What to take on a trip to the mountains with children? - List

A trip to the mountains isn't just an opportunity to admire beautiful views and bring children closer to nature. It's also a multi-hour hike, often with climbing, and numerous interesting outdoor activities. Such a trip can mean prolonged periods without access to tap water, the company of mosquitoes, ticks, and other annoying insects, as well as changing weather conditions and plenty of opportunities for scraped knees and elbows. Therefore, it's worth carefully considering what to pack for a mountain vacation with your child, so you're prepared for any eventuality. Check out our list of essentials!

Clothes and accessories for a trip to the mountains with children

Choosing the right clothing and mountain gear for your family's mountain vacation depends on the season and your planned activity . Hiking alone requires different preparation than mountain climbing or winter sports. So, take a look at the list below and choose the items that will be essential for your specific trip:

• headgear – protecting against frost or sunlight,
• trekking shoes,
• windbreaker or waterproof winter jacket,
• trekking poles,
• crayfish,
• sunglasses – and not just in summer; in winter the sun can also give you a hard time!
• in winter: gloves, scarf, waterproof overalls for children, balaclava, goggles,
• spare: blouses, trousers for boys and girls, underwear, sweatshirts, bodysuits, if summer dresses and skirts, then in a package with tights or leggings so that your daughter has perfectly covered legs (against mosquitoes and sun rays),
• for winter sports enthusiasts: of course, the sports equipment you plan to use (don't forget the helmet and protectors!),
• raincoat,
• comfortable backpack .

A means of transport for small children in the mountains

When heading to the mountains with a small child, whether an infant or toddler, it's important to choose the right mode of transportation for your little one. Even if your little one can walk independently, a several-hour walk on a trail will undoubtedly be a challenge for their legs. At some point, they might simply rebel and say they can't go any further – in which case a little help will be helpful. Depending on their age, bring:

• ergonomic carrier or wrap,
• a hiking backpack for carrying children,
• all-terrain stroller.

Cosmetics and medicines for a trip to the mountains with a child

A well-stocked first aid kit will help your family overcome many difficult situations that may arise on the trail. Everyone hopes to avoid an accident during a trip, but it's important to be prepared for the possibility of providing first aid to a child or adult, whether to continue or wait for help to arrive. Therefore, for a trip to the mountains with children, it's worth packing:

• cream with SPF,
• cooling cream for possible burns,
• cream for possible frostbite,
• protective cream – for frost or wind,
• agent against mosquitoes, ticks and other insects,
• bite gel,
• wound disinfectant/wound healing agent,
• plasters, elastic bandage and gauze pads – a self-adhesive bandage is very convenient and much easier to apply because the individual layers stick to each other,
• thermal blanket,
• a thermos with hot tea,
• electrolytes,
• painkillers,
• antipyretics,
• a smartphone with the Rescue application, which makes it easier to call for help from the Mountain Rescue Service,
• wet wipes,
• toilet paper,
• for babies: baby changing products.

What else to pack for a holiday in the mountains with a child?

Of course, carefully selected clothing, cosmetics, and a well-stocked first aid kit aren't everything. When packing for a mountain vacation with a child, it's also worth taking:

• documents of all travelers,
• wristbands with basic data (including blood type) and the telephone number of the contact person,
• garbage bags,
• high-calorie snacks: e.g. protein bars, canned food, kabanos sausages,
• water,
• traditional paper map and compass – in case your smartphone is damaged,
• power bank,
• flashlight,
• pocket knife,
• camera or camcorder – don’t rely solely on your smartphone to take souvenir photos, it can run out of battery quickly!
• an atlas of edible wild plants – it's quite a survival "gadget", but it's worth being prepared for the most hardcore situations,
• Children's treasures – don't forget what's important to your little one! A favorite stuffed animal or plastic figurine found at Kinder Surprise can cheer your child up when their legs start to ache or you're caught in a storm halfway through the journey.

If you're well prepared, a trip to the mountains with your child can be a truly exciting experience. It's a unique new experience for your little one, as well as a fun way to burn off energy and spend time with their parents. It's crucial that your child doesn't be put off hiking by biting mosquitoes or wet clothes in the event of inclement weather – so proper planning is key to success!