hiking tips

FAVORITE GEAR, INFORMATION, NATURE SCHOOL
Teaching Basic First Aid to Kids
- December 14, 2020
The more time you spend outside with your kids, the more likely we all are to encounter some sticky situations. Cuts, scrapes, burns, and bruises can happen. Even when we’re being careful. And as kids get older and more independent, they’re more likely to need some basic first aid knowledge and skills. Today, we have Creative Team member, mom of two and nurse, Ashley Greenhalgh here to give you a primer on teaching basic first aid to kids. Take a little time to familiarize yourself with the basics and then go over these practical first aid tips with your child. That way you can both be more confident and capable on your next outdoor adventure!

{This post contains affiliate links}

Teaching basic first aid to kids

Whether we spend a little or a lot of time outside with our children, there comes a point when they will be venturing off on their own. We are trying to raise our kids to be kind, curious, thoughtful, and smart. We want them to make good decisions for themselves. But even when they do, injuries can happen. In that case, we want them to be as prepared as they can be to take care of themselves (and others). Injuries and medical care can be intimidating for many people, but it doesn’t have to be. With a little knowledge, preparation, and forethought, you can prepare your kids to handle the basics of first aid.

This article is designed to help your children help themselves. Whether that’s in an emergency scenario or an everyday situation where basic first aid is necessary. Teaching first aid to children is something that will make you and your children more safe and confident in the outdoors.

Outdoor injuries happen…

While enjoying an outdoor adventure, there are inherent risks. Kids playing outside are running, jumping, climbing, roasting marshmallows over a fire, crossing a river, riding bikes, and countless other amazing activities. These things foster creativity, independence, self-esteem as well as mental and physical health. Nothing comes more naturally to children than play. And we want nothing more than for them to enjoy these activities with full abandon! Yet, injuries do happen.

When a child gets an injury while outside, usually, someone runs for an adult. But, wouldn’t it be amazing if your kids could properly care for their own minor injuries when there isn’t a knowledgeable adult nearby? Wouldn’t that give you more peace of mind and give your child more independence?

This article will assist you in teaching your child some basic first aid. We’ll cover (1) how to treat minor injuries, (2) what skills to use, (3) kid-friendly first aid supplies, and (4) other helpful first aid tips.

…so, don’t panic

First things first. If you can only teach your child ONE thing, it should be to stay calm in an emergency. When panic sets in, many times multiple people will be injured instead of just one. Things can go from bad to much worse if you panic. Injuries can be scary, so staying calm is easier said than done. But, with a little advanced preparation and knowledge, it’s much easier to keep your cool.

In any situation, the first and most important thing to do is to assess the situation. When something scary happens, one way to slow down panic is to count backward in your head before acting. “Three, two, one… ACT.” This allows just enough time for your brain to assess what needs to be done and cut down on mistakes. Also, practicing deep breathing (big breath in through your nose, out through your mouth) can have a calming effect on our bodies.

Roleplay with your kids to prepare

One of the best ways to teach children first aid is through scenarios and role play. Be aware that scenarios involving mom or dad getting hurt can cause anxiety in children; so try to keep it light-hearted and not super scary. Explain the situation and ask your child what to do first. Always remind them to take some time to fully assess the situation and think about it before acting or blurting out an action plan. This will remind your child to stop the panic and think.

Teaching kids to care for scrapes and cuts

While jumping on rocks, climbing trees, or making marshmallow sticks; scrapes and cuts are some of the most common injuries of children. Most of these will be minor and washing with soap and water and keeping it clean will aid in healing.

Simple steps for taking care of a cut:
1. Stay calm and assess the situation.
2. If there is major bleeding, immediately call for help and apply pressure to the area to stop the bleeding.
3. If the injury is not major, apply pressure (usually just a few minutes) to stop bleeding and allow the body to form a clot.
4. Clean the area with soap and water if available, if not wipe with an alcohol wipe or iodine swab and let dry.
5. Apply an antibiotic ointment.
6. Apply a clean bandage or piece of gauze (secure with tape or Tegaderm), as needed.
If there is a laceration that is deep and won’t stop bleeding after applying pressure, a SteriStrip may be necessary. A SteriStrip can be used in place of stitches in a pinch. Say your child fell and hit her head on a rock and now has a two-inch long gash that is 2cm deep and looks like it will need stitches. Now imagine you’re three hours from an urgent care or ER. A SteriStrip will do wonders until you can seek proper medical attention.

Steps to apply a SteriStrip:
1. As previously stated, apply pressure to get the bleeding to stop or slow enough to apply the bandage.
2. Clean the area as much as possible with soap and water and/or sterile gauze.
3. Open the SteriStrip and measure the length of the cut and cut the appropriate number of strips that match the wound length.
4. Remove the backing from one side of the SteriStrip and apply the adhesive to one side of the cut.
5. When the adhesive has attached to the skin, pull the other side of the Steristrips across the laceration (this will close the wound)
6. Remove the backing and press to adhere the other side to the skin.
We recommend keeping SteriStrips in your first aid kit and practice using them (and let the kids practice) before you ever need to use them in real life.

How to treat minor burns

What is camping without a fire? We all love sitting around a campfire, telling stories and roasting marshmallows! These nostalgic moments can be cut short if someone touches a burning stick or spills a hot meal or drink on themselves. A burn is essentially your flesh cooking, and it is very painful. To stop the pain, you must stop the cooking.

Your first instinct may be to run to the nearest ice-cold stream and place the affected body part in the water. However, you can actually do more harm that way. Very cold water can constrict the bloodflow and cause damage to the surrounding tissues.

If you or your child gets a small burn, apply a clean, cool (but not ice cold) wet towel or sheet to the affected area to cool it down and keep it clean. Do not apply a tight dressing over a burn, as it can attach to the flesh and peel away tissue upon removal.

Clear away any hanging or dead tissue with clean scissors or nail clippers. Then, apply an antibiotic ointment, and a clean dry bandage or gauze. This only applies to small burns. For larger and more serious burns, you need to seek medical attention right away.

Burn prevention

Prevention of burns is something worthwhile to teach children. Some burn prevention basics are:
- “Stop, drop, and roll” if their clothes catch on fire.
- When pouring hot liquids, set the cup or bowl on a hard, stable surface to reduce the risk of tipping the liquid over.
- Emphasis walking around fires and stoves, no running or jumping close to a fire.
- Never touch items used for cooking without a potholder (they could be hot).
Also, be aware of basic (and sometimes innocuous looking items) that can cause burns. If you’ve used a JetBoil (amazing and so convenient when camping!), you know how benign this piece of equipment can look. It’s small, quiet, and the flame is tiny. However, there are metal elements that heat quickly and can cause burns. We love our JetBoil, but it can be very dangerous for little ones.

Be aware and cautious about any item that gets hot or is used in cooking. If you get new camping cooking equipment, be sure to test it out and know how it works before letting your kids try it. It is so fun to learn about a new piece of equipment together – review the dangers and read the instructions.

How to handle a twisted ankle

Unfortunately, twisted ankles (ligaments stretching or tearing) are a common injury for children and adults. Running, jumping, climbing, hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, you name it…all put you at an elevated risk for a sprained ankle. Getting your children into the habit of wearing stable footwear while enjoying outdoor activities is the best way to prevent such injuries.

However, if you or your child gets injured, these steps can help them get to medical care safely.

First, have them sit in a safe place and take off their shoes and socks. This allows you to look at both feet and ankles together – for comparison. The injured ankle may be bruised or swollen, and painful.

Check for a broken bone. If there is an obvious deformity that would likely indicate a broken bone, you’ll need to call for help to have the injured person evacuated or taken to a medical facility for care. Keep the injury resting with no pressure put on it.

If there is not an obvious broken bone, apply ice or a cold pack for 20 minutes. This can help with swelling and pain. Another option would be to place the foot and ankle in a cold stream or lake – the cold water will do the same thing.

Next, elevate the affected area. If you’re sitting on the ground, rest the sprained foot up on a backpack, for example. This will also help reduce swelling.

After a period of rest, the next step is to assess the range of motion. Move the foot up and down, and side to side. If there is minimal pain and swelling, and if the person can move the ankle through the full range of motion, likely the injury can be treated in the field with athletic tape and you can head back to your home or vehicle to continue resting. Or if you have a SamSplint (more on this near the end of the article), you can use that.

How to tape up a twisted ankle

Step 1: To tape an unstable ankle, first, wrap a piece of tape completely around the leg about two inches above the ankle bone. This is called the landmark tape.

Step 1 – Apply athletic tape as a landmark; 2 inches above ankle bone

Step 2: Apply three additional pieces of tape in a U-shape (like a stirrup) to support the foot. Start at the landmark tape, then pull the tape below the foot and up the other side. Cut the tape and repeat twice, overlapping the tape.

Step 2 – Apply athletic tape stirrup

Step 3: Apply three additional strips of tape in a J-shape for additional stability. Again, start at the landmark tape on the uninjured side of the leg, pull the tape down below the foot, over the top of the foot and secure back where you started the J-shape. Repeat this two more times, overlapping the tape.

Step 3 – Apply athletic tape in a J-shape. Repeat three times.

Step 4: Apply athletic tape in a figure-eight. Start where the J-shape begins. Pull the tape below the foot, up the opposite side of the foot, over the top and around the back of the ankle, then over the top again and attach. Repeat this two additional times, overlapping the tape. Ensure that the injured person’s toes are pink, can wiggle, and they can feel them. This is known as “CMS” – circulation, motor, sensory.

When comfortable, walk out slowly, and seek additional medical treatment if needed. If the foot is not too swollen, the shoe can be worn for the walk out.

Again, this is an activity you can practice at home (while safe and calm) before ever having to use these skills out in a real-life situation. Practicing taping an ankle will give your kids confidence to know exactly what to do in case the situation ever arises.

How to treat a bloody nose

More than likely, either you or your child has experienced a bloody nose at some point. You’ve probably heard many different tactics on how to stop a bloody nose. The problem is, many of the previous recommendations (tilting your head back, for example) can result in swallowing blood. This can result in your child throwing up. Our bodies do not like blood in our stomachs, and as a result, it will force itself to expel the blood.

The better and easiest way to stop a bloody nose is to sit down, lean your head slightly forward, and pinch your nose just below the bridge (where you can feel the bony area stop and the cartilage (the soft tissue that forms your nostrils). Continue to apply pressure for about 5 minutes until the bleeding stops. Many times, this is enough time for a clot to form. Try not to be alarmed when you attempt to remove the tissue and a large clot pulls away from the nostril. This is normal. If the bloody nose cannot be stopped after trying this technique, please seek medical attention.

First aid kit for kids

Teaching kids first aid tips and techniques is one thing. If you want your children to feel not only cool but also confident in their first aid abilities, let them take some basic first aid supplies along with them on their adventures. We have put together first aid kits for our girls and they love being able to help others or themselves when someone has an injury. This list of items can easily fit into a daypack and can treat most minor injuries.

Top row (left to right): Tegaderm, Ace Bandage, tweezers, Welly first aid kit Middle row: gauze, Steristrip, SamSplint, iodine swab, antibiotic ointment Bottom row: alcohol swabs, small scissors, athletic tape, and contact solution

Make your own first aid kit for kids

Tegaderm – Tegaderm bandages are incredibly useful if you have an injury in an area that may get wet. They are clear and gentle on the skin, and also water-resistant! Say you have a cut and have cleaned it well, but will be out camping for a couple more days. If you put a Tegaderm bandage over clean gauze for a cut, it will stay on, keep moisture out of the area, and you can see any redness (a sign of infection) through the bandage. After a few days, you can gently peel the Tegaderm off in the shower. I’ve used these extensively throughout my career as a nurse, and I cannot recommend these enough.

Ace bandage – As mentioned above, Ace bandages would be applied over a splint or large bandage to reduce mobility and can provide some compression.

Multipurpose tool – A good multipurpose tool provides tweezers, a knife, and small scissors all in one compact tool. These are great for removing splinters and hang nails, and cutting gauze or athletic tape.

Welly Kits – We love the Welly Kits. The adorable metal container includes first aid basics such as bandages for small cuts, antibiotic cream, hand sanitizer, and hydrocortisone cream. I start with these kits and leave a few of those items in the container, then add a few more items to it to make it even more functional. The container keeps everything secure and dry when in a larger kit or backpack.

Burn bandages – These handy bandages are great for protecting a scalding burn.

Gauze – It’s definitely worth carrying some gauze with you when adventuring outside. Usually, gauze is individually wrapped (to keep sterile), great for cleaning wounds and applying to cuts/ abrasions on top of antibiotic ointment. You can then apply a Tegaderm directly on top of the gauze to keep it in place or apply another type of bandage.

SteriStrips – As previously stated, SteriStrips are great alternative to stitches when you’re away from medical help. Apply pressure to the cut to get the bleeding to stop. Clean the area as much as possible with soap and water and/or sterile gauze. Open the SteriStrips, measure the length of the cut and cut the appropriate number of strips that match the wound length. Remove the backing from one side of the SteriStrips and apply the adhesive to one side of the cut. When the adhesive has attached to the skin, pull the other side of the SteriStrips across the laceration to close the wound. Remove the backing and press to adhere the other side to the skin.

SamSplint – I learned about the SamSplint a few years ago when I earned my Advanced Wilderness Life Support certification. These things are amazing! You can splint an arm, ankle, wrist, etc. so quickly! They even have instructions printed right on the front! Use the SamSplint, then apply an Ace Bandage to keep the splint in place while you evacuate the area and get to professional medical care. When splinting a bone, remember the anatomical position. For example, our youngest broke her radius and ulna a few weeks ago after a fall. The correct way to splint the area was to have her bend her elbow, then support the broken bones from beneath. This not only provides a degree of pain relief, but aids in appropriate healing.

Alcohol wipes or Iodine swabs – Both are a great option for cleaning injuries. You will want to choose alcohol wipes if you have an iodine allergy, or vice versa. In a pinch, smelling an alcohol wipe can also decrease nausea. Make sure to remove any debris from the injury with clean hands or a tweezer. Then wipe the area with either an alcohol wipe or Iodine swab. Let the area dry, then apply the appropriate bandage or dressing.

Antibiotic ointment – After cleaning a cut, abrasion, small burn, or other minor injury, apply antibiotic ointment directly to the CLEAN DRESSING (bandage, gauze, etc.). DO NOT apply directly to the skin, as you can contaminate the entire tube of ointment if you touch the container to the skin. Antibiotic ointment will help kill any germs that are present on the skin.

Athletic tape – This can be used to secure a bandage or dressing, to splint a sprained ankle, or fix that hole in your tent! Talk about multipurpose!

Contact solution – A few weeks ago, we were playing down by a river with some friends and one of the kiddos, unfortunately, got sand in her eye. If you’ve ever had a corneal abrasion, you know how painful it can be! Luckily we had some contact solution on hand and we squeezed it into the girl’s eye and were able to remove the sand before it did any major damage. A travel-sized container of contact solution works well. I’ll always carry one in my first aid kit now.

First Aid Guide – Last but definitely not least, is a First Aid Guide. It’s a great addition to any outdoor adventure to assist with any first aid you or your children may need. Adrenaline can sometimes get in the way of logic, so a book for reference is a great item to have on hand. This one is not only lightweight but waterproof!

First aid lessons for kids

Teaching first aid basics to kids is a great step in raising strong, capable, confident, and helpful children. I hope this article was informative and will help you (and your child) feel more prepared for your next outing! Educating your child about outdoor safety, injury prevention and treatment is so important. Plus, having a first aid kit equipped with the right supplies can make or break a trip. I wish you all happy and safe trails. And if you or your child are injured, I hope you now feel more confident to handle it!

Take care, Ashley (RN)

About the author

Ashley is an RN certified in Advanced Wilderness Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. She’s a nature-loving mother of two who is passionate about outdoor education for parents and their children. Ashley grew up in Alaska, where her family spent most of their time outdoors fishing, camping, skiing, and hiking. She currently lives with her husband and children near the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Lake Tahoe, where they can be found outdoors year-round; hiking, backpacking, biking, skiing, and camping. She is also very passionate about photography and owns a small photography business.

You can find more from Ashley in the following online locations:
Instagram: @sage.and.summit
Website: Sage & Summit Photography
RWMC posts: Ashley Greenhalgh
HIKE, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
A Beginner’s Guide to Hiking with Kids
- November 13, 2018
Lately, I’ve received a lot of questions about how to get started hiking with kids. Parents want to know how old kids should be when they start, what to pack, where to go and how to motivate their kids. I’m here to provide some answers! My husband and I have been hiking with our kids since the time they could walk. Actually, we started well before that with babies in carriers! We’ve definitely learned a thing or two about hiking with small kids over the years. Hopefully, this post will inspire you to get out on the trail with your kids, no matter what age they are. If you have a question that I don’t answer, please leave it in the comments below and I’ll respond.

Benefits of hiking with kids

Hiking is such a wonderful way to get children outdoors, immersed in nature and burn some of that boundless energy. It can teach them so much about their surroundings and instill an appreciation for nature deep in their soul. Hiking can build confidence, foster independence and encourage curiosity in children. It gives them opportunities to explore your local area, learn about local plants and animals and other natural teaching opportunities. Hiking can help push kids out of their comfort zone and accomplish something they can be proud of. Plus, hiking provides a distraction-free environment for quality time with your children…and what could be better than that?

Easy or hard hikes?

Depending on the parent’s definition of hiking, it can be one of the first or last outdoor activities that parents want try with their kids. If a parent thinks hiking is merely a walk through the woods, they’re probably more inclined to try it than a parent that views hiking as scaling steep mountains. Luckily, hiking is both of those things and everything in between.

Hiking can be done nearly anywhere and (a lot of times), you don’t need any fancy gear or very much experience to do it. However, there are a few things you should know/do before you go to ensure you have the best possible experience. The more fun the kids have hiking, the more likely they (and you) will want to do it again. We’re here to set you up for hiking success, which we hope will lead to even more outdoor adventures for you and your kids.

When to get started hiking with kids

There’s no perfect age to start hiking with kids. The perfect age is RIGHT NOW. You can get kids started hiking any time, from baby to teen. I think a lot of parents will tell you that it’s always beneficial to start them young, but that’s certainly not always the easiest. Every age has its own difficulties to consider and challenges.

On the one hand, babies are relatively easy to hike with. For short hikes, all you really need to do is put them in a wrap or backpack carrier, strap on your shoes and go! Most babies love being outdoors and close to a parent. However, hiking with babies can be intimidating for beginners and new parents and logistically difficult depending on how much you need to pack to feed, clothe and diaper them. The good news is that every hike with your baby will get a bit easier. You’ll soon figure out what you need and what you can leave in the car. The hard part is just getting out of the house in the first place.

Hiking with toddlers

Hiking with toddlers is a bit easier and more difficult, simultaneously. Personally, I think this is the hardest age to hike with (see above) Toddlers can walk on their own (less for you to carry), but they usually can’t go very far and tire quickly. Some toddlers also have very strong feelings about what they wear, where they go and how things are done. They wear out quickly and aren’t easy to coax when you’re ready to move. Meltdowns on the trail will happen, but trust us, it does get easier. If you check your expectations at the door, hiking with toddlers can be done successfully. After the age of 4, hiking with kids gets much easier!

Choose the right hike for kids

One of the most important things you can do when starting to hike with children is to choose the right hike. In order to set them up for success, you want to choose a hike that won’t be too long, difficult or dangerous. If your kids are small or you’re just getting started, don’t overestimate how much they can do. While they seem to have endless energy, hiking will take it out of them in a whole new way. Choose a short trail with easy terrain. Paved trails are great for little ones and unstable walkers who have a tendency to trip over things. There’s a lot to look at other than where their feet are going. Expect a few spills and plan accordingly.

As your kids get older and more experienced, you can do longer and more difficult hikes. With school-aged kids, we love going on hikes with rocks/boulders to climb, creeks to play in and more rugged terrain. The kids like the challenge and are extra proud of themselves when we get to the end of a hike. Don’t be afraid to challenge them! They might surprise you with how well they do and quickly they catch on. But also don’t be surprised if you end up carrying one of them for a while if they’re having trouble keeping up. You just never know!

Also, consider choosing a hike that has a destination or goal to get to (a creek, waterfall, lake, swimming hole, or picnic area). Kids are motivated by the end reward. Give them something to look forward to and strive for.

Dress appropriately for your hike

The right clothing and shoes will go a long way ensuring your hike is a success. Nothing will make your kid hate hiking more than being uncomfortable in their clothing, too hot/cold or getting blisters on their feet from wearing the wrong shoes. Layers work great for kids so they can adjust the amount of clothing to the outdoor temperature. Tennis shoes with socks are great for hiking, but not so great if they get wet or dirty. Consider bringing a back-up pair or some water shoes if you know they’re going to jump in the creek the first chance they get!

And be sure to keep a set of dry clothes in the car for each kid to change into before getting in their car seat to go home. I can’t even tell you how many times my kids have ridden home naked because I forgot to restock after our last adventure!

Hike early

The best time of day to go hiking with kids is usually in the morning. Everybody’s energy level is full and you can beat the heat of the day by getting an early start. Kids are usually at their most hyper in the morning, so taking a morning hike gives you a breather and lets them channel their energy productively. While I can’t guarantee it won’t happen, there’s usually less whining and fewer demands to be carried in the morning than if you go later in the day as the kids get more tired and cranky.

Plus, the earlier you start, the fewer people you’ll have to deal with out on the trail. And getting an early start means you won’t have to rush the kids through their hike to make it back before dark.

Let your kids set the hiking pace

When you first start hiking with your children, let them take the lead. Hiking with kids is very different than hiking with adults and you have to go at their pace or they’ll hate it. Children walk much slower and need lots of stops and time to explore. If your kid is more interested in climbing rocks and chasing butterflies than making it to the next mile marker, that’s ok! It may take you two hours to walk a half-mile, but at least you’re outside having fun! Be patient with them and always give yourself WAY more time than you expect to take. And just remember, the goal when hiking with children is not to get to a destination, it’s about the journey.

Let them explore

Giving your kids plenty of space, time, and independence to explore out on the trail will help them fall in love with hiking and nature. Try to find trails with interesting features or have a lot of varying terrains. Natural elements like creeks or rivers, waterfalls, boulders or caves will keep kids entertained and occupied. In addition, bridges, stairs, rock formations, boardwalks, ladders, and fallen logs can encourage adventure and imaginative play while you’re hiking. As long as these things are all safe for your kids to play on (and permitted in the area), allow them ample time to play and explore off the trail.

Trails are teaching opportunities

Use hikes as a way to teach them about their surroundings and how to respect the environment. Teach kids which plants to avoid and which are safe to touch. Point out the stingy, itchy, scratchy plants, so they know to stay safely away from those. If you’re not sure, get a book at your local library or download a plant ID app and learn together! Take in all the nature you see around you on your hike. Identify flowers by their colors and trees by their leaves and bark. Look for animals, bugs and birds. Pay attention for animal tracks on the ground.

And just as importantly, teach children to leave no trace. Always take nothing but photos and leave nothing but footprints. Take all your trash to a trash can or home with you and leave none on the trail. If you have older kids that can safely pick up trash they find on the trail, encourage them to clean up after others when you’re out hiking.

Play to their strengths

As the parent, you know your kid better than anyone. Consider their personality and strengths when planning your hike and play to those to make it enjoyable for them. If your child loves being the leader, let them walk up front and lead the way. Give one kid the job of reading the map and choosing which direction you’ll hike. Have a kid that needs extra motivation? Give him the role of the encourager/cheerleader to get everyone else motivated. Let your voracious snacker choose when and where you’ll stop for snacks. Have a singer? Let her pick the songs you’ll sing along the way. Give your artistic/creative kid control of the camera and have him document the adventure. It’ll be fun looking back at those images and seeing the hike from his perspective.

Know their weaknesses

Along the same lines, watch for their signs to head off any issues before they happen. Watch for signs that they’re getting tired and know when it is time to head back home. Exhausted kids are more prone to accidents, so be aware of their energy level. If you have a child that gets tired easily or gives up quickly on adventures, bring a carrier and expect that going into the hike so you’re not disappointed.

Pay attention to their cues to avoid meltdowns before they start. Children can have meltdowns over all kinds of thing: exhaustion, boredom, injury, frustration, jealousy, etc. If you have little ones, it’s like to happen. But it doesn’t have to end your hike. Address the situation and move on quickly. Children can feel your stress and anxiety, so don’t sweat the small stuff and try not to dwell. If you have to turn around and go home, that’s ok!

Play games, all sorts

Hikes are a great opportunity to really get to know your kids and have some really wonderful conversations with your child. If you keep their minds engaged while they’re hiking, you’ll get more miles out of them and it’ll go by in no time at all. Here are a few simple games you could play while you hike that lets you get to know your kids and their amazing imaginations:
- Play “I Spy” with a variety of clues (something red, something that eats worms, a place where an animal lives, etc.)
- Play “Would you Rather” with everyone taking a turn asking and answering (Would you rather live in a place with a lot of trees or live in a place near the ocean? Would you rather be funny or smart?)
- Use hikes as an opportunity to have more intimate conversations about their friends and school or their accomplishments and struggles
- Help your kids work through some math word problems without them realizing it’s studying! (If we hike 0.75 miles west, then 0.5 miles north and then hike back, how far did we go in total and in which directions?)
- Let your kids get creative by asking them open-ended questions (Describe your ultimate birthday party. If you could create your own holiday, what would it be like?)
- Teach your kids your favorite silly camp songs and sing along the way.
- Do a nature scavenger hunt on your hike (there are tons of free printable ones on Pinterest) or pick 5 items to look for before you begin the hike. Winner gets a prize!
- Geocache one your hike! You’d be amazed at how many caches are hidden along popular hikes and perfect for little ones to find. If you need a primer on geocaching, we’ve got a great Beginner’s Guide to Geocaching with Kids on the website!
Bring snacks on your hike

Food and water are imperative to have on hand when hiking with (or without) kids. Little ones burn fuel and get dehydrated quickly, so stop frequently for breaks. Hiking burns lots of energy for kids and adults, so it is important to replenish it regularly with nutritious food and lots of water. We like fruits, nuts, bars, jerky, granola bars, graham crackers and maybe a little chocolate (for mom). If your kids are old enough to carry their own packs, let them make/carry their own snacks and water bottles, too. They’ll feel extra responsible having their own gear and refreshments. (Although you should definitely supervise to keep them from eating it all in the car before you even get to the hike! Speaking from experience.) Small treats also make handy bribes if you need to coax a kid to do just 10 more minutes!

Be prepared

We hope nothing bad will happen out on the trail, but it’s best to be prepared for anything. This could mean a scraped knee, an insect bite, or a sudden change in the weather. Make sure you pack your first aid kit with the standard supplies and any medications you may need. Hopefully, you won’t ever need anything more than a band-aid, but better to be prepared. Also consider packing bug spray, sunscreen, poncho, spare, cell phone and a map. And before you go, always let someone know where you’ll be hiking.

For more info on what to pack when hiking with kids, check out our full list of hiking essentials for families.

Take a friend hiking

Allow your child to bring a friend along on a hike and double the fun. Having a buddy there to play with and talk to will make any hike more enjoyable for your kids. The kids will challenge and encourage each other to keep up and the miles will fly by. Bonus points if another adult comes along as well! If you don’t have friends that enjoy hiking, check out a local Hike it Baby branch and go on a group hike.

Hike often

While hiking with kids may sound intimidating at first, the more you get out on the trails with your kids, the easier it’ll get. Every time you make it a priority to your kids out into nature gives them an opportunity to fall in love with it. Your first hike (or even your first 10 hikes) may not go according to plan, but they’ll be an adventure and fun. Give it a shot! Get outside!

More resources for hiking with kids

If you’re interested in more great content about hiking with kids, be sure to check out the following posts:
What’s your best advice for hiking with kids?
FAMILY TRAVEL, HIKE, LOCAL GEMS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Arches National Park – 8 Easy Hikes for Kids
- June 26, 2018
Arches National Park in Utah is one of those picture-perfect iconic places that’s destined to be on your bucket list. While hiking through the desert with kids might not sound fun or easy, we’re here to assure you that it is! Today, Stacy Bressler of The Crazy Outdoor Mama is sharing all kinds of wonderful info and advice on visiting Arches with kids, along with 8 Arches National Park hikes with spectacular views that little kids and toddlers can easily do. Happy hiking!

Arches National Park

Arches National Park is just north of Moab in the state of Utah. Bordered by the Colorado River in the southeast, it’s known as the site of more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches, in addition to hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive fins and giant balanced rocks. This red-rock wonderland also contains a variety of hiking trails, many of which are considered easy to moderate. Trails provide access to outstanding viewpoints and arches not visible from the road. In some cases, trails travel under arches, affording quite a unique perspective on the park’s namesake features.

When to visit Arches National Park

Overall, the most ideal time of year to visit Arches National Park is probably in the spring or fall. I visited in early April and the weather was perfect! Cool in the mornings, and warmer but cloudy the rest of the day. Summer in Utah can get pretty hot and winters are very cold. If you’re going to do a lot of hiking with small children, I recommend you choose a season with more moderate temperatures.

In terms of time a day, it’s best to visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon. Again, it’s the desert, so it can get really hot in the middle of the day. Also, the line can be ridiculous to get into the park, so it’s not worth wasting your kids energy or time sitting in line all day. Particularly if you are only in the area for a short amount of time. I suggest getting there before 9 A.M, or choose to go later in the afternoon, after 3 or 4 p.m.

I personally liked going early as it wasn’t as busy. We were often in the park at around 8:00 a.m. and got a jump start on the hikes before they got busy and crowded. There is a decent amount of driving to get to most places, around 20-30 mins once you’re in the park. Don’t forget to account for this when planning your day!

Cost of visiting Arches National Park

The National Park Service website has a full list of prices for each national park, but for quick reference, the Arches entrance fee is $25.00 for seven day access (as of 2018). If you want to visit the nearby Canyonlands National Park, there is a Southeast Utah National Parks pass that is $50.00 and also includes entry for Natural Bridges National Monument. We decided to buy the “America the Beautiful” pass that gives access to all U.S. national parks for $80.00. It’s a great deal if you plan on visiting more parks!

To save time, buy your pass online. That way you just have to show your park pass at the entrance and move on instead of buying it there. I think that’s partly where the giant line comes from.

Park maps & Junior Ranger program

You can pick up a map of the park and all the trails at the Arches National Park Visitor Center, or download it here. As of 2018, the hours for the Visitor Center are 7:30 – 5:00 daily except for Christmas. Be sure to also get a guide to the park. This will include some fun facts about how the arches in the park were created, as well as more in-depth info about all the trails.

Don’t forget to pick up the Junior Ranger Guide so that your child can get the chance to earn a badge! Most national parks have a Junior Ranger Program, which allows your child to get an activity book from the visitor center and complete it as you explore the park. Return to the visitor center at the end of your visit to be awarded an official Junior Ranger badge from a park ranger. The activities are typically designed for kids 4 and older, but even younger kids can participate. It’s a really motivating way for them to have something to work toward as we hike and explore. Plus, it’s a great way to encourage your kids to learn about the place you’re visiting!

Here’s a little secret: even if your kids are younger than the recommended age for Junior Ranger, take them to the visitor’s center anyways to talk to a park ranger. They love to see little kids excited about hiking and will often give your toddler a badge anyways!

Arches National Park hikes with kids

With enormous sandstone sculptures in every direction, freestanding arches framing snow-capped mountains, precariously balanced rocks, Arches National Park is truly one of the most impressive national parks in the world! It’s also the perfect place to explore with the whole family. We especially love it because there are a lot of fun easy hikes for kids and each one has at least one great reward and breathtaking view. Some of the best hikes in Arches National Park are pretty easy, making it the perfect park for kids.

At the time I visited Arches National Park, I had three children under three. That’s right, a toddler and two twin 8 month old babies! We hike all over and got to know the area pretty well. I promise, it can be done. I’m going to give you the scoop on which arches in Arches National Park are the easiest to get to with young children, and which ones are worth the extra challenge.

Eight easy Arches National Park hikes for kids

Today I’m sharing 8 easy hikes that are all doable distances with big rewards to keep your toddler or little kid pumped about hiking! While we adults might enjoy longer and more challenging hikes to get away from the crowds, I found it very important to keep the hike distance minimal for the kids in order to maximize the fun! This might mean stopping a couple of times on a 0.5 mile hike; that’s ok! You’re setting them up to love hiking as they get older!

Though you should never step off trail (it ruins the very delicate bio-soil that takes years to form!) most of these hikes have many turn offs and rest areas since they are so popular. These areas make the hikes PERFECT for little ones – they can stretch their legs, climb on little rocks, play in the sand, and have a snack to recharge for the rest of the hike!

Just remember, hiking with kids is fun, but it’s also very SLOW. I always think we are going to have time to do more than we actually can accomplish. If you’ve got babies, toddlers or even preschoolers with you, plan to double (or triple) whatever amount of time the park brochure says a hike will take. Take your time and don’t rush everyone. You’ll enjoy the views and the hikes so much more. If all else fails, bribe them with snacks to keep going and you’ll be fine!

1. Balanced Rock hike (0.3 miles round trip)

At only 0.3 miles, this hike is a great hike to begin with and an excellent way to gauge how far the kids can go! It’s a big reward for little effort; what kid doesn’t love rocks?! You can see the giant balanced boulder while driving, but it’s worth getting out of the car and hiking out to look at it up close.

Balanced Rock’s off-balanced shape is something that you’ll need to see to believe! It’s probably Arches’ most unusual attraction! The rock is always eroding away, and one day Balanced Rock will not be balanced anymore! In fact, there used to be a smaller formation called “Chip Off the Old Block” that fell down in 1976.

There is a covered picnic area and some restrooms here so it’s also a great pit stop on the way in an out of the park, if you want to save it until the end.

2. Sand Dune Arch hike (0.3 miles round trip)

Sand Dune Arch hike is probably the BEST hikes in Arches National Park for kids of all ages! It’s surrounded by a giant sandbox! It’s only a 0.3 mile hike in, and it’s tons of sandy fun.

Sand Dune Arch is nice, but all the sand really is what makes this area a must for little kids. There were toys available that someone generously left there, and lots of easy climbing and exploring to be done. The babies got a nice break from the backpack, and our 2 1/2 year old got some much needed free time! (There was a lot of “Let’s go” and “Let’s keep going” on our hike! :P)

We spent probably around an hour in here, and easily could have spent more just letting the kids all play. There are some cool slot-y areas nearby and fun rocks to climb for the adults, so if there’s someone to watch the kiddos, explore around for yourself!

Bonus: If everyone is in a good mood, head over to Broken Arch, which is accessible from the same trail head as Sand Dune Arch. It’s about 2 miles round trip and takes you through some fun rock formations and includes slick rock scrambling! It’s really fun!

3. Skyline Arch hike (0.4 miles round trip)

A short, sandy hike through some cool fins bring you to Skyline Arch. This arch, framing the sky way high up in a tall red rock fin, can be viewed from a scenic half mile trail. A big moment in it’s history was in 1940, when a huge boulder fell out of the arch, doubling it’s size to what is is today!

While not as picturesque as some other arches, it’s a nice short hike for kids as they get their reward (the arch!) quick and easy!

4. & 5. Double Arch + Turret Arch hikes (1.2 mile loop)

This is one of the best “bang for your buck” arch viewing hikes in the park. Only a 25 minute drive from the visitor center, there are multiple arches to choose from here; North and South Windows, Double Arch and Turret Arch. Double Arch was one of my favorite arches in the park and the ENTIRE loop trail is only 1.2 miles!

There is a “primitive trail” marked by cairns that is much less traveled and very scenic you can take if you choose. This is a little longer (1 mile roundtrip) but it’s worth it if you want a more authentic hiking experience. We had our two babies in backpacks and our toddler in tow, and we all made it! I think our toddler only took 2 breaks the whole time this hike. There’s a lot to look at.

There is a staircase and some slight uphill hiking, but it’s pretty doable for everyone. The trail is gravel, so that makes for easy walking. Once you climb up into the base of the arch, the views become even more impressive. You will not want to ever leave this place!

Cool facts about Double Arch – it’s the tallest in the park at 112 feet and the second longest at 144 feet! You might also recognize it from the beginning of Indiana Jones: The Last Crusade movie.

6. Landscape Arch hike (1.6 miles round trip)

The Landscape Arch hike is another iconic arch at the end of a surprisingly easy hike. It’s possibly the most imposing arch in the whole park and is unbelievably long and narrow! The irregular shape of the arch makes it hard to believe how long it has survived through so much crazy weather.

This hike starts at the Devil’s Garden Trailhead, by entering a narrow canyon. A hard packed gravel path turns into a sand trail with little elevation gain making this a perfect Arches National Park hike to take the kids on that has a little more distance.

Landscape Arch is the longest arch in the world and conveniently near other lesser known arches such as Pine Tree Arch and Tunnel Arch. Though people were allowed to walk underneath this arch in the past, it is now blocked off due to the delicate nature of the arch.

7. Double O Arch hike (4.2 miles round trip)

The Double O Arch hike is also accessible from the Devil’s Garden Trailhead. The hike out to Double O Arch is 4.2 miles, so it’s a bit long for little kids, but much less crowded and great for older kids that want a longer challenging hike. It has a very primitive trail, meaning it’s much less crowded and leads to some pretty spectacular views.

8. Delicate Arch hike (3.0 miles round trip)

Finally, we’re to the big daddy of all the arches. If you’re in shape and up for a little more challenge, you HAVE to see Delicate Arch!

The Delicate Arch hike is a fun walk through a canyon, over slick rock and close to some 3-foot cliff edges (it’s not as scary as it sounds; promise!). The hike ends in an amphitheater with the Delicate Arch in view! This is the quintessential arch – that iconic famed arch that is on the Utah license plate!

It can be very crowded, so be aware of that in advance. Go as early as possible and take lots of water. The crowds pick up significantly as the day goes by. However, when I was there everyone moved out of the way of the arch so that each group got a picture in front of it without others around. I hope that you’re as lucky!

The amphitheater is a good resting spot; there is plenty of seating with views of Delicate Arch. Our toddler enjoyed this break, and I was able to take the babies out of their backpacks to feed them! There is hardly any cover from the sun, so this would be a good hike to do at the start of the day so as to beat the heat and the crowds! Also, there are very steep parts of this hike, so it might be necessary to carry very small kids part of the way.

BONUS: Don’t miss the original homestead historic house and several-hundred year old petroglyphs on your way back down!

Now go hike!

Arches National Park is a great place to introduce young kids to hiking. There are many trails that are short with big rewards, as well as lots of areas to take a break! Whether your baby is on your back or holding your hand, get out and explore Arches National Park with your kids!

Or…if you’re in the area and not all that into hiking, check out Stacy’s post on 6 fun things to do with kids in Moab, Utah (that aren’t hiking).

Stacy Bressler is an avid outdoorswoman, wife, and mother of three under three (the youngest being 10-month-old twin girls). She writes about all things motherhood, including surviving it with (most) of her sanity intact, as well as raising mini adventurers. Navigating life through the lens of humor and positivity, she chronicles it all in her blog, The Crazy Outdoor Mama.