How to make sure your backpacking with kids trip doesn’t end in tears!

No internet.  No running water.  No electricity.  Just lots and lots of fresh air.  Just yourselves and your surroundings for entertainment.  Pure adventure, right?

Read on for some practical advice for overnight backpacking with kids and camping in the woods.

Are you ready to bring your kids backcountry camping for some intimate wilderness and family time?  It’s okay to admit the idea of heading into nowhere with your kids in tow is a little (or a lot) bit terrifying!

I was very nervous and worried the first few times we did this with our kids… and I still am a little bit every time we go out again.  But, we’ve developed some strategies that have definitely helped prepare the whole family.

a mom and boy wearing backpacks hiking in the woods
Heading out on my first solo-parented backpacking trip with my little guy!

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Are YOU ready for a backpacking with kids adventure?

We first went backcountry camping with kids when our children were two and five.  Knowing when your kids are ready for this adventure will depend on a lot of variables: their disposition, your own experience, trail conditions, weather, equipment, and so forth.

However, I believe that if you’ve prepared yourself and your family, then no one is too young!  Okay, no, I haven’t brought my babies backpacking… I just didn’t want to nurse all night in a tent!  But, we have brought our toddlers camping and I know of families who have had successful trips with even younger babies.

I even know of families who go backbacking with babies and reusable diapers!  Now, that’s commitment!

A successful trip, one where everyone is relatively happy, always safe, and well equipped, will directly depend on how you plan and prepare.

First I will share with you the many preliminary considerations which you need to make, second I’ll outline packing tips, third I will give you some extra advice I’ve learned along the way, and then I’ll finish with some stories of our past hiking with kids trips.

A mom and her young child checking the map before heading into Big Bend in Jasper National Park, Canada
Backcountry camping with kids tip: Include kids in map reading and navigating the trail. They’ll feel included and happier to have a better sense of what to look forward to.

Preparing to bring kids into the backcountry:

The most important advice I can offer is:  make sure you and your little one have had some practice before the big trip!  What do I mean by this?  Everyone should already have some camping and some hiking experience.

I promise you that everyone’s trip will be more pleasant if your older kids are accustomed to long walks on the trail, or your littler ones have already spent a few hours riding in their backpack carrier or all terrain stroller, like the chariot.

Believe me, the more shorter hikes you and your family can do before the overnight hiking trip, the more ticks you’ll be able to tweeze out…

(yes, I say that in jest, but it’s kinda true – finding a tick on your toddler with all the amenities at home after the hike and managing this for your first time will be easier than finding the tick, and attempting to extract it in a cramped tent while holding a flashlight in your mouth!)

So, go ahead and get some practice. Get lots of practice.


Use your day hikes and car camping trips to consider these questions:

1. How do everyone’s shoes feel?

Are the shoes good for slippery mud, large and small rocks, water on the trail or rain?  Do the shoes dry quickly?  Should you bring extra footwear?  Sandals, rainboots – in case shoes do get wet.  Are there any red spots or blisters on anyone’s feet?

Many outdoorsy bloggers will tell you that you need special hiking shoes for your kids. I don’t agree. My kids have hiked in flip flops, in rubber boots, in hand-me-down Walmart sneakers. If the shoes are comfortable and your kids don’t seem to mind wearing them, then they’re perfect!

However, that being said, I do think it’s a good idea to have a decent pair of shoes for your kids for a backpacking trip. Again, the biggest tip here is to make sure they’ve done lots of walking in whichever footwear you and they choose.

2. How are backpacks fitting?

Try everyone’s backpack with weight added.  Are they comfortable? Can adjustments be made?  Can you hold enough gear, food, and clothing in all the backpacks?

Again, I am not going to suggest you need special backpacking packs for your kids. But, it can help. If your kids will be carrying more weight than they will benefit from packs with chest and hip straps.

If you do want a backpacking pack for your kids, I’d suggest going to the outfitter store and having your child try various backpacks on. Buying one online from reviews can be hit and miss as all children’s sizes will vary slightly.

3. Is the baby comfortable and happy?

Is the baby carrier fitting the wearer properly?  Is there cover for sun or rain and do any adjustments or modifications need to be made when baby falls asleep in the carrier?

If you’re using an all-terrain stroller, do you have a tire pump, was the baby warm and comfortable, were you comfortable pushing it?

4. Do you think your family can handle a longer or harder hike?

Generally, what are the main complaints and can any adjustments be made to assist or prevent any foreseeable complications?  How will you keep your hikers motivated?

Here’s a great post for tips on keeping kids motivated and moving when hiking.

5. What about food?

Is everyone willing to eat trail mix, oatmeal, granola bars, dehydrated meals, or whatever it is you’ve planned for the trip?  And how will this food be eaten?  Does the toddler or baby need any special foods or sippy cups?

If you haven’t tried any dehydrated meals before it might be fun to have your kids pick some out and try them on a picnic before relying on everyone eating them on the overnight backpacking trip.

One backpacking meal our family loves is Ichiban noodles with beef jerky broken into pieces cooked with the noodles. Easy, lightweight, yummy, and full of calories!

6. Can everyone pee in the woods?

Is everyone comfortable peeing in the woods?  Really, if you have little ones, it may take some coaching to get them comfortable going outdoors.  Do you need to bring along a potty seat?

And, don’t forget about the toilet paper!  Think long and hard about how much you really need to bring.  It’s better to have more than you need than not enough (and I’m speaking from experience here!)

7. Do kids know how to be safe on the trail?

What is the safety plan for encountering animals on the trail or at the campsite?  Are you comfortable that your children will stay close and do you all have an agreed upon action plan if someone gets lost or separated from the group?

If you will be hiking into bear country, do you and your kids all know how to be bear aware and keep safe if you encounter a bear.  You will want to know how to hang your gear on a pole or tree, use bear food storage containers or facilities, and will you be carrying bear spray?

8. Can everyone sleep in the tents?

Trust me, kids think sleeping in a tent is awesome!  It is very exciting.  So exciting, in fact, that they may just want to stay awake all night to enjoy it!

We like to set the tent up in the backyard before camping so the kids get some of that excitement out before the trip.  It is also helpful to make sure everyone still fits in your tent…. as kids grow bigger those backpacking tents can quickly grow smaller.

During a trial run, ensure everyone will be comfortable, warm, and safely contained (if camping with babies or toddlers, read this post for great tips and suggestions).  Setting the tent up before hitting the trail is also a good habit.  You would much rather realize you were missing a piece to the tent in your backyard than in the backcountry!

a selfie of a mom and toddler all bundled up in sleeping bags in a tent
a blurry selfie of me being cold and grumpy and her sleeping all cozy and peacefully!

9. What are the usual bedtime routines?

Do your kids have special blankets or stuffies?  Will these be able to join you on the trip?  Our kids usually get read to before bedtime.  Consider the weight of the books and ‘extras’ you plan to bring.

We like to bring these puzzle story books or children’s magazines as they are enjoyable for the whole family, lightweight, and can occupy much more time than one standard kid’s book.  I also like that my early risers will spend time quietly looking at their books independently when they wake before us in the morning.

Okay, now you’ve gotten some experience under your belt and you’re ready to hit the trail.

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How to pack for backpacking with kids?

We have done numerous backcountry trips with our kids.  A few of those trips were on trails suitable for pushing a chariot.  This allowed us to easily transport our toddler, and keep her warm and comfortable, while our backs were loaded with gear and food.  For us, to carry a child on one’s back would mean one less back available to carry all our stuff.

In a cooler climate that gets cold at night, you need lots of warm clothes, sleeping bags, jackets, toques, and such.  In a much warmer climate your gear would be much less.  Perhaps this is how families manage while carrying one child?  I also assume they are using carriers which have storage compartments.

Another trick I’ve seen couples with babies do is one adult will carry the baby in a front carrier while also carrying a backpack for gear.  If you are strong enough to manage this then that could be a good option.

Our children have been both willing and eager to wear a backpack by age 4.  We didn’t go out and buy any special gear for them…  they just used whatever bag we already had.  However, there are many child-sized backpacking bags available.

If you want to get super fancy, you could even look at purchasing a Camelbak for your little one.  It’s a smaller backpack, but it also has a bladder and drinking tube for quick and easy on-the-go drinking.  Personally, I like the excuse of stopping to have some water and I find cleaning these Camelbak systems both expensive and a bit of a bother to clean.

Here you can see our little guy with his Thomas school backpack.  He was so proud to be helping out the family by carrying the snacks for the hike as well as a flower guide book.  That’s all.  We carried the rest.

Collage images of backpacking with kids, families wearing large backpacks, eating at picnic table, crossing a creek.
Family fun backpacking with kids

And what was all the rest?  (I will assume you have a standard understanding of camping and hiking gear, so this will not be comprehensive, but generally, this is what we pack when the whole family goes out).

What we pack when backpacking with kids:

  • enough food for all our planned days, plus enough food for two extra meals,
  • an abundance of tasty and energy-filled snacks – Here’s a list of our favorite hiking snacks
  • warm jackets (waterproof), fleeces, toques, mittens, warm socks, sunglasses, and sunhats
  • hiking shoes and lightweight sandals if worried about rain or mud
  • clothes, pajamas, extra socks
  • small lightweight entertaining book for kids (1-2 of these)
  • toilet paper in a zip lock bag and hand sanitizer
  • few extra zip lock bags for dirty diapers or garbage
  • whatever diapers and wipes and toileting stuff we might need
  • camping gear (tent, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, rope to hang packs)
  • our campfire cooking gear (stove and fuel, pot, minimal dishes and spoons)
  • water bottles for every person plus water purification system
  • safety and emergency stuff (bear spray, small first aid and emergency kit, children’s acetaminophen and antihistamines)  Here’s an article with a full hiking first aid kit breakdown.
  • flashlights or headlamps – enough for the kids too
  • toiletries (toothbrushes, bug spray, sun screen, chap stick – that’s it)
  • 1 phone or camera for photos
  • a map or guidebook
  • extras:  cards or a small game, books for the adults to read, special candy or treats, any necessary snugglies or blankies.
A collection of backpacking gear ready to get packed
lots of gear… and this is just for two of us!

Our Favourite Backpacking Gear that we own and love:

Aside from our tent and packs, these are some of our must-haves for backpacking!

As you can see, once we gather all this stuff up, it will fill at least 2 adult packs.  Remember, the more kids, the more food and clothes and bigger the tent will be!  When we did a trip with two young children, we had a third adult come along who helped in carrying some of the gear and food.  We also stuffed both tents into the chariot with our toddler which freed up a lot of pack space and weight.

A few backpacking with kids tips (from an experienced Mom)

  • Everyone has a larger than usual appetite when out hiking and camping.
  • Make sure everyone drinks lots and lots of water.  Drinking the water early in the hike or larger amounts at water sources means less weight to be carried while hiking.
  • Bring pajamas which can be worn during the day either on their own or under clothes for extra warmth or if in need of something dry.
  • Quick dry clothes are best (merino wool, fleece, light weight pants – jeans and cotton do not dry fast).
  • For a few days, we can all likely survive without soaps, lotions, deodorant, and toothpaste.
  • Very young kids may be scared or intimidated by the backcountry toileting facilities.  You may want to inquire as to what the particular campsite has (pits, outhouses, unsheltered toilets) and talk about this with the kids first so they are prepared.
  • Go with dehydrated foods.  They cost more, but they weigh less.
  • For pillows I have made us some small pillowcases which we stuff with our clothes for the night.
  • Keep your bear spray with you at all times (if you are hiking in bear country)
  • Hang everything with a scent up the bear pole, or tucked in the bear proof bin (if provided), or in your bear canister.
  • Do not eat in the tent, bring foods into the tent, or store food or toiletries in the tent.
  • Kids will make their own fun; they don’t need toys while out backcountry camping
  • Take lots of breaks while hiking and keep the kids included by letting them use the map, guidebooks, flashlights, compass, camera, etc.  (Here’s a post with tips on keeping kids happy while hiking.)
  • Some kids will enjoy having their own special gear – a specially purchased backpack, new hat, or walking sticks
  • Make sure everyone knows the ‘rules of the trail’ and how to stay safe while out hiking in whatever region you are in.

How to keep kids happy when backpacking

Hopefully you’re heading out to the trail with kids who are already excited and eager to go on this adventure. But, I know this isn’t always the case. Here are a few quick tips, but you’ll want to jump over to our other hiking with kids post to read all the great ideas and suggestions!

  • Hike with friends: If possible, plan your backpacking trips with another family
  • Let them make some decisions and have some responsibility
  • Choose trails appropriate for kids (interesting features and not too challenging)

I wanted to make a quick mention of candy and treats as motivators on the trail.  We don’t do this.  We find that if kids get a jellybean every so often, the hike can quickly devolve into stopping every 10 minutes or endless coaching and negotiating.  However, I have seen this strategy work when the reward is controlled by distance or time; such as, a treat rewarded when you reach certain markers on the trail or so many steps taken.

kids on a hike taking a break on the trail by a creek
Time for snacks, water, and a break!

This all being said, we do use snack stops to refresh and reset mindsets when needed along the trail.  My husband and I feel that by not using the candy incentive on the trail, the kids will find something else to help motivate them… like flower spotting, singing, telling stories, or rock hopping.

But, when all else fails, you can be assured I have something sugary hidden away as a very last resort!

Also, before a large overnight hike with our kids we like to let them choose a special treat from the store for them to enjoy after all that hard hiking.  Sometimes a few reminders of what’s waiting for them to eat at the campsite is enough to keep them hiking along.

Read more about hiking with kids HERE!


Frequently Asked Questions about backpacking with kids:

Can you backpack with children?

Yes, of course you can! That’s what this article is all about. You just need to make sure that both you and your kids are well-practiced and well-prepared. Reading all the considerations above is the perfect place to start!

a family bakpacking with kids on a hiking trail carrying large packs and pushing a chariot

How much weight should a kid carry backpacking?

This is a hard question to answer as all children will be comfortable with different weights. This will depend on your child’s physicality, the comfort and support of the backpack, and the distance you’ll be hiking. Also, just because a child can handle more weight at home in the living room doesn’t mean they’ll be able to manage that weight after an hour on the trail.

We tended to have our 5-7 year olds carry their snacks for the hike, maybe their water bottle, and maybe a coat or sweatshirt. This really didn’t weigh much. With a well-supported hiking pack, they may have been able to carry a bit more.

As our kids got older we have given them more weight to carry. If I remember correctly, our 11 year old carried about 10 pounds on our last hike. But a strong healthy teenager might be happy carrying more weight than I am!

I think my suggestion for little kids would be to have them only carry a little little bit. This way they get used to being asked to carry supplies, but they aren’t being physically stressed by it… which means they’ll likely be happier and will hike longer without complaint.

Then, as your kids get older, just keep increasing their weight and see how it goes!

TIP: If you happen to have a few pack options for your kids, switch them around and see compare which backpacks fit better on your child. It can be surprising how strap placements, pocket weight distribution, and overall size can affect a fit.


A little bit about our backcountry hiking with kids:

Our first family backcountry camping trip was with our 2 year old.   We spent the night at Kinney Lake in Mount Robson Provincial Park, BC.

This is a super place to bring little kids.  The trail steadily climbs up a wide well-used path to a beautiful glacier-fed lake.  There are outhouses, a covered cook shelter, and the large rocky beach provides hours of entertainment.  It was about a 7 km hike (one way).  While our daughter rode in our well-loved chariot most of the way, she did do some walking and was in relatively good spirits for most of the trip.

Our second trip was with our 5 year old.  We hiked into Big Bend Campground in Jasper National Park.  It was about a 6km hike (one-way).  Our little guy walked carrying our snacks for the hike and a flower identification brochure which gave us all lots of motivation for the walk – that and endless discussions about Lego!

Since those first trips we’ve done many more! Our last backpacking trip was with close family friends: 3 adults, 5 kids (from 5-12 years old), 12 km round trip.


Staying positive on the hiking trail:

Lastly, I think it’s very important to mention that not all kids will be excited about walking for 5 hours to spend the night outside away from computers, heating (or air conditioning), and running water.  Hey, I bet there are a lot of adults who aren’t excited about this either!

Knowing this, I would suggest that if you are the type of parent who gets excited by this, chances are you’ll be able to spread that sense of enjoyment to your kids.

Remember to take it slow, and appreciate and find joy in the hiking time.  Here you are with your family and there’s nothing to distract you from talking with and enjoying each other.  Have fun with it!  Sing songs, tell jokes, play word games, and ask endless open-ended questions to your kids.

dad and boy hiking in the mountains, text reads "it's not about the miles, it's about the smiles"

Backcountry camping and hiking trips with kids are a challenge, an adventure!  But they can also be a lot of fun when done safely, realistically, and with a thought-out plan.  Hopefully some of the tips and advice above will help in making the most of your next backpacking with kids trip into the wilderness.

P.S. If you’re a family who enjoys heading into the woods for some camping, you might also be a car-camping type family… and if that’s the case, here’s my take on how to stop making camping harder than it needs to be. I like to call it my lazy-mom camping style!  I also have some super cute camping packing lists I think you’ll love.

Women with large backpack helps a toddler cross a small stream. Text reads: how to prepare for backcountry camping with kids

 

young girl walking beside a man carrying a large hiking pack on a wooded path

 

a mom carrying a hiking pack helping her daughter cross a plank bridge with backpacking

 

 

A family hiking with backpacks on an open meadow trail

4 thoughts on “How to make sure your backpacking with kids trip doesn’t end in tears!”

    1. Hi Janice, I’m so happy to hear you felt this was helpful and hopefully your daughter will find some good tips for taking her own kids backpacking into the wilderness. Thanks:)

    1. Yes, I agree, the purification tablets can have a funny taste sometimes. We actually boil our drinking water. We’ve tried filters, but found they clogged up quickly with the high levels of silt in our water here.

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