There are times and occurrences in life that Alicia and I have a good, long think about before taking action—perhaps even to the extent of putting too much time and effort into thinking about it, just to help ensure everything is on point. And yet, other times, even for seemingly important things, we just wing it. Like hiking with kids, for instance. You just get out and walk, right? Nope, not if you all want to come back with your relationship intact and with your kids unscathed. Or just wanting to come back with them full stop.

Hiking with kids takes a little more consideration and planning and needs just a few more precautions to be taken. We asked ourselves, just what are those considerations? To that, I said, I dunno, take more water ‘n stuff? That’s all I had. So, we put it to good ole chat GPT, and the number one consideration is…safety. Well, of course, right? Safety first and all that.

All joking around aside, we’re health professionals, and we certainly don’t take hikes and bushwalks for granted. Even more so the case when our kids are involved. But some people might, and maybe for no other reason than “you don’t know what you don’t know”.

And with that in mind, here are our top 10 seemingly obvious considerations and precautions to consider when hiking and bushwalking with kids:

1. Choose appropriate trails – you might want to consider choosing trails that are shorter in length. Ensure you’re looking at the return hike length. A 2km hike seems nice and short, but if it’s 2km to the turnaround point, it could end up being too much for the kids.
2. Check weather – keep up to date with the weather forecast and ensure you and the kids are dressed appropriately. If the weather is on the more extreme side, be it heat, cold, or rain, it’s best to leave it for a better day. That can be really unfortunate if you only have that one day to do the hike, but that’s just how it goes.
3. First aid kits and training – ensure you carry at least a basic first aid kit that includes band-aids, bandages, antiseptic wipes and solution, or cream—essentially, at least enough to handle minor injuries and insect bites. And, of course, any medications you might need. Many basic first aid kits don’t come with saline. This can be really handy for washing out eyes, cuts, and abrasions, and you can get it from most pharmacies or online. In addition to a basic first aid kit, do invest in a snake bite kit as well. A PLB, or personal location beacon, whilst expensive, could be a life saver. In many National Parks in Australia, a PLB can be loaned to you, free of charge, so be sure to check. In addition to the first aid kit, make sure you know how to use it, and we’d highly recommend doing a first aid course and keeping it up to date.
4. Emergency plan in place – make a note of where the nearest medical facilities are. This is something Alicia has done ever since being pregnant and travelling on the road and is now just a habit. Ensure phones are charged, re-check the weather, and check the fire conditions, especially when hiking in summer in Australia.
5. Sun protection – use of a zinc-based sunscreen for young kids and toddlers is recommended because it’s not absorbed into the skin to the same degree as normal sunscreen, but still provides protection from UV rays. Whilst the use of sunscreen isn’t recommended for babies under 6 months, it can be used on small areas - patch testing first would be a good idea, even for toddlers. For babies, it’s best to ensure they’re covered up and shaded completely from the sun. Long-length, light clothing that also covers the hands and feet, like a body suit, might be a good idea, but be mindful of the heat. And of course, hats are a must, and sunglasses are a good idea—it can be really difficult to keep any of those on kid’s heads and faces, particularly toddlers.
6. Staying hydrated – Staying hydrated implies that you’re hydrated in the first instance. It’s good health to try and ensure you’re always hydrated anyway, but if you know in advance you’re heading out for a hike, try and hydrate well at least the day before. Take sufficient water for all family members—it’s better to have to carry the extra weight and take more water than you think you’ll need. Staying hydrated is extremely important for everyone, but particularly so if you’re breastfeeding.
7. Food and snacks – take food and snacks with you regardless of how long or short your hike is. Fruit, muesli bars, nuts, biscuits and so forth make for easy snacks. For longer hikes, a simple wrap with peanut butter for example would serve well for a lunch break. If you’re so inclined, a few lollies are good for a quick energy lift and can also serve for a bit of motivation when everyone’s exhausted—and not just for the kids either. Be sure to take all of your rubbish with you, including fruit peelings and cores that you might otherwise be inclined to toss into the bush.
8. Hiking gear – invest in some decent bushwalking gear for you and the kids. Something we’ve learnt is that proper hiking shoes makes the world of difference when compared to the typical running shoes we used to wear. Hiking shoes will usually provide you with better support and grip than running shoes and, depending on model and brand, are for the most part waterproof. Now, we’re not suggesting that hiking shoes will protect you from a snake bite, but when compared with a typical running shoe that is made with thinner, lighter-weight materials, we certainly feel more assured when wearing a hiking shoe that is thicker and more durable all round. We wouldn’t necessarily suggest that the kids all need to be decked out in hiking specific footwear—that would be dependent on how old they are, how much they’ll actually be walking as opposed to carried, and your budget. Hiking shoes are expensive, but they were a bit of a game-changer for us.
9. Stick to the marked trail – might seem obvious, but wandering off the marked trail, particularly if you’re a bushwalking novice, is an easy way to get you and your family lost, particularly in dense bushland. Be sure to look up the details of the hike you are intending to do and look for the trail grade. Bushwalks are typically graded from 1 (no experience required, typically flat, even surface, and less than 5km), to 5 (hikers should be very experienced, with navigation and emergency first aid experience, trails are typically rough, steep, unmarked, and may even be more than 20km). A grade 4 hike recommends bushwalking experience, trails may be rough and steep, and signage may be limited.
10. Be wildlife aware – educate yourself and the kids about plants and wildlife in the area. Keep a safe distance from animals and be prepared for how to react in case of an encounter with wildlife. Be mindful, too, that there are plants that can sting and cut with thorns and prickles.

Bushwalks and hikes are a great way to keep active, enjoy quality family time, and to get out and immerse yourself nature. Hiking with kids does put a different spin on things, and can sometimes be a bit limiting, but kids will grow (way too fast, as we know), and in time you’ll be able to tackle more advanced and longer trails as they are able.

So, get out there and enjoy the trails with your kids. Feel free to jump on our Instagram page and share your adventure.