5 Tips for Hiking Solo with A Kiddo

Going for a hike solo can be unnerving. Going for a hike alone with a child strapped to you, can be downright terrifying. But, what if I tell you it’s doable with proper planning? It is! I promise. Keep these 5 things in mind before hitting the trail with your little one.

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1. Plan Ahead

There’s no sugar coating it, toddlers can be chaos monsters. Trying to pick a trail, pack up and get everyone dressed for the weather can be hard. Doing it all while a tiny irrational being demands snacks, and Bluey? That can be downright impossible. Use the night before, or nap time, to prepare. Pick your destination, check the weather, select clothing, and pack your bags. I promise not working on the fly here is key. A stress free start to getting out the door always makes everything go more smooth.

Ensure you have maps, field guides, and a first aid kit. Phones and apps like All Trails are fantastic, but sometimes you don’t get reception out in the wild. I found this to be the case often when exploring the Upper Peninsula with my family. Having an old school map, and compass are a great insurance policy. But you have to know how to use them. 

My son and I on the trail. He was comfortable in his Poco Plus cockpit reading some Michigan animal field guides. 

Honestly, as an Apple Watch user, I don’t really love using All Trails to track my hikes. I will occasionally use it to see where I am on a poorly marked trail. Location beacons are a great idea on remote backcountry trails. 

A well stocked first aid kit is also a non negotiable for me. Accidents happen when you least expect them. I always add extra antihistamines, bug bite treatment. And more heavy duty items like butterfly bandages. Sun and bug protection, safety equipment (think a bear bell and bear spray if you’re in bear country) are also key.

If your child isn’t pottytrained have a few more diapers than you think you need for the time out. When my son was younger, he was notorious for letting lose immediately following a change. There’s nothing worse than needing a diaper you don’t have. 

 On summer days, I make sure to toss in a swim diaper or two ,a cover for cloth diapers works too. This is in case we happen upon some water that’s play worthy. This tendency came in clutch when we stumbled upon Sable Falls on our U.P. trip. We found ourselves following the river down to Lake Superior. He got to play and check out all the cool rocks because I prepared ahead of time. The wet bag and small beach towel I carry during the summer also came in handy in this instance.

My son enjoyed some water play in the river mouth. We happened upon the beach at Sable Falls, and I was prepared with a swim diaper. 

Organizing items with bags of rough categories is also helpful. You can access everything you need without digging through your whole pack. I often leave my carrier bag fully loaded and check my supplies over before heading out. Only adding water and perishable foods day of, to make leaving with my son as easy as possible. 

And for the love of the lord, pack more water than you think you’ll need. My son is always manning the water bladder hose on our hikes, and while he does offer it to me from time to time, he drinks a lot. If you’re carrying your child you’re going to be working your body harder than if you were hiking unencumbered. Plus you have another person who also needs to stay hydrated.

For longer, sweatier, hikes, some sort of electrolyte replenishment is a good idea. Powders such as liquid IV are convenient and not as sugary as a bottled sports drink. There are also gummy and  chewy products on the market. You can even DIY an electrolyte beverage! Add a pinch of sea, or Himalayan salt to a bottle or glass of water. You can add lemon and honey to for flavor, and additional vitamins and minerals.

Being prepared looks different for everyone. But, crossing all your Ts and dotting all your Is, before you go is helpful.

2. Pick a Familiar Trail

At least if it’s your first time out you and your kid(s) alone you should pick a trail that has familiarity. This may not mean it has to be a trail you’ve hiked.

But make sure you’ve studied maps and know the area to some degree. Be comfortable with your surrounding. My reasons being, safety above all. Getting lost in the woods is bad. Getting lost with someone who can’t walk the whole way unassisted, can lead to something much worse. Stay safe know your trails.

Studying trail maps like this one at For-Mar in Genesee County is important for navigating new trails. 

The second reason I make this suggestion, young children’s moods can be unpredictable. Knowing the trail gives you a good idea of places to stop for a snack and a drink of water. 

Stopping will also give you the chance to let a hitchhiker down, to get some wiggles out, and get hands on with nature. Or if you have a tired little rambler, you have an opportunity load them up in a carrier for a break.

Also, if you know the trail you can have an exit strategy. If your kids’ mood goes completely south, you know where you are. Then you can quick turn around, if need be, to gtfo and head for home. Trust me, hiking with a bad mood baby screaming on your back can straight up not be a good time for all parties involved.

3. Have lots of Snacks

Okay, this one should have been #1, at least in my little family. My son loves to munch in his carrier cockpit on everything from granola bars, to cucumbers. One time he happily carried a mini cucumber for a 5 mile hike, munching on it every so often. Snacks keep everyone energized and motivated. They can be a good little mood boost for both of you during a rest. 

My son carried this cucumber on my back in our Ergobaby 360° set up for 5 miles at 7 Lakes State Park. 

Opt for high energy mixed macro foods to keep you fueled up. A carbohydrate and a fat or protein together will keep you fuller and keep you all hiking longer.

 

Some options I have packed up include: 

 String cheese 

hunter sausage sticks 

fruit leather 

 granola or energy bars 

crackers 

whole fruits 

 raw veggies 

hummus or dip cups 

apple sauce or baby food pouches 

yogurt tubes 

sandwiches 

trail mix 

sandwich crackers 

even fun treats like candy or cookies.

Note: whole nuts and whole grapes are not recommended for children under 5 years old. This is due to a their high choking risks. How long you plan to be out and your pack size will dictate what you can bring for snacks.

Perishable foods aren’t going to last forever, particularly on a hot summer day. Freezing items such as yogurt tubes, with increase your food longevity.

Remember to always take any packages the food comes in back off the trail with you. You definitely don’t want to leave it worse than you found it. 

Leaving only footprints is kinda the goal here. You may want to take that a step further, by bringing a small trash bag along to pick up garbage you may find. There are often less than considerate hikers that came before you. But, their inconsideration makes a great teaching moment for kids. Show them what it means to be a steward of the land.

4. Take a Carrier or Stroller

Kids don’t have the same stamina that an adult will have. This is especially true for a long distance over uneven terrain. And when you’re on your own, being hands free is very helpful. Now, your options are going to vary depending on factors like the weight and age of your child. There are a lot of different types of child carriers on the market right now. 

What works for you will based on these variables and what you’re willing to spend. If it’s in your budget, I would suggest a full framed carrier for a child who can sit unassisted and is under 40 lbs or so. This style pack makes for even weight distribution. Taking stress off your back and shoulders.

I used soft carriers in the past. One was an older model Baby Bjorn Mini. The other the Omni 360 convertible Ergobaby carrier. The Baby Bjorn was fine for the newborn phase, but carriers of this style presume you’re working with a flat chest. As a mom who breastfed, that was not the case for me at the time of using that product. My chest led the weight distribution to be uneven. Leading to a wonky stride and sore shoulders. The weight limit was low, for this style and it kept me hands free and mobile, getting the job done.

My son at 3 months old, rode in the Baby Bjorn carrier, and napped through Mitchell State Park

That was when my doctor suggested a framed carrier. To be honest, I had started looking to purchase this style anyway. We use the Osprey Poco Plus and love all the features it has to offer. It’s a bit of a splurge but we have found it to be worth the investment. The pack pocket space is adequate for a day hike. My son enjoys being up high to see everything. He also seems to find the little cockpit seat comfortable for longer hikes. The sunshade is great not only for its intended purpose, but also for keeping low branches out of his face. It’s also very adjustable. Both my 6’1” long legged burly husband, and my 5’4” short legged long torso semi athletic female build use it with comfort.

My son enjoyed the poco plus on a misty hike at For-Mar. 

Definitely play with the adjustments if you opt for this particular pack. The first time I used ours, I missed a strap to tighten. Which meant I loaded all my son’s weight on my hips and legs for a 5 mile hike. It was not a good time. The adjustments you need can vary from hike to hike. Fit depends on the clothes you’re wearing underneath the pack as well. On cooler days I have to play with the shoulder straps and hip belt to accommodate bulkier clothing.

Older children can walk more on their own, but may need some rest along the way. A lightweight packable option may be better for you in this case. A packable option might work if you’re carrying your younger child in a framed pack, and have an older child. 

The Trail Magik is an option I see highly recommended by avid hikers. It packs up very small, weighs about an ounce and has a rider weight of limit of 45lbs. The pack-ability of this product makes it good for little hikers who need a break for part of the trek. We’re not to this phase yet, so I can’t speak from experience on this product. It is something I’ve looked at a bit as an option for down the line. I may buy one when my son outgrows his Poco Plus, or if we decide to grow our family and need to multi child carry.

Other options include the seated belt style for holding a child on your hip. I’m not sure I would like this option as you can‘t be hands free. A sling or baby wrap are also light weight packable options. Truth be told, I tried a wrap with my son and never had confidence in my ability to tie it.

Even the piggy back standing packs are an option for part time riders. These make me nervous, as there don’t appear to be any rider leg support harnesses in any models I’ve seen. They may be an option for children that will hang on to you. Keep in mind, not all options laid out here are compatible if you’re carrying a backpack.

Carriers, like most hiking gear is highly personal. Your needs are going to vary based on numerous factors. These include your child’s age and weight, your body type, and budget.

Depending on the trails you select, a jogging stroller could also be an option. This will only work well if you’re headed down paved trails or boardwalks. Trails designated as ADA compliant will definitely accommodate a stroller. Larger state parks tend to have trails of this nature. Tahquamenon is a good example of this type of trail. The issues with using a stroller are that it limits the trails you can access and you will not be hands free.

Definitely do your research and look into what is going to work best for you and your family.

5. Set Realistic Expectations

I’ll be blunt friends. You’re not going to be hitting any personal records hiking solo with a young child. This is especially true the first time around. That’s okay! It’s not about that. The point of hiking with your kids is to get them out into the natural world. Fostering a connection with the earth, getting fresh air, exercise, and quality time. That is why you take kids hiking. If you set expectations low you won’t be as frustrated. It won’t be as disheartening if you don’t make it to the scenic lookout or the miles you thought you’d get for the day.

I like to slow down a bit, when alone with my son. I point out the plants we see along the way. I invite him to listen to the songbirds, and watch the wildlife scamper past us. Because of this my child pays attention to the trail and the terrain around us. Now, he has begun to bring things to my attention that I may have missed. He loves to scope out the wild black raspberries. He listens for chickadees calling on summer days. He even enjoys spotting other hikers along the way. Keep it light and fun. play games together, I spy is a fantastic option that requires no prep.

If you’re looking for an activity to do together on the trails of the Great Lakes State, I have something for you. I have created a free, printable, Michigan scavenger hunt. I included some common sights in the woods, with labels, pictures and check boxes for each item. You could laminate this page, grab some wet erase markers, and use it again and again. If you subscribe to MI Days Outdoors email updates, I’ll send you a copy, no charge! 

The free printable I made to engage kids with nature on hikes!

As your children get older they’ll learn to appreciate the time outdoors together. Then you will be able to stay out longer, going further!

Do you have any tips and tricks for hiking solo with your kids? Do you have topics you'd like covered in a future blog post? Let me know in the comments! Connect with me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Tiktok. Or Send an email to: MIDaysOutdoors@gmail.com.

Happy Trails!