🥾 Backpacking with Kids: A Survival Guide for Parents Who Love the Trail
Backpacking with kids might sound like a recipe for stress, but trust me—it can also be one of the most rewarding and joy-filled things you do as a family.
Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just venturing into the world of overnight trips, this guide is here to help you prepare, pack, and stay sane on the trail. It’s full of hard-earned tips, gear suggestions, and lessons I’ve learned while hiking the Pacific Northwest with my own family.
If you love the outdoors and want to share that love with your kids—this post is for you.
🌲 Why Backpack with Kids?
Backpacking with your children isn’t just about the destination. It’s about building confidence, patience, and a sense of wonder—both for them and for you.
- They learn resilience by climbing their first steep trail (and realize they can do hard things).
- They connect to nature in a way that screens can’t replicate.
- You get to slow down, reconnect, and see the world through their eyes.
It’s messy, unpredictable, and sometimes exhausting—but it’s also magic.
My kids don’t remember every campsite—but they remember the cold lake we jumped into, hiking out in the dark and the marshmallows we cooked on sticks we found ourselves.
🎒 What My Kid Carries (and What I Carry for Them)
As kids grow, so does their ability to carry their own gear. Here’s a breakdown of how we split the load:
🧒 What My 9+11 -Year-Old Carries:
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- Their clothes
- Headlamp
- Favorite snacks
- Comfort item (small stuffy or book)
What I Still Carry:
- Tent
- Stove + cook gear
- Group food
- First aid kit
- Navigation + safety items
- Filtered water
I keep their pack around 10–15% of their body weight, and adjust based on trail length and difficulty.
Backpacking with kids – What to Pack
Here’s what always makes it into our packs (and what we’ve learned to leave behind):
✅ Must-Haves:
- The Ten Essentials (navigation, extra food, layers, etc.)
- Comfortable sleeping pad (comfort = better sleep)
- Dry, cozy sleep clothes + backup socks
- Headlamp with extra batteries
- Biodegradable wipes
- Camp shoes (Crocs are our go-to)
- A few comfort items: card game, sketchpad, stuffed animal
👉 Need help? Check out my One-Night Packing List
Trail Food Kids Actually Eat
Let’s be real: they won’t care how “fuel-dense” something is if it tastes like cardboard. Here’s what’s worked for us:
Breakfast
- Instant oatmeal with freeze-dried berries (You know the sugary kind you dont really serve at home. Its become a treat when we are out)
- Hot cocoa
- Granola with dehydrated fruit and milk
Lunch + Snacks
- Crackers + salami + cheese
- PB&J tortilla wraps
- Fruit leather
- Hard Boiled Eggs
- Gummy bears or NERDS clusters (trail magic!)
Dinner
- Mac & cheese or ramen + dehydrated veggies (we dehydrate our own)
- Dehydrated pasta or chili (We make our own but my kids love Mountain House Spahgetti + Sauce.)
- S’mores or hot cocoa as dessert
Pack snacks your kids can access on their own—it gives them a sense of ownership and control.
Sleep Setups That Actually Work when Backpacking with Kids
Getting a good night’s sleep makes everything easier. Here’s what’s helped us:
- I use a 2-person tent for me and one child and a 3-person tent if its all three of us and (2) 2-person tents if my husband comes
- Everyone has a dedicated set of clean, dry sleep clothes
- We follow a simple routine: dinner → bathroom → change → bedtime snack → tooth brushing → story or chat
- Don’t forget the pillow—even a rolled fleece in a stuff sack makes a big difference
Hygiene and Bathroom Stuff
This can be intimidating, but kids adapt quickly when you make it normal.
- We use a trowel and teach cathole etiquette (200 ft from water, bury TP or pack it out)
- Everyone gets a wipes + hand sanitizer kit
👉 Want more? See my Backcountry Hygiene Guide
😅 What Can (and Will) Go Wrong
No matter how prepared you are, something will go off-script. The trick is expecting it.
- Someone will cry (probably both of you)
- They’ll forget their extra pair of socks
- You’ll forget the cocoa
- You’ll laugh about it later
Top 3 Mistakes I’ve Made:
- Overestimating how far we could hike (this is probably the biggest)
- Forgetting to bring my own snacks 😅 My kids aren’t the best at sharing.
The key: go slow, stay flexible, and celebrate the small wins.
Where to Go: Easy Backpacking Trips to Start With
Here are a few trails in Washington we’ve loved or have on our list for kid-friendly overnights:
- Baker Lake Trail – can be long but flat, with lots of camp options (first camp is at 2 miles)
- Shi Shi Beach – beach hiking, tide pools, and the most dreamy hike to the beach
- Chain Lakes Loop – clear lakes with big mountain views
👉 More details: Backpacking Chain Lakes with Kids and Backpacking Shi Shi Beach with Kids
Final Thoughts
Backpacking with kids isn’t easy—but neither is parenting. The trail just gives you fewer distractions, more stars, and better snacks.
Start small. Bring cocoa. Celebrate when your kid carries their first sleeping bag. And remember: you’re showing them how to be brave, curious, and comfortable in the wild.
You’ve got this. 💚
