There is something incredibly rewarding about watching your kids discover the backcountry. The tiny streams become class 5 rivers -“what class rapid would this be to a mouse? A beetle? An Ant?”. Every rock becomes a treasure. Campsites become kingdoms. Backpacking together has become one of our favorite ways to connect as a family. Jason and I call the actual hiking with kids part “forest bathing” because 1 mile can often take a whole hour, but those hours are the most present, uninterrupted hours of connection we have with our boys. And that is beyond worth it.
People often ask us what gear we use, and the honest truth is that the lighter and simpler you can make it, the all around better it is. Less stuff to carry, less stuff to keep track of and the more you teach your kids and yourself this, the more adaptable you will all become. However, the ultimate truth is that successful backpacking with kids has less to do with buying the perfect equipment and much more to do with making the experience enjoyable aka having a “positive mindset”. The gear simply helps make those adventures easier and lighter.
Below are tips and gear that has worked best for our family after countless miles on the trail.
Our Biggest Tip: Start with Success
One of the biggest mistakes parents make is carrying their child—or their child’s backpack—the moment they start complaining. Instead, try this: Stop, eat a snack, take a break, throw rocks in a creek, look for animal signs, and then start again. Yes, I know, you would love to get to camp or that special swimming hole as soon as possible but how do you want to get there? By dragging your kids along and carrying everything? OR can you be in the moment and find peace in taking it even slower?
Kids get tired just like adults, but often they simply need a reset rather than someone taking over.
We always have our boys carry their own backpacks, but we keep them intentionally light. Their packs contain only things that belong to them:
- Their sleeping pad
- Their clothes
- Their favorite snacks
- Maybe a stuffed animal or small treasure
That’s it. When kids carry gear that is actually theirs, they feel ownership and pride without being overwhelmed.
Figure Out What Motivates Your Kid
Every child hikes differently. One of our boys could happily hike all day on a trail, as long as we keep him fed and watered with a goal on the horizon, he is usually good to go for a while. The other would choose bushwhacking through the woods every single time as it’s just a bit more exciting and engaging to him. He will even bushwack up a steep hill, pulling on trees and slipping back with absolute stoke but put him on a trail that is like that and we will hear non stop complaining. So, we build both into our adventures.
Maybe your child is:
- Food motivated
- Play motivated
- Explorer motivated
- Goal motivated
- Water play motivated
There is no wrong answer. We use “gummy stops” as quick rewards and longer play breaks where climbing rocks, building forts, or splashing in streams is the main event. Almost all of the time, the destination isn’t what motivates kids—the journey is. So how can you make it more fun?
Small goals are perfectly okay: “Let’s make it to that big tree.” “Let’s hike until the next bridge.” “When we get to the top of the hill, lets share a pack of gummies/ candy bar.”
Those little victories add up and absolutely no judgement for gummies and candy on hikes, they are using their bodies to the max!
Tell Stories
One thing our boys absolutely love is hearing stories from our own adventures. Tell them about the time you got caught in a snowstorm. A childhood adventure of your own. The race where everything went wrong. The mountain where you thought you’d never reach the top.
Kids love epic stories, and before you know it they’re asking for another mile just to hear what happened next. My favorite phrase Max says when we are telling him a story is “continue.” It makes my heart swell so big.
Pack Light…But Never Skip Layers
We try to keep our packing list incredibly simple.
For each person we bring:
- One hiking outfit
- One sleeping outfit
- A puffy jacket
- A buff
- One extra pair of socks
That’s usually enough.
If you have a child who loves changing clothes (you probably know if you do!), consider packing one favorite extra outfit. We call Max’s sweatpants his “lovey” also known as a safety blanket. He is also our son who loves to change clothes through out the day. And for him, this makes all the difference between a comfortable, fun kid or a unhappy kiddo. And that little comfort item is worth the few extra ounces.
Our Favorite Family Backpacking Gear with full list at bottom:
MSR Hubba Hubba 3-Person Tent
Weight: Approximately 4 lb 6 oz (2.18 kg) packed
When backpacking with kids, we wanted one tent that was light enough to comfortably carry but spacious enough that bedtime wasn’t a wrestling match. The MSR Hubba Hubba 3 strikes that balance beautifully.
At under five pounds, it spreads out to less than two pounds per person for our family, making it an incredibly efficient shelter. The near-vertical walls make the interior feel much larger than its footprint (we easily fit 4 of us!), and two large vestibules provide plenty of room for muddy shoes, backpacks, and wet gear. The organization inside is the best I’ve ever seen in a tent. The side pockets are long, making it easy to fit books, water bottles and clothes.
Setup is fast—which is invaluable when little hikers are hungry, tired, or the weather rolls in unexpectedly. We’ve trusted this tent through rain, wind, and plenty of family adventures, and it’s become one of those pieces of gear we rarely question bringing.
Why we love it:
- Lightweight for family backpacking
- Spacious interior
- Excellent ventilation
- Quick setup
- Durable enough for years of adventures
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Sleeping Pads
Weight: Approximately 13–25 oz, depending on size and model
A comfortable night’s sleep is one of the biggest factors in whether everyone wakes up excited for another day on the trail.
The NeoAir pads pack down to about the size of a water bottle but provide impressive warmth and cushioning. They inflate quickly thanks to an easy to use and lightweight blow up bag and insulate well from cold ground, making shoulder-season camping much more enjoyable.
For kids especially, good sleep equals happier hiking the next day.
Why we love them:
- Extremely lightweight
- Packs incredibly small
- Warm enough for spring through fall
- Comfortable after long hiking days
Therm-a-Rest Down Pillows
Weight: Around 7 oz
Some backpackers skip pillows to save weight.
We don’t. Pillows helps us have a great night of sleep, keeps our necks from getting stiff and are an absolute must – especially since we have found these pillows.
These compress down to almost nothing yet make camp feel significantly more comfortable thanks to the cozy feeling down cover. Our kids sleep better with an actual pillow, and honestly, so do we. It’s one of those luxury items that earns its place every trip.
Big Agnes Lost Ranger Sleeping Bags
Weight: 2 lb 7 oz
These bags are incredibly lightweight while still providing excellent warmth. Because they are modular, on our warm summer trips we only bring two bags because each “bag” separates into an inner and an outer bag. All of us sleep in either fleece or wool, so we don’t need a warmer bag in the summer. For us, these are perfect, they also compress super small which leaves room in the backpack for food, extra layers, or that inevitable collection of pinecones and “treasures” kids insist on bringing home.
Choosing the right temperature rating for where you hike is important, but we’ve found the Big Agnes Lost Ranger bags offers an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio and is super modular so we can take the full bag for each of us on our fall and spring trips. And when we have been a bit to optimisti with temperature, we just sleep in our puffys!
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Junction Backpack
Weight: 29.4 oz (40L, white) / 30.6 oz (55L, white)
The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Junction has become one of our favorite packs for family backpacking because it strikes that sweet spot between lightweight and seriously durable.
When you’re backpacking with kids, you’re inevitably carrying some of their shared gear—extra food, shelter, cooking equipment, layers, and all the things that somehow make their way into the family pack. So while we want to keep our overall system light, we also need a pack that can handle being loaded up and abused a little.
The Junction’s 40L version weighs just under 30 ounces, which is impressive for a pack with this much capacity and structure (I carry this one). The 55L weighs (Jason carries this one) just over 30 oz and can fit in a little more needed volume. Between the two, we can carry a ton of gear. The current version uses woven Dyneema, giving it excellent abrasion resistance while maintaining the lightweight and weather-resistant characteristics we love about Hyperlite.
The pocket configuration is particularly useful for family adventures. There’s a large center mesh pocket where we can stash wet layers or things we want easy access to, plus two solid side pockets for gear we want protected. And that matters for our family because we’re not always on a perfectly manicured trail!
The roll-top closure and compression system also make it easy to adjust the pack depending on the day’s load. On a family trip, that can mean everything from a relatively light day hike to carrying extra food and shared gear for an overnight trip.
Why we love it:
- Excellent durability-to-weight ratio
- Water-resistant/waterproof materials
- Large center mesh pocket for wet or frequently accessed gear
- Two solid exterior pockets for protecting gear
- Works well for both on- and off-trail adventures
- Roll-top closure lets you adjust the pack to the load
For us, this is exactly what a family backpacking pack needs to be: light enough that we’re not carrying unnecessary weight, but tough enough that we don’t have to worry about where the trail.. or the kids take us.
Near Zero Littledean 20L Kids Backpack
Capacity: 20L Weight: 1 1b 1 oz
The Near Zero Little dean 20L is the pack our boys use for their own gear on backpacking trips.
It is the only kids pack we have found that actually fits and is not crazy heavy. It also has labeled pockets so they learn how to pack their pack. For example it has bottom clips for a pad, a bigger opening for a sleeping bag and then two smaller pockets for treasures and a headlamp. The outer pockets fit a water bottle and the outer mesh fits a pair of water shoes perfectly.
We really like giving kids ownership of their equipment, but that doesn’t mean asking them to carry everything they need for an overnight trip. The goal is to give them a pack that fits well, feels like their pack, and holds the things they actually need without becoming a burden.
The Little Dean gives them enough room for their essentials without encouraging us to fill it simply because there’s extra space.
Why we love it:
- 20L capacity is a great size for kids’ personal gear
- Lightweight and appropriately sized for young hikers
- Plenty of room for their personal essentials without overpacking
- Helps teach kids how to pack and care for their own gear
The goal isn’t to see how much weight your child can carry. The goal is to help them become confident, capable little adventurers who actually want to go backpacking again.
MSR WindBurner Group Stove System
Weight: 20.8 oz minimum / 21.1 oz packaged
Pot: 2.5 liters
Capacity: Serves 2–4 people
When you’re backpacking with kids, cooking for four people is a very different proposition than boiling a single cup of water for yourself.
The MSR WindBurner Group Stove System has become our go-to because it gives us the ability to actually cook a meal for the whole family rather than simply boiling water. The 2.5-liter pot is designed to serve 2–4 people, making it a great fit for family backpacking.
The thing we appreciate most is how well it performs when the weather isn’t cooperating. The WindBurner uses a windproof radiant burner and pressure regulator to maintain consistent performance in windy and cold conditions. Anyone who has tried to cook dinner for hungry kids while the wind is blowing across camp knows how valuable that is!
The 2.5L pot has a ceramic-coated nonstick surface, which makes it versatile enough for actual simmered meals—not just boiling water. It also has a strainer lid and folds together with the stove into a compact system. The 8-oz fuel canister can even nest inside the pot, keeping the whole setup organized and quiet in your pack.
And while 21 ounces isn’t ultralight compared with say a pocket rocket, this is one of those places where we’re happy to carry a few extra ounces for the convenience of cooking a real meal for four people.
For our family, the ability to make a satisfying dinner quickly is worth the weight.
Why we love it:
- Only about 21 oz for the complete system
- 2.5L pot is sized for 2–4 people
- Windproof design performs well in challenging conditions
- Pressure regulator provides consistent performance
- Ceramic nonstick pot makes cooking and cleanup easier
- Can simmer as well as boil
- Compact nesting design
- 0.5L boils in about 3.1 minutes
- 1L boils in about 6.2 minutes
For a family backpacking setup, this is one of those pieces of gear that makes camp life noticeably easier for us.
Solo Stove Campfire Camp Stove
Weight: 2.2 lbs (1 kg)
Size: 7″ diameter × 9.25″ tall
Fuel: Wood/biomass
Best for: Groups of 4+
This is definitely not our “save every ounce” piece of gear. But when it can deliver an amazing camp feel safely and deliver hot dogs and smores, it’s very worth the weight!
The Campfire can easily fit 4 -5 people around it and can cook two hot dogs and maybe three marshmellows at a time. It uses Solo Stove’s 360° Airflow design to create a hotter, cleaner burn with significantly less smoke than a traditional campfire. And in todays wildfire conditions, it is the only way to make a campfire in the wilderness.
The boys can help gather small, dry sticks and pinecones around camp, and suddenly collecting firewood becomes part of the adventure. There’s something about cooking over a little wood fire that makes dinner feel like an event rather than simply another backpacking meal.
It’s also incredibly durable. The Campfire is made from 304 stainless steel, is designed for outdoor use, and comes with a lifetime warranty.
For true ultralight trips where we’re counting every ounce, this probably wouldn’t make the cut. But for family trips where we’re carrying a little more gear and want to make camp itself part of the experience, it’s one of our favorites.
Why we love it:
- Designed for groups of 4+
- Burns readily available dry wood and biomass
- 360° airflow creates a hotter, cleaner burn
- Significantly less smoky than a traditional fire
- Durable 304 stainless steel construction
- No need to carry dedicated stove fuel
- Gives kids something fun and useful to participate in at camp
- Makes cooking and camp time part of the adventure
One important note: because this is a wood-burning stove, we only use it where fires are permitted and when conditions are appropriate. Always check local fire restrictions before bringing it into the backcountry.
For us, the Campfire falls firmly into the “worth the extra ounces because it makes the adventure more fun” category.
ENO SuperSub Ultralight Hammock
Weight: 9.8 oz
Capacity: 300 lbs
Dimensions: 9’4″ × 6’2″
If there is one piece of “mandatory” gear that symbolizes our family, it is a hammock. We have found that we actually need to bring 2-3 of these depending on the trip. We NEVER bring one now, it brings too much arguing.
The ENO SuperSub Ultralight is a favorite because it gives us a huge amount of lounging space without adding much weight. At just 9.8 ounces, it’s easy to justify carrying 2 when the payoff is hours of entertainment and relaxation at camp.
And with kids, entertainment at camp is a big deal.
After hiking all day, the boys don’t necessarily want to sit quietly and wait for dinner. They want to explore, climb, swing, and play. The hammock becomes part of that experience. It’s a place to relax, read, hang out, or simply swing while Mom and Dad get camp set up. And us parents love to read and relax in it all through out the day. Sometimes, on super warm nights the boys will actually sleep in them!
The SuperSub is also wider than many ultralight hammocks, measuring 6’2″ wide. That extra room makes it especially comfortable for lounging, and it’s plenty spacious for all of us to stretch out it in.
It’s made from lightweight, breathable, fast-drying fabric and packs down small, so it doesn’t take up much valuable space in the pack.
Why we love it:
- Only 9.8 oz
- 300-lb weight capacity
- Extra-wide 6’2″ hammock body
- Packs down small
- Quick and easy to set up with compatible ENO straps
- Gives kids something fun to do at camp
- Comfortable enough for adults, too
For us, this falls into the category of “non-essential gear that makes the trip better.“ We could certainly backpack without it, but when we’re trying to make the backcountry fun for the whole family, those few extra ounces are absolutely worth it.
And let’s be honest—if the kids are happily swinging in the hammock while we’re making dinner, that’s a pretty good return on nine ounces.
Patagonia Nano Puff Insulated Hoody — For the Whole Family
Weight: Approximately 13 oz (women’s)
Insulation: 60-g PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation Eco
Shell: Recycled polyester ripstop with a DWR finish
One piece of clothing that makes it into every backpacking pack we own, it’s a Patagonia Nano Puff.
And for our family, we don’t just use the kids’ version—we all have a Nano Puff Hoody.
This is one of those pieces where the weight-to-warmth ratio really shines. At around 13 ounces for the women’s version, it provides a substantial amount of warmth without taking up much room in the pack.
The 60-g PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Eco provides warmth even when damp, while the lightweight recycled polyester shell has a DWR finish to help shed light moisture. The hood is another feature we really appreciate in the backcountry. When the temperature drops around camp or the wind picks up on a ridge, having an insulated hood can make a surprisingly big difference.
For backpacking with kids, we think layers are more important than trying to predict exactly what the weather will do. We would rather carry a lightweight puffy for everyone and not need it than wish we had brought one when the temperature drops.
The Nano Puff is the insulating layer that makes that minimalist system work. It goes over our hiking clothes when we’re cold, comes out during breakfast and dinner, and gets stuffed back into the pack once everyone warms up.
It’s also incredibly versatile beyond backpacking. These jackets live in our adventure vehicles, come along on river trips, get thrown into race bags, and are just as useful around town on a cold day.
Why we love it:
- Excellent warmth for its weight
- Packs down small
- Lightweight enough for every member of the family
- 60-g PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Eco
- Insulation retains warmth when damp
- Hood adds significant warmth and protection
- Wind-resistant shell
- DWR finish helps shed light moisture
- Works equally well for hiking, camp, travel, and everyday adventures
Patagonia Terrebonne Shorts (Kids)
Kids don’t just hike. They climb, slide, jump, splash in streams, dunk in rivers and lakes and in general PLAY. It’s truly amazing to be in their presence and feed off their energy while they are deep in the wilderness.
The Terrebonne Shorts have become our boys’ and our favorites because they’re lightweight, breathable, and dry quickly after creek crossings or unexpected rain.
They’re equally comfortable hiking miles or playing around camp because they move with them and are very durable despite their lightweight feel.
Fenix HM55R RENEGADE Headlamp
Weight: 3.7 oz (105 g), including battery and headband
Max output: 1,200 lumens
Beam distance: 574 ft (175 m)
Runtime: Up to 120 hours
Battery: Rechargeable 18350
Waterproof rating: IP68
A good headlamp is one of those pieces of gear you don’t think much about—until you really need it.
The Fenix HM55R RENEGADE has become one of our favorites because it packs a serious amount of light into a surprisingly small package. At just 3.7 ounces including the battery and headband, it gives us up to 1,200 lumens and can throw a beam up to 574 feet.
For family backpacking, we love having a headlamp that can do more than simply light up the ground in front of us. The HM55R has separate spotlight, floodlight, and red-light modes, giving us the right kind of light for everything from walking a trail after dark to cooking dinner around camp.
The red light is especially nice around camp. It preserves night vision better than white light and is less disruptive to wildlife, which is helpful when we’re trying to move around camp without completely lighting up the forest.
It’s also USB-C rechargeable, has a battery-level indicator, and the charging port is waterproofed. The IP68 rating means it’s waterproof to a depth of 2 meters, so a little rain—or an accidental dunk—isn’t something we’re going to worry about.
And then there’s the durability. The light is made from A6061-T6 aluminum and is rated for 2-meter impact resistance. That’s the kind of construction we appreciate when gear is being tossed into backpacks, dropped around camp, and generally subjected to family adventure life.
For our family, we consider headlamps essential rather than optional. Everyone gets one, and we make sure they’re easy to access before the sun goes down.
Why we love it:
- Only 3.7 oz including battery and headband
- Up to 1,200 lumens
- Spotlight, floodlight, and red-light modes
- USB-C rechargeable
- Up to 120-hour maximum runtime
- IP68 waterproof rating
- Durable aluminum construction
- Battery-level indicator
- 60° tilt lets you direct the beam where you need it
- Replaceable rechargeable battery
For backpacking with kids, I especially like the combination of low weight and high reliability. It’s one of those pieces of gear that takes up almost no room but can make a huge difference when you’re still cooking dinner after sunset, going pee at 2 a.m., or starting the next day’s adventure before the sun comes up.
Use Bendracing25 at checkout!
4HourFuel Superfood Smoothies
One challenge of backpacking with kids is getting enough quality nutrition into everyone during and after long hiking days.
4 Hour Fuel Superfood Smoothies make breakfast, snack stops through out the day quick, nutrient-dense, and delicious without adding much weight to the food bag. We love their berry, banana and dreamsicle flavors the best for kids and the mocha and latte flavors for us adults. It’s amazing how one small little pouch can carry 600 calories of carbs, protein, fat and salt that go down so well. Seriously, we call it our “go juice” because after just a few sips, we can all go for a good long while (which is 20-25 minutes when we are talking about timing for kids backpacking!)
4HourFuel Expedition Mash
Backpacking dinners should do more than be yummy and fill your stomach.
After long hiking days, we want meals that help us recover and keep everyone energized for tomorrow’s adventure. Expedition Mash has become one of our go-to camp dinners because it’s hearty, nutritious, lightweight, and incredibly simple to prepare.
Just add hot water, let it sit, and dinner is served. It’s salty, super yummy, easy to eat and it’s chalked full of nutrition that helps keep everyone happy and healthy for another full day of play.
The Best Gear Is Joy
I’m not going to lie- good gear certainly helps. Lightweight packs make climbing easier. Warm sleeping bags and layers help everyone sleep better. Reliable tents make rainy nights comfortable. But the most important thing you can pack is patience. Throw rocks, ask questions , look around, tell stories, take lots of breaks, explore off trail, set mini goals and celebrate.
When kids finish a trip feeling successful instead of exhausted, they’ll ask to go again and again. And that’s the biggest win of all.
For those looking for a quick packing list, see below:
After years of trial and error, we’ve learned that every item should earn its place in the backpack.
Parents:
Backpack
- Hyperlite Mountain Gear backpack
Sleep System
- Big Agnes Sleeping bag
- Therm-a-Rest NeoAir sleeping pad
- Therm-a-Rest Down Pillow
Shelter & Camp
- MSR Hubba Hubba 3-Person Tent
- MSR Group Stove
- Solo Stove Mini (when appropriate)
- Fuel
- Lighter/fire starter
- Pot, mugs, bowls, and utensils (make these light and only bring 2, rarely do you all eat together!)
- Water filter (we use Hdyrapak for this -its lightweight an fast!)
- Water bottles or hydration reservoir
- Fenix Headlamp
- Small first aid kit
- Pocket knife or multi-tool
- Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet paper, shovel, hand sanitizer)
Clothing
- Hiking outfit
- Sleeping clothes
- Patagonia Nano Puff jacket
- Buff
- Extra pair of socks
- Rain jacket (weather dependent)
- Beanie (cooler weather)
Food
- 4HourFuel Superfood Smoothies
- 4HourFuel Expedition Mash
- Trail snacks
- Gummy treats for trail motivation!
- Coffee (because parents deserve it!)
Kids
Backpack
- Near Zero Kids Backpack
Sleep System
- Sleeping bag
- Therm-a-Rest NeoAir sleeping pad
- Therm-a-Rest Down Pillow
Clothing
- Hiking outfit
- Sleeping outfit
- Patagonia Nano Puff jacket
- Patagonia Terrebonne Shorts
- Buff
- Extra socks
In Their Pack
- Their sleeping pad
- Their clothes
- Their favorite snacks
- Water bottle
- Fenix Headlamp
- One small comfort item (stuffed animal, small toy, or favorite book)
Shared Family Gear
- MSR Hubba Hubba 3-Person Tent
- MSR Group Stove
- Solo Stove Mini
- Water filter
- Cooking pot
- Meals
- First aid kit
- Repair kit (tent, sleeping pad, duct tape)
- Trekking poles (optional)
- Maps or GPS
- Bear canister or food hang system (where required)
A Few Extras We Never Regret Bringing
These aren’t necessities, but they almost always make the trip better.
- ENO Ultralight Hammocks (camp entertainment and relaxation!)
- Deck of cards or tiny travel game
- Lightweight journal or sketchbook
- Binoculars for wildlife spotting
- Camera
- Plenty of gummy bears or special trail treats
Sometimes the smallest “luxury” items create the biggest memories.