My husband and I love walking and finding interesting hiking trails. We’ve always taken the kids on walks, and as they have grown so have the length and adventure levels of our hikes. In the UK we would regularly do weekend woodland and field wanders and hiking boots and all-in-one waterproofs for the kids were constantly in a muddy box in the boot of the car. We had got used to being able to take ‘big walks’ and when child no.3 came along we soon found that he just had to come along too!
We recently took a family holiday to Bali and whilst our big 2 kids had an awesome week of outdoor experiences at the Green Camp, my husband, toddler and myself set off each morning in search of a walking route amongst the rice fields, rivers, canals and jungles. Here’s a few of our top tips for hiking with a toddler in tow…
1. Think about what you want from the walk/hike whilst setting realistic expectations – where do you want to go, what do you want to see – its important that the walk has something in it for everyone and isn’t totally toddler orientated. However be realistic and work loosely within your toddlers routine, for us this meant that we had a few good hours in the morning of adventure time before we would need to head back to eat and get an afternoon nap in. We also tried to choose routes that had a flat(ish) gradient and the walk could be completed in 2 hours max. No great mountain hiking but it lays the foundation for building on this as your toddler grows.
2. Use a good quality map/OS app – Getting lost isn’t always what you want with a toddler in tow. We like to plan out route using the ‘Outdoor active’ app – this has OS type maps that cover most countries worldwide, shows all walking/cycling routes and gives time and distance estimates which is really helpful. You can also download the maps offline if you know that you’ll be in areas without phone signal.
3. Pack the essentials – nappies, water, snacks, more snacks, change of weather appropriate clothes for your toddler, sun cream/bug spray, first aid kit (you just never know when you’ll need it!). We try and pack light so that one of us can carry the backpack and the other can handle/carry the toddler. No need to pack toys or activities – the walk and the adventure is the activity!
4. Cover everyone’s basic needs as you go – make sure everyone remains hydrated, fed and with empty bladders and in the correct clothing for the weather. It’s very true that we will remain more emotionally resilient and in control if all our physical needs are met.
5. Stick together – whilst hiking in your local area where you know the route and area well is totally doable on your own with your toddler or even multiple kids in fact, when hiking in unfamiliar areas/countries we find it best to walk with another adult. Firstly as its fun to have some adult company to share the experience with but also for safety if something happened and you needed help. When hiking in Bali we also made the decision to not continue on paths if the path became too hidden in forest areas (risk of snakes/reptiles) and didn’t continue on a route that we couldn’t easily retrace our steps on – i.e., not climbing down somewhere we couldn’t easily get back up.
6. Invest in a good baby/toddler carrier – honestly I feel like I’ve been wearing my Tula carrier daily for the last 10 years. It’s a staple baby accessory for us, much more than a push chair or stroller is, I like the freedom that it affords us. Choose a carrier that is comfortable for you and your baby/toddler, that can be easily adjusted so your hiking partner can also wear it, that can also be washed. Carrying your toddler allows you to be able to hike in places that would be tricky for your toddler to walk or to use a pushchair on the terrain. For us we love our Tula carriers, as they are simple to use and super comfortable to wear. We often back carry when the terrain means its safer if you can see your own feet and have also mastered the creative art of breastfeeding in a front carry so we can snack/nap on the go.
7. Allow time for your toddler to walk/wander – set their little feet on the trail and let them walk with you. You may not go at a pace that feels right for your legs but taking time to slow down and go at their pace for a while can be good for everyone. Be interested in what they find, see and react to. Notice the emotions that being out walking creates in them. Find the joy in a slow but purposeful hike. Also expect lots of the pick up, carry on hip, put down, in the carrier, out of the carrier routine…toddlers are after all wriggly and indecisive at best!
8. Take photos – Often I enjoy looking back at the moments more than actually ‘being in the moments’. Being around a small toddler means that my nervous system is usually operating on high alert and simply enjoying each and every moment is often unrealistic but capturing moments on camera for me helps me look back and see those moments again with a different perspective when I am calm and relaxed. Take photos with you in them too!
9. Stop regularly and take in where you are, acknowledge what it took to get you here and be grateful for the time you get to spend with your family.
10. Be kind to yourself if it doesn’t quite work out as you’d planned – toddlers are by nature unpredictable and their moods can change like the weather. If you have a challenging experience, don’t give up! The next walk might just be the best one ever!
Happy Hiking 😊
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