ADVENTURING WITH KIDS 🙌🏼 Hiking and exploring with kids doesn't have to be too complicated. But you do need to be prepared! 🥾 We have been hiking with our kids since they were each babies. We have taken them on short quick one mile hikes to 8 mile hikes with significant elevation gain. It's not always easy, but it's always worth it! Sometimes the days are perfect; sometimes they have challenges and perhaps even tears. But in the end, we all grow and we ALL benefit from being in creation, being together and enjoying everything that adventure brings. FOR THE PARENTS: 🏔 daypack (I like one with a water bladder for ease) 🏔 bag to carry out poop if you can't bury it appropriately 🏔 plenty of food for you + kids 🏔 headlamp + batteries 🏔 @sawyerproducts water filter to refill if needed 🏔 fanny pack if you like easy access 🏔 first aid kit and toilet paper 🏔 bug spray if needed 🏔 hat, layers FOR THE KIDS: 🌲 daypack for kids old enough 🌲 water bladders in the pack if they can carry it 🌲 candy/treats that are *extra* special !! 🌲 fanny pack for treats, beef jerky, trail mix 🌲 hat, layers, any special needs 👼🏼 For babies, bring all the extras/obvious things like changes of clothes, layers, socks, diapers etc! When we had babies, I hiked with young babies in a front pack. When they got older, we used the @ospreypacks backpack — it was our fav! It has space underneath the baby/toddler to store stuff, too. 🧀 For FOOD, pack some nutrient dense, salty, nourishing foods, and also food your kids will for sure EAT! For normal hikes I’ll bring along some special treats, for BIG hikes I’ll let the kids pick out candy that I wouldn’t usually get them! It’s major motivation and they serve themselves via their fanny pack! 🐻 We rarely hike with bear spray but have when we think it’s necessary. We have yet to encounter a bear when hiking with the kids, but have seen black bear in the distance on some other hikes! It’s truly not much of a concern. I’m more worried about the 🦟 ;). We pack a strong EO bug spray I make. 💦 For river/wet hikes, @chacosnz or @teva sandals! Feel free to ask questions in the comments. 🤍