When we got pregnant, we made a promise to each other: we will stay true to our love of hiking and outdoor adventures. It was an important part of who we were as individuals and as a couple.
I ran when I was pregnant. In fact, both of our honeymoons were hiking, one on the Cutler Coast and the other in the White Mountains. We did a tour when our daughter was a baby. And now that she's little (in her own walking shoes), we keep walking.
But that doesn't mean our adventures aren't different.
Hiking with babies is easy. All you need is a little strength and a good baby carrier. Hiking with young children requires a lot more patience, preparation and snacks. (Lots of snacks. If you think you have enough snacks, I guarantee you don't.)
Here are my top 5 tips for a successful hike with a toddler.
1. Start early
We took our little human for a walk practically from day one. So it's always been a part of his life. He basically learned to walk the paths. Not only does this make him a natural part of her world, but it has also helped her become more capable on the trails sooner. He can navigate fairly rough terrain for his age and already has a deep appreciation for the great outdoors. And that's because she made it to the end.
2. Realign your goals
Before we had kids, our goal was to hike big, reach incredible heights and cover as many miles as possible. If you try to pursue the same goals with a young child, everyone will be unhappy.
Now our focus is truly your pleasure. We want you to fall in love with nature like we do. Prioritizing your enjoyment now is an investment in the future of outdoor family fun for years to come. For now, the most important thing is that she enjoys the experience. Explore, get dirty, play and roam as you please.
The upside is that it really helped us appreciate and utilize some of the things we might have missed if we were just chasing the next peak. In fact, I feel like I admire the beauty around me more because I'm forced to slow down, breathe, and see her freshly through her eyes.
3. Have the right equipment
It is extremely important to have a comfortable backpack for you and your little hiker. Although your little one will want to go for a walk and explore out of the bag, you need something extra to carry when you plan to travel a longer distance. We've also found that having one that you can hop on and off five million times in one walk helps tremendously. (Spoiler alert: your little one will want to in and out, in and out, in and out, in and out...repeat.)
4. Overestimate time
It will take you far longer to do the same walks with a toddler than without. Basically, I triple the time it would normally take us to hike. This is crucial to your planning so you don't get stuck in a bad time or realize you have a three-hour comeback while dealing with an unlucky little human. (Believe me, I've been there, I've done it... I don't recommend it.)
5. Snacks. And more snacks.
This brings me to my last tip, but probably the most important. Pack a few snacks, then pack some more. A toddler with snacks is always much bigger than a toddler without snacks. And remember to always practice procrastination and execution, and take the opportunity to teach your future environmentalist the importance of that too.
These are my top tips, what are yours? How does hiking become an experience for the whole family? What are some of your favorite family hikes in Maine?
—by Laura Petrolino, member of the NRCM Upward Leadership Team
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