Best Hiking Gear Checklist for Kids
Our 6-year-old at Natural Bridge State Park, Virginia
Make the trail fun for EVERYONE in your family by ensuring you have the best gear for your kids.
Our helpful kids’ hiking gear guide provides tried-and-true suggestions from our own kids, and is the result of our family’s many experiments in how to keep kids happy and engaged on trails.
Below, you’ll find our top picks for everything from day packs for little ones to our must have hiking sandals.
We have taken our children on kid-friendly hikes since they were tiny, and, along the way, we’ve discovered what are game changers for outdoor family time.
Our suggestions in this post are the things we find ourselves recommending over and over again to family, friends, and readers.
Everything below is gear we’ve actually bought (with our own money!) and tried thoroughly before deciding to pass along the recommendation to you.
We’ve also included a printable hiking gear checklist for kids, free when you sign up for our newsletter!
This post contains affiliates. If you purchase through the links, I will receive a commission at no charge to you.
Kids Hiking Gear and Clothing
When you’re a beginner hiker on a budget, it can be overwhelming to walk into an REI or shop on Amazon.
I’m here to help you with your children’s hiking wardrobe with the foundational pieces that you need for your kids.
From day packs that you kids will actually wear to the best hiking leggings for girls, we’ve got your kids covered!
Once you’ve got these basic pieces in hand, you can then fully prep your children for the trail with our list of hiking supplies and accessories in the later sections.
Best Hiking Day Packs for Kids
Wearing their Deuter Kikki day packs on a trail in Highlands, North Carolina
When my kids were young, we didn’t push hiking backpacks.
Looking back, I wish I’d started them with something small to get them used to the idea.
Having each of my kids carry their own snacks, gear, and nature pamphlets has been a game changer for our family!
We bought each of the kids one of these Deuter Kikki day packs, and I am convinced that they are the best kids hiking backpacks.
The Kikki packs have one large inner pocket that is closed with a drawstring and toggle, and covered by a water resistant topper.
The total capacity of the packs are 8L, which I feel is more than adequate for a kid’s hiking pack, especially if this is your child’s first day pack.
We include everything listed on the “Kids Hiking Supplies” list in each of our kid’s backpacks.
Plus, the pack + contents still are comfortable for my 6- and 9-year-old to wear for a couple of hours.
Best Kids Hiking Boots
When you’re getting your kids into hiking, they might be okay with their normal sneakers, but if they’d like to truly be comfortable, they’ll need some hiking boots.
For rocky, uneven, or long trails, those hiking boots will make a world of difference in your child’s comfort and overall enjoyment of the situation.
My husband and I were initially hesitant to spend money on a kid’s hiking shoe, but we are SO glad that we did.
My younger child in particular didn’t love hiking because he said his feet hurt constantly—until we splurged on a pair of hiking shoes for him.
Since then, we’ve tried out many shoes designed for little feet, and Keen hiking boots win out for our family.
Keen Targhee Midheight Boot
Gibby rocking his Keen Targhee hiking boots in Oconee County, South Carolina
This hiking boot is a classic, and for great reason.
The Keen Targhee Boot has ankle support without going too high up your child’s calf, ensuring overall comfort.
It’s water resistant with thick rubber soles, meaning that little hiker of yours can run, jump, and explore without getting sore feet.
Best of all, it comes in both little kids’ and big kids’ sizes, so your devoted hiker can keep ordering the same shoe in different sizes.
The boot comes in 6 different color combinations, so there’s some variety.
However, none of the options are particularly bright, which might not work for kids who want rainbows and glitter all of the time.
Our 6-year-old LOVES these boots and often wears them as his everyday shoes, so that should tell you how comfortable they are.
If you’re looking for similar comfort for your youngest hikers, check out our full guide to the best hiking shoes for toddlers here.
Best Kids Hiking Sandals
We are OBSESSED with trying out new hiking sandals for the kids!
As a family living in coastal South Carolina, we’re constantly at the beach or pool—or we’re chasing down waterfalls in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
We’ve tried many hiking sandals over the years, and we have 3 top contenders!
Keen Newport H2s
The kids and I wearing our Keen Newports H2s on a day of island hopping on the Gulf Coast
Hands down, these are my most recommend hiking item after the Deuter Kikki packs.
The Keen Newport H2s are everything I could want in a hiking sandal—and they last forever.
For the first several summers of my children’s lives, we all lived in these, even going so far as to buy matching mom-and-kid pairs a few times.
I love how thick the soles are for protection while hiking, and that the sandal has a toe covering against sharp rocks or briars.
I also love how the overall design and neoprene interior allow for a quick drying shoe after a quick dip at a waterfall.
These sandals will handle anything you can throw at them (and we’ve done it all!).
From walking on the beach to hiking up a mountain, these shoes stay comfortable and colorful.
Another selling point for us is the wide variety of fun colors this shoe comes in…though, I will always be a fan of the tie-dye!
I have a pair of these as well, and they made my list of the best hiking clothes for women, too.
Chaco Ecotread Z1
Britton (far left) wore her Chacos everywhere on our recent trip chasing waterfalls in SC and NC. (And I’m still loyal to the adult Keen Newport H2s!)
These Chaco Ecotread Z1 sandals are my 10-year-old daughter’s new favorites.
She wanted a hiking sandal that was more open than the Keen Newport H2, so she’s opted for the classic Chacos this spring and summer.
The sole is thick but lightweight, making this a great hiking sandal that won’t weigh your kids down.
One benefit of the Chaco sandal is that the arch is much more distinct that on the Keen Newport H2.
This arch support is wonderful if your child complains about foot pain in a regular pair of flip flops.
The straps can be pulled for a custom fit, but I will warn you that figuring out which strap is pulling which part of the foot can take some practice.
For more ideas on what to include in your child’s hiking pack, see the kids’ hiking supplies section below.
Don’t forget to download the printable hiking checklist for kids, too (see the form at the end of the post!).
Best Hiking Pants and Leggings for Kids
In these 2 recommendations for the best hiking pants for kids, I’ve chosen my 2 kids’ favorites.
For context, I have a 6-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl.
These are the hiking pants that each of them consistently grabs when we’re heading out on a trail.
Zip Off Pants
He opted for the shorts version while on the Station Cove Falls trail, one of the best things to do in Walhalla, SC.
I bought a pair of these zip off pants for my son just for the novelty of pants-that-turn-into-shorts.
He loves them—and I’ve had to go back to get a second pair in a different color.
I appreciate the quick dry fabric, which truly is quick dry.
One a recent hike, Gibby (our son) decided to walk through a stream instead of jump over it via rocks, and these pants were dry before we made it another quarter-mile.
The neutral colors go with everything, so I haven’t had to buy specific tops to match.
We have the army green and khaki.
The cargo pockets are deep enough to stash away sticks, rocks, and whatever else he finds on the trail.
The zip attachment is easy, even after multiple washes.
Honestly, the biggest drawback is trying to keep track of the lower half of the bottoms when our son wears them as shorts!
These are wonderful on the trail when Gibby decides halfway through that he’s too hot or too cold.
Leggings with Pockets
Britton loves to layer leggings with shorts for mild weather hikes.
These Stelle girls leggings with pocket are incredibly soft, and they will stand up to anything our 10-year-old throws at them.
She is not easy on clothes, but these leggings have stood up so well that I have to admit they were worth the money.
The Stelle Girls’ leggings are not see-through at all, they have light compression, and the pockets are great for our daughter to keep trail treasures in.
She often wears these as her hiking pants in spring through early fall.
The leggings are great at wicking sweat and keeping you cool.
When the weather turns cool, my daughter will layer the leggings under a quick dry pair of pants like her brother’s (above) or under shorts for extra warmth.
We’ve also owned the much pricier Athleta Girls’ Stash Tights, and the Stelle Girls leggings are a great dupe.
Best Hiking Socks for Kids
If you’re buying hiking socks for kids for the first time, remember one word: wool.
While it might be tempting to throw on a pair of inexpensive cotton socks, your child will be far more comfortable in a pair of wool hiking socks.
Per pair, kids’ wool socks are more expensive, but they’re also thicker, less likely to get smelly, and great are wicking away sweat (so fewer blisters!).
Most hiking socks also have extra padding in the sole as cushion on those bumpy trails.
Grab a few pairs of wool socks for your little hiker to pair with a solid pair of hiking boots, above.
Kids Hiking Accessories
Once you’ve got a solid day pack and some comfy shoes, you’ll want to build on your kids’ hiking gear.
Add in these as you have time and budget. Over time, your little hiker will have a great collection of gear!
Adjustable Hiking Poles for Kids
Gibby with his adjustable hiking pole at Clingman’s Dome near Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Our then-5-year-old begged for these at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and we initially tried to talk him out of it.
He used his souvenir money, and the adjustable hiking pole has become a family favorite.
He uses it when he’s tired on a trail, or when he’s working through a particularly uneven area.
It also keeps him entertained on the trail since he feels like a “real” hiker when he uses it!
Look for these in most national parks, or pick up a pair from Amazon, which is nearly identical other than the lack of NPS branding.
PIN ME!
Compass
Teaching your kids basic navigational skills is incredibly important, especially if you’re planning on going on longer, more technical hikes and/or you’re heading out for an overnight backpacking trip.
Having these small compasses attached to my kids’ backpacks gives me some piece of mind that they’d be able to get their bearings if we got separated—or if the entire family wandered off together.
You can build on your compass knowledge with the comprehensive Camp Out! by Lynn Brunelle.
We keep a copy of this book in our camper permanently as it also has great campfire recipes, hiking tips for kids, information about constellations, and more.
Safety Whistle
Another permanent fixture on my kids’ backpacks, these small safety whistles are crazy loud.
When you’re lost in the woods, a voice doesn’t carry far at all.
However, one of these whistles will allow your child to be heard by rescuers loudly.
We gave these to the kids along with a few safety tips:
If you get lost, blow the whistle 3 times, then count to 100 as you listen for a response.
When you realize you’re lost, hug a tree. This advice is based on the National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR)’s training for young hikers. Read more about the Hug-a-Tree safety training and tips.
Smaller items like a compass, whistle, nature pamphlet, or hiking poles also make for great gifts!
Check out our complete camping gift guide for kids here.
Nature Pamphlets
Gibby listens intently as Britton describes a mushroom we found in Santee State Park, South Carolina.
While I’m perfectly content to walk for miles just looking and listening, my kids need something more interactive.
Enter the inexpensive but indispensible nature pamphlets.
My daughter originally found one of these while we were camping at Oconee State Park.
Since then, my 2 kids have amassed several pamphlets apiece.
They care their pamphlets with them in their day packs, and when they see something interesting, they stop, pull out the pamphlets, and see if they can identify the animal, mushroom, plant, tree, or reptile.
The pamphlets are easily folded and unfolded, and they’re small enough that my kindergartener can manage them alone.
You can find these laminated waterproof pamphlets at most state parks and national parks, and they’re great for introducing local flora and fauna you’re most likely to see on hikes.
Here are a few of the pamphlets we currently own:
Bugs and Slugs (a favorite)
Mushrooms (one that’s pulled out constantly—we’ve learned about so many!)
Kids’ Water Bladder
Water bladders can be a convenient way to ensure that your child has enough hydration on your hike.
For the youngest hikers, I would suggest holding off on the water bladder as that quantity of water is quite heavy in a day pack.
Plus, a small water bottle is adequate for little ones—and you can keep refilling it from the big water bladder in your adult day pack.
For bigger kids who crave more independence on the trail, a small water bladder is a great option over a water bottle.
This 1 liter kids’ water bladder would fit easily in a smaller day pack without adding too much weight for a child 8+.
A hiking child needs at least 2-3 cups of water during a shorter hike, according to Hike It Baby.
A 1 liter bladder is going to provide that and more.
Take them out on the trail even when they’re little! Here are our tried-and-true tips for hiking with toddlers and our tips for making hiking fun for kids!
Kids Hiking Supplies
We’ve carefully worked to include items in our kids’ day packs that are going to enrich their hikes and/or provide safety—keeping in mind that weight is paramount to their overall enjoyment of hiking.
Here’s what we put in their hiking backpacks every time we step out onto the trail.
What to Include in a Kids' Hiking Pack
Compass
As mentioned above, a small compass is a must have for emergencies and general navigation.
Look for one that compact and can be clipped to the outside of your kid’s hiking pack.
Whistle
Another must have for emergencies or warning off wildlife.
A safety whistle that can worn on a lanyard or attached to your child’s backpack is ideal.
Emergency Bivy
My kids never leave the parking lot without their emergency bivys in their packs.
If something terrible happened and we ended up lost overnight, we’d need to keep our core body temperature up.
These lightweight, reflective sheets do just that. They can wrapped around your child for heat retention, used as a sleeping bag, or as a makeshift tarp/tent.
Poncho
While we’re always careful about hiking on bright, sunny days, the weather can have some surprises in store.
For any sudden downpours, the inexpensive ponchos provide welcome protection.
Plus, the ponchos come with a small bag so that you can dry the ponchos off and store them again.
We like that these are very lightweight compared to carrying a rain jacket.
Water bottle or water bladder
Always, always take hydration when hiking!
Even on days that are mild—or when you’re undertaking a short hike—you’ll want to bring ample water for everyone in your hiking group.
Providing a dedicated water bottle or water bladder for your child provides a sense of independence for them.
Nature pamphlets
As noted above, we LOVE including several of these in our kids’ packs before we set out on a hike.
These are inexpensive and an excellent way to teach your kids about animals, plants, trees, and more that they may see along the trail.
Tissues
My kids need tissues constantly.
Small tissue packs are excellent for everything from a runny nose to bathroom emergencies on the trail.
Just remember to leave no trace and bring all of your trash out with you.
To assist with that goal, I recommend giving your child…
Plastic bags
Your kids will have trash, so a sealable plastic bag or two is great to have in their packs.
Small bags are also excellent for collecting leaves, trail rocks, or other treasures.
Doing so cuts down on the amount of dirty things in the bottom of their day packs, which means you have less washing to do—and their packs will last longer.
As a more environmentally friendly alternative, we also carry dry bags in the kids’ packs for snacks and non-messy trash.
Non-perishable snacks
Trail snacks are KEY to keeping your kids motivated on a hike!
We allow them to pack their own selection of snacks while encouraging them to bring a variety of items.
Kid favorite trail snacks include:
Bananas
Apples
Granola bars
Energy bites
Pretzels (Try peanut butter filled pretzels for an extra yummy snack)
Fruit leather (We love the That’s It bars!)
Trail mix
Nuts
Dried fruit
Keep your kids’ snacks in a larger dry bag, which will reduce the amount of crumbs and stickiness in their day packs.
Lightweight jacket
If we’re hiking in the spring or fall, we wear lots of layers, including base layers, fleeces, and a lightweight jacket.
Dressing the kids like this means they can pull on more or take off clothes to stay comfortable as the weather changes throughout the day.
Hat
You don’t need a specific type of hat here: the best hiking hat is whatever your child will keep on.
A baseball or trucker hat works well and can be easily stored in a hiking pack in shady areas.
Your child might prefer a wide brimmed hat like this one, which has an adjustable toggle on the chin strap.
Both of my kids wore the sun hat linked above when we took our big road trip from South Carolina to Arizona.
It was a lifesaver on the treeless hikes in Petrified Forest National Park and when sledding in White Sands National Park!
Sunscreen
No one likes getting burnt.
Take it from someone who has a skin tone close to Dracula’s: you can get burnt even on a cloudy day.
Put sunscreen on your child before you head out, and roughly every 90 minutes after that.
Bug spray
As someone living in the South, the bugs don’t ever really go away here.
We keep bug spray in our kids’ bags to use if the mosquitos or biting midges get too thick on our chosen trail.
Sunglasses
A pair of kid-sized sunglasses makes a trail without tree cover much more tolerable.
Pick up an inexpensive pair at Target or Walmart, or order a 3-pack on Amazon.
Optional Items to Include
Turkish towel
We keep a set of these Turkish towels permanently in our camper, and we put them in our hiking bags any time we are heading to a waterfall or crossing streams.
Because if there’s water, my kids will somehow end up in it!
The Turkish towels weigh very little and roll up nicely to fit into the bottoms of our day packs.
My favorite thing about them is how quickly they dry!
We can towel off dripping wet kiddos, and then have the towels dry off on a rock—within 15 minutes, the towels are ready to be packed for the return trip.
Hot Hands
I am one of those people who constantly freeze during the winter, and my kids have inherited this trait.
We keep a couple of Hot Hands in their packs when we’re hiking in the fall, winter, and early spring.
If they get overly chilly, they can pop one of these into their gloves, pockets, or socks.
Hair ties
Hair ties are incredibly versatile!
We use them for getting the hair out of my kids’ eyes, of course.
But they’re also great for cinching items to the outside of bags, closing bags, or compacting our towels.
Downloadable Hiking Checklist for Kids
Hopefully, this list has you ready to take your kids out on the trail!
For easy reference, I’ve created a downloadable checklist for all of the gear mentioned here.
It’s free when you join our weekly newsletter, where I share family hiking, camping, and outdoor travel tips!
