Backpacking with Kids: An Age-by-Age Guide

Getting kids into the backcountry is one of the most rewarding things you can do as an outdoor parent. But what works for a toddler is completely different from what works for a teenager. This guide breaks down the approach by age so you can set your family up for success.

Infants (0-12 Months)

What's Possible

Babies are actually excellent hiking companions—they sleep a lot and don't complain about the trail. Day hikes with infants are straightforward; overnight trips are manageable but require more planning.

Carrying Options

• Front carrier/wrap (0-6 months): Keep baby close, hands relatively free
• Soft-structured carrier (4-12 months): More comfortable for longer hikes
• Frame carrier (6+ months when baby can sit independently): Best for hiking, carries gear too

Key Considerations

• Sun protection is critical—babies burn easily. Use shade, hats, and long sleeves.
• Temperature regulation: babies can't regulate body temp well. Check frequently.
• Bring more diapers than you think you need. Pack them out.
• Breastfeeding simplifies food logistics enormously.
• Keep hikes under 5 miles. Your pack weight increases significantly with baby gear.
• Stick to well-traveled trails within cell range.

The Gear

• Carrier with sun shade
• Extra diapers and wipes in a waterproof bag
• Change of baby clothes (2 sets)
• Blanket
• Diaper cream
• Baby first aid items
• Baby hat and sun-protective clothing

Toddlers (1-3 Years)

What's Possible

Toddlers want to walk but can't go far. Expect to cover 0.5-2 miles if they're walking, with frequent stops for every interesting rock, stick, and bug. Frame carriers extend your range significantly.

The Challenge

Toddlers are mobile, curious, and fearless—a dangerous combination near cliffs, water, and poisonous plants. Constant supervision is non-negotiable.

Strategy

• Choose trails with natural entertainment: streams to splash in, rocks to climb, bridges to cross
• Bring snacks. Then bring more snacks. Then bring even more snacks.
• Let them walk when they want to, carry them when they're done
• Don't set distance goals—set time goals. "We'll hike for 2 hours."
• Nap schedule matters: plan around nap time or hike during nap time (they'll sleep in the carrier)

Overnight Trips

Possible but challenging:

• Choose a campsite very close to the trailhead (0.5-1 mile)
• Bring familiar sleeping items from home
• Accept that bedtime routine will be different
• Pack a headlamp or glow stick for the tent (darkness can be scary)
• White noise from a stream helps toddlers sleep

Preschoolers (3-5 Years)

What's Possible

This is when hiking starts getting genuinely fun. Preschoolers can cover 2-4 miles on their own with a motivated mindset and gentle terrain. They're old enough to participate but young enough to still ride in a carrier when tired.

Making It Fun

• Turn the hike into a game: scavenger hunts, nature bingo, "I Spy"
• Bring a magnifying glass for examining bugs, moss, and flowers
• Tell stories on the trail—make the hike part of an adventure narrative
• Let them lead sometimes—they set the pace, you follow
• Celebrate milestones: "We made it to the big rock!"
• Collect allowed items: pinecones, interesting pebbles (check regulations)

Building Skills

Start teaching basic outdoor skills:

• How to walk on a trail (stay on the path)
• What to do if separated (stay put, blow a whistle)
• Basic Leave No Trace ("We take our trash with us")
• Animal safety ("We look at animals, we don't touch them")
• Water safety ("We always hold a grown-up's hand near water")

Their Own Gear

Give preschoolers a small pack with their own items:

• Water bottle
• Snacks
• A stuffed animal or special toy
• Their whistle (for emergencies)
• Total weight: 1-2 pounds maximum

School Age (6-9 Years)

What's Possible

This is the golden age for family backpacking. Kids this age can: For example, the Thule Accent 26L Backpack ($150, 2.7 lbs) is a well-regarded option worth considering.

• Hike 4-8 miles per day
• Carry a light pack (10-15% of body weight)
• Participate in camp chores
• Begin learning navigation and outdoor skills
• Sleep comfortably in a tent
• Appreciate the experience

First Overnight Trip

If your child hasn't done an overnight backpacking trip yet, this is a great age to start:

• Choose a destination 2-3 miles from the trailhead
• Pick somewhere with a feature: a lake, a waterfall, a viewpoint
• Practice tent setup in the backyard first
• Do a test night of camping at a car campground
• Pack comfort items: favorite snack, headlamp (their own), a book

Building Independence

• Let them read the map and help navigate
• Teach them to use a compass
• Assign camp jobs: gathering water, helping with cooking
• Let them help plan the trip: choosing trails, picking meals
• Give them decision-making opportunities when safe to do so

Pack Contents for 6-9 Year Olds

• Water bottle and snacks
• Rain jacket
• Warm layer
• Headlamp
• Whistle
• Their sleeping bag (if it's light enough)
• Total weight: 5-8 pounds

Tweens (10-12 Years)

What's Possible

Tweens can handle legitimate backcountry trips:

• 6-12 miles per day
• Carry a meaningful pack (15-20% of body weight)
• Navigate with supervision
• Set up their own shelter
• Cook basic meals
• Handle multi-day trips

Keeping Them Engaged

The tween years are when some kids lose interest in family activities. Stay ahead of this:

• Let them invite a friend—hiking with a buddy changes everything
• Give them real responsibility (not busy work)
• Introduce challenges: peak bagging, trail milestones, skills progression
• Let them plan aspects of the trip
• Photography projects give purpose and pride
• Consider a GPS watch or simple GPS device they can manage

Skills to Develop

• Map and compass navigation
• Water treatment
• Stove use (supervised)
• Knot tying
• Leave No Trace principles in depth
• Weather awareness
• Basic first aid

Teenagers (13-17 Years)

What's Possible

Teenagers can handle anything an adult can—and often more. Their energy, recovery, and enthusiasm (when engaged) are remarkable.

• Full multi-day backpacking trips
• Carry adult pack weights
• Navigate independently
• Make sound outdoor judgments (with mentoring)
• Lead sections of the trip

The Teen Dynamic

Hiking with teenagers requires different leadership than younger kids:

• Respect their growing independence
• Let them set the pace (they may be faster than you)
• Give them genuine leadership roles, not token ones
• Allow some solitude on the trail (within safety parameters)
• Don't lecture—let the experience teach
• Phones: set expectations before the trip. Some families go device-free; others allow photography.

Preparing for Independence

By 16-17, many teens are ready to hike with peers without adults:

• Ensure they have wilderness first aid training (or at minimum, a WFA course)
• Practice navigation skills until they're confident
• Discuss decision-making scenarios: weather, injuries, route finding
• Establish communication plans (satellite communicator or predetermined check-in schedule)
• Start with familiar trails and good conditions before sending them out in challenging terrain
• Know their friends' abilities too

Recommended Gear

Based on the topics covered in this guide, here are some top-rated products to consider:

• Castelli Emergency 2 Rain Jacket - Women's ($105, 4 oz)
• Salomon ADV Skin 5L Race Flag Hydration Pack ($145, 0.4 lbs)
• Thule Alltrail 25L Daypack ($140, 1.9 lbs)
• Grayl GEOPRESS Water Purifier ($100, 1.0 lbs)
• S.O.L Survive Outdoors Longer Heavy Duty Emergency Blanket ($24, 0.5 lbs)
• Mystery Ranch 2-Day Assault 27L Daypack ($229, 3.1 lbs)

Universal Tips for All Ages

Snack Power

No matter the age, snacks make or break a family hike. The formula:

• Variety (sweet, salty, crunchy, chewy)
• Frequency (every 30-45 minutes for young kids)
• Choice (let kids pick their favorites)
• Surprise treats (hidden candy or chocolate for tough moments)

Pace and Distance

• Whatever distance you think is appropriate, cut it in half for the first trip
• It's better to end a short hike wanting more than to suffer through a long one
• Turnaround times are non-negotiable: "We leave the summit by 2 PM regardless"
• Side adventures count as distance—a kid who explores every stream tributary has hiked plenty

The Attitude Rule

Your attitude determines your child's experience:

• If you're stressed about pace, they'll feel it
• If you're genuinely engaged with the natural world, they'll mirror it
• Complaining about weather, distance, or difficulty teaches them to do the same
• Celebrating small moments teaches them to find joy outdoors

After the Trip

• Let kids tell the story of the trip (don't correct their exaggerations)
• Print and display photos from the adventure
• Plan the next trip together while enthusiasm is high
• Create a hiking journal or scrapbook (great for younger kids)
• Share the experience with grandparents, friends, and classmates