the route for highlights. Game tip: “I’ll tell you something”. You choose a tree, a rock, or another landmark and make up the wildest story you can think of. Then it's the child's turn. And the route turns into a fantasy world.
• Pack exciting “tools”. Binoculars and a book of animals or plants from the region are perfect. You can use binoculars to discover even distant highlights, check off finds or find further information in the animal or plant book. What you can also do: pack up a seedling and then plant it somewhere in the forest. Please only use native, suitable plants and not in nature reserves!
• Maintain equipment! Whether it's hiking boots, a backpack, a backpack or a drinking bottle and food container: if you make sure that everything is well looked after and ready for use in your everyday life, you'll be able to set off all the more spontaneously!

 

Hiking with teenagers and really big kids: the world is your oyster!

 

Hiking in the Scottish Highlands, a hut hike with children in the Alps, doing kilometers on the Way of St. James or simply exploring the surrounding area over hill and dale: now you can make the most of it. And because we think you know your teenager or adult child best, we'll save the general tips here and instead give you a lot of advice on how you can spontaneously make the most of your “children's hike”:

 

Dextro Energy* Spontaneous tips: Time with teenagers and adult children is often rare. If you go hiking together, you will bond because you can just talk, listen and breathe in peace. With our advice, you might be able to experience these rare opportunities a little more often!

 

• Teenagers don't feel like doing anything? We cannot confirm. If you follow the most important of all rules: Hiking with children really means that you get involved with each other . Your child, no matter how old they may be, wants to be involved in planning, be involved and spend their free time in a way that benefits them.
• Spontaneously planned long in advance: Spontaneously suggest going hiking on Saturday? It can work, but it doesn't have to. Teenagers usually immediately come up with ten ideas of what they would rather do. That's why it's better to warn in advance. Check in advance when the child would be free and would like to do something with you.
• With adult children, it's best to start hiking when they're with you or you're visiting them. Here's where you can "trick": Take a look beforehand at what exciting destinations are nearby. And then you spontaneously suggest going on a short tour.
• Also spontaneous, but a little more complex : Why not ask your adult child if they would like to go on a real hike with you in the distance. The hike may not take place spontaneously, but the planning certainly does. Whether Scotland, France or Nepal: If you plan your hike from A to Z together, it creates closeness - and anticipation for what's to come.
• A multi-day tour is often more worthwhile: If everyone clears their schedule (whether spontaneously or not), it might be worth turning the children's hike into a happening. Whether Franconian Switzerland, the Bavarian Forest, the Alps or neighboring countries: multi-day tours are often planned and implemented surprisingly quickly - if the push is right. Therefore: appoint yourself as an organizer and inspire your family with ideas and passion.
• The goal is the goal: Whether you are hiking with teenagers or adult children, the goal of the hike is important. Whether you are planning a hut hike with children, a multi-day tour or a short trip nearby: restaurants and inns, sights or events such as festivals or open-air cinemas are ideal destinations for a hike.
• Get your equipment ready! Especially if you have less time with your children, you can prepare everything in advance so that you can go hiking spontaneously. It doesn't hurt to have extra backpacks or sleeping bags at home - you can also make sure that equipment and food are always ready.

 

Hiking with children? Preparation is everything. For example, using a packing list!

 

The packing list for hiking with children

 

Short trip or extended hiking holiday? Here is your packing list. And don't worry: the packing lists for the hut tour or for hiking on the multi-day tour are coming soon!

 

Packing list for a short or long hiking holiday

 

Would you like to go hiking with the children for a few hours - or are you planning a long hiking holiday? Either way: here is your packing list!

 

• Shoes: Please buy hiking shoes for children from specialist retailers. Children's feet are sensitive. This makes high-quality, durable and suitable footwear all the more important.
• Backpack: Small children are better off taking care of themselves from mom or dad's backpack. For everyone else: choose for yourself! Because what you carry should please you, right? Here too, it is best to rely on the opinion of experts and let your child test wear the backpack. Blind purchases can be harmful to your child's health!
• Hiking clothing: Underwear, socks, pants, shirt, sweater, jacket, hat or sun hat - everything should be comfortable, suitable for hiking (i.e. light, non-scratchy and temperature and moisture regulating). Autumn and winter require thicker clothing, spring and summer require lighter clothing. Eh, sure. We generally recommend the onion skin principle: several layers protect against hypothermia and can be put on or taken off as desired. The layers: underwear, one or two layers of hiking clothes, then the jacket.
• Sun protection and sunglasses: The sun can be treacherous, especially but not only in the mountains. Even if the sky is somewhat cloudy, sunlight can be harmful to children's skin. And bright light reflections and direct sunlight are poisonous for children's eyes (by the way, sunglasses and sunscreen are also important for adults, just a tip).
• Eating and drinking: Children don't like being hungry either. So pack plenty of provisions and water. A mix of whole foods, snacks and finger foods is perfect. Our tip for you: Our muesli bars , minis and energy gums* are the ideal snacks if you want to deliver.
• First aid kit, wet wipes and a change of clothes: things can go wrong when hiking with children. Bandages and blister plasters should not be missing from your first aid kit, wet wipes are perfect for wiping away dirt and a change of clothes may be necessary if a mishap occurs or your child is simply too fascinated by the wet river or lake. For small children and babies, please also think about diapers and changing supplies !
• Insect repellent and tick tweezers: Mosquito spray and tick tweezers are important if you go hiking with the little ones. Be sure to pack so that the trip doesn't turn into a drama.
• Carrying systems and strollers: Whether it's a back carrier or a stroller, pack these hiking aids if your child is still quite small and/or you can't estimate how long he or she will last.
• Electronics and maps: charge your cell phone, possible GPS devices too. And if the electronics fail, (printed out) route maps can help. Please also print out a small map with hotlines. Emergency numbers, poison hotlines and possibly the telephone number of the local hiking or mountaineering club are always important.
• Inform: More of a checklist than a packing list, but still important. Be sure to inform friends or family if you are going hiking with children. Also mention a time by which you will report back at the latest - this way help can be called if, contrary to expectations, something goes really wrong. If you are planning a multi-day tour or are going on difficult hiking routes with teenagers or adult children, you can also inform local authorities or clubs.

Additional packing list for hiking on multi-day tours

Hike more, hike longer: Especially with children, a little more equipment is required here than on short trips. Here is our packing list, which is in addition to the one above:

• A change of shoes and clothes: Hardly anything is as nice as slipping into fresh socks after a long hike. So be sure to pack a change of socks, shirts, pants, etc. if you plan to hike for several days. If the route is really hard, you can even think about changing shoes. A combination of hiking boots and sneakers can also be worthwhile. Wear sneakers when it's not demanding, hiking shoes when it's necessary.
• Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat: multi-day tours do not always offer comfortable shelter. With a tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad, you're ready to spend the night anywhere - but please pay attention to local laws and rules.
• Light: Sometimes you get behind schedule when hiking with children on multi-day tours. And if it gets dark, it can be dangerous. That's why it's important to remember to bring headlamps and flashlights. Plus necessary batteries or charging options.
• Maps: In the Scottish Highlands or in the middle of the Black Forest, GPS and cell phone reception can sometimes be a problem. That's why it's important to take physical maps with you that you can use to orientate yourself if your cell phone or GPS fails. Please also remember to bring cash – ATMs or card payments are not always possible.
• Large first-aid kit: Be sure to supplement your first-aid kit with disinfectants, bandages and tablets for headaches, etc. You'll be on the road for a long time - and not every place along the way has a pharmacy.
• Games and stories: Board games and books are too heavy to use when hiking with children. Therefore, think of games in advance and read stories about the local fairy tale world and history. Songs can also provide entertainment – ​​if you can sing.

Additional packing list for the hut tour

• Many huts with overnight accommodation have their own beds and bed linen - but you should clarify this in advance. Otherwise, be sure to take your sleeping bag and sleeping mat with you!
• Cash is usually the trump card at huts - especially if the hut is in the middle of nowhere.
• For huts without an operator , you should leave the hut as you would like to find it. So don't forget the garbage bag !
• Bring earplugs or headphones ! Believe us: If there are several people sleeping in the room in the hut, the neighborly snoring can rob you of sleep - and thus your body the regeneration it needs after a long day of hiking. That's why please don't bring babies with you to the hut, the other hikers will thank you.

With these tips you are well prepared to go hiking with your children - at short notice and spontaneously or planned long in advance. And if you still need inspiration for more family time , take a look at our stories about holidays with children or trips with children !

 

* contains carbohydrates

 

A varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle are important.

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