Things to Take on a Family Hike

When I was a child, my parents often took us hiking along various trails in state and national parks. It's an activity I still love to this day and one that provides many fond memories of my family. Hiking has helped to promote my fitness and provided me with a wonderful respite from day to day worries as well.

With millions of us being urban dwellers, hiking isn't always something that all families experience routinely. However, I would certainly encourage them to consider it as a good family activity which has a lot of positive benefits. Nearly anywhere you live, a national or state park, nature preserve, state forest, or recreational area should be able to provide you with a reasonable hiking opportunity. Of course, if you're new to the process, you'll want to start off with an easy to moderate trail and one that doesn't exceed your fitness level, so doing a little research as to the terrain and distance is important. Choosing a day with good weather is also critical. However, I find that hiking in cooler weather is often easiest, as heat, humidity, and insects are not a problem in such conditions.

Of course a bit of planning is essential as well, to assure safety and comfort. This is particularly true when you're bringing young children along. Personally, I like to take along a small, lightweight backback to stow away the things I might potentially need. This assures the additional items won't interfere with anything, including the use of both of my hands. If you'll just be walking an easy 1 mile loop trail, what you take along can be scaled back of course, but this list contains some items to consider for longer hikes.

1. Shoes. Obviously, you'll have these on your feet, but you might want to give some consideration to the shoes you're wearing. Kids with flip flops won't enjoy hiking very much. Clearly stones and twigs will end up between their foot and the flip flop, and they'll slide. Tennis shoes might be ok, but they need to have some good tread on them, something that won't slide easily. Many trails can end up crossing creeks or coursing down a leaf covered hillside, so sliding is always a danger. You'll notice that hiking boots tend to come up to the ankle which provides good support.

2. Dress for the weather. Again, if you've researched the weather, you know the temperatures and if there's any risk of precipitation. It's best to layer for cooler weather so that you can remove the layers as you or the environment warm up. Jackets with a hood are nice in case there's any unexpected rain fall. Many people wear shorts when hiking. Personally, I tend to wear long pants. I do this to keep my skin protected from ticks, other insects, small cuts and scrapes, as well as the sun.

3. A map. I find it wise to always take a map of the trail. Yes, even on simple 1 mile loop trails as you never know how well marked the trail may be. Sometimes paths created by animals can get you off course, or perhaps there is an intersecting trail and it's not marked.  You have to decide the route to take and a map can help you. Certainly GPS devices and compasses can also help guide you and make things much easier if you do become lost.

4. Nourishment. I take water on every hike, no matter what length. It's also a good idea to take along other nourishment. Granola bars  are common, and as you might suspect, so is trail mix, but you can decide for yourself what you prefer.

5. Protection. Items like sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, and bug repellent are potential items for your backpack as well.

6. Medications. If anyone in the family has a regular medication, such as for asthma or allergies, be sure to take it along. Of course, some tissues can be a good thing to have as well.

7. Items in case of injuries. A small first aid kit, or at least some alcohol pads and some bandages might be useful as well.

8. A small camera to capture the look of enthusiastic adventure on your kid's face as you take off into the wild unknown, is optional.

If you have very young children, you will obviously need a way of carrying them. Just holding them in your arms can be quite difficult if you need your hands free to balance yourself when crossing a creek or clambering over some rocks.  It's much easier to have them in a harness or back pack that will keep your hands free to use when needed.