OutGrown

Top Three Things to Pack On Your Next Winter Hike With Your Toddler

  2. Share
OutGrown Admin OutGrown Admin
0 0

I’m from Wisconsin and though we’ve had a warm winter so far, winter usually means lots of snow, cold temps and short days. I’ve been an avid hiker for much of my life and thought I knew what I was doing out there, but then, I had a kid! Making sure a toddler is warm and dry on the trail is something I never accounted for and frankly don’t wish on anyone, but if you are like me and want to take your tiny lunatic out on the trail, here are some helpful tips I’ve learned along the way. 

Layers Are Key

First things first. LAYERS! I cannot stress this one enough. It’s almost impossible to tell what combination of clothing is going to work on any given day until we actually hit the trail. A sunny patch of trail and a cooperative toddler may mean we are both working up a sweat. However, a damp day with a slight wind may require that extra weird sweatshirt from your in-laws that got stuffed into the bottom of the backpack for “emergencies”. Well, this is an emergency. Break that bad boy out! Specifically, I suggest a pair of insulated and waterproof snow pants and a jacket. A hat, scarf, waterproof boots and gloves. Along with sunhat and sunglasses for those extra sunny days.  For more information on layering for chilly outings, check out this article.

Conquer Your Enemy: Gloves

Next, since we are on the subject of gloves already, let me be blunt. They are the nemesis of toddler winter wear! Toddlers hate them because they are restricting and keep them from picking things up. Mothers hate them because toddlers hate them. They are constantly pulling them off, losing them in the snow and exposing those cute, tiny fingers to the elements ...which is the whole point in wearing gloves in the first place!  Am I yelling? I feel like I’m yelling. *takes a deep breath* Anyway, one solution I’ve found is to bring several pairs of gloves and, in the event that they get lost in a snowbank, not to get too emotionally attached. I have found that Snowstopper gloves are great for staying on and keeping the cold and snow out. However, they do not have fingers which is a major source of frustration for my toddler, depending on his mood, so I recommend keeping a pair of those knit gloves on hand. We called them “magic mittens” growing up. They are usually sold at places like Target or Shopko in a 12 pack. Use them like tissues my friends and when those little fingers get too cold to handle it put the Snowstoppers back on or have a third pair (yea, that’s right...a THIRD pair) of big, dry, fluffy gloves to slip on over those cold fingers.  Whew! Who knew there was so much to say about gloves?! Toddlers. That’s who. 

Snacks, Snacks, Snacks

Lastly, and possibly most important, I’d like to talk about snacks. Beside, trucks and trains, this is the single biggest motivator for my kid. Having enough fuel on the trail on cold and windy days is especially important to keep everyone warm and functioning.  At this point, my son has the vocabulary to tell me if he’s hungry, cold, tired, whatever, but not necessarily the wherewithal to express it. Usually by the time he notices we are already deep into a meltdown. Being proactive with snacks on the trail tends to keep us out longer. I have found that having enough food on the trail and for the car ride home makes the difference between a day where we just managed to get out and a day where we got out and really enjoyed ourselves. On that note, foods that can be easily held with a gloved hand are best. Things like long carrots sticks, bananas and pretzel rods are great. Also, fruit bars. Not because they are easy to hold but because they are relentlessly sticky! They can’t drop what won’t fall, I say. Last, pro snack tip, if you have the energy and forethought, tea is an amazing addition to any winter hike! My toddler loves everything about it. It’s warm, he can pour it himself, our thermos comes with a tiny toddler-sized cup and it’s delicious. Plus, it provides the perfect opportunity to take a break, sit down and enjoy the scenery. These are my best tips to prepare for your next winter hike but I am certain there are other tricks out there I don’t know about, so please, in the name of toddlers everywhere, share them in the comments! Toddlers are happy when they have friends to hike with. Connect with a community of parents and caregivers that are happy to hike with you and your toddler, no matter the situation (because they get it!). Find a Hike it Baby Branch in your area today!

About Hike it Baby

Hike it Baby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to getting families outdoors and on trails across the U.S. and internationally, supporting, educating and inspiring families through their more than 300 communities across North America. Since its grassroots inception in 2013 in Portland, Oregon, Hike it Baby is now a growing community of 270,000 families and 500 volunteer branch ambassadors hosting more than 1,600 hikes per month. More information, as well as daily hike schedules, can be found at HikeitBaby.com, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram. Images courtesy of Stephanie Jacobson and Deanna Curry.

Community tags

This content has 0 tags that match your profile.

Young Explorers (Walker +)

Winter Activities

Let's Talk Gear & Snacks

Winter Layering

Comments

To view comments or leave a comment, login or sign up.

Related Content

0
Your Fool-Proof Guide To Getting Your Family Out the Door This Winter
Your Fool-Proof Guide To Getting Your Family Out the Door This Winter (without all the hassle and sweat!) It’s beautiful out- the sun is finally shining for once and, with the gleam of the sunshine reflected off the freshly fallen snow, you’re just aching to get out and have some fun with the kids.  You envision the joy on their faces as they slide down the snow-covered hills or stick their sweet little tongues out to catch snowflakes.  You look forward to the sound of their full belly laughs as they chase one another around with snowballs and the calm that comes with returning home to wind down after an amazing day of wintery fun.  You know that it is an outing filled with untapped potential because, well you’ve experienced it at its best.  But there’s only one problem... getting your family out the door. Get ready moms and dads for the full-body workout that is getting the kids together, prepared, bundled up, and, at long last, finally being able to step foot out the door! It is not an exercise for the faint of heart.  There is often fighting, complaining and various levels of toddling/ running off involved before you can really experience the bliss and comfort that comes with knowing that you are finally ready to go! Here is our fool-proof guide to getting out the door in one piece with minimal sweat and hassle: Plan ahead. Check the weather at the beginning of the week and plan your outings based on the forecast that works best for your family.  Any time you have a big outing planned it’s a great idea to get everything together in a central location in advance, maybe the night before or early in the morning before the kids wake up- that way everything is together and ready to go when the bundling up fun begins.  If possible, make separate piles for each child in order to avoid getting everyone’s gear mixed up and confused.  If you are planning an outing that involves driving, it’s also a great idea to pack the car up well beforehand. Bathroom before you go. Make sure you get fresh diapers and bathroom trips out of the way before you start layering up.  The last thing you need to worry about during the arduous process of layering everyone up is having to undo it and do it all over again.  Plus, there’s nothing worse than hearing, “I have to go potty,” as soon as everyone is ready to go and you have finally made it through the threshold and out the door. Practice makes perfect. Work on teaching older children skills such as getting on snowsuits, boots, gloves, and jackets so that the task isn’t so daunting when the time comes to get everyone ready to go outside.  If your children are old enough- it would be great to teach and task them with helping younger children to get ready as well, this will instill a sense of purpose and responsibility in them as well as increase productivity. Layering is key.  It’s a great time-saver to stack inside and outside layers before pulling everything on.  Also, mapping out an order in your head (or on paper even) before you begin is a great idea in order to avoid having to undo and redo the process all over again.  This may vary depending on the child and the gear.  For instance, I find that my older daughter hates having her gloves on before her coat because they get bunched and pushed up too high, so I intentionally leave her gloves for last.  Knowing these kinds of things and being prepared ahead of time will lessen the hassle substantially. Stagger bundle.  If you work to get everyone ready a little bit at a time then you will be less likely to have one person waiting around sweating indoors while everyone else is still getting ready to go.  Depending on the length of the process, it might also be a good idea to have toys, books, or snacks around that are of interest in order to keep the attention of anyone waiting their turn.  I know that, for my toddler, any moment she’s not being kept busy is likely a moment she spends running away from me while I’m trying to get us all ready.  For new walkers, it’s also a good idea to get boots on as soon as possible to avoid having them running around in socks and possibly slipping (particularly if you have hard floors). Don’t let the process ruin the fun! Make conversation about what everyone might like to do once you get outside while you are getting ready.  Keeping conversation light and fun will help keep spirits high and avoid stressful fighting and arguing.  It’s also good practice to build up older children who are working hard to get themselves ready to go so that they feel encouraged and appreciated.  If your family enjoys music- perhaps there are some calming songs that you could play to help the process be more enjoyable all around (calm instrumental music, for instance). Don’t Get Discouraged. Remember that getting out of the house all together is a win no matter how long the process seems to take.  It can be really hard to get everyone ready and out the door but I bet that once you’ve done it you’ll be really glad that you did!  Happy winter adventures everyone! Hike it Baby works to be the most effective hub of tools, information, and community inspiring all families with babies and young children to get outside and connect with nature. Learn more about Hike it Baby's mission and how you can get involved.     Photos courtesy of Michelle Pearl Gee.     ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org    EDITORS NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach.
0
5 Helpful Articles for a Successful Winter Hiking Experience with Kids
Starting out as a new parent can be daunting enough but trying to get kids outside, especially in the wintertime, can seem impossible. So, what’s a mama to do? Well, search the Hike it Baby blog for inspiration, of course! ...at least, that’s what I did. I’ve rounded up 5 great Hike it Baby articles on winter hiking with kids to get you started and answer all those burning questions. 1. 10 Reasons to Brave Winter Hiking With Your Family So, first things first. After a big snowfall, I am usually really excited to get outside with my son and play in the snow. I want to share with him all the great things I did as a kid like snowball fights, and snowmen and sledding, but somewhere between the sopping wet pile of clothing from yesterday and the meltdown about not wanting to go outside at all, I change my mind. I start to wonder why I am going to all the trouble. Well, if that’s you too this article does a great job of reminding us why we do this in the first place. 2. Winter Hiking With Babies Ok, so after that last article, I’m committed and excited again, but where do I start when making sure the really little one is warm enough? No worries, this piece includes a comprehensive list of gear and tips and even has a downloadable checklist. 3. Top Three Things To Pack On Your Next Winter Hike With Your Toddler The little one is bundled and warm enough but what about the toddler? Here’s a quick cheat sheet of the best tips for making sure your toddler has a great time out there. 4. How To Overcome These 6 Common Winter Hiking Dangers So, you’re ready to hike and everyone is bundled and warm but...you’re nervous. What about cold temps, wild animals, ice?! And rightfully so, we are venturing out with our kids after all. No worries, this article walks you through all those fears and leaves you feeling prepared and ready. 5. What To Do Indoors When It’s Too Cold To Hike All this advice is great, but what if it really is too cold to hike? This article breaks down all the factors that contribute to temperature and how to know when cold is too cold. It also gives a list of great ideas to get those wintertime wiggles out inside. Want more awesome tips for hiking with your kids delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for Hike it Baby's community newsletter today! About Hike it Baby Hike it Baby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to getting families outdoors and on trails across the U.S. and internationally, supporting, educating and inspiring families through their more than 300 communities across North America. Since its grassroots inception in 2013 in Portland, Oregon, Hike it Baby is now a growing community of 270,000 families and 500 volunteer branch ambassadors hosting more than 1,600 hikes per month. More information, as well as daily hike schedules, can be found at HikeitBaby.com, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram. Images courtesy of Tais Kulish and Laura Castro.
OutGrown
Powered by Cause Machine. All rights reserved.