6 mistakes I've made hiking with a toddler
Hiking with a toddler can seem like an extreme sport sometimes! And honestly, it is different everytime you try it, but if you're up for an adventure, this is for you, and your toddler.
I loved going for walks and hiking with my toddler when he was a baby, so when he became his own little man, I was excited to watch him explore the world too, but boy is it a challenge!
Here are some mistakes I've made on the way, so you can learn from then and hopefully not make the same ones, or just feel better that you're not alone!
6 mistakes I’ve made:
1. I've been too ambitious with the route I wanted to take.
I love reading and re-reading walking books and guides, planning out routes, so have seen a few, Googled them, checked out the car park/local Refreshments and thought, yeah that looks great.
Then you get there, start walking and realise that this is not the route for me and a toddler! Too close to a main road equals me being stressed and anxious on the hike, the opposite of what I wanted.
I've also used an app to look at a route and took the shortcut past some houses and fields, half way through, both sides become completely oovergrownwith brambles, but now I'm stuck in it, I can’t walk backwards because I can’t see where I’m going, I can't turn around because he’ll get brambles in his face, so I have to tell my toddler to look down whilst I find a twig and try to keep them off his face, whilst simultaneously using my arm to keep them off mine!
2. Being distracted on our hike rather than focused on my toddler and nature around me.
This is the main reason I love being outside and hiking with my toddler, I love the feeling of being free, calm and relaxed, only what nature can provide. I also really appreciate and need the distraction from electronic devices, so when I was distracted on a hike, I really felt I let my self down and my toddler. So everytime since I set some time aside to take a few pictures, check the route and weather, then leave the phone alone and take in what's going on around me.
3. Planning a 6 mile route knowing we'll probably only manage 3 miles and becoming slightly, more than slightly, orritated when we do only manage 3 miles.
Managing everyone's expectations is key here.
The days of just going on a 6 mile hike with limited gear and getting back in time for lunch are over, but the enjoyment is still there.
So plan and prepare for a hike you know you and your toddler can achieve. Yes, you still might not make it the whole way, or have to take a detour, but everyone will go home feeling a sense of achievement and knowing you all had a great time together.
4. Forgetting his comforter.
We drove to the car park, turned around, went back home.
5. Never, ever say 'well go for a walk/hike first and then go to x, y, z’. In my case, I said we'd go to the woods first and then go see the diggers at a garden centre and it ended in lots of crying for both of us.
If you have some incentive or something else up your sleeve, keep it quiet until you need it.
6. Forcing it.
We definitely went through a phase, maybe about 3 weeks, of what looking back now, probably was a power struggle. There were a few times when I had planned out the route the night before, made a mental note of everything we would need, packed the bag, then the next morning got everyone changed, dressed, breakfast, in the car off we go, got to the car park, got myself and my baby ready, went to get my toddler out the car only for the biggest tantrum to happen.
One day, we stayed next to the car for 45 minutes, not in the car park playing with the dirt or looking at the trees. Just standing next to the car.
No amount of bribery, incentives or games would work.
We got back in the car and went home.
We carried on the day as normal.
After this, we took a week or two off hiking and it helped!
Gemma using the LittleLife S4 carrier
Top tips:
The right clothing can really help, I recommend long sleeves for both you and your toddler if you know you are going to wooded/forest area or less worn path
Plan your route, or at least, most of it, detours/shortcuts/turning around all together will happen, but with an idea where you are going, you’re more likely to get there and it’s one less thing to worry about! If you need some inspiration, I’ve got you here
Snacks, bring them, lots of them
Bring extra layers for you and your toddler, whether the weather changes, they play in the mud/puddles, accidents happen, taking spare clothes can help everyone's mood
Have games/toys up your sleeve ready to go. Take toys, bubbles, scavenger hunts, let your toddler lead, spot planes, trees, birds, to keep your little one engaged and involved. This can keep everyone calm and engaged, avoid tantrums and have fun along the way!
Be patient, really patient, outdoors is the place your little one thrives. In the grand scheme of things, it's probably for the best that our toddlers slow us down. Life goes quick, spending time outside is never a bad thing
Manage your expectations of what hiking looks and feels like now
Did I mention snacks, yes, bring some more
No matter what happens, being outside with your little one is the best adventure, so relax, allow yourself some time and enjoy the journey.