Top Tip: Pack an Outing Backpack

A weekend out with family is the highlight of many people’s week or even month. With fall approaching, going on adventures with family gets easier due to the great weather and fall activities. However, going out can also spell trouble if you leave something at home. Today, we’re helping you pack the perfect weekend travel backpack to make sure that your travels go smoothly for two types of adventures.

Traveling to Town for the Day with Kids

When you’re traveling into town for an adventure, you will be there longer than you think. It’s happened to everyone at some point. You think they you’ll make it back home in time and don’t need an extra diaper. You do. Here’s a hack list for traveling into town with toddlers and young children. 

• Food: One snack for each kid and adult.
• Water: One water bottle or cup for each kid and adult.
• Diapers: If your child is in diapers, pack at least two with all needed supplies.
• Clothes: It’s a good idea to have a change of clothes for your kid in the car at least.
• Battery pack: If you have a portable charging battery, binging this could keep your phone or camera alive.
• First Aid: Basic Advil, bandaids, and wipes are great for kids learning to walk and run.
• Cash: Though everyone takes card, there is a high chance that you will run into the one person that doesn’t on the day you don’t have cash.
• Reusable bag(s): Whether shopping or storing wet clothes, reusable bags are great for the environment and your convenience.
• Medicine: If your family has to take medicine throughout the day, be sure to bring it along.

Hiking With the Whole Family

When your children are young, you have the perfect opportunity to mold them into outdoor lovers. However, hiking with children is no easy feat. They are smaller, can’t walk as fast and can’t walk as far. If you do go, be ready to take longer than expected and have more fun along the way. Your day pack when you have kids will get much larger. Think about having each family member carry a pack with what they need.

• Food: Trail mix and other protein-filled snacks will keep everyone going.
• Water: Each person should have either a Nalgene or a bladder bag of water with them. Hydration on the trail can save you a hospital trip.
• Clothes: Packing an extra set of lightweight clothes and sandals is a great safety measure should you fall or slip too often. 
• Map & Compass: Each adult should have a map and compass. Children can have them, but should never separate from their parents. 
• Bear Spray: While not always needed, it can be a good idea to keep at least one thing of bear spray with you on the trail. This will work just fine for bears as well as humans and other dangers. 
• Phone: You should make sure that you have a phone that is fully charged. It possible, make sure it has a GPS that can be used in the are that you are hiking just in case you get lost.
• First aid: Make sure that each person has a few bandages and Advil. However, you should also ensure that you have a snake bite kit and a few other hiking specific treatments.

Going on adventures with family is the perfect way to get active and bond. However, not being prepared can turn a good day into a disaster quickly. Making sure you’ve packed what you need in your day bag will let you focus on making memories and not on fixing issues.