The most common mistake that parents make when taking their children hiking is to carry all of their children’s gear. While I can understand the parent wanting to make the trip as easy and pleasant as possible for their child, in the long run by having the child carry their own gear (or at least some of it), parents can give their children a sense of participation and accomplishment.

On a recent PNWLH hike, we passed a family of hikers. The father had his hands full with the leash of a Burmese Mountain Dog, the three kids were skipping along the trail blissfully, and then along came Mom, burdened down with the jackets of all three kids, pieces of gear shoved through her pack straps and sticking out every which way. Personally, I don't see any reason for that. Mom should be able to enjoy her hike as well, without catching on every branch along the way because her pack is triple the size it was when she started.

Each child should carry a small backpack, with basic survival gear in the event that they should become lost or separated from their parents. Obviously the older the child, the more gear they can reasonably handle. The pack should include the following:

• A day’s water ration
• A few high-energy trail snacks
• A warm outer garment
• A whistle on a cord to hang around their neck
• A cell phone or hand radio if your child is old enough to know how to use one
• Dry pair of socks and undergarments in case they get wet
• SPF chapstick
• A hat
• A flashlight or headlamp
• Raingear- even if it is just a large garbage bag with a holes for the arms and head to go through

Some other items to consider are:

• Sunscreen- the little “travel size” containers work well
• Sunglasses
• Map and compass
• Kleenex
• Antibacterial gel or hand wipes
• Small kid-oriented first aid kit
• Collection bag
• Plastic magnifying lens
• Camera
• Bird or flower guide (or whatever other type of guide)

Be sure your child’s pack fits well, and that your child can carry it comfortably without hurting themselves.

Snacks: Make sure your snacks are high protein, healthy and age-appropriate. GORP (good old raisins and peanuts) is always a safe bet. My children love to go to the grocery with the bulk food bins, and I let them make their choices from the nuts, dried fruit, and just a little candy (like m&m’s or Reese’s Pieces). We mix the whole lot together and that’s their “special trail mix.” I store it in a plastic cereal container in the fridge, and as it gets low we just keep adding to it. My children just love that they got to make their own “special trail mix” and look forward to hiking just so they can eat it!

Clothing: Don’t dress your child in camouflage; choose bright colors for their clothing so they are easy to spot if they do get separated. Try to avoid cotton and especially denim, as they easily absorb water and chafe. And there’s nothing colder than wet denim (at least it seems like it when you’re stuck in it). Wool, fleece and nylon are your best bets.

Footwear: Proper footwear is just as important for your child as it is for you, if not more so. Nylon liner socks and a heavier outer sock are a must to avoid blisters. Shoes with sturdy soles that cover the entire foot, such as sneakers or trail shoes, are best. If you will be climbing rugged surfaces, hiking boots are a necessity (and make sure they fit properly).