Backpacking with a Toddler

[SixteenG]

Has anyone done overnight backpacking trips with their toddler or young family? Just wondering if anyone has any tips or advice? My daughter turns 2 in a couple months and I want to start backpacking with her. I’ve taken her on day hikes in the pack with me. We also set up a two person tent in the living room for her to get used to it. Often times read her a book in the tent before putting her to bed. Mostly wondering things like what kinda of clothing works well, dealing with diapers, and sleep set ups.

 

[JDT1982]

Bring plenty of snacks. Mine were 2 and 5 when I started taking them out on day hikes. Both kids would fall apart if they were hungry at that age.

 

[Marbles]

These are nice https://morrisonoutdoors.com/collec...s-1/products/big-mo-20-down-kids-sleeping-bag

A wide sleeping pad and snuggling with them under a wide quilt also works (better for them than for me).

I stripped a kids pack down and ran the pack bag behind it using my hunting frame. Awkward, but works.




REI is the spot for clothing, not cheap, but can get down and things I would actually use.

For base layers, Iksplor is great, pretty durable for wool and much better than the REI brand.

Iksplor | Merino Wool Layers Perfect for the Whole Family

The natural comfort of ethically sourced 100% merino wool clothing. Lightweight and breathable base layers are perfect for year-round travel and adventure.

iksplor.com

Keen boots work pretty well and are available in small sizes. For cold Kamik is good. Sorrel is over priced garbage.

Hand and foot warmers are worth it with kids, as are good mittens. The Obermeyer mittens tht Velcro in the back are easy with toddlers, around age four they are no longer worth it.

 

[rogerdoger]

We get our kiddos long underwear from mountain warehouse, not expensive and actually good quality. We also get the one piece rain suit from stonz, it’s key in the morning when everything is moist. Also get them a cheap headlamp to play with. We end up going to bed with them, it helps them fall asleep and if/when they have a bad night at least you have a few hours of rest.

 

[P Carter]

I’ve done it. (Not hunting, just backpacking in the summer.) exo 7200 and an extra set of hands! I’d bring my whole family, 5 sets of everything gets bulky fast!

I found it was easier to spend a day with them backpacking than in the house. They love exploring, sleeping was never bad. My wife and I would take turns going to bed early with them.

Diapers, clothes, stuff like that—nothing special needed. I’ve always said, a modern dicks or target has everything you need: tech tee, lightweight synthetic pants, sun hoodie, fleece.

Food can get tricky, so I had to make sure everything was thought out, meals and lots of snacks. I made sure i had sun hoodies for bugs and sun. And make sure you don’t bite off more than they can chew—I think we typically did like 3 miles, nothing crazy. I’d alternate having them walk and carrying them for stretches.

It would be pretty hard one on one—you really can’t leave them alone for a second. but my whole family went so that part was easy.

 

[Packin_packout]

Food, jetboil with hot chocolate, woobie and glowsticks/bell to attach to their pj's if doing overnight. Youngest decided to get up in the middle of the night to go take a piss and almost wandered off. He was half asleep, did not have headlamp on and started going away from tent in middle night in gmu 34 NM. Get them outside as the best thing you can ever do for them.

 

[SixteenG]

Thank you guys. Very helpful. I like what you did with the kids pack Marbles. I have an older kids pack that’s going to get turned into something similar to what you did.

 

[Marbles]

Thank you guys. Very helpful. I like what you did with the kids pack Marbles. I have an older kids pack that’s going to get turned into something similar to what you did.

On the frame, the single buckle in the middle of an Exo works better than the buckles being on the outside like the Seek Outside. On the SO the straps would work loose after a few miles as the gate keeper doesn't lay flat due to the frame of the kid carrier.

I almost took a 300 foot slide with my oldest in it on an Exo K3, was able to self arrest with an ice axe in less than 10 feet, and she proceeded to ask if we could just slide to the bottom.

 

[Bobcat]

We used 2 llamas when my son was about 1 1/2 on a 6 day backpack trip. It was incredibly easy and fun.

 

[Luke S]

We did it with my little brother. One thing to remember is littles won't necessarily be able to tell you if they are too cold, having a belly ache or are just too cold. Keep up with things like that. Doing it at elevation (Colorado) adds the complication of altitude sickness.
Dump diaper contents (but not the diapers) into a cathole.

 

[7mm-08]

On the frame, the single buckle in the middle of an Exo works better than the buckles being on the outside like the Seek Outside. On the SO the straps would work loose after a few miles as the gate keeper doesn't lay flat due to the frame of the kid carrier.

I almost took a 300 foot slide with my oldest in it on an Exo K3, was able to self arrest with an ice axe in less than 10 feet, and she proceeded to ask if we could just slide to the bottom.

Crap!! Fortunate save with precious cargo. Palms are sweating just thinking about that experience.

 

[zacattack]

Has anyone done overnight backpacking trips with their toddler or young family? Just wondering if anyone has any tips or advice? My daughter turns 2 in a couple months and I want to start backpacking with her. I’ve taken her on day hikes in the pack with me. We also set up a two person tent in the living room for her to get used to it. Often times read her a book in the tent before putting her to bed. Mostly wondering things like what kinda of clothing works well, dealing with diapers, and sleep set ups.

Our boys had just turned 1 and 2 when we took them camping for the first time. We hiked in maybe a mile with them. It took us 2 trips to carry everything plus the kids. Bring lots of snacks, toys, books, couple changes of clothes for them, and extra blankets/sleeping bags. Our first night it started out warm, like 80’s then during the night the temperature fell to just above freezing, we ended up with a kid in each of our sleeping bags just trying to stay warm. Take lanterns, flashlights, headlamps etc. our kids love playing with them and it’s a little extra security for them when trying to go to sleep.

It’s exhausting and stressful but the kids have a blast every time we go.

 

[Yellowknife]

Backpacked the Chilkoot Trail when my youngest was 2. My wife carried her 90% of the way, and I carried the gear for the five of us in a giant Barneys frame pack. The older kids (6 & 8) were more challenging than the young one.

I’ve found two is a fine age for overnight back packing trips. At 3-4 they are too heavy to carry far and too young to walk, so it’s actually more challenging IMO. Multi-day trips with young ones can become an interesting exercise in diaper management, but overnights aren’t bad.

Lots of snacks and an easy going attitude are basically the main ingredients. The kid will be fine…. it’s the parents that have a hard time.

 

[platinumsqueeze4]

These are nice https://morrisonoutdoors.com/collec...s-1/products/big-mo-20-down-kids-sleeping-bag

A wide sleeping pad and snuggling with them under a wide quilt also works (better for them than for me).

I stripped a kids pack down and ran the pack bag behind it using my hunting frame. Awkward, but works.

View attachment 860258View attachment 860259
View attachment 860260

REI is the spot for clothing, not cheap, but can get down and things I would actually use.

For base layers, Iksplor is great, pretty durable for wool and much better than the REI brand.

Iksplor | Merino Wool Layers Perfect for the Whole Family

The natural comfort of ethically sourced 100% merino wool clothing. Lightweight and breathable base layers are perfect for year-round travel and adventure.

iksplor.com

Keen boots work pretty well and are available in small sizes. For cold Kamik is good. Sorrel is over priced garbage.

Hand and foot warmers are worth it with kids, as are good mittens. The Obermeyer mittens tht Velcro in the back are easy with toddlers, around age four they are no longer worth it.

That’s awesome !!!