(Last updated January 2024)

 

In this section you will learn what to pack and have for your baby or toddler for just about any adventure. I started hiking with Graeson when he was about 3 weeks old. I quickly figured out what I needed to have to be prepared. If you can get most of these purchases without having to buy brand new you'll be golden. They out grow things so quickly, Marketplace was my best-friend in those early stages and Amazon. First we will have two sections on what clothing to have for summer & winter and lastly the gear to use. Let's get to it! 

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FALL & WINTER LAYERS:

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• Long sleeve bodysuits (fleece)

• Pants (warm fuzzy ones)

• Fuzzy Snowsuits (These were a favourite for me)

• Toques (Jan & Jul are my favourite, they are the cutest and preferably ones that have a tie)

• Warm fuzzy socks

• Fuzzy sweaters

• Snow suit that's waterproof over top the fuzzy snowsuit (if it's that cold out)

• Bunting suits (a personal favourite)

• Winter mitts (Jan & Jul, they have grow with me ones that adjust!)

• Fuzzy fleece booties (ones on Amazon are great.)

• Stonez booties (best booties before they can walk)

• Rain jackets

• Muddy Buddy (hands down best purchase you'll ever make)

• Rain boots (ones that have the loops on top to pull them on easier)

• Pull over sweater

• Winter Coat

• Patagonia Micro D Snap-T Jacket (It's on my wish-list, so adorable and warm)

• Base layers from Mountain Warehouse

• Hiking boots for toddlers Drift Juniors at MW have been my favourite

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SPRING & SUMMER LAYERS:​​​

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• Short or long sleeve bodysuits (carters always has good ones)

• Sun hat UPF (preferably one that has a strap)

• Soft soles (islandsoftsoles) they are adorable as well!

• Light sweater 

• Pull over long sweaters (these are good for summer as well)

• Shorts (comfortable ones not jeans or something crazy like that)

• Light jogger pants

• Socks

• Sandals

• Swim shorts & top (UPF)

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GEAR & ESSENTIALS:

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• OSPREY Carriers (my favourite)

• TrailMagik (Best Toddler Carrier & new favourite! code: HIKELYSS saves you 10% off.

• Water cups or let them drink out of a bladder when they learn

• Snack cups (best invention ever)

• Reusable bags to put snacks in (game changer)

•  Soother attached to teether strap

• Small blanket, towel or change pad (to change them on)

• Diapers & Swim Diapers (lots, I store these in a big ziplock as well as carry a dry bag for dirty ones)

• Diaper cream (medicated)

• Wipes (I just put some in a ziplock)

• Kids mummy sleeping bag (for tenting in the summer)

• Burp cloths (can never have too many.)

• Hand sanitizer

• Baby sunscreen

• Organic mosquito repellent

• Baby sunglasses

• Baby shade tent (A MUST for summer adventures!)

• Baby dome (I so wish I had one of these for beach-camping adventures when he was little)

• Baby floatie (hands down best purchase I ever made when he was young for the river)

• Toddler water wings (for use at river)

• Small inner tube (river adventures)

• Diaper bag backpack if you can't carry babe in a carrier yet

• Ergo Baby Carrier (get the infant insert for when they are first born)

• Salus Bijoux Baby lifejacket (for those boating/kayaking adventures)

• Hiking boots (still need to get these)

• Nikes (these are good to start out)

• Wide sun hat with strap (Jan & Jul my favourite)

• Sand box toys (beach adventure or fun activity while hiking as well)

• Nursing cover (I liked to have this as I didn't like whipping my boob out at first in public)

• Sleep sacks (are great for summer camping that go under sleeping bag)

• Play pen (great for travel and can be used for several different purposes)

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WHATS IN MY CARRIER?

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As Graeson grew, I also outgrew my items I carried, so I will list what I had with me at all times

hiking while he was a baby to when he's been a toddler which is current.

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BABY: (Backpack & Ergo)

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• Ziplock of Wipes

• Handful of diapers/swim ones

• Towel

• Bottle (Grae was mostly BF, but sometimes just incase)

• Receiving blankets

• Extra clothes

• Soother

•  Extra Sweater

• Sunscreen

• Hat/Toque

• Mitts

•  Some type of toy at his age/development

• Squeeze tube of ointment

• Hand Sanitizer

• First Aid Kit

• Muddy Buddy

• Baby Sunglasses

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Depending on what season it was, I dressed him typically in a long sleeve onesie, light pants, sweater, a little fuzzy bear suit or muddy buddy if it was raining, toque and wore him in the Ergo. Being that they are strapped to you, they do get quite a-lot of body heat from that. Oh how I miss that stage, but I don't miss having a front and backpack on. How to get jacked 101 or feel like your going to topple over every inch of incline you gain.

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TODDLER: (Osprey Carrier)

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• Diapers & swim ones

• Ointment

• Ziplock Empty (for dirty diapers) or even doggie bags would work.

• Ziplock of wipes

• Snack cup

• Sippy cup

• 3-4 cracker snacks

• 2 squeeze juice drinks

• Lunch for him and I (depends if the hike is long.)

• Change of clothes

• Swim suit (if it's warm out)

• Towel 

• Sunscreen

• First Aid Kit

• Rain-cover for osprey

• Hat/Toque

• Extra Sweater

• Toys (little ones like cars, dinosaurs, or one bigger truck)

• Soother

• Muddy Buddy (if he's not wearing it)

• Sunglasses (these will fall off several times, I give up lol)

• Amazon Trekking poles (so cute)

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Depending on what season it is, I dress him accordingly and stuff him into the pack. This only gets harder, I'm not even going to sugarcoat it. I'm going into my third summer soon with packing him and he's almost 30 pounds plus what I bring. It's a grind but worth every step to get him outside and experience this life with me.

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WHAT TO PACK FOR THE CAR?

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With every great adventure, sometimes involves going further distances. For myself I hated the sound of my baby crying when I was driving, it bothered me A-LOT, I really got to find out some of my favourite things to keep him entertained while being back there especially if I'm driving alone.  Some people are just lucky and don't need any of these things but I was not part of that club, I got pretty used to someone being back there with Graeson to entertain him most of the time, so that's most likely why Graeson needs the stimulation now.

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• Car seat toy (one hung on the handle) this was such a great toy for when he was little.

• Soother (I'll be damned if this thing ever fell out)

• Toys (we usually keep a bin of them in our vehicles)

• Bring the snack cup, it'll keep them quiet for a bit (say goodbye to clean vehicles once you become a parent)

• Drawing boards (no mess ones)

• Leapfrog pad (when they become older)

• iPad for shows (we only use this if we go somewhere far, even though he doesn't really pay attention or into it)

• Portable sound machine (I freaking loved this this with so many different adventures.)

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EXTRA TIPS:

 

We have always timed going anywhere, when Graeson is due for a nap. Then he is good to go and is usually out within the first few minutes this buys us quite a bit of time without him being fussy. I totally recommend using that method if you can for awhile, it makes for a way better road-trip and hike.

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Remember while hiking with your baby or toddlers, make this fun, have patience and start out small. Don't expect miracles right away, there will be days where you might get to the viewpoint or you'll chase butterflies in the parking lot. In this thing we call parenthood we take what we can. Hiking with a newborn is quite easy in my opinion as all they do is sleep and drink milk. Toddlers are a whole other ball game, they are demanding, stubborn and opinionated. They are learning what they like and how to assert their independence, while these are all good things it can certainly make any activity much more difficult.  When your baby can start walking, take them out and let them explore, for kids hiking is less about getting somewhere than having fun and playing along the way. The more they get used to walk/hike on their own, the stronger they get and longer they'll be able to go next time. And if you don't rush them or force them down the trail at your speed, they'll be much more excited about the next hike. 

 

Bring lots of snacks for those toddlers, get creative and play games such as "I spy" or rehearse the alphabet back to each other. Have a great time and I'll see you on the trails. When they become older be prepared to stop A-LOT, hence the snacks and make this fun for them. Making this negative will not encourage them to continue to want to hike. 

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Dedicated to my son Graeson. 

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