Heading Out with Kids – What to Keep in Mind
Hiking with children is fun and rewarding for the whole family, as long as you get a few basics right. In this article, our expert Mikko, who regularly heads out on family hikes, shares his own tips for successful trips with kids.
Mikko works as a sales assistant at our Hansa store in Turku and has 20 years of experience in the outdoor industry. In his free time, he spends as much time outdoors with his family as he can.
It's worth starting to take your child hiking from a very young age, so their connection with nature has time to grow. These days, even in the Nordic countries, children don't develop that connection entirely on their own. It takes a bit of effort from parents. That effort pays off, though: time outdoors improves a child's coordination and strengthens their immune system. And just like adults, children feel less stressed in the woods. Spending time in nature also means they pick up knowledge about the natural world and how it works without even trying. Nature becomes familiar and part of everyday life. Taking a child out into nature gives you a fresh perspective too – suddenly you start seeing the outdoors through new eyes.
Hiking with under-fives
You can take your child hiking from a very early age – there's really no minimum age. You don't need much more specialist kit at first than you would for an adult day out, but a child carrier makes a big difference. It's an easy way to bring along a child who can't walk yet, and they can nap comfortably close to you. A carrier is handy for older children too, since tired legs can kick in halfway through a walk even once they're walking confidently.
Most child carriers also have room for a few essentials, such as spare clothes. Many come with a built-in canopy to protect against rain and sun, and if yours doesn't, you can usually buy a rain cover separately as an accessory.
If your child spends long stretches in the carrier, dress them a little warmer than usual. They're sitting fairly still the whole time, so they won't generate much heat of their own.
Don't forget the snacks
Food is a key part of hiking with kids. Regular snack breaks help you avoid hungry meltdowns and flagging energy. For a day trip, bring whatever you enjoy and is reasonably easy to carry. If your child eats food from jars that needs warming up, a food flask comes in handy: fill the flask with hot water and let the jar sit in it for a few minutes. Your child's meal is ready quickly and with no fuss. Kids also tend to find it exciting to eat from different dishes than they use at home. If hiking becomes a regular habit, we recommend getting some camping tableware and other cooking gear. Once mealtimes are sorted, it's easy to make your day trips longer.
Pictured: the Kupilka Scandinavian Outdoor anniversary set, which works well for the whole family.
Hiking with older children
With toddlers, day trips are usually the way to go, but with school-age children you can easily take on longer treks, as long as you match the route to their ability. A school-age child will manage fine on a trek in ordinary weather-appropriate outdoor clothes and shoes. You can get them their own rucksack to carry lighter items such as their own clothes and sleeping bag. If you want to invest in proper kit for your child, there are kids' hiking trousers, hiking jackets and hiking socks, among other things.
Leave the clock at home
Whether your child is small or a bit older, it's best to forget about schedules on family hikes (it does you good on other trips too!). Plan the walk around your child's pace and allow plenty of time to get where you're going. That way everyone is more likely to stay in good spirits – and your child will soon be asking to go again.