Pro Educational Toys: Tips for Hiking Families by Trisha Roberts

Hiking is a great outdoor activity for any season, but especially in the summer and fall months. Whether you choose to travel on a paved path in the local park or trek through thickets and trees in the timberlands, preparing in advance can make for a safer, more enjoyable experience.

Be Prepared:

I have a backpack that is stocked and ready for any expedition. It includes:

Sunscreen
Insect Repellent
Binoculars

Bandages
Small Water Bottle
Whistle

Whistles for Safety
Inexpensive rain poncho
Snack Bars or Trail Mix
Hand Sanitizer
Tissues or a small roll of toilet paper
A plastic bag for trash

Children should carry a backpack that weighs not more than 10-15% of their body weight. For example, an average 7 year old weighs 50-60 pounds; their pack should not weigh more than 5-9 pounds.

Don't overload your child's backpack!

What to Wear and Take:

Long, loose sleeved shirts allow air flow but protect against sunburn, discourage ticks and mosquitos, and help prevent scratches.
Hiking boots that fit well with absorbent cotton socks. Try to “break-in” the boots slowly by taking short hikes or wearing them around the house before tackling a longer hike. A sturdy pair of tennis shoes also works well.
Consider a wide-brimmed hat that can be great protection from the sun.
Each person should wear or carry a whistle for emergencies.
Spray bug repellent around the cuffs of sleeves and neckline of shirts and at the ankles.
Apply sunscreen to exposed skin.
Take at least 1 8-ounce bottle of water or Gatorade.
If available, take a map of the park or area you plan to hike. (This can be a great teaching tool. Consider taking a compass and/or GPS tracker, too!)
A walking stick can be helpful for longer hikes or paths traversing hills and mountains.

Hiking sticks help make the adventure more fun

Teach children safety:

Teach the “Buddy System”—each person should be paired with a family member or friend. It is each person’s responsibility to know where their partner is at all times. Make sure that everyone understands the importance of staying together--no one should wander off alone.
If someone should become separated from the group, they should blow their whistle (ideally the “SOS” pattern of 3 long blasts, 3 short blasts, and 3 long blasts).