Choosing the right gear/food options can be daunting

New Zealand is beautiful – and very unpredictable. Our country’s conditions can change quickly with little warning. This is why you should always plan and pack for all weather conditions, along with keeping a close eye on the weather report.

Note: All our Hikes have a live weather forecast feature, we do however recommend you do your own research and plan for all instances of the ever-changing conditions.

The best meals for hiking are those that are high in energy + protein and add the least amount of weight to your pack. You can purchase dehydrated (just add water) meals from most outdoorsy type shops…now days there’s enough variety to suit the whole family and please fussy little eaters! There are lots of gas gadgets on the market (we have a Jetboil, it’s fantastic) that can create a hot alfresco meal or beverage in minutes and a “halfway there” hot chocolate overlooking some beautiful valleys can supply that last bit motivation the kids need to reach a summit.

Quick snack ideas:
• Fruit (dried or fresh), Nuts, Sandwiches, Chocolate.

Note: Remember to leave with everything you came with –  keep New Zealand beautiful and plastic free!

Choosing the right pack for the style of the hiking you are doing is essential, whether it be a backpack for a short afternoon out or a giant 85L overnighter pack.

Pick the bag that’s best suited for your particular adventure:
• How long will you be away for, how many days worth of supplies will you need?
• Have I got the room for all of the following? First Aid kit, All weather gear, Food/Snacks.

Note: Our two little ones have their own packs that contain their jacket/hats options (creating a sense of helping) alongside their one soft toy that hangs out in their pack, accompanying them on all their outdoor adventures.

These are the moments and memories that you will cherish forever and look back on when your young ones have grown up….remembering the challenges you came up against and hopefully conquered! So pack the camera, some spare batteries and one or two decent sized memory cards so you can snap away for the family photo album.

If you’re after camera recommendations, I recommend chatting to the friendly team at Kens Cameras. I currently shoot our hiking images on either my Canon EOS R or a more compact Canon G7xMkii  depending on how much I feel like lugging around that day!

We’re pretty sure the kids will love looking back on these memories when they’re grown and hope the photos we’re recording will bring back so much more of the experience for them.

Note: Drone use in New Zealand is very limited, please check if your form of capture is allowed in the area you are planning on visiting.

Relax and enjoy the time together in the great outdoors!

Set the pace for the youngest of hikers and stay together as a family.

Your children will be more likely to enjoy the hike if you keep it fun and enjoyable. We find that tantrums only come around when we are rushing them through the walk. Or when the blood sugar levels drop too low (emergency chocolate is a great tool)!

Some things to do along your adventure to keep
everyone motivated and moving.
• Set regular water/snack breaks (keeping the kids informed of how far along these are, “next to that fallen log” etc)
• Talk about what you can see, what is around you?
• Chat about the history of the area you’re in if you know it
• Explain the dangers of what’s around and how they should look out for these. (Thistles, rocks, fall dangers etc)
• Take turns making up silly stories.
• Last resort – Eye spy is always a winner.

Note: You might be amazed how much your little ones can keep both their legs and mouths moving at the same time while you are struggling away for breath!

You obviously dont want to need medical supplies while out-and-about, but having them with you is an essential part of staying safe and you should keep supplies in every pack.

Sunscreen/Insect Repellents

First Aid Kit: Bandages, sling, twisters, survival blanket etc
Locator devices: GPS, map, compass

Note: If anyone in your family requires specific medical attention (allergic reactions, certain medical issues) please contact your GP for advice before venturing outdoors.

Chose the right clothing for the hike you’re planning whether you are scaling a mountainside or wandering down a well-kept track. Layers are essential and make it so much easier to stay comfortable.

Socks: Warm dry comfortable thick socks (multiple pairs)
Boots: A strong, sturdy pair of boots can be helpful in protecting small ankles – although they’re not essential (with ever-growing feet it can seem like a large investment). A decent pair of sneakers with a sturdy sole and good grip will do the job and keep the kids’ steps secure.
Merino: The most important layer is what’s hidden underneath. Merino leggings and thermals are a must in the cooler New Zealand months.
Jacket: Whether it is used or packed away the whole time, a warm rain/windproof jacket is a “must pack” essential.
Headwear: Both warm and cool options should be taken on any trip – just in case. We also reccomend that you pack a dry change of clothes and a towel for comfortable trip home. You never know who will decide to fall in a puddle!
Home time: a dry changes of clothes, comfortable shoes, some extra snacks and some good music for kids to (hopefully) fall asleep too!

Note: Although this might seem extreme, it’s necessary for New Zealand’s ever-changing environment. Please don’t get caught outdoors unprepared.

Indoors:
If you’re planning to spend the night in a DOC hut do your research first…Does the hut have a first-in-first-served option or do you need to pre-book? Is there a toilet? Cooking facilities? Is there an open fire with provided firewood?

Outdoors:
Sleeping outdoors in a tent is a pretty magical experience for a youngin’. Think about things like the water and wind ranting when purchasing, along with the overall weight of the tent itself. Something that is easy to carry/setup is great. Extra pegs are highly recommended. Do your research into the area you are heading into, to check that tenting is an option and figure out what type of terrain you are likely to be pitching your tent on.

Questions to ponder – Indoors & Outdoors?
• Do you have adequate cooking facilities
• Do you have warm bedding
• What are the toilet facilities… how will the kids feel about them
• Have you talked to your children about spending the night with no power? Also about sharing accommodation with others?

Note: Hut use in New Zealand is either a  first come first served basis, or pre-booked via an online system.

Even on a day trip we recommend making friends or family aware of where you are heading also known as “Leaving Intentions”. You’re probably going to lose all cellphone coverage in the hills and if something goes wrong it’s vital that someone knows where you are and your expected time/date of return. You can’t rely on bumping into another tramper as a means of getting help. On longer trips it’s even more vital to Leave Intentions and we would recommend investing in a Personal Locator Beacon.

Below are the best steps to take to ensure that, in the worst case scenario, your family will receive help as soon as possible.

Text or call a friend or family member to advise them of your plans.
Post your plans on social media.
Complete an outdoor intentions form, found here
Take a Personal Locator Beacon with you.

Let’s be honest – the thought of traveling to your destination and back again with children can be as daunting as the hike itself! Packing the gear into the car, strapping excited kids in and heading off into the unknown can seem overwhelming…but playing a few games or a good soundtrack in the car is a great way to get everyone in the right mood for the adventure ahead.

Games to play
• What do they think they will see? Help them to write a list of items they want to spot on the walk.
• What sort of animals do we have in New Zealand? Again they can tick off or count how many types they see. Animal Bingo is great!

Heading home
When heading home again it’s a good idea to have some spare bags or containers for the washing and muddy boats.

This is when young ones might like some quiet time to reflect on their trip and rest their tired little legs… some relaxing music will help everyone unwind on your journey home.

Apart from staying safe the most important thing is FUN FUN FUN!

They say that encouraging exploration helps build strong and confident children. If they can play at the same time, everyone wins! In a world where screens are becoming more and more dominant, we think it’s so important to teach our kids the importance of being active in an outdoor world…which is so vast and just waiting to be explored!

Enjoy your time outdoors – Kelly, Jarred, Alba and Maya.