OutGrown Blog

I’m a big believer that some of the best family memories occur outside. When I think back to my own childhood, the memories that come the quickest involve family camping trips, S’mores by the fire my siblings and I helped build, long hikes in the woods and boiling endless pots of water to kill the “water bugs” as my dad called them. Yep, even 20 years ago we were worried about water pathogens. This has become a problem with natural water sources, but there are various water treatment methods that are currently available to keep you and your family safe so you can focus on making outdoor memories rather than suffering through bad ones. Why Can’t We Just Drink the Water from Natural Sources? With environmental decline, along with an increase of livestock, human traffic on trails and wild animals near water sources, water quality (even in the more remote areas) is declining. Even if water from natural sources looks clean and clear and you can see every tiny organism and rock on the bottom of the water bed, it could still be harboring pathogens such as protozoa, bacteria and viruses that can make you and your family very sick. These pathogens can cause a myriad digestive problems (such as diarrhea, vomiting, etc.) or worse, depending on the type of pathogen you are dealing with. As a result, studies performed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention conclude that you should always filter and disinfect water from natural sources. Is there a Difference Between Water Purification and Filtration? While both purification and filtration methods can remove pathogens from water, they do so in different ways. Filtration techniques provide a barrier that blocks most pathogens while still allowing water to pass through. The one downside is the fact that while filtration may work well against bacteria and protozoa, they don’t always stop tiny viruses from slipping through with the water. That being said, filtration techniques are the most widely used by backpackers in the United States because water-borne viruses in natural water sources are extremely rare in the Unites States. If you plan to use a natural water source while hiking, camping or backpacking internationally (or if you want to be extra cautious in the U.S.), purification is the method of choice. It gets rid of or immobilizes most (if not all) water-borne pathogens, including viruses that are too small to be caught through filtration methods. While some filtration methods also purify the water, purification is mainly done through sterilization (think boiling) or chemical methods. What are Some Water Treatment Systems Available? Not all treatment systems are created equal, and all have pros and cons associated with them. Below is a list of some common methods along with the advantages and drawbacks to each method. I have broken them into two categories based on activity, but there can be crossover depending on the situation. Camping and Backpacking: Most quantity of water needed and time isn’t a factor 1. Boiling (purification) Pros: The most low-tech and easy technique of all those mentioned here is to boil your water. Bring it to a “rolling boil” for a minute (or three minutes at altitudes above 6,500 ft.). This is also cost-effective (for the most part) since you likely already have a cook-set with you. Drawbacks: Fuel is needed, whether in the form of a gas canister or wood. Gas can be heavy, and if it runs out, there is no way to replenish it when you’re far away from civilization (this is especially an issue where open fires are not allowed). And between bringing the water to a boil and waiting for it to cool down enough to drink, it is a slow treatment option! 2. Pump (most use filtration, but a few also purify) Pros: There are generally three main components to a pump: the filter, the hand-held pump and the tubes. The intake tube (or “dirty” tube) is placed in the water source while the outlet tube (or “clean” tube) is placed into your water container. You then go to work pumping water from the source through the filter and into your container. Or better yet, getting the kids involved could make this a fun and educational experience for them (if you play your cards right and call it a game or competition, you may not have to do any of the pumping yourself!). This technique is fairly quick depending on how fast you are pumping and works well in shallow water. It also works well for both single and group use and can filter out sediment so your water isn’t gritty. Drawbacks: Pumping can be tiring, especially if you are pumping water for a group. They are bulky, with the tubes and filter taking up quite a bit of space. This is no big deal if you are car camping in the backcountry, but it can add quite a bit of weight and take up precious room while backpacking (especially if you are carrying the extra gear of your little ones during a family backpacking trip). 3. Chemical Water Treatment (purification) Pros: This is what many consider the “old-school,” yet still highly effective method of treating water. You simply drop a tab or drops into your water container, shake it around, and then wait the allotted time for the chemical to kill the pathogens. They are lightweight, inexpensive and super easy to use. If you choose a different method of water treatment, many outdoor experts recommend carrying this treatment option as a backup just in case your equipment malfunctions. Due to the drawbacks of iodine tablets (terrible taste, danger to pregnant mamas and those with thyroid problems, ineffectiveness against the Cryptosporidium parasite, etc.), Chlorine dioxide is generally the chemical method of choice. Drawbacks: It takes anywhere from 30 minutes to four hours for the chemical to work. Large amounts of water will require a higher quantity of the chemical, which can be a problem if you didn’t pack enough water with you. 4. Gravity (filtration) Pros: Here is a method that works very similar to pump filters, but it lets gravity do the work for you. Most models come with two water bladders (one for the “dirty” water and one for the “clean” water that is filtered) along with a series of hoses and the filter unit. You fill the “dirty” bag with water from the natural source and hang it on a tree or tall rock before hooking up the hoses and filter along with the “clean” water bag at the bottom. You can then sit back and relax, set up camp, play some family games, practice some yoga, whatever you want while you let gravity filter your water at a pretty fast rate (around 2 liters per minute). Gravity filters, like the Lifestraw Mission, do not need a power source as well so you can use this anywhere. Drawbacks: Could be more difficult in shallow water as you need to fill the water bladder. Hiking – Requires lower volumes of water, but need water fairly quickly 1. Squeeze (filtration) Pros: Do your kids love to squeeze things (my little dude is all about the squeeze pouches, squeeze glue, squeeze mud, anything squeezable)? If so, this may be a great option for you! The squeeze filter (like the Lifestraw Flex) consists of a bag, the compact filter unit, and whatever you want to squeeze the water into (whether it be another bag or straight into your mouth). You simply fill the bag with water from the source and squeeze it through the filter. They are easy to use, lightweight, and provide water immediately. And that’s on top of being fun for the kids to use! Filters like the Lifestraw Flex protect against microplastics, parasites, bacteria, and reduces chemicals and heavy metals like lead. Drawbacks: They can get clogged quickly depending on the water source, requiring cleaning or backflushing. They are not ideal for large quantities of water, making this a more appropriate treatment option for hiking as opposed to camping or backpacking. 2. Water Bottle Filters (filtration or purification depending on brand) Pros: Water Bottle Filters (filtration or purification depending on brand): These bottles have built-in filtration or purification elements. Some use the suction you provide when you sip from the bottle while others work like a coffee press or use UV light to filter/purify your water. They are easy to use for the whole family, and tend to be reasonably priced. The new Lifestraw Play is designed for kids with it’s two stage filtration and leak proof design. The lid is a great feature to keep dirt and sand out of straw. For an adult option, check out the Lifestraw Go. Drawbacks: As with the squeeze filters, they may get clogged and require cleaning while on the trail. The Play and Go can be cleaned by blowing air through the mouthpiece until water drains out of the bottom of the filter to backflush it and prevent it from clogging. The amount of water you filter is limited by the size of the bottle, making this method better suited for long family hikes near water sources as opposed to camping/backpacking. 3. Straw (mainly filtration, though some high-end models offer purification) Pros: This method is similar to the squeeze and water bottle filters except instead of attaching to a pouch or a bottle, the filter is placed directly into a water sources and you suck through it like a straw. These are very lightweight and fairly small, so they won’t take up a large amount of space in your bag. Drawbacks: There is no way to store the water, making this better suited for a hike that follows a water source (which is also why it is not ideal for camping or backpacking). Many reviews report that it can be difficult to suck water through the straw, making this not a good option for kids. They can get clogged, forcing you to clean it on the trail. It’s just plain awkward to hunker down with your face almost in the water every time you want to take a drink. I usually keep one in my pack as a backup, but it is not my first option for filtering my water. 4. Ultraviolet Light Purifiers (purification) Pros: You simply place the probe of this pen-like device into the container of water you want to treat and swirl it around for a specific amount of time (usually around 60 seconds) to neutralize the pathogens in it. Unlike most filters, you never have to clean or replace any parts on this device (other than maybe the batteries), and it is very easy to use. Drawbacks: This unit requires batteries, and one of the chief complaints from users is that it goes through battery-power quickly. Since there are no parts that can be cleaned or fixed, you run the risk of malfunction (which is why it is always good to bring a back-up treatment method!) Since you are not filtering your water, sediment found in the water has nowhere to go. This makes the unit take longer to purify the water, and means that you will be ingesting that sediment unless you first filter the water with another method. Multiple treatments are required to purify larger amounts of water, and if the water sits around for a while, the neutralized pathogens may become active again (making this more suited to hiking vs. camping and backpacking). With so many water treatment options, it may be difficult to choose which ones to try out on your next adventure. Does your family have a favorite method of water treatment while on the trail or at the campsite? Let us know in the comments below! Photos by Deanna Curry and Laura Castro. Read More: On the trail - Dehydration: Signs, prevention and treatment Hot weather hiking This post is sponsored by Lifestraw. Stay hydrated wherever you go, because adventures await! Get ready for a family-friendly summer. LifeStraw has some great new gear especially designed for kids to take your explorations to the next level. LifeStraw filters remove bacteria, parasites, microplastics, and chemicals from water, making it safe to drink. The new LifeStraw Play is the first water filter for children with this level of protection. Kids can simply fill their bottle at a water fountain, lake, stream or any other freshwater source and enjoy clean, great-tasting water! Check it out here and use code HIKEIT20 at checkout for 20% off through the end of July.

I love summer. The longer days and warmer weather make me want to stay outside all day. So this is usually the time of year when my family goes on longer hiking adventures. When small children are along, these excursions require much more planning. This helps ensure that these adventures are successful and enjoyable for everyone. Below is a list of tips and strategies from myself and our wonderful Hike it Baby community for embarking on longer-distance day hikes with babies and toddlers in tow. 1. Variety Is the Spice of Life Who doesn’t love a little variety – especially our pint-sized humans who seem to get bored with things at lightning speed? (Or is that just my toddler?) For longer hikes, that means three main things for my family: A myriad of snack choices – This includes favorite snacks they have frequently and also snacks they only get while on outdoor adventures (such as gummies or chocolate). Differing scenery – We try to plan longer hikes that have a variety of ecosystems to explore, such as woodlands, wetlands and preferably a water feature (such as a waterfall or lake). Interesting trail features help to push us all along when we start to get worn out! Multiple modes of transportation for little walkers – My toddler likes to start on his own feet. Then he hitches a ride in the carrier on mommy or daddy when his legs get tired (or if he wants to be lazy). Variety in every part of the hike is key. We took our two girls, 4 and 2, on a 6-mile hike yesterday and that is how we played things. Variety in our snacks and switching between walking and being carried. – Kelsey from the Augusta, GA, Branch Whenever we do longer hikes, I always try to bring a variety of snacks and drinks (water, juice, etc.), especially treats that my child only gets on the trail. Now that my daughter is older, she can communicate to me when she wants to get out of the carrier and take a break. If it's not at a particularly good spot (like a place with poison oak or a drop-off) or I'm trying to power up a hill, then I might tell her about or point out our next break stop. If it's an out-and-back hike, we tend to take an extra-long break at our destination to play and explore – bonus if she gets water play at a waterfall! – Nicole from the Orange County, CA, Branch 2. Build Up the Distance Over Time Building up mileage over time will increase your chances of a successful long-distance day hike. This is true whether you are carrying a baby up a mountain or encouraging your older toddler to hike longer distances on their own feet. When first starting out, shorter distances and less elevation gain can give you a baseline from which to build. Over time, increasing distance and elevation in increments helps to condition the whole family for longer treks. For example, make each new hike a quarter of a mile longer or a hundred feet more in elevation gain. Our 3- and 6-year-olds hiked 7 miles on their own feet (I did carry the little guy a very short distance) yesterday. We’ve built up to this distance over time. We let them pick their favorite trail snacks and lunch the night before, took lots of short breaks. We find that we talk more as a family on the trail, and these conversations really help keep our boys moving. – Denise from the Harrisburg, PA, Branch 3. Use Naps to Your Advantage When I first started attending hikes with my local Hike it Baby branch, my son was about 9 months old. I was terrified of messing up his nap schedule. (I was a first-time mom ... and terrified of everything!) That was until I saw how many babies slept during the hike and discovered that many parents preferred hiking during nap times. I started using it to my advantage, getting in longer hikes while he napped on me. Now that he is a rambunctious toddler, I let him start out hiking on his own feet until he is tired and sleepy. Then I use his nap time to hike faster and longer distances. My husband and I recently took our daughter on a 6-mile hike. We planned it around her nap time and had let her run around all morning. She napped for the first half of the hike and woke up at the turn-around point. (It was an out-and-back hike.) We took a break and enjoyed the lunch we packed. After giving her some time to run around, we headed back. She walked until we reached the point in the trail where it was no longer safe. I think nap time, a variety of snacks and a lunch, and allowing her to walk some at a slow pace led to our success. – Sharlie from the Whidbey Island, WA, Branch We let our 23-month-old walk for the first 45 to 60 minutes, exploring/hiking at his own speed. We then get him in the pack and have a snack while hiking. He usually falls asleep if the hike goes into afternoon. He sleeps and we hike faster. If he wakes, we take a break, play, and lately he's been wanting to walk down. – Jill from the Juneau, AK, Branch 4. The Power of Distraction This can come in many forms and depends largely on the age of your kiddo(s). When my son was a baby, we never left home without a binky, his monkey and banana teether, and a small stuffed animal. Other than that, a few rounds of “Wheels on the Bus” or “Old McDonald” along with funny faces and he was good. Once he became a walker, it was harder to keep him distracted and happy on longer hikes. (Apparently stubbornness came with his walking ability.) Now snacks, games, songs, nature yoga and trail dance parties work wonders for us. In addition, it can be a lifesaver to have another kiddo to run around with. If you have an only child, planning an outing with a friend may be a good option! I try to make a little game out of the hike, especially when they start to get tired/cranky (i.e., on the way up the hill). I would point to something easily pointed out like a boulder, colorful flower, etc., and say, "I'll give you a grape when you get to that," which usually makes them speed up! On the way down, same idea, but I might mix it up and test their memory: "You remember that small waterfall we passed? When we get to it, you can have a gummy bear." This also teaches them that you get rewarded for hard work! – Kelsey from the Augusta, GA, Branch 5. Frequent Breaks These are a must for everyone! They offer adults a much-needed rest from carrying the load of a child or the extra supplies needed for kids. For babies, it means a chance to nurse or take a bottle (or get a little wilderness tummy time). Toddlers in carriers get to stretch their legs and explore their surroundings up close. Those toddlers walking the whole way get a chance to re-energize with a snack, water or even some nature yoga to stretch things out. I hiked 13 miles in one day with my son who was 3 at the time. (I was 20 weeks pregnant with my second.) Giving him a chance to get out to walk every 2-3 miles helped a lot, as did a lightweight blanket he used as a pillow for nap. He was in my Deuter KC Air and I tethered a pair of binoculars to the side so he could look through them without dropping them. – Nicholl from the Charleston, SC, Branch A 6-mile-or-more hike takes us 5+ hours lately, but the breaks are fun for everyone to enjoy the little things on the trail (new flowers, pretty rocks, different plants, throwing rocks in streams, etc.). – Jill from the Juneau, AK, Branch 6. Share the Load Whenever possible, we recommend that longer hikes that involve young children also include multiple people. This may mean hiking with another adult (such as a partner, family member or friend) or an older child who can carry some of the supplies. Either way, it is a safer option when available. For example, my husband and I went on a 14-mile day hike last summer with our then 20-month-old and switched off carrying him in our framed carrier. We knew our specific setting on the carrier, so switching off was easy and quick. The other person carried the bulk of the supplies and water in a hiking pack. For my sister, sharing the load means her 9-year-old daughter carries a good portion of the supplies in her pack. This allows my sister to carry her 3-year-old son on her back. 7. Lighten Your Load Where Possible Gone are the days when your hiking pack contains little more than the 10 essentials. Hiking with kids requires 20 different snack varieties, entertainment, diapers, changes of clothes, etc. That said, it’s a good idea to do what you can to lighten your load where possible. For example, we taught our son, who was about 18 months old at the time, to drink from the camelback reservoir so we could leave his sippy cup home. This also ensures that you won’t lose a favorite cup on the trail. (I once encountered a family that had to backtrack 1.5 miles to find a lost cup and stop their screaming child.) In addition, choosing protein-rich, filling snacks and lunches can lighten your load of food. (Think PB and J sandwiches and healthy granola bars.) While a variety of snacks is usually a must with toddlers, try limiting the amount of any particular snack. (For example, bring half a bag of goldfish instead of a full bag.) Just remember to not skimp on the important stuff, like water and an appropriate-sized first-aid kit. Check out this article for more information on what to bring for a day hike. 8. Potty Time Blues Whether you have an infant or an older toddler, the issue of going to the bathroom when there is no bathroom is worth a mention. Children in diapers – Once my son learned how to drink from a Camelback, he LOVED the novelty of it. He also drank way more water than he normally would. This meant he tended to pee through his diapers and clothes while in the carrier. It took a few times for me to finally discover that diaper pads, which we use in his diaper at night, come in handy on long hikes as well! They are literally just a pad that you place in the diaper to prevent overnight leaking. In fact, they resemble a large maxi-pad, which you can also use. It was a game-changer for us since we could bring fewer diapers and changes of clothes on our long hikes! Children out of diapers – Your best bet, if possible, is to teach your child to use the restroom in the woods. Wilderness bathrooms can take some getting used to, though. Some children may shy away from the concept of going potty without a potty. You can teach them how to poop on trail or use the "Outdoor Potty Time Hold" Technique. Carrying a lightweight, portable potty is an option. Just be sure to bring bags and extra clothes in case your kiddo has an accident. We travel with our travel potty bags for long hikes because you never know what accidents will happen and if your kiddo will be comfortable pooping on the trail, especially if they are newly potty training. That way if there’s any messes, you have a quick way to bag clothes and stuff and pack out. Random side tip for those struggling with potty training issues. – Shanti, Hike it Baby Founder Demonstrating the “Outdoor Potty Time Hold” Technique 9. Have a Back-up Plan (or Multiple) I like to have what I call “bail-out” points when I plan longer hikes. These are places that serve as good turn-around spots in case the hike is not going as planned. For example, if you have a 10-mile trek planned, you can have points at the 2.5-mile mark, 4-mile mark, etc., where you can turn around to shorten the hike. That way, if your child is just not having it, you start to feel ill or the weather takes a turn for the worse, you can get back to the car as quickly as possible. Another option is searching for alternative routes along your trek. Many hiking spots have numerous trails which you can use to shorten the hike if needed. Knowing where these trails are ahead of time can make it easier (and less stressful) to bail out if things go south. Have you been on any long-distance hiking adventures with your baby or toddler? What tips would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments below! Photos by Rebecca Hosley. Read More: 3 Things to know about pooping on the trail 10 Tips to keep kids moving on the trail Backpacking 102: Taking the kids 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.