What to do when children get sick on the hiking trail

If your child gets ills on the trail,
turn back for home.

Sometimes a child doesn’t begin to exhibit signs of an illness until you’re on the trail. Should a child have symptoms of the flu or suffer diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, sore throats or earaches, you’ll want to head back home. As the child’s body musters resources to fight the ailment, the physical exertion of the hike only will be that more difficult.

Should you as the adult become ill, turn back as well. You’re likely going to be tired and have little patience for kid’s behavior that you otherwise would let pass. Or you’re not going to have the energy to properly watch them to ensure their safety. Toughing it out only invites trouble.

Read more about day hiking with children in my Hikes with Tykes guidebooks.