So, you and your family want to spend more time outside? You’re not alone. According to reports, up to 76% of children want to be in nature more often. At the same time, up to 63% of parents try to bring their kids to green spaces at least once a week.
Apart from more casual park visits, more involved experiences like hiking should definitely be on your family’s nature activity list. After all, hiking, even beginner-friendly trails like Snowdon or Sugar Loaf can improve physical and mental well-being. This is also a great chance for children to detach from screens and develop problem-solving skills.
Of course, as lovely as nature is, it’s still a relatively uncontrolled environment. As such, it’s important that your family respects its might just as much as its beauty. To ensure that your first hiking trip together is safe and enjoyable, here are some safety essentials that you should pack with you.
Sun protection
Getting a direct dose of sunlight is one of the biggest perks of hiking. After all, sunlight has many benefits, like providing Vitamin D, regulating moods and sleep cycles, and even preventing the development of progressive conditions like myopia for kids. That said, overexposure can cause serious issues, ranging from sunburn to skin cancer and retinal ageing. To prevent this, pack some protective items like shades and sunscreen.
Since a hike will take you out into the elements, opt for sunglasses that are durable, protective, and comfortable. Trustworthy brands like Oakley are ideal for hikes since they are made of lightweight material that won’t dig in, and their lenses are treated with filters that block out 100% of UV rays.
For little ones, their models, like the Frogskin Youth Fit, can even help enhance visual acuity so they can better immerse in their surroundings. For sunscreen, it’s best to go with one that has a higher SPF rating. Ideally, you should choose a variant that offers at least SPF 30 to block UVB and at least a 4-star UVA rating. Since some kids may not like the sticky feeling of sunscreen, try a chemical option like La Roche Posay Anthelios Dermo Pediatrics Smooth Lotion. These dry down faster and have a lighter consistency, so they can also hold up to sweat or water.
First aid kit
It’s better to be safe than sorry, so while you don’t want to anticipate any injuries, first aid is always handy. Since children can also be more excitable or less capable of balancing themselves, a first aid kit can safely deal with any wounds. In the event of an emergency, having a first aid kit can also stem any pressing concerns while you wait for professional intervention. This can be critical if you’re hiking on a trail that is not too populated or if you’re far from any ranger post.
So, what should be in your first aid kit? For disinfection, you should have an antiseptic spray or cream. Then, for wounds, you should have gauze, bandages, plasters, and micropore tape. Should any sprains or breaks occur, knee and ankle supports can help. For pain management, ibuprofen is helpful. To lessen anxiety among kids, a red cloth for stemming any blood helps.
Finally, you’ll want to bring oral rehydration salts. If you have some of these items on hand, you can easily put together your own kit in a waterproof bag. However, if you want to make things easier, brands like Lewis-Plast offer different ready-made kits that you can choose from.
Food and fluids
Last but not least, you want to pack food and drinks. Travelling with kids often means a lot of snacks, and this is especially true when you’re doing an energy-burning activity like a hike. Without enough food and fluid, your family is not only at risk of running out of fuel but also of falling ill with dehydration or lightheadedness.
That said, you do want to be mindful of what you bring on the trails. You want to avoid littering, so packing mess-free food like fruits, veggies, and yoghurt works great. These have healthy fats and sugars that can give you a boost. Tesco has pre-made trail mixes with all these yummy things, so you don’t have to plan this out yourself. In terms of hydration, a reusable water bottle can’t be beat. Options like Stanley Water Bottles are smart choices since they can keep drinks cold or warm for extended periods. They’re also more durable, so they’re not prone to breaks or leaks while you hike. Having their own bottle may also be a source of motivation for children, who otherwise forget to drink regularly.
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