Suggested Gear List for Exploring the Outoors with Children

My lovely walk in the woods with my toddler the other day got me thinking about what Ibasic necessities I should carry with me when I’m out walking with little ones. Since I’m a professional naturalist, it’s worth noting that I’m not talking about my programs (I have a slightly different list when I’m in the field with a school or public group) but rather my family outings. And I thought other parents might find a list helpful from someone who makes a living leading groups outdoors.

I knew we weren’t going to be more than a 5 – 7 minute walk from the car (at an adult’s pace, anyway), but everything feels different when you’re away from familiar landmarks (even more so when accidents or near-misses occur). And even on these short walk your pack should encompass the basics:

• Water
• Cell phone
• Property/trail map
• First aid kit (these can vary, but in addition to the usual basics, I make sure my contains an emergency/thermal blanket and a small first aid book)
• Headlamp/flashlight
• Whistle (for calling for help if you can’t leave an injured person/child)
• Snacks

Most, if not all of this stuff can fit in a average-sized fanny pack. And if your kids are old enough you can put it all in a small backpack and let them feel the pride of carrying the family’s necessities (Yeah, I know – that only lasts for about 5 minutes.10 if you’re lucky).

If I’m taking a more extended hike, my pack will also include the following:

• Compass (GPS is fine, but you should always have a compass back-up – and know how to use it!!)
• Topo map of the site/area
• Extra clothing/layers (seasonally-dependent)
• Pocket tool/knife
• Emergency/survival basics (i.e. length of twine/accessory cord, matches in waterproof container, energy bar(s))
• Whatever goodies we want to include to help us with our exploration:
  • Field guides
  • Binoculars
  • Notebook & pencil (pens don’t work well in the cold and wet)
  • Hand lens/magnifying glass

If you’re new to taking kids out into the woods, don’t let a little preparation stand in your way of getting outdoors. But it’s important to remember to plan ahead:

• Research where you’re going; for example, is the terrain is suitable for younger kids? If  not you could find yourself trying to navigate a slippery slope down a rocky trail with a toddler on your hip or on your back.
• Find out what kind of wildlife lives in the area you’re traveling in. Are there poisonous plants/animals to know about?
• Tell someone else where you’re going and when you expect to be back.
• Know your children’s limits.  Start your route back before they get tired, not after.

The last thing I would ever want to do is discourage anyone from getting out and enjoying the outdoors with children. And clearly, there’s a difference between taking a walk in the town park, and hiking in a state forest. I hope you’ll do both with your children, and these suggestions help you to be just a bit more prepared.

This is all just off the top of my  head.  Did I miss anything?  Are there other particulars you like to make sure you bring on an outing with your family?

Recommended Resources:

Sharing Nature with Children: The Classic Parents’ & Teachers’ Nature Awareness Guidebook

The Curious Naturalist