Plan Ahead: I can’t stress enough how important it is to plan ahead when hiking with children. It’s the difference between a really fun adventure and a grueling nightmare. Choose short trails that do not have much elevation gain, but do have features like lakes, ponds, or waterfalls either along the way or at the end. Children are fascinated with water.
Modify your goals: You may not complete your hike. You may not reach the end of the trail. You may not even hike a mile! Be prepared to adjust your hike to the enjoyment and comfort level of children.
Be Patient and Flexible: If you a frog or a bird, be prepared to stop and play search and seek. If you see a caterpillar, be prepared to stop and examine it. Use teachable moments to explore the natural world.
Dress Smart: Check weather conditions before you head out the door. Children get cold much easier than adults, especially if they get wet. Be ready with an extra change of warm clothes. Add extra layers that be put on or removed as needed.
Consider Bathroom Needs: Before your trip, choose a strategy for bathroom needs. Bring antibacterial hand sanitizer for cleanup.
Dirt: Just give up. At least outside dirt is clean dirt, and a dirty face is usually a happy face. You can waste a whole lot of time and energy trying to keep your child clean out in the woods. Clothing? Forget it; wait to change it until it's really soiled, and not just dirty. Of course if you can prevent your child from eating the dirt, that would be a very good thing.
Pack Weight: For every five pounds of person, you can expect them to be able to carry one pound of gear comfortably. So if your child weighs 80 pounds, he or she can comfortable carry 16 pounds of gear. Should you fill your child’s pack with 16 pounds of gear? It’s probably not necessary. See Hiking Gear for Kids for more information. Just be prepared to carry your child’s pack if needed.
Distance: There is no magic number how much distance your child can hike in a trip. Use common sense and your knowledge about your child to gauge a good distance. Terrain, weather, load, and motivation are all factors that affect how much ground your child can cover. At the most, don’t expect your child to travel more than five miles in a day. Equip your child with good footwear (see more under Hiking Gear for Kids). Use the “whine factor.” If your child is complaining a lot and seems distressed, he or she probably is. Do you feel tired or sore? Chances are it’s worse for your child, and he or she may just be suffering in silence. Hiking through five miles of woods might be a good time for quiet reflection as an adult, but to a ten-year-old it might be hell on earth. You can increase the distance your child can cover by preparing an interesting route with frequent stops (see more under Keeping Things Fun).
Pine Mountain Trail Association has a great guide for kids and distance. Their website states: “Here are some pacing rules of thumb for children of varying ages: Children 2 to 4 years old can hike ½ to 2 miles on their own. They should stop every 10 to 15 minutes to rest. Children ages 5 to 7 can hike for 1 to 3 hours each day, covering 3 to 4 miles over easy terrain. Rest stops should come every 30 to 45 minutes. Eight and 9-year-olds can hike a full day at an easy pace, covering 5 to 6 miles over variable terrain. Set your group's goals based on the youngest child's ability. When loading a hiking pack for a child, limit the pack weight. For backpacking limit a pack to 20 percent of your child's body weight. Generally, children over 4 will do better with a fanny pack or daypack. Be prepared to carry it out for them. Stay flexible and know when to stop and go home. Be prepared to carry young children out.”
