Selecting rain gear for hiking children

If rain should fall, wet-weather gear can make all the difference between
misery and a good time on a hike. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

A water-resistant poncho is sufficient most of the time for children on a day hike. But if the temperature falls into the 50s or lower, or if hiking in a place that sees a lot of rainfall or that is windy, more elaborate gear – such as a rain jacket and rain pants – will be better.

Other rain gear might include water-resistant boots and a rain hat with a wide brim.

As I advise against hiking on rainy days, we won’t spend much time on this topic. Still, carry a poncho or hooded, water-resistant windbreaker with you for each child on overcast days.

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

Dress children for weather when hiking

Dress for the weather. For example, a light-colored and loose-fitting T-shirt is a must on hot, sunny summer days and in desert areas, a windbreaker a must in windy climes, and a water-resistant rain jacket in wet areas.

Some parents prefer to dress their kids in bright clothes on hikes, as they’re easier to spot should they become lost or get injured and can’t respond to your calls.

Not all parents feel that way, though. Julio S., of Austin, Texas, remarks, “As I hike with just my daughter, backpacking and she’s never out of my sight, I prefer to dress her in earth-tones – greens, beiges, tan, browns. Looking at a kid wearing pink or hunter orange in the wilds is an intrusion upon my enjoyment of nature.”

Read more about day hiking with children in the guidebook Hikes with Tykes.