Hiking with kids is a memory-making adventure. It can also be an educational and empowering one. As a mom who hiked with her 4 kids on trails in each of the 48 contiguous states, and as a grandmother who hikes weekly with her 7 grandkids, I’ve picked up a few tricks about keeping things safe and fun.
This list of kid-friendly hiking supplies helps make your outings safer, easier, and filled with wonder. It’s especially meant for families exploring county, state, or national parks (rather than venturing deep into the backcountry). With the right supplies, hiking is an all-weather activity.
Most of these items are nice-to-have for day hikes, since parents usually carry the essentials. But if you’re heading out on longer adventures or into the backcountry, it’s a good idea to give kids their own basic safety gear, too. Learn more about the “10 Essentials” here and grab a handy printable checklist!
Clothing and Footwear
Proper clothing and footwear can make the difference between a fun hike and a miserable one.
Clothing Layers
- Spring, summer and fall, pack a lightweight jacket, long-sleeved shirt and pants in case of weather change.
- For rainy day hikes, wear waterproof gear including rain pants or overalls.
- For cold weather hikes, include warm gloves, hat and insulated coat.
- Two pairs of socks: one on the feet and the other as back up.
Hiking Shoes
- Sturdy, supportive shoes to protect young feet and provide traction on rocks, tree roots and the trail.
- Supportive sandals with grippy soles are great for sand or dirt trails that lead to mud or water play.
- Waterproof boots for cool weather mud puddle walking and rainy exploration days.
- Insulated winter boots for cold and snow-covered trail treks.
Sun Protection
Believe it or not, the sun’s rays can be strong no matter where you hike—whether you’re deep in the woods, out on the coast, crossing an open meadow, or climbing a mountain top. Make sure to protect young skin and eyes from ultraviolet rays.
- Sun protective hat and clothes.
- Sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays.
- Child-safe SPF lip balm and sunscreen.
Kid-sized Backpack
When kids carry a few of their own supplies, it gives them a sense of responsibility—and makes them feel important! It shows they’re trusted to hike like the grownups.
- Lightweight with adjustable shoulder and chest straps for a comfortable fit.
- Reflective elements and bright colors that kids love and adults can see from afar.
- Large enough to hold a water bottle, a bag of bandages, food, exploration supplies and a plastic bag to hold wet clothing or to carry out trash (food wrappers, toilet tissue or found items on the trail).
- For younger children or those who get tired, an adult can use a backpack carrier so little hikers can rest while still enjoying the adventure.
Exploration and Navigation Tools
These tools inspire kids to seek, find, and learn about the world through hands-on discovery.
- Binoculars and magnifying glasses for curiosity led learning and imaginative play.
- Compass to develop navigation, safety awareness and problem solving skills.
- Small flashlight for safety and exploration on evening hikes or investigating caves, cracks and crevices.
- Lightweight notebook and pen for journaling, sketching and storytelling.
- Scavenger Hunt list to encourage exploration.
- Create your own or download my TRAIL EXPLORER SCAVENGER HUNT pages. (8.5 x 11″ and 4.25 x 5.5″ sizes)
- Option – Laminate the page for reuse and carry a dry erase marker to check off the “finds.”
Food and Water
Always carry water and food for hydration and nourishment. Follow the Leave No Trace Principles–carry out food trash and never feed animals.
- Reusable bottle filled with water.
- Healthy snacks such as clementines, apples, raisins, nuts and granola bars. Pack out the apple cores and orange peels, because those items are foreign to and unsafe for the creatures that live along the trail.
- Adults should carry extra water supply or a water filtration system to safely gather water from streams and lakes.
Prevention, First Aid and Emergency Signal
- Child-safe inspect repellant to deter ticks, mosquitos and other “no-see-ums.:
- Secure a small bottle of hand sanitizer onto the backpack for pre-snack use.
- Allow kids to choose their own colorful, various-sized bandages, using the opportunity to talk about the important of carrying a first aid kit for injuries that sometimes occur during adventures.
- Adults should carry additional first aid supplies, including allergy medication for bee stings or other reactions.
- Teach kids the universal whistle for help: 3 short (3 seconds each) whistle blasts. Some backpacks have a whistle built into the chest strap. Otherwise, tie a whistle to the backpack or stow it in a front pocket of the pack.
Give Kids a Leading Role in the Adventure
Involve kids in packing their gear — it builds excitement and ownership of the adventure ahead. Let the little boots lead the way along the path. Big memories are waiting just down the trail!
Smart Shopping for Hiking Gear
Outdoor and hiking gear can be pricey, so it’s worth investing in pieces that are durable and built to last. As nature lovers, part of caring for the earth is choosing clothing and equipment we can use and reuse for years—keeping quality items in action rather than sending them to the landfill.
Shopping Tips:
- Browse discount and last-season racks for great deals.
- Check discount outdoor retailers like Sierra.
- Support small businesses by shopping at locally owned gear shops.
- Buy from reputable chains like REI, which offer return policies and also sell discounted used gear.
- Look on Facebook Marketplace or join “Hiking Gear Yard Sale” groups to find secondhand, high-quality equipment.
Here are just a few of the products that I use with my hiking crew, ages 7 months to 7 years.
- Home Prefer Caps offer a variety of UPF50 styles, colors and sizes for toddlers to pre-teens. And they come in adult sizes, too!
- Living Squad Binoculars come in toddler and kid sizes and a variety of colors. Includes a case, lens cloth, break-away strap for safety. Some “kits” include a small compass.
- Leffis Magnifying Glasses are durable, with non-scratch lens and easy grip handles. There are several color choices, for each child to choose a favorite. Includes a lanyard.
- TurnOnSports Scout Compass. This is a standard compass to teach children map-reading and outdoor navigation.
- Easy to blow Emergency Whistles. Large pack for friends, family and to replace the ones that inevitably get lost.
- Osprey Daylite Kids water-resistant, durable backpack that will grow with your child. Multiple color options.
- Osprey Poco Lite Child Carrier Backpack for adults. This carrier is comfortable! It is lightweight and includes a big storage section for supplies. A sun-shade easily pops into place over the child’s head; when not in use, it slides into a compartment.
- KEEN Hiking and Water Sandal for warm weather exploration. The shoes have grippy soles, protective toe box and supportive straps. Plus they are water friendly and easy to clean!
Trail Explorer Scavenger Hunt
Download, print and head to the trail!
Pro-tip: Laminate and store in the child’s backpack. Don’t forget brightly colored dry erase markers.