Hiking with toddlers can be a challenge, so knowing what to expect and being prepared can make all the difference in your experience with little ones while out on the trail.
Hiking with your young children is incredibly rewarding and can leave a lasting impression on them, as well as helping to foster a love of the outdoors from an early age.
In this guide, we’ll cover how exactly to plan for hiking with toddlers to make sure your next outing is a success for everyone involved.
14 Tips For Hiking With Toddlers
Bring A Good Hiking Backpack Or Child Carrier
If you’re planning on doing any hiking whatsoever with your toddler, you’ve got to be prepared to carry them at least some of the time.
No matter how independent your child may be, little legs get tired easily.
When that happens, it’s best that you have a child hiking carrier or hiking backpack to strap your little one in so that the hike can continue.
The X came out on top in our reviews of the best child hiking carriers and backpacks for hiking- check out the full guide to see a variety of great options.
Let Your Toddler Get In On The Hike
If your toddler can walk and the trail conditions are acceptable, you should let them!
Not only is this great exercise and good for their development, but it’s also great training for future hikes that you’ll want to take them on as they grow.
You can make good use of your child carrier once they tire out, but let them do the work first.
Time Your Hikes With Your Toddler Appropriately
If your toddler takes naps – and most do – you’ll definitely want to schedule your hikes where they don’t conflict with nap time.
The last thing you want is a cranky toddler in the middle of a trail with no sleep in sight.
Make sure to plan ahead for the length of the hike, commute time if your kiddo doesn’t nap in the car, and at least an additional 30 minutes extra per each mile you’ll be hiking.
We and our readers typically find that mid-morning is a great time to take hikes with most toddlers, as it also presents a great opportunity to pack a lunch and enjoy that extra time in the wilderness together.
Make Sure You’re Fully Prepared
It’s critical that you know as many aspects of your hike as possible before heading out with your child.
Make sure you research the type of terrain, length of the trail, and any hazards like cliffs or bodies of water.
Same goes for the effects that recent weather may have had on the trail – could you be hiking in muddy conditions?
Slippery surfaces and inclines or declines can make for a potentially unsafe hike with your toddler.
Choose The Right Trail
A little research goes a long way into helping you and your toddler enjoy your hike, and a big part of that research is picking the right trail.
As we discussed above, consider the weather and terrain conditions, as well as any potential hazards that you may encounter on the trail.
Start easing your toddler into the enjoyment of hiking by trying paved, flat, and short trails, and eventually branch out into unpaved and uneven terrain based on your first experiences together.
There are great resources out there like AllTrails which will help you know what to expect from trails near you, and if you’re going in a state or national park, be sure to ask advice from the park employees or rangers.
Pack The Hiking Supplies You And Your Toddler Will Need
Speaking of preparation, you’ll definitely want to bring all the supplies your child will need.
Note that these supplies are in addition to any supplies you, your older children, or other adults require.
Here are a few essential supplies needed when hiking with toddlers:
-Water
-Sunscreen
-Bug repellent
-Wet wipes
–Hiking backpack or hiking child carrier
-Diapers
Check out our full guide to kids hiking gear for great recommendations on everything you’ll need.
Bring The Right Hiking Boots Or Shoes For You And Your Toddler
Just like adults, toddlers need proper footwear to keep their ankles supported and prevent blisters while hiking.
There are tons of great choices for kids hiking boots out there, and you can check out our guide to the best kids hiking boots for some top picks.
The overall top choice was the Keen Targhee Mid Kids Waterproof Hiking Boots due to their easy fastening system, durable waterproof materials, and grippy soles.
We recommend keeping kids hiking gear gender neutral since kids tend to outgrow things so quickly, that way other siblings or your friends’ children may enjoy them down the line.
Keep Your Hike Fun And Stay Positive
Keeping your toddler engaged and having fun on the hike goes a long, long way in making sure everyone has a good time.
Playing hide and seek or I spy, making a scavenger hunt, singing songs, follow the leader, and the alphabet game are all great ways to add some excitement to your toddler’s time on the trail.
Know Your Limitations
It’s important to be reasonable and realistic with what you expect from hiking with your toddler.
Your first outing is probably not going to be a 10 mile trek, nor is it likely to be without some fussing or tears from your little one.
All kids are different, and some may love the challenges that hiking presents, while others may not be so thrilled.
Plan for these challenges and consider your child’s personality before you head out on your hike.
Build Up The Distance Of Your Hikes Over Time
Building up the length of your hikes over time will help to increase the success of having a long-distance hike (assuming that’s your eventual goal).
Whether your kiddo is walking or you’re carrying them on your back, it’s best to build up your endurance over a series of hikes across time.
We suggest starting out on flat, paved, and short hiking trails, then adding in elevation and non-paved trails once your child has the basics down.
Spread Out The Load
If possible, try to plan your hikes so that you have more adults than children present on your hikes.
This way, every adult can share in the responsibility of carrying supplies, wearing the child hiking carrier, and looking after kids when they aren’t in carriers.
Sharing that load can go a long way in preserving everyone’s energy, allowing them to have a great time.
Take Lots Of Breaks
Not only will you appreciate the break from carrying your child, but your toddler will also enjoy the ability to explore, get a snack, or simply rest while on the trail.
Bring Friends Along For Your Hike
Toddlers love playing and interacting with other toddlers, and hiking on the trail is no exception.
Bringing friends along ensures that not only you have another adult to share the experience with, but that your child will also be more engaged and socially entertained on your outing.
Have A Back-Up Plan (Or Several)
It’s a great idea to plan out turn-around points or alternative routes at different intervals on the trail if things aren’t going as planned.
This way, if anyone (you or kiddo included) isn’t feeling the hike, you’ve got a way to get back to your vehicle and head home without the entirety of the trail ahead of you.
Hiking With Toddlers – Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve found that the average 3 year old can hike around 2.5 miles before bottoming out.
This really depends on how many previous hikes you have been on with your toddler, and you can stretch this a bit if you have a hiking child carrier (since they won’t be walking while in the carrier).
Plan on your hike taking you about 1.25 miles per hour with your toddler.
The earlier, the better! The sooner you start hiking with your toddler, the more used to it they will be.
Just like building up the length of the hikes you go on, you can start having them walk farther distances over time to build up their familiarity and enjoyment of hiking.
The best way to carry a toddler when hiking is by using a backpack hiking child carrier.
Piggyback or another way will work if you don’t have a carrier, but will tire you out quicker.
Wrapping Up The Top 14 Tips For Hiking With Toddlers
As we’ve stated several times throughout this guide, preparation is key when planning a successful hike with young children.
From snacks and supplies, knowing your trail, getting the right gear, and planning the timing of your hike, it all comes down to being prepared.
Please let us know if you have other great suggestions or questions about hiking with your toddler in the comments below.
Thanks for reading, and as always, enjoy the hike!