Kids: How-To Guides

Dream of Thru-Hiking With Your Kids? These Rad Parents Will Show You How

Two thru-hiking moms share their top tips for backpacking with little ones.

Hiking

These 5 Tips Will Help New Hikers Thrive on the Trail

Our trail columnist spent the summer hiking with novice backpackers to come up with this key advice for beginners

Skills

5 Tips to Start Peakbagging With Kids

Want to pass on your love of hiking to your munchkins? Start them early.

Meditation

Can We Normalize Meditation Breaks on Family Hikes?

When hiking, I used to power walk to the top for a breathless peek at the view. Then, my toddler taught me to exhale along the way.

Trail Tips

Taking the Family to the Trails

Beginner Skills

How to Pick the Perfect Hike for Kids of All Ages

Expert advice on choosing trails for families with babies to teenagers, and all ages in between.

Skills

How to Pick the Perfect Hike for Kids of All Ages: Babies and Toddlers

Find trail bliss with expert advice from Hike It Baby's Jessica Carrillo Allatorre

Issues

The Ethics of Thru-Hiking with Kids

Each year, more families seem to earn attention by taking to long trails with small children. What are their motivations, and is it bad for the kids?

Skills

How to Pick the Perfect Hike for Kids of All Ages: Pre-Teens and Teens

Get your teens psyched on hiking with expert advice from BACKPACKER Editor-in-Chief, Dennis Lewon

Skills

7 Ways To Save Money On Kids’ Hiking Gear

Kids' gear is expensive. Save money (and stress) by following any of these seven tips.

Gear Repair

Save Money and Make Your Hiking Gear Last Forever With These 6 Tips

In most cases, there's no need to shell out for new gear. Here's how to repair and clean your kit for seasons to come.

California Trails

For My Family, Hiking History Is Black History

Over a 30-mile hike through the High Sierra, a father and son reflect on belonging in the wilderness.

Gear

After Months on the Trail, Thru-Hikers Agree: These 8 Items Are Worth Every Ounce

From classic lightweight tents to an 8.5-gram gadget that makes setting up camp easier, this is what six hikers from this year's class are using and loving.

Gear

We Asked 5 Appalachian Trail Hikers What Their Favorite Piece of Gear Was

After 2,194.3 miles, this is the equipment that they loved the most.

Camping

Outdoor Gear that Makes Camping with Kids More Fun

Camping with kids can be really fun. It can also be a downright disaster.

Beginner Skills

5 Tiny Hiking Hacks That Make a Shockingly Big Difference

These easy tips will have a huge impact on your quality of life on the trail

Hiking

8 Pieces of Essential Thru-Hiking Gear

Here's some key thru-hiking equipment and planning advice from a hiker who just completed the Appalachian Trail.

Skills

9 Weird Hiking Hacks That Actually Make a Difference

Hard hats, crotch-thawing, and walking backward: These tips are bizarre, but they might just have value on the trail.

California Trails

The Mother of All Beginner Trips

Imagine that your well-coiffed, country club mother calls and says, "I want to go backpacking." Would it be your worst nightmare or a family dream come true?

Skills

How to Pick the Perfect Hike for Kids of All Ages: Elementary School-Aged Kids

Choose the right challenge with expert advice from Family Channel editor, Lisa Jhung