Pack small tarpaulin in case of emergencies

If stuck out in the wilds, a tarp can be used to construct an
emergency shelter. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

When your kids are old enough that you’ve traded the baby carrier for a backpack, you may want to consider carrying a small tarpaulin with you.

These can be useful when building an emergency shelter. They also can provide a barrier between a child and the ground should first aid have to be given or if a bed must be made because an emergency forces you to stay the night.

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