Hunting and Tramping With Kids: Tips & Tricks to Make It Work

It’s About the Experience, Not the Distance

Getting out hunting or tramping with kids isn’t about ticking boxes or smashing distance records. It’s about planting a seed. Every trip is a chance to build their appreciation for the outdoors and create positive memories they’ll carry into adulthood. Forget timeframes and goals - experiences are what matter.

One thing that always surprised us was what the kids actually enjoyed. It wasn’t the easy strolls, It was the exciting stuff - scrambling up steep faces, slogging through snow, river crossings, and a bit of adventure. Those are the moments that keep them engaged and feeling like they’re on a real mission.

Food Is Gold

If there’s one non-negotiable, it’s food. Keep them well fed and watered, stop as often as needed, and never underestimate the power of snacks. And yes, the promise of an ice cream on the way home will get them through the final slog every single time.

Get Them Involved

Let the kids help plan the trip. What’s for dinner? What treats are coming along? Will there be a fire for toasting marshmallows? Are we staying in a hut or sleeping in a tent? Giving them a say builds excitement before you’ve even left the driveway.

As a bit of good backcountry etiquette, we always packed a tent. Not everyone hikes into the middle of nowhere to share a hut with young kids - and having your own setup gives everyone more flexibility anyway.

Packs, Gear & Growing Feet

Let the kids carry a pack, but keep it light. A favourite toy, their own binoculars, and a head torch make them feel part of the team. Mum and Dad, sorry - while they’re little, you’ll still be carrying the sleeping bags. That does change as they grow… eventually.

Kids grow fast, but there are a few things worth investing in:

• A good sleeping bag – warm kids are happy kids
  
• Decent socks (and spares) – blisters ruin trips quickly
  
• Good walking shoes – tricky with growing feet, but sore feet are a guaranteed enthusiasm killer
  

Our kids loved having their own binoculars - just like Dad - and a head torch each simply makes sense in the bush.

And always have a pack of cards or game of Yahtzee handy.   

It Only Gets Better

As the kids get older, packs get heavier, distances get longer, and adventures get bigger. But some things never change - like stopping for ice cream on the way home. At this point, it might just be tradition… and we’re not about to mess with that.