Walking With Babies and Little Ones

When it comes to hillwalking with babies and children, there are four key factors to consider: food, drink, weather & terrain.

The good news is that kids LOVE the outdoors and there are plenty of things you can do to ensure your kids stay safe, dry and warm, so that they enjoy their first experiences of hiking in the mountains.

Food: Pack lot’s and then a little bit more. Kids can burn through food at an astonishing rate when they are active.

Drink: Hydration is critical, especially in hot weather so either carry lots of water or factor in some cafe stops. Little ones love having their own small water bottle in a rucsack.

Weather: The Great British weather is notoriously fickle - know what it is going to do and go prepared.

Terrain: Keeping things simple (for your own sanity) is really important. Wandering across rocky terrain can be a breeze when you are on your own but when you are watching out for your little ones it can feel really different. Feeling confident and relaxed as a parent means that everyone can have a large dose of fun so be prepared to change your day so that everyone enjoys themselves.

Here are a few other top tips from those that have been there before……

1. Be prepared

No matter how easy or well-trod the route you're following, you can never be too prepared for hillwalking. Make sure you plan your route before you go, using the appropriate OS map. And whilst the sat nav facilities on smartphones these days are pretty good, you won't be able to rely on accessing Google Maps when you're in the middle of nowhere without 3G or 4G. Go old school, take a compass - and know how to use it.

Before setting off on the morning of your walk, check the Mountain weather forecast. It'll be no fun trying to navigate mountain footpaths on a foggy day; in fact it can be downright dangerous. Its worth quite literally taking a 'rain check' and waiting for the right weather before setting off hillwalking with your children. Take a valley walk instead, find a cave or make up a treasure hunt in the woods.

2. Dress well

Mountain climates are notoriously changeable. A clear, sunny morning can quickly turn into a damp, chilly day and if your children aren't properly dressed to protect them against the elements you'll soon know about it.

Kids find it harder to regulate their temperature than adults, so dressing your children in layers means your kids are suitably equipped for anything the Great British weather can throw at them.

Start with a baselayer, this will trap a thin layer of warm air against the body, whilst wicking moisture away from the skin to avoid getting sweaty and sticky.

Next comes the mid layer. This will vary according to the temperature outside. A good quality fleece is ideal for most excursions, but if it's really cold (which it often is in higher climes), a slightly heavier and thicker fleece may be necessary. It's worth investing in some good quality outdoor trousers as well - at all costs, avoid wearing jeans when heading outdoors. They'll either make your child overheat and chafe, or soak-up water, bring their body temperature down and generally make their walk rather soggy and miserable.

Finally, make sure your child has a high quality waterproof jacket. This will be their first layer of defence against the elements, so its important to choose a kids' waterproof jacket carefully.

Kids grow really fast so online auction sites are a great place for finding good kit without breaking the bank. Alternatively, just use regular clothes and pack some spares for if they get wet and muddy.

Finally, hats and gloves – lot’s of them if your children are small. Little ones in a papoose are not generating heat when moving so pay close attention to cold hands and feet.

If it’s sunny then sun hats and sun cream are a must.

3. Boost morale

That familiar phrase "Are we nearly there yet?" can become a little wearing after the first few miles. The best way to avoid bored, tired kids is to keep them engaged with their surroundings. And you'll be pleased to know that you won't have to play eye-spy for hours on end.

With a bit of forward thinking it's easy to incorporate outdoor activities and games into a walk to keep your children engaged. Take it as an opportunity to learn a bit more about trees, birds, clouds, the names of local mountains or just make up your own ridiculous stories and see how far you can convince the kids with your outlandish stories. A “Walking Teddy” or “Adventure Teddy” (small and easily replaceable!) can be waiting in photo locations just up ahead to keep little ones going - they make a great “Show and Tell” at school too.

If you are in the Lakes then don’t forget to do the Ali’s Family Round challenge!

Big kids in your group may be interested in when there are low flying aircraft about – happily the Government publish all of this information on their website so you can look like an absolute hero.

Military low flying: RAF operational low flying training timetable - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Treasure trails, Fairy treasure (i.e: treats that mysteriously pop up en route when little ones are starting to flag) and chasing your kids with sheep poo on the end of a stick have all been known to chivvy small (and not so small) kids along. Walking is about shared family time and having fun – have a great time!

4. Some extra’s for your own pack

First Aid Kit – even when you are going just a short way from the car. Accidents happen!

Big Orange Lunch Bag (aka a group shelter) These are ace for creating a warm wind free environment in seconds AND the kids love sitting inside to share their sandwiches, sweets and hot chocolate. You could also use a play parachute and have some games afterwards.

Paper and pencils for treasure hunts, story writing or map making.

Even more snacks than you think you may need!