Hiking with Toddlers
Three keys to hiking with toddlers (and having fun while you do it)
Hiking has always been a hobby of mine. From my college days in Boulder, CO to hot and humid summer mornings in Virginia, connecting with nature remains a passion of mind. So lately, I’ve been working on introducing T to the trails. As with anything you do with a toddler, it takes time to get it down. Honestly, it takes time before it actually becomes enjoyable, but here are the three things I keep in mind, which have helped lead us to success.
Patience: Incredible patience is required because it’s unlikely that your hike will go smoothly, and certainly will not be as quick as you may be used to. Toddlers are innately curious, and there is so much to explore out there! I try to keep in mind just how beautiful his curiosity is. Even though my adult brain wants to power through, allowing him the space and time to do things like watch a beetle for 10 minutes is going to make the experience more enjoyable for us all. If you flip your perspective, you may find it just as awe-inspiring.
Realistic Expectations: Start with short, relatively easy hikes, and build on that based on your own kiddo’s interest and ability. Our first hike was about 5 minutes, and covered almost no ground at all. It ended in frustration as T broke down and I struggled to manage my disappointment in our failed activity. But we’ve slowly worked our way up to 1.5 hour hikes, and he will walk the majority of that! We’ve also started doing more hilly trails that require a little more physical effort, even some small rock scramble areas. I still choose trails that I know I’d be comfortable carrying him on, just in case he has a day in which he isn’t as into it.
Be Prepared: All moms know that being prepared is the key to pretty much any activity with kids, especially toddlers. I do not like hiking with a lot of baggage, but I always have these items:
Snacks (things that are easy to eat on the go and will give him a lot of energy - usually a peanut butter sandwich or granola bar)
Plenty of water
A hat
Sunscreen and bug spray
A change of clothes that I keep in the car for afterward
If you want to start bringing your young kids out, but feel overwhelmed by it or expect the effort to be greater than the experience itself, I’m here to tell you that it’s possible. Each hike will get better and better. Just keep perspective, and be realistic.
3 Simple Ways We’re Getting Outside This Summer
3 simple ways to get outside, even on a busy summer day!
We are lucky enough to live in a place where summer is one huge celebration. We survived the winter, and we earned a couple months of sunshine and warmth. That being said, I personally feel a little bit of pressure to really soak up every last drop, and make them count. So here are 3 simple outdoor activities that you can do, even when time is limited and energy is low.
Back to where it all started: I wasn’t born in the 1950’s but I was raised on backyard battles of kick the can, and epic games of HORSE. T isn’t old enough for lawn games with the neighbors, but our backyard and driveway have quickly become a safe place where he has a lot of freedom to play how he wants with what he wants. It’s low stress, and always accessible, even in the rain (puddles are a toddler’s best friend)!
Beat the heat: It doesn’t get too hot in New England most days, but with family in Charleston, SC and many years spent in the DC area, I know that humidity and sky-high temps can make playing outside pretty miserable (not to mention dangerous to your health). The key is to get outside early, and seek out shady areas. When I visit my parents house, T and I like to get out of the house by 7, and if it’s too hot to walk or play, we like to get breakfast outside in the shade.
Pack a picnic: When we have a hectic day, but I am aching for some fresh air, I’ll bring a packed lunch with us on our errands. That way we can stop somewhere, like a park or playground, and eat on the go. It’s fun and a little different for T. I also find that he has a great appetite when we’re on the go, and gets excited about eating out of his lunch box.
Not rocket science, but hope it helps inspire you to prioritize being outdoors, even on busy days!
Raising Outdoor Babies
My tips and essential gear that has helped us spend time outside almost every single day!
A lot of people comment on the fact that T never seems bothered by weather. We get outside when it’s freezing (literally my threshold this winter was anything over 20 degrees F), raining, windy, snowing, or piping hot. We don’t have a lot of choice because we live in a place with four seasons, including a sometimes harsh winter. I’m not an expert on child temperament or behavior, but what I know is that from the time he was a few days old, I was taking T outside daily.
It wasn’t always easy getting outside, especially when he was very young, and we had a lot of excursions that were a complete bust. But here are a few tips, and some of the gear that helped us along the way! Please note, I do not get paid for any gear that I recommend on this site. These are items I paid for or were purchased as gifts for us and I truly recommend them.
0-6 Months: Two words: baby wearing. In the early days, we mostly just did walks outside, and my ErgoBaby 360 was my lifeline. I was able to take T on easy hikes, to the beach, around town, to walk the dog, even to Costco, all while wearing him. He usually slept while in the carrier, which made my heart explode, because I know he felt safest when he was held close. The two accessories I used a ton were the infant insert and the winter weather cover (I had a January baby in New England).
6-12 Months: The pre-walking stage was all about exploration, for both of us. I would Google different parks and playgrounds, and then we’d check them out. We struck out a few times, but we mostly found some gems! T would either crawl, or we’d bring his Radio Flyer Tinker Truck (an older version of this), which was his favorite push toy.
On-The-Go Kit: I keep a bin in my car that I swap out seasonally. But it’s always packed with the items I may need, anywhere we go. In the summer, that means, shoes, baseball caps, sunscreen, a towel, a change of clothes, and diapers. In the winter it’s snow boots, mittens, snow pants, jackets, beanies, and of course diapers. I’ve pretty much got a sweatshirt or fleece in there year-round.
Exercise for Mom: I’m a runner. It’s how I stay sane, it’s the number one thing I do for me. So the freedom to get my miles in, even with T, is essential to my mental (and physical) health. I know that all running moms feel very passionate about their jogging strollers, and for most moms I know, that is the BOB. But I will die on the hill that is the Thule Urban Glide 2. Perhaps this is sad to admit, but there have been times, over the last year, where it’s felt like my best friend. I get questions about my jogger preferences, and I love it so much, so I’ll likely do a post specific to the Urban Glide, or a review. Stay tuned!