If you’ve been following along this week, you know that we are far away from home hiking our way through Utah’s national parks. We have had a blast experiencing these amazing sites and seeing these mountains for the first time. To prepare for this trip, we have been practicing with our kids and mentally preparing for what to expect.
Today I’m sharing a few tips on how we have been preparing for our hikes with our kids.
FOUR TIPS ON PREPARING FOR A HIKE WITH KIDS
Talk about what to expect – I’ve noticed that when we take the time to talk about what to expect, our days are a bit smoother. Before we put on our hiking gear, I talk to Grace, Haddon and Emory about what she may experience, like, dislike and then we talk about how to overcome the uncomfortable feelings. We also talk to them about all the things we are looking forward to and are excited about. We talk about the heat, the mosquitoes and talk through ways we can prevent injury. Having these conversations beforehand helps get everyone on the same page.
Practice hiking – This is a great opportunity to try out hiking shoes, gear and to see how it feels on. For this trip, we got Grace new sneakers; a new dry-fit shirt and her own water backpack. Individually, those things are pretty easy to deal with. However, when we are introducing them for the first time, at the same time, it can be overwhelming. Emory and Haddon are going to go up on a baby carrier. The carrier is very comfortable but it does take some getting used to. We place both kids on their individual carriers and go out for hikes. We have taken a few smaller hikes around our state parks and every time we get out there, we add another piece of gear for all of us to practice with. This way, we are able to see what works, what needs to be worn in and what needs to be left behind.
Pack and prepare – Packing for a hike can be time-consuming. There’s the school of thought of just putting on sneakers and going for it. However, when it comes to hiking with kids, you have to plan and pack beforehand. We start by making a list and writing down all of the hiking essentials we are going to need.
Shoes
Hiking sticks
Water backpack
Snack bars
First aid
Hat
Sunblock
Glasses
Baby carriers
Diapers and wipes
Get some sun – We planned our hiking trip in the summer, which is notoriously the hottest time of the year. The sun in blazing and if you are not prepared for the rays, it can lead to a very uncomfortable and painful time. For this reason, we spend a lot of time outdoors and protect ourselves with Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30 & 70. By going out and allowing our skin to acclimate to the sun and heat, it makes it easier for us to endure the rays once we hit the hiking trails.
Ok. so those are my top four tips. We love hiking as a family because it gives us the opportunity to bond, and make amazing memories!
