7 Safety Tips to Consider When Hiking With Kids

Hiking is a fabulous way to spend quality time with your kids without the many distractions of day-to-day life, responsibilities, and technology.

Spending time in the great outdoors is a great experience for any child, providing plenty of opportunities to learn new skills, stay active, be grateful for what they have, and of course, have lots of fun.

However, as a parent, while you want to make sure your kids have fun, you also want them to stay safe and clear from any harm. Here are 7 safety tips to consider before hiking with children.

Plan, Plan, Plan

When it comes to safety while hiking with kids, the number one thing you can do is plan ahead.

From choosing an age-appropriate trail and studying the route, to packing your gear accordingly and setting ground rules, planning ahead is a great way to prevent accidents from happening and being fully prepared for them if they do.

Take each child’s age, temperament, skillset, and interests into account and be sure to emphasize that they’re to stick with you at all times.

In case of an emergency, give them a protocol they can follow so that they know what to do if worst comes to worst. 

Stay on the Trail

Once you choose a trail, make sure you stay on it. Most trails have markers that give you some idea of where you are and what direction you’re headed, but bring a physical map along with you just in case you do need some help with orienting yourself.

Trails are made for a reason and, in most parks, they’re regularly maintained to ensure your hike is safe.

Avoid taking any shortcuts off the trail as this increases your chances of getting lost and you never know what you may encounter — wild animals, hazardous terrain, poisonous plants, and more. 

Use the Buddy System

If you’re hiking with multiple kids, it may be difficult to keep your eye on all of them at all times so it’s essential to use the buddy system.

Have each child choose a friend and make sure they stick together at all times. This can help ensure that, if they do get lost or one of them gets injured, they won’t be alone and their buddy will be there to help them. 

Give Your Kids Whistles

Small, but possibly one of the most important tools you can give your kids on a hike, is a quality whistle.

You can have them wear it around their neck or attach it to their backpack. The sound of most whistles can travel up to a mile, making it highly effective in case a child becomes lost.

Teach your child this is for emergency use only and if they do get lost to blow the whistle three times pausing between each blow and then listening for a return whistle from someone in the group.

These three blows is a sign of distress and increases the chances of someone finding the child quickly.

A survival whistle from a sporting goods store will often have a thermometer and compass attached as well, which can help children orient themselves both as they hike and if they get lost. 

Bring a First Aid Kit

While there are plenty of things you should bring with you when hiking, one of the most essential is a wilderness first aid kit.

Out in the wilderness, accidents do happen so you’ll want to be prepared with the right tools and items for treating injuries or illnesses in the backcountry.

Before each trip, go through a checklist of your first-aid items to make sure you have everything you’ll need for the specific trip and replenish any items missing.

It is also incredibly important that you know how to use each item in your first aid kit, as they each have specific uses and require a degree of skill to be effective.

Many people are aware of the importance of first aid kits, but you’d be surprised how unusual it is for someone to take a training course in wilderness emergency medicine, or even watch a few videos on YouTube about their first aid kits. 

Know Your Limits

Even if you’re an experienced hiker, it’s important to remember that your kids most likely are not and they may get tired more easily than the average adult does.

It’s best to choose trails that are appropriate for their age and experience level.

During the hike, take plenty of breaks, pack energizing snacks, and encourage them to drink water regularly, not only when they’re thirsty.

Choose a reusable water bottle with a clip so each child can attach it to their backpack so they always have access to water, but remain hands-free.

Embrace Teachable Moments

The outdoors provides plenty of opportunities to bond with your kids while teaching them important lessons and skills they can use for years to come.

Teach your kids how they can fully enjoy nature while also becoming custodians for it.

Teach them basic camping skills, how to identify and respect wildlife, properly dispose of trash, leave no trace, what plants are edible and which are not, or anything else you’re knowledgeable about to share with them and you think is important.

Encourage any interests they have with the experience, because it can truly be lifechanging to grow a fondness of the outdoors.