How To Backpack With Kids - 6 Tips To Keep You Sane!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.ย. 2024
- So you're insane enough to try and backpack with kids, eh? It's not that bad! I have been doing it for a few years and have learned a lot. In this video, I share 6 tips on how to do it. Plus, a few kids backpacking backpack options for you. It's never really ultralight backpacking or even lightweight backpacking, but it can be done!
Kids Backpack Options:
Coleman Kids Backpack amzn.to/2t4dkIv
Osprey Ace 38 amzn.to/2BiNOnI
Osprey Ace 50 amzn.to/2BlGffY
My Go To Gear:
Down Jacket - Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer: amzn.to/2DwUkIG
Cheaper but still great down Jacket: amzn.to/2TbLmpJ
Chair - Helinox Chair Zero: amzn.to/2RLFFCv
Headlamp - Nitecore NU25: amzn.to/2CJ7DEh
Pot - Evernew Pasta Pot 1L: amzn.to/2MyTs9G
Stove - BRS Stove: amzn.to/2RMV8SM
My Camera Gear:
Canon EOS 80D amzn.to/2Cq3WmY
Canon G7X Mark ii amzn.to/2MizHCX
Sigma 24mm-70mm F2.8 Art Lens amzn.to/2sysGVC
Rode Video Micro Mic amzn.to/2FGD9Gj
Boya Lavalier Mic amzn.to/2CrjsPt
Great video. Only thing that I would add is this… they feel everything twice as much as we do. They are twice as hot… Twice as hungry… Twice as tired… Twice as cranky (especially when hungry). But, they recover twice as fast as we do. A 5 minute stop with a small snack is usually plenty.
great advice!
My kids' first backpacking experience was last summer. I took my 12, 10, and 7-year-old sons to Isle Royale. We hiked 30 miles in 5 days (28 in 4 days). It was one of the best experiences of my life and shortly thereafter the older two said it was the best thing they did all summer. They all keep talking about going back. Each one of them had a break down along the way, but I stayed positive, encouraged them, and they eventually found they could push through it and that it actually made it more rewarding.
Oh yeah, no tech for us!
Wow that was their first backpacking experience?! That’s amazing! I am so impressed that they were able to handle that. Isle Royale is definitely on my bucket list! Now you’ve got me thinking I should take the kids! 🙌🙌
@@DanBecker it was their very first experience and they all loved it. You definitely need to get there with your kids!
I've been going hiking with my son since he was 2, first time I had one of those bike trailer / strollers with me, but even then he already hiked like a champ (about 5k per day, rest in the stroller). Since then we've hiked about 300km, including doing a 120km thru-hike around an island this year (he's now 4.5 years old now), which wasn't an easy trail at all, doing about 15k a day!
my (additional) advice:
- get to camp early and offer time to play and explore the campside, kids feel much more comfortable at night and sleep better, when they had time to adjust and got to know the area by daylight
- snacks! pack lots of snacks like trail mix, little things, less bars, they usually don't eat a whole bar at a time and munching on trail mix is a) healthier and b) more fun if you can pick and choose and c) one can eat as much and as often as they like
- we both bring a little thermos (yes it's a little heavier, but totally worth it), having soup (we use the little dry packets) for lunch along with some non-cook food is a great pick-me-up for him (me too actually) and I don't have to pull everything out of my backpack but can just boil water in the morning and it'll be done by lunchtime. also having warm tea, coffee or cocoa on the go in the colder months is really nice!
- let them be part of map reading and planning. also show them behind you how far you've already come. my son feels very accomplished when I show him around and on the map how far he's walked on that day or this week. (also map reading can be a life-saving skill, so it's something useful to teach them!)
- on longer trips plan a Nero or Zero every few days, we usually do about 15k for 2-3 days and then a short day of 3-6k
- actually look at all the plants and wild life they show you! Yes, we're slow, yes, sometimes we stop every 10 metres, because we need to look at ants, but when else will I take the time to do this? Daily life is often rushing from a to b, so I learned to use my son's slow hiking speed to look around me more often and be still instead of rushing him unreasonably.
- find appropriately challenging trails! in northern Germany, where we live, a lot of trails include road walks and flat terrain and my son gets bored, because a 3k road walk takes him an hour. But when the trail gets more challenging, he gets super motivated and leads the way for mommy
Love this. Thanks for sharing!
One word: S'mores. The first S'mores is memorable.
Great video Dan!! I gotta remember to give my son some duties to be in charge of at camp. He is nonverbal (autistic) but loves being in “nowhere” without people around (he doesn’t like being “watched”) We mostly kayak camp and have started backpacking which he enjoys a lot too. So much that he told his mom (remember nonverbal) that he wants to go again!! So, I’m taking off a month this summer to hike 145 miles of the NCT then, we’ll canoe 155 miles of the St Croix!! He’s 16 and this will be a memory of a lifetime (for me as well).
One tip I would add is equipping your child with a reliable and loud whistle! Since mine isn’t verbal, him having a whistle makes me feel more comfortable when hiking. He knows 1 blow for “where are you”, 2 for “come to me” and 3 for “help”.
I watched this video before going on a day hike with my kids. It allowed me to adjust my expectations and enjoy the trip even more. My wife had a good time and was happy I watched the video before going. She would like to say “Thank you Dan The Man!”
I like the comment on remembering when we were kids. Good advice.
Thanks, Garry!!
I bring an old cell phone so my daughter can listen to music or watch downloaded Netflix shows on. I usually pull it out in the evening when I need a break...she's a chatter box and at the end of the day, I just want quiet lol. We hike and backpack often together. We enjoy trails where we can fish along the way or at camp. She's occupied for hours with a fishing rod. She carries a Deuter Fox 30.
Boy do I know EXACTLY what you’re talking about! My daughter is a chatter box as well! 😂😂. Love the idea of a fishing rod!
Bringing screens outdoors.. facepalm.
@@h.sapienstechnologicus8865100%
My parents took us backpacking when in was a child in the 80s and I loved it. We met up with high school friends of my parents who had 10 kids between the two couples. One trip my 3 year old sister hiked three miles in and then back. I have the greatest memories of those trips. I had an REI youth backpacking pack and a youth down 0F sleeping bag. When I went to Girl Scout camp I was so jealous of the other cute “sleeping bags” with My Little Pony and Rainbow Bright and such on them. And i got teased for my funny bag. Until the next morning when everyone had been cold all night except me 😂.
We just returned from our first car camping trip with 4 of our kids ages 7, 9, 11, and 16 (our older two boys have graduated high school and had work so they couldn’t come). We did 2 nights dispersed camping in the National Forest with no amenities and our Subaru did awesome getting us back on some gnarly roads to our location. We taught the kids how to use the bathroom, eat, build a fire, etc. and we did a day hike away from camp. We’re working our way up to backpacking and felt this was a good way to start. Remote car camping where we could call it and go home easily if needed. They didn’t want to leave.
I bought an Osprey Ace 50 for my son, it’s great - he’s turning 8 next week but is very tall for his age, it is a tiny bit big for him but it won’t be long until it fits better. We went on our first overnight trip a couple of weeks ago, he’s still talking about it and keeps asking me when we are going again, he says it was the best day of his life. We have done a lot of day hikes so he’s used to walking. I just made sure I didn’t overload his backpack, he carried his sleeping bag, pillow, sleeping mat, food, clothes & water. It was a very rewarding experience for both of us! It’s definitely made our bond stronger. My daughter who is a year younger than my son is very demanding on my attention so I do spend a lot more time with her but she doesn’t like walking much so it’s given me and my son something ‘special’ to do together.
Awesome! It’s so much fun watching them get into hiking and backpacking, isn’t it? The time spent with them out there is like nothing else!!
We started taking our girls backpacking since they were each 3 years old. Totally agree with you about starting small and not being too ambitious. We started by car camping with them as babies to get them used to sleeping in a tent and we didn’t want to have to pack out diapers! I have found it challenging to find quality gear for kids. We got them used North Face kids synthetic sleeping bags that worked for awhile. After a few yrs just not warm enough. Both girls (age 13 & 9) now use the REI Joule 30 bag and it keeps them plenty warm in the PNW. It’s difficult to find packs that fir properly given their smaller torso and frame. My 13 has been using an Osprey Kyte 48 for a couple yrs but has just outgrown the torso adjustment. My little one might be too small yet to inherit her sister’s pack. I keep thinking I want to design kid gear🥰 Really love your channel. Thanks for all the great videos.
I haven’t been in 10 years I’m 35 with 6 kids and my oldest is 11 year old boy. Just got back from our first backpacking trip 1 night at linville gorge 8 mile total very strenuous hike beautiful views and fishing. Very hard and we’re all beat and packed too heavy but all had good time
Gadgets work for my 5 & 6; a little container to collect treasures, a small compass...plus lots of skittles of course. And showing them the map distances on Gaïa to encourage them a bit further.
My husband and I have just started backpacking with our four kids (8, 5, 3, and almost 2 years old). We love it; thanks for the family-friendly tips - hard to find on TH-cam!
No problem, Elizabeth! A two-year-old and a three-year-old! That’s awesome! Have they been out yet? I’m sure you’ve got a whole different set of challenges at that age! I just went out with my nine-year-old daughter this past weekend and we had a blast!
Sorry to be a bit of downer, but thinking back on my first camping memories makes me want to say: Hash out your differences with any other adults coming on the trip in the front country, preferably before your trip; or else put them aside until you get home. Some of my most unpleasantly memorable early camping experiences stemmed from my parents having a big fight while we were out in the middle of nowhere. Parents being "on the outs" with each other makes kids feel vulnerable, and being out in the backcountry makes kids feel vulnerable - try not to stack the one on top of the other.
(Don't get me wrong, I had some great experiences, too. There's not much I would trade my memories of all those beautiful places, fascinating wildlife , and wonderful people for - although I might swap out all of them in a heartbeat for "my parents always getting along.")
My youngest son was 10yo. on his second backpacking trip. (The 1st was an overnight trip with a hike of 1.25miles to the campsite at May Lake., Yosemite N.P.) The second trip was a five-day, four nights, 5.7mile BP trip from Tuolumne Meadows to Glenn Aulin High Sierra Camp. (There were also two long day hikes.) There were eight people in our group, two other adults plus, three teenage boys. When the other members held a pace to fast for my 10yo son, I told the others to go ahead and I would travel at a pace comfortable for my 10yo. son. I let my young son lead the way and I followed him. When needed to cross a stream or find a path across a granite slab, I would send him to "scout" the area, to see if the was a better way to go then, we would proceed letting him to lead me. We needed to cross two streams where we had to take-off our shoes, sock and, roll up our pants. When crossing two streams (18in. deep, 30ft+ across) he stayed up stream, next to me. While took the others 2 -3.hrs. to make to hike, it took my youngest son and I took 4.5hrs. to complete the trip. Having him lead the way and "scout" ahead, made him feel valuable. When we got to camp, dispite some negative comments were made, I yelled... "back-off!!!" After the trip was over everyone loved it and my youngest was proud of what he accomplished. He was eager to go on other backpacking and X-C ski snow camping trips!
Day hikes first! My son is motivated by swimming so picking a place with a lake is key for our happiness. Managing the fire is a fave as well.
Great video! Can you think about doing a more in depth review on the Osprey Ace backpacks? There’s so little info out there on kids gear.
Everything you say is spot on !!!
Starting backpacking with my kid, or just going fishing in the lakes or making a little fire, is the greatest that has happened.
He loves it. He loves setting up camp, using the saw and axe to get firewood, starting a fire, trying woodworking with he's knifes and so on.
It gives a better bond to children, doing stuf with them. Makes them stronger.
And makes them happier !
He's just turned 11 and this summer we plan to take a week canoeing on the rivers and lakes in Sweden. He's first canoeing experience 😀
Before I began dragging him out, sleeping in tents and learning the basics, I had a 12 year absence from hiking as a civilian.
I just lost the mood.
The kid gave it back to me again.
Let me ad some more:
For morale I always bring some sourcreme & onions chips for him. He loves it.
And he stil brings hes stuffed animal !
And he's mobile phone. Its not being used that much anyway.
He has learned to handle axe, saw and knifes and I've given him he's own knifes to use. At the moment he wants to learn to carve a simple spoon. And he can make fires with a firesteel and with a bow.
Great perspective! I've got 6 kids and love backpacking with them. I'm a believer the right gear can make a differenrce. I dont have experience with the Ospreys, however we've had great experience with the Gregory Wanderer youth packs (38, 50 and 70 L). They really fit the kids well and adjust as the grow. Fully expandable with compression straps, rain covers, side pockets, etc. My now 17 year old will head off to college with the one i got for him when he was 11, and my 8 year old loves the one he got for Christmas. The Big Agnes Mirror Lake, and Spike lake downtek bags have also been a big hit, along with Keen waterproof hiking shoes. My kids love being charge with duties too. My daughter always sets up the tent and the other take on the fire! Most of our trips are while they are in grade school, as high school seems to keep them fairly busy. Hopefully the exposure as youngsters will come in handy as they hit the trails as young adults, or give them the confidence to take their kids when they have em. Thanks again for the video.
Wow! Six kids! If you backpack with that many kids… You probably don’t even need to bring a backpack or hike for that matter… They could just all carry you 😂😂 it’s so much fun buying gear for them and seeing it being used. I love spending time with them in the back country as it brings our family closer together. I appreciate you sharing all that info! Also, thanks for watching and enjoying the video :-)
This was a great video! Especially the part about giving them a job to love. I let my kids(under supervision) make feather sticks for starting a fire. They were so proud.
Thanks so much Hugh! Kids are so much fun to take backpacking!
This is so great. I don't have children of my own and I never considered taking my nieces and nephews backpacking until now. Think I'll try it this year. Yayyy! The adults in my family aren't really into backpacking maybe the kids will love it. Thank you! ✌😊
Awesome, Norma!!
Great kids hiker tips! We took our 3 kiddos to GA & NC to do day hikes. We got the Adidas School Backpacks from Academy which could fit the Magellan Sleeping Bag. The kids only carried extra layers, snacks, cup/spoon, flashlights, poncho/jacket, hat/gloves, water bottle and yes... cell phones for taking pictures!
They did fabulous for their first experiences. Hiked 6 miles up Anacalola Falls and 8 miles up Rich Mountain Fire Tower among other 3 mile shorter days before/between/after. Super proud of them.
You darn skipping that little things like a pair of hot hands warmer packets helped make it back better weather turned extra chilly. And parents carrying extra snacks helped too because they did know how hungry they would get either.
Fantastic advice - and very timely for me as this will be the first year I take my son out for hiking overnights.
I particularly like the idea of thinking back to my first trips out. My experience was that it was COLD and I remember holding my pee forever, both on the trail and in the tent. Lol. Probably couldn’t hurt to take extra ground and quilt insulation and spare my son the same sufferings.
Thanks for making such quality content, Dan! It’s much appreciated.
Hi Sarah! Thanks so much for the encouragement! How cool your gonna finally take your son out for his first overnighter! My first time was a few years back and I still remember it like yesterday. I hope you both have a blast!!!
I always bring a bag of peanuts in the shell from texas roadhouse and an extra piece of string for my kids to do some chipmunk fishing and they always have hours of fun with it. If you're not sure what chipmunk fishing is just search youtube its loads of fun. Great to see others getting there kids out on the trail at a young age too. Keep em coming Dan always looking forward to your next video.
Awesome! Now I think I’m gonna binge watch chipmunk fishing videos!! 😂😂🤣🤣.
We brought the kids Amazon tablets and i had hotspot on my iPhone.. and the kids were more interested in playing with the rocks and sticks then playing with there tech. And since they are outside they pass out fast at night. We carried the “Batman” /Frozen school backpacks. It was great! Snacks Snacks! Snacks! For sure! Don’t carry any dehydrated food. You ant going to eat it lol we just carried enough food for vegi/lunchmeat wraps worked great for an overnighter.
Thanks Dan I am getting excited. Told my wife she better pray for my patience. The first video I watched the first thing I saw was the kids taking off running. CRAZY!!!
Recently found your channel as I’ve been getting ready for a 30 mile 5 night back country Grand Canyon backpacking trip with my 10 y/o daughter. We’ve been on numerous GC Rim2Rims, rim2river2rims & other long hiking trips but have not been on a multi day backpacking trip in years. As I’ve been upgrading my equipment, your channel has been invaluable helping me get prepared & organized for a trip we have been anticipating for a long time.
Great channel!
There are a couple parks around here where you can camp Friday night near parking (basically car camping with your backpacking gear), then hike to a backpacking site Saturday, and then hike back Sunday. It's just a small step up from a one-night backpacking trip, and we've used this approach a few times to introduce youth from church to backpacking.
Taking my oldest (she'll have just turned 5) for an overnight trip this June. She is almost as excited as I am. Thanks for the advice.
Seems to be great advice! I have a 4.5yr old who loves the woods, and camping! This will be the season he gets to hike in with me!
I have three kids, 13, 10 and 7. We have done a fair amount of private camping and afternoon hikes. This year we have a couple weekend backpacking trips planned and they just got packsor Christmas.
Also, my local gear shop rents kids gear.
I found a Deuter climber 25L that has the sternum strap/ hip belt on Backcountry for like 37$ which I don't think is too bad. It fits really well and cant really be overfilled. And if i have to carry it, I know its not weighing more than a milk jug. Also, I'd say invest in a good pair of shoes for them. At least out east, there are a lot of rocks on trails and their feet are soft. Thanks for putting this out. This summer I plan to put together a monthly overnighter for the backpacking group I belong to. There are other people with kids that could use a little support as 99% of the trips posted are adults only.
That’s awesome! I think bring the right shoes is so key! Thanks for adding that to it. And, yup.. I totally agree about not enough videos where parents bring kids! The backcountry can be one of the best places to bond with the family!
You did a very good job of explaining what and why of the important things for kids to take backpacking.
The first time we took our kids camping I woke up to a bear sniffing my hair through the tent! Thankfully my husband scared it off..... on his way to the vehicle to get the gun.... keep the gun in the tent. My oldest always remembers how his dad scared off a bear. ♡
Both my kids (9 and 12 yrs) have own backpacks. Youngest one has Osprey Ace 38 (in my opinion it is very good backpack), oldest has 60L backpack (different manufacturer) and both carry own sleeping bags and sleeping pads. Eventually some clothes and other stuff what they need self. We adults are carrying tent, water and other more heavier stuff. They both like camping, I just wished we had more sunny days or days without rain. We're living in one of most rainy cities. 😭
My wife and I hiked 178 miles on the PCT with our 5 year old daughter, 6 year old nephew, and the wife’s 12 year old brother. They all had their own backpacks my wife made. They carried a few items and had a wonderful time. A few years later we hiked the entire length of the Shenandoah National Park on the AT. My wife then carried our 7 month old son the whole way. Lol, that’s just the big trips. We’ve been on many weekend and multi-day trips here and there with the kids. We could write a book on backpacking with kids! Great topic brother! 👊🏻
Wow! I should have called you before I made the video! I bet you could write a book!!! 😂🤣
I’m no writer but love being a backpack Dad! My son who was 7 months old and carried by his Mama actually did 220 miles of the AT with me in June of 2018. He’s now 16 and this coming June were doing a 525 mile section of the AT. Start them young and they’re hooked for life! 👊🏻
🤯That’s amazing! You need to teach me how to have time in my life to do sections like that! My issue is that my kids are so young and my family schedule is so busy and I own and run a business that I can barely have time for weekend hikes 🤣
Wow, awesome!
Shenandoah is nearby for us so I'm planning to section hike it a few days at a time with my older kids (9-12).
I'd love to hear any lessons you learned there and any resources you'd recommend.
Hey Jeff! I tried to respond to your earlier comment but I think it got deleted! Here is what I wrote out…
That is so cool! I really appreciate the encouragement! It’s great to see another family man!
I actually owned the big Agnes copper spur UL2 for a while. I loved it but it was too small for me because I bring three kids. I ended up going with a MSR Mesh House 3. It will sleep my three kids OK and then I end up in a hammock. The only reason I went with it is because it was so ultralight as it only weighs 2 pounds and is super compact. I got it on eBay pretty inexpensive used. But it’s not for everyone. It’s basically a mesh ‘A’ frame tent with a tarp that goes over the top. It gets set up with trekking polls. I think the big Agnes UL4 Could be a fantastic option for you! If it were me, I would split up the weight between all of you. Someone can take the tent, someone can take the rain fly, and someone can take the polls. I would leave the foot print at home and just go out and get yourself a sheet of Tyvek. It will do the same thing as a standard footprint. You can find it on Amazon already precut.
I currently use a Zpacks arch blast backpack. It’s extremely lightweight but it’s also extremely expensive! It’s a 55 L pack. I also own a couple of the Osprey EXOS backpacks. Both of them are the 48 L. They are wonderfully comfortable and an excellent value backpack! It sounds like you may have some extra gear to bring so you might want to consider the 58 L pack. I don’t think you can go wrong with it. Sometimes it’s best to buy a smaller capacity pack because it will stop you from bringing too much gear! 😂 I hope that helps and happy hiking!
I haven’t gotten brave enough to overnight with the kids yet but we do day hike on average once per week. The kids have overnight packs and have taken many practice runs. My 6 year old has the REI Tarn 18L and my 9 year old has the Gregory Wander 38L. The Gregory has an adjustable torso length which is nice because it grows with the child.
I prefer the term fun wine aunt thank you very much hahaha!
Cool to see another channel spreading the message of getting kids outdoors. Keep up the good work.
Great advice Dan. My son and I have been backpacking together for a few years. He’s 15 now and looks forward to our annual trips. It’s a great way to bond with your kids. My son always enjoyed bringing some junk food like chips or candy to snack on at camp or for lunch.
Some of the most meaningful conversations I’ve had with my kids have been in the backcountry!
Thank you for giving the details! Just ordered our osprey packs for the kids. New to but Loving your channel.
Great info on kid friendly packs. Definitely one of my biggest challenges is finding a suitable pack for my 7 year old. Keep um comin!!
Ahonui Outdoors the Coleman is PERFECT for my 6 year old. Just don’t plan on putting too much stuff in it. Its pretty small. Maybe 10-15 liters??
REI Tarn 18 and 12 kids backpacks are $35-40 options. My 6 yrs uses the 18 for school too.
Would love any advice on sleeping gear for kids in colder MN (Fall) weather!
Great tips Dan! My kids like stopping often and exploring. I totally agree that putting them in charge of something is a great idea and leaves lasting memories. Keep up the great content.
Thanks a ton! Let’s plan a hike soon!
Tenacious tape over thier mouth seems to help thanks to last videos. Makes for a peaceful experience. Just kidding of course. Good video and great info. Peace and love!!!!
😂😂 I’m right there with you!!!
Duck tape to jk
Nice video. Thanks for some extra tips. Love the ownership tip. Sens or reliance on them helps them keep focus and something to "accomplish"
This video is great Dan. I totally agree with all your tips. I'm new to your channel and am lokking forward to watching your videos.
Have a nice holiday buddy.
Merry Christmas!
Great video!
My kids are tiny, a baby and a toddler. I have a couple tips for really young kids. It can be hard to cover much distance at all because the 3 year old is distracted by everything. We set very low mileage goals. I bring little snacks that I use as bribery to get short bursts of hiking followed by a break and some exploring about every 20-30 min. It may take all day to cover 4-5 miles but we have a ton of fun, and I'm learning a lot about native plant/ insect identification. My son loves to try to find and identify plants or insects he know the names of. The flower checker app is just one of many that I recommend to learn about the native flora in your area.
What is a decent app that might be useful with the identity of these little plants and insects?
Or what method did you use to learn that?
@@williambeachy2933 I know there are a few. I've used flower checker and liked that one. It does take a few days for the plants you sent to be identified. I've also seen pocket sized books that could be used.
ahh i miss backpacking so much. i need to take my toddler camping/hiking more!
I am considering this with a disabled child and I would have to carry him in a backpack carrier like the We Carry Kevin Deuter pack. He's 9 but in a 6 year old body. The part I am not sure about is how to transport my pack and his extra specific medical and food items. It's sorta feeling impossible to do alone so maybe we can't do it but I'm going to try :)
Great video and advice for parents... 👍👍
We have adventure snacks. Treats they never get any other time. Also little juice bottles that had cartoon characters on them, we called it adventure juice. Basically anything that they would get excited about adventuring. More frequent breaks let them putter around and play in the dirt and throw rocks, not just get form point A to B.
Great video! Going to take my boys (8 &10) on their first overnighter next month at one of our state parks. Going to take it easy and ensure that it is fun for them.
That is so awesome, Brian! That is the exact same age I took my first kid. He was nine years old. We had a ton of fun but our first night there was a huge thunderstorm. Good thing we were right nearest shelter!
Great video and plenty of things I hadn't thought about but will definitely include in me and my boy's (8yr old) first overnight! Love your vid's, keep up the good work!
Thanks Dave!!!
My tip is try to choose a trek that goes downhills.
That make wonders for the kids stamina, uphill will reduce the mileage by a crazy amount! 😀
Good thinking! Uphill is the worst 😂
What a great topic! Another great video! Don’t forget to bring the stuff to make s’mores!
Don't you hate it when the adults bring the s'mores under the guise that they are packing them for the kids? :-)
All great ideas and info! Thanks my man.
Awesome video!!! You may not see this comment as I'm commenting a year later but oh well. I really appreciate this vid about taking kids, man. I have been a camper/hiker my whole life and have really been wanting to go backpacking for a while now. We take our kids camping and hiking all the time and they LOOOOVVVVE it. But I really want to try my hand at backpacking and would love for the kiddoes to partake as well. This video helps.
Thank you so much for your videos. Especially the Gear Vids...those have been great!
I see it! And THANKS!!
My boys are going to be 5 and 3 this year. My 3 year old has special needs but he loves hiking and be outside. I think for us the most important thing is walking at your kids pace. Like you said if you are backpacking don’t hike big miles to camps have an escape plan but don’t push the kids to walk faster that will come in time plus 99% of toddler parenting is telling your kid not to run off and to stay with you 🤣
How is it that this video is over 6 months old and has less than 5k views??? My guess is there are not enough parents taking their kids outdoors!! Thanks for the video. My son is not quite old enough to be backpacking yet, but I can't wait until he is.
Take my little people on all my adventures!
Great video. Thanks! If you are going to buy a daypack or backpack for your kids, is important to measure the child Torso. That's is f you need to buy a less expensive item. Also the backpack has to be measure as well to determine if it will fit fine to your child. One thing I learn if that carry your backpack is a great deal of responsibility to them, because there will time they come to you, so that you carry there backpack because they are tired.
Highly recommended checking out REI's Tarn 40. A very adjustable great capacity youth backpack that adults can use as a day pack of needed. My 10 year-old boy loves this bag.
I love it!! Good job! Great tips! I am pretty rigid and can use these reminders! Luxury item hahaha!! Their hammocks are their luxury item. Keeps them busy and happy the whole time! Even though we tent we still bring them.
That’s such a great idea! I never would’ve thought to bring a hammock along with the tent! What hammock do you bring? I know there is a sea to summit one that is pretty lightweight!
@@DanBecker since the kids are not carrying a tent....ENO. At a whopping 19oz yikes!! Plus the straps! They watched your vid this morning and agreed the stuffy and their fav blanket along with their hammocks are their luxury items! If you ever plan another U.P. trip with the kiddos check out Craig lake state park! Then the fishing pole will be #4 luxury item! I hope to soon add a video of our trip there on my channel.
Craig Lake State Park.. Thanks for the tip! I’m gonna definitely check that one out!!
My question is about sleeping comfort. I am going to have my 6yr old use my wife's 30 degree bag and whatever pad I feel like carrying. It would be a spring or summer camp where It shouldn't be too cold out. How are kids with temps and such? Do they sleep colder and need more insulation?
This weekend we had the kids in 30F youth Marmot mummy bags I snagged dirt cheap from Sierra. It only got down the 40s where we were, but I was in a 0F degree and was cold the first night. I’m also going through later life changes and the cold flashes hit me more than hot flashes. None of kids complained of being cold. I think maybe they sleep a little warmer but I think having a properly sized bag is key so they don’t have too much extra space to heat with their little bodies.
Another little tip is try camping in backyard if possible
I always hike with my daughter with one of her friends. I two bought 2 osprey packs for them different colors. I find camp sites were they can kayak or fish so the have other events to Enjoy. Both my girls love hiking and camping now. Just wish they invite me to go with them instead of the boyfriends. LOL
Hey just cause I am fat doesn't mean my kids can hike longer than me........ I mean they can but dont assume it, it stings a litte...Great video keep it up 👍.
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Awesome video you nailed it
Hi Dan, what kind of shoes do your kids wear and what is the maximum distance you walk with them? How do you keep them occupied without building a fire or electronics? Great honest chanel👍🏻
Thanks! They just use the same shoes they play outside in. I do bring my phone for them to use if they get too bored. Hiking distance depends on age, terrain, weather, etc.
Good job Dan I did a video on my channel last month hiking with my grandson. I got about 15 minutes of A roll that was good but an hour of B roll not shown where I wanted to hang him up by his ankles. Maybe I should use some of your suggestion except the I pad. Thanks
🤣🤣🤣 I’ll check out the video!!!
I'm first you hit the nail on the head, great advice and video. I took my oldest daughter last year (age7) had some movies on my tablet for just in case, didn't need them. We were at the beach 8 miles in and that was the only complaint but she did great it was all flat but it was mid June in the sun.
Hey thanks for the encouragement! Yep kids can be a blast to hike with. Its amazing what kind of bonds are made in the backcountry.
Well this year we decided to take all 3 kids and my mother for her first time also, so we will range in the ages of 60something to 7. If you are ever in Virginia it's false cape state park check it out.
Awesome! I will absolutely check it out if I’m ever in that area. Thanks a ton!
Good advice.
Thanks, Dan!
These thumbnails are getting better and better.
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I don't have kids or plan on backpacking with kids just yet. All I want is a durable backpack for a small torso 😭
Dan, any advice about hiking with your dog? I have purchased gear but found out that it doesnt fit in the dogs backpack. I have some good collapsible dishes, good leash and pack. But their sleep system tends to be bulky. I found the best thing to bring is a pancho liner since it's my dogs favorite blanket. Any thoughts?
Hmmm.. I’m not a good resource for that but look up Hiking With Arrow. She’s hiking the AT with her dog right now. Tell her I sent you!!
I have the exact opposite problem need a how to take your parents backpacking video
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What is a good sleep system for a 6 year old?
Good question! There are cheap air pads on Amazon (outdoor labs makes one). Depends on the season, but a lightweight sleeping bag as well.
@@DanBecker thanks
What about when nature calls? ie. potty time
That’s a tough call! Unfortunately, I’m not sure it’s going to be any different from the adults. Usually woods are it! But what I found is that most kids actually have fun with it!
The biggest thing is encouragement, it's amazing what a kid will do to please their parents. Also I would suggest taking lots of breaks and having lots of snacks.
Great video Dan! I don't have kids yet, but maybe I can take my nieces and nephews. Get them started early and have great experiences and I'm sure they will fall in love with the trail just like me!!
I bet they’d love a good hike with uncle Jeremiah!! 😂
Better believe it lol @@DanBecker
Hey dan im carters friend from school
Hey!
Hello Dan, thank you for sharing this informative video. You offered some great suggestions for families with young ones. Your video brought some very pleasant memories of camping with family. I look forward to your next videos. Be safe out there and always have fun. 🤗
Thanks as always Ronald!
Well I don't have kids nor do I plan to have any. But maybe once my nephew is old enough, his dad will allow me to take him! haha
🤣🤣 kids are the BEST!!!!!! Even nephews 😂😂
I DON'T advise getting up before they do, beating on your cook-pot and shouting "ALRIGHT YOU LITTLE MAGGOTS"!!!
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DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EVER LET YOUR KIDS BRING AN IPAD 🤨
Thanks for adding to the conversation!!!
Dan Becker cheers! Keep up the good work 🤠
Only a sith deals in absolutes...