To the mountains with children

Family hikes with children in Bukovel have their advantages. In addition to the standard "set of impressions and entertainment", here you can pick wild berries, swim in a crystal clear mountain lake, go fishing under the supervision of adults, visit popular tourist locations or get acquainted with Hutsul cuisine. Each hike can be called a modern and fun method of education. In a relaxed circumstance, the child learns to communicate, support others, cope with difficulties and believe in himself, replenishes knowledge about Ukraine, acquires useful skills for life in the "wild».

Features of hiking with children

The best solution for novice tourists would be to contact a travel agency that is engaged in the professional organisation of hikes. This guarantees not only the safety and comfort of children, but also the choice of the optimal route, taking into account the physical fitness and interests of a particular child.

The easy way. One of the main differences between toddlers is lower stamina. By the age of 8-10, it is recommended to choose easy and simple ways, without sudden drops or transitions on stones, climbing to great heights, etc.

Frequent breaks. When hiking with children in nature, you need to make periodic halts or snacks. Children get tired faster than adults, but they also recover much faster.

Interesting adventures. Boredom is one of the main childhood enemies. Interesting conversations, cool selfies against the background of sheep and cows in the meadow, cheese and cheese tasting, popular hiking games - these and other entertainment will not leave a single minute for boredom.

Child safety. In mountainous areas, young trackers should be constantly in the field of view of adults, even when the baby is sleeping.

Company. Children love to communicate with their peers, share their secrets and play. Experienced team leaders will offer team games on a hike with children, ball, frisbee, etc. This will help you get to know each other and make friends faster.

When going to the mountains with your child, focus on his pace of movement. The main purpose of the trip is to get acquainted with the wonders of the Carpathian region, and not to instantly get to the final destination. Let your child see all the curiosities and absorb the fabulous atmosphere of the forest and mountains.

To the mountains with children: types of hikes

A feature of "children's" routes is their short length and low category of difficulty. The next goal is a one-day trip with an overnight stay, after which you can move on to radial sorties and only then to linear trips for several days.

A common formula for children and adolescents is: daily mileage = age of the child or teenager. Hiking with small children requires more frequent halts. On easy routes, stops are needed every 30 minutes, on difficult routes — every 10-15 minutes.

For travelling in the Carpathians in the warm season, we offer:

Hiking in the mountains with children is the most accessible and common, recommended from 3-4 years old.

Cycling with children. The optimal age for this type of activity is 7-8 years old, the child should have formed cycling skills.

Combined hikes with children are the best solution for families with babies or when moving over long distances, as well as for beginner tourists. Walking alternates with boating, car, cycling and other modes of transport.

What to take with you on a hike with tents with children?

The bulk of things when hiking with children in nature should be carried by an adult. However, your son or daughter will be very pleased to feel like an equal member of the tourist group. Even a tiny preschooler is able to carry a small backpack with a bottle of water, a bunch of their favourite sweets, and their own toy. Let your child have his own "property" and it will be a reason for joy and pride! Family hikes with children of preschool and primary school age involve the presence of two adults with one baby. Thanks to this, you will evenly distribute the necessary cargo and be able to take a break from active communication with a young tourist.

When going on a hike with children for the first time, it is better to consult with the team leader of the tourist group or your experienced acquaintance. They will tell you about hiking equipment and explain in more detail what to take with you on a hike with children. The updated list depends on many factors, ranging from the landscape to the conditions of overnight stays and accommodation.

First aid kit on a hike with children

Despite the fact that the group leader must have a first aid kit, medicines, personal hygiene products (diapers, wet wipes, powders) and personal protection (repellents) for a specific age of the child are selected for a hike with a child.

A standard first aid kit for a hiking trip with children should contain:

• Antipyretics (tablets, suspension, suppositories).
• Painkillers.
• Remedies in case of poisoning: absorbents, antibiotics, remedies for diarrhoea, antiemetics.
• Preparations for wound treatment: alcohol, brilliant green, cotton wool, plaster, bandage, wound healing cream, rubber tourniquet or tactical tourniquet, haemostatic sponge, medical glue.
• Antihistamines (antiallergic) drugs.
• Protective equipment against insect bites and sunlight.
• Electronic thermometer, syringes, tweezers for getting ticks or splinters, wet wipes, scissors, ear sticks.
• Throat lozenges, spray in case of runny nose.

Purchasing a ready-made first aid kit for tourists will significantly reduce worries about "What to take on a hike with children" and allow you to take into account the slightest nuances.

List of things to do on a hike with children

Children from 8-9 years old usually sleep in a personal sleeping bag. To relax at a halt, you will need a mat seat. Don't forget to grab some toys, markers and paper, puzzles, etc.

Hiking clothes:

• Thermal underwear.
• T-shirts.
• Sweatpants made of light fabric.
• Fleece jacket.
• Membrane jacket and pants.
• Rubber boots, hiking boots.
• Headgear (hat, panama hat).
• A set of woollen and summer socks.
• Raincoat.

When thinking about what to take on a hike with children from food, you should find a reasonable compromise. The food should not only be liked by the child, but also stored well during a long trip. A headlamp, a set of hiking utensils, a towel (preferably made of microfibre).

Hiking in the Carpathians with children is one of the most successful options for family vacations. A trip to picturesque places with a backpack on your shoulders, soulful songs by the evening fire, the smell of kebabs and wild herbs, games with peers and many, many stunning photos. Every child, from teenager to preschooler, will be happy with such a summer adventure.