Camping

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. . . Let Them Carry Their Own Stuff

Kids and backpacking or hiking go together like peanut butter and jelly, first of all you have to carry them (see baby carriers backpacks) but if you want my advice (well why are ya reading this then? doh . . . ) as soon as they are old enough to hike for themselves they need to carry their own stuff in their own hiking kids’ backpack. It’s what they are designed for. Alright, maybe you shouldn’t make them carry the tent and your supply of tinnies in their little backpacks, but at least their own sun hat (important for hiking with kids), sandwiches and drink is perfectly acceptable.

Backpacks for Kids are generally categorized by the age of the child who is going to be carrying it. Available in various sizes as the kids get bigger and stronger, you will find that the first size of backpack is ideal for kids around 5 – 8 years of age (don’t expect your 5 year old to be able to manage some of the extra long day hikes you enjoyed as a child free backpacker, break them in gently or you’ll scare them off forever and end up carrying them . . . and their backpack).  Children’s back packs very often include some safety features (so that they don’t ever forget them), like a safety whistle built into a strap . . . well it’s easy to lose a small child in a big wilderness if you’re not careful and they can’t keep up with your trail blazing pace. Quick release buckles also feature highly in children’s backpacking designs, to enable little fingers to easily fasten and unfasten their backpacks without having to shout for help all of the time.

Hey, he didn’t even have a backpack, but then again he’s only three . . . well done for getting there little fella!

As your child reaches 8 years he or she will probably be big enough, strong enough and gullible enough to carry a bigger backpack on your family hiking trips . . . so something for an 8 – 12 year old should last a good few years.  Many of these will also have a safety whistle included . . . 8 or 9 year old children are very good at wandering off into their own little world . . . help, DAD, where are you!

Kids Backpacks For School

Thousands of kids enjoy getting back to nature and backpacking with their families each year, they’re the lucky ones, but ALL kids (even those who don’t have the privilege of hiker parents . . . sorry, I’m a little bias I know) need a backpack, because all kids have to go to school – unlucky! Backpacks are a terrific way for even the smallest of children to carry their lunchbox, snacks, school books, pencils and anything else they can think of to school, whether it’s pre-school, little school, middle school, high school, college . . . it’s never ending!