Enthusiastic hikers love a strenuous ascent and the cozy hut stop afterwards. As soon as children are announced, the future parents will ask themselves whether they can continue to pursue their passion. The answer is yes. If you have the right equipment with you and know all the safety regulations, you can go hiking with your children without any problems. We’ll show you what you need for hiking with children, how to motivate your children to go hiking and how to properly secure them.
You have to answer this question individually. It depends on your child’s ability. Of course you can already go hiking with your baby if you feel safe and your offspring join in. The older your children get, the more independent they are on hikes.
If you want to go hiking with a baby, you need a safe transport option. This baby carrier allows the baby to be carried in the anatomically correct position (squat spread position) and has three carrying positions. So you can safely take your baby with you on hikes in the front, back and hip carrier. It is particularly important that your baby is adequately protected from the sun. We also recommend taking a play mat with you, so you can take relaxing breaks.
Hiking with children who can already sit is easier. Then it is advisable to take a Kraxe with you. The Kraxe is reminiscent of a large backpack. You can safely transport your child in it on your back. This offers the great advantage that you are mobile and your child’s weight is distributed comfortably on the hips. A popular transport option is this Kraxe. It has a removable sun canopy, a pillow your child can rest their head on while they sleep, and adjustable straps.
Once your children are confident, you can try hikes where your child can walk themselves. However, avoid difficult and impassable routes. For example, start with a long Sunday walk. Bring a handcart or something similar in case your kids get tired. This makes the little ones happy and the ride in the handcart becomes a little adventure in addition to the hike. This handcart is particularly practical because it is easy to fold up and has a lot of storage space.
It is always an individual decision which routes you would like to hike with your children. After all, you know your child’s abilities best. If you opt for more demanding routes with inclines, a practical hiking stick and the right footwear are recommended to stabilize your children. There are proper hiking shoes even for small children. It is best to get personal advice from a specialist retailer. There your children have the opportunity to try on the hiking boots and test them for comfort and safety. If you already know the model and brand and have proven themselves, you can also order other shoe sizes online.
The little ones are not always as motivated to go on long hikes as their parents. But there are things you can do to make your children even more excited about the adventure of hiking. Children love to discover the world. In nature, they encounter numerous discoveries. A magnifying glass is therefore a great addition to the hike. Your children can take a close look at plants and animals. The combination of children’s compass and binoculars is also exciting. So your children not only go hiking, but also on research tours.
Anyone who enjoys hiking appreciates light luggage. That’s why you need to pack carefully and take the right things with you. The luggage mass increases, especially with children. In addition to the right footwear and a hiking pole, the following things can come in handy when hiking. Also, be aware of the time of year and weather conditions.
The safety of your children has top priority when hiking. You should secure your child adequately, especially in mountain regions. So you and your child can hike relaxed without having to worry about falling. As always, you know your child best. Parents often secure their children with a practical full-body harness. The child wears the climbing harness and is secured by you with a climbing rope. It is important that you make sure to use an elastic climbing rope. This is the only way you can prevent falls or catch them safely.
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