Hiking with children can become an absolute highlight for everyone. However, it requires good preparation and, of course, the right route. So that you can enjoy the time in nature and your children can have an unforgettable adventure, we have collected numerous tips and tricks for you.
We introduce you to the must-haves and show you what you need to consider when planning. This way, all family members are guaranteed to get their money's worth. The little ones experience a feeling of boundless freedom, while the adults can relax and recharge their batteries. Are you ready for the hiking experience with your children?
Clothing and Equipment for Hiking with Children
The right clothing and equipment play a crucial role in hiking with children. Even if the little ones find some things unnecessary and prefer to just start walking: You should only start with the right equipment. Otherwise, whining is pre-programmed.
The Right Equipment for Hiking with Children
The right equipment for hiking with children isn't actually that different from a tour for adults. To keep everything in view, we have compiled the equipment here for you. You will need:
Backpack: To comfortably transport luggage for both children and adults, the backpack should be as large as possible yet lightweight. Our lightweight mountain backpack, for example, offers enough space for your luggage.
Water bottles: They form the basis of every hike. Because you can't stop everywhere along the way. Especially stainless steel water bottles are a good companion. They are ultra-light, unbreakable, and free from harmful substances.
Snacks: Since hiking trails can sometimes be tiring for children, you should pack enough provisions. In a stainless steel lunchbox, you can sustainably transport sandwiches, fruits, and vegetable sticks.
First-aid kit: It is, of course, nice when it doesn't come into use. Nevertheless, a first aid kit with bandages should not be missing when hiking with children. A rescue blanket has also proven itself many times.
Sunscreen: Sun protection is an absolute must-have, especially in summer. Skin-friendly products with a high sun protection factor reliably protect sensitive children's skin from sunburn.
Sun hats: Sun hats offer excellent protection against sunstroke on sunny sections. Even in seemingly cooler temperatures, they should not be missing when hiking with toddlers.
Sunglasses: They protect sensitive children's eyes (and your own) from UV light. Be sure to pay attention to good quality here. Cheap products are often more appearance than reality.
Insect spray or cream: These products are indispensable, especially near bodies of water. Even in forests, the pests remain near puddles and ponds.
Walking sticks: Telescopic walking sticks provide maximum stability and support for both big and small hikers. In our blog post “All about walking sticks – Guide for beginners” we introduce you to the different models. Here you will also find many tips and tricks for handling them.
Maps and compass: These two things have fallen into oblivion in today's time, but they should not be missing on a hiking vacation with children. A compass, in particular, has a magical attraction for the little ones and provides an extra portion of adventure.
Tissues and wet wipes are a must not only when hiking with toddlers. They are also essential for older children. – Whether for blowing noses or quick hand cleaning.
Garbage bags: Bags for garbage are also indispensable on tours in untouched nature. After all, you never know when you'll find the next trash can.
Hiking clothing for children
Those who want to explore hiking trails with children need not only the right equipment but also functional clothing. This includes:
Comfortable hiking shoes provide perfect support on all paths and protect delicate children's feet as best as possible from blister formation. How you can prevent blisters on feet, you can read in this article.
Weather-appropriate clothing offers the best possible protection against rain and wind. Even in summer, good functional clothing should not be underestimated. Ideally, it is breathable and temperature-regulating, like our Merino clothing for adults.
A head covering protects against moisture and UV radiation. In summer, you should all wear a sun hat to avoid sunstroke. In autumn and winter, a Merino hat provides excellent service.
Hiking socks made of Merino wool ensure optimal wearing comfort. They are temperature-regulating, breathable, and odor-inhibiting. Thus, nothing stands in the way of a hiking holiday with children in Germany and beyond.
Rainwear should protect against moisture and at the same time be breathable. Hardshell jackets have proven to be particularly effective. In summer, they can be complemented by quick-drying functional pants. In cold weather, however, rain pants are a good choice.
Where can I find hiking trails for hiking with children?
Many parents wonder if "normal" hiking routes are suitable for children. In principle, the answer is "Yes." Of course, you should choose a route that matches your children's fitness level and also offers something interesting.
In the summer, streams and small lakes are ideal destinations. The tourist information in your region has many great ideas ready for you.
Hiking with children in the Black Forest
The Black Forest offers numerous opportunities for hiking with children. For older children, Anni's Black Forest secrets very popular. There are numerous puzzles to solve here. For hiking with toddlers, the Fairy Tale Trail in Bad Wildbad is especially recommended.
Adventure hiking with children in the Allgäu
In the Allgäu, adventure hikes for children are also a big deal. In addition to a barefoot path in Bad Wörishofen, the family hiking trail in Bad Hindelang offers plenty of space for great adventures with its play stations.
Circular hiking trails in the Harz
The numerous circular hiking trails in the Harz for children and adults make outdoor hearts beat faster. Here, the little ones can explore the Dandelion Explorer Path in Drei-Anne-Hohe, pass through the labyrinth in Braunlage, or participate in a lynx hike in Bad Harzburg.
5 Tips for Hiking with Children
Hiking with children strengthens family bonds, enhances nature connectedness, and is an ideal health prophylaxis for both young and old. To ensure the excursion or hiking holiday with children in Germany and Austria is not a flop, comprehensive planning is required in advance.
1. Choose child-friendly hiking trails
Not only when hiking with toddlers does the condition of the hiking trails play a crucial role. Even if you want to hike with older children, the right path is the goal. It should offer as much room as possible for little explorers and not include too many inclines so that the little ones don't lose interest.
2. Relax, recover, and enjoy: Plan breaks
Every tour not only physically but also mentally exhausts your children. After all, all the many impressions need to be processed. Therefore, sufficient breaks are important not only for toddlers but also for older children.
Since benches are not found everywhere along the way, a picnic blanket gives you a certain independence. You can relax together and enjoy a delicious snack on a meadow or a clearing.
3. Fun and games along the way: Creative ideas for exciting hiking with children
It doesn't always have to be the big adventure hike to make time in nature an unforgettable adventure for children! Along the way, numerous natural materials invite free or creative play. From
- sticks,
- stones,
- cones, and the like, you can build great artworks or play Tic-Tac-Toe.
If there are several children, you can also play Memory with nature's treasures or design a sound map. To do this, the children sit with their eyes closed and listen very carefully: What sounds can they perceive away from the noise and hustle?
Expert tip: All these games train the senses and provide an extra dose of fun and relaxation.
4. Stick bread and more: Enough energy for little hikers
Fresh air makes you hungry – no question. Therefore, it's all the more important to refill the energy reserves well in between. Besides healthy snacks like fruits and vegetables, stick bread is a great adventure for all children.
The dough can be transported excellently in a thermal lunchbox. It is skewered on sticks on site and cooked over an open fire.
But be careful! You should only make a campfire in designated areas to avoid forest fires. However, experience shows that barbecue areas can be found on many hiking routes.
5. Safety first: Protection from sun, ticks, and falling rocks
Even if your little ones are so adventurous – we adults are still responsible for safety when hiking with children. Therefore, children should not run ahead in rough terrain. When mountain hiking with children, you should additionally secure them with targeted safety measures.
On all tours, protection from heat and ticks is also emphasized. Use tick repellents and avoid extensive tours in high summer temperatures.
Conclusion
Adventure hiking with children is actually almost always and everywhere possible. However, staying in the great outdoors will only become an unforgettable family outing for everyone if the conditions are right. Besides the right equipment and delicious food, the destination mainly determines whether the tour becomes a highlight. Therefore, be sure to choose varied paths for hiking with children.
These should contain as little incline as possible and offer a lot in terms of scenery. However, the routes don't always have to be spectacular to awaken the children's joy of hiking. With nature games, even a hike in the adjacent forest can be a great place for your children.
FAQ
What equipment do I need for hiking with children?
For hiking with children, suitable equipment is essential. You need a backpack to comfortably carry the luggage. Water bottles, snacks, and a first aid kit should not be missing either. Sunscreen, sun hats, and sunglasses protect against UV radiation, while mosquito spray or cream protect against annoying insects.
Walking sticks ensure sure-footedness, and tissues as well as garbage bags are practical for on the go. Hiking clothing, such as comfortable hiking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and hiking socks made of merino wool, complete the equipment.
Where can I find child-friendly hiking trails?
There are numerous child-friendly hiking trails that are perfect for families. In Germany, for example, the Black Forest, the Allgäu, and the Harz offer many options. When choosing the route, make sure it matches the fitness and interests of the children. The local tourist information office can often give you good suggestions for child-friendly hiking trails.