6 hours ago
5
Marathons? Pfft, easy. If you really want to test your mental and physical endurance, try taking a reluctant toddler up a hill. I was ready to yield to circumstance after our first few attempts at a family walk. Prepared to accept that my active, outdoorsy days were behind me and go full cartoon-dad mode, sprawled across the sofa, surrounded by fried potato snacks. Thankfully, I’ve since learned that there are various tools, gadgets, gizmos and tricks designed to help me avoid this fate.
Getting a proper backpack-style carrier changed everything for us (see below). And having spoken to lots of parents of young children, I’ve heard plenty of similar tales involving other miracle buys. Below are a few of the best.
How to get kids outdoors
Fleece-lined wellies – and a puddle suit
Fleece-lined wellies
£34.95 at John Lewis
£34.95 at Mountain Warehouse
Kids’ puddle suit
From £9.32 at OutdoorGB
From £12 at Regatta
Walking boots are great for warmth, but not ideal for splashing in puddles (which keeps them entertained). Fleece-lined wellies offer the best of both worlds. We always go for ones with a removable fleece liner, because by the time it’s warm enough to ditch the fleece, the kids have inevitably gone up a shoe size. No liner means more room. There are loads of colour options too, so they can pick whatever they like. And I couldn’t live without Regatta’s waterproof puddle suits. Can you tell mine go to forest school? Jenny
Cargo bike
Yuba Kombi non-electric cargo bike
Btwin rear-loading electric cargo bike
£2,499.99 at Decathlon
Secondhand cargo bikes
Our cargo bike lets us transport two kids – one in the front, one at the back. The kids love it, their friends think it’s cool, and we, the parents, stay fit by cycling every day instead of driving. We live in central London and originally got the bike for school drop-offs, but it’s been such a hit that we now use it for weekend adventures too, sometimes cycling up to 20 miles. Ours isn’t electric – it has a heavy steel frame and only three gears – but that means it gives us a great workout every time we ride it. Katja
Runner/bike trailer
Croozer Yuuna trailer
Hamax Traveller trailer
£499 at Decathlon
£499 at Halfords
We swear by our Croozer trailer. It converts easily between runner, stroller and bike trailer, so it’s essentially three things in one. It also has safety lights and a flag for visibility. My wife is usually cautious about this stuff, but she’s always felt confident using it. Best of all, it’s liberating. We can head out on long journeys, and when the kids get tired of scooting or riding, they just hop in. Dan
Digital camera
Hoppstar rookie digital camera
£53.99 at Mori
£59.95 at Natural Baby Shower
A kids’ digital camera goes a long way. They can snap away until their hearts’ content, and it builds memory by reminding them of their journey and what they saw along the way. Sean
Bike poncho
Hamax child rain poncho
£37.99 at Tweeks Cycles
£39.99 at SportsDirect
I committed to cycling to work year-round, with nursery drop-offs en route – rain or shine. This poncho has been brilliant for keeping my toddler snug and dry. It’s easy to put on, and she loves it. Kate
Games
Pokémon Go
after newsletter promotion
Free to play at Apple Store
Free to play at Google Play
(in-app purchases offered)
Pokémon Go works brilliantly for us. Even toddlers can manage the swipe to throw a Poké Ball, and it gives them a reason to be outside – there are no Pokémon in the house, after all. “I wonder if there’s an Eevee behind that tree?” is a great distraction when they’re getting fractious on a walk. Minnie
Carrier
Osprey Poco Premium carrier
£299 at Ultimate Outdoors
£399 at Osprey
Osprey Poco LT carrier
£299 at John Lewis
£299 at Osprey
Having a child made me realise how much of my identity I’d built around being active. It has been difficult to let go of that, but our Osprey Poco Plus carrier has been a bit of a lifeline. My exercise is largely on my two-year-old son’s terms these days, so anything that allows me to combine a bit of cardio and some quality time together is a winner. With this on my back, a brisk walk turns into a full workout – they call it “rucking” in the military – and he loves soaking up the views. I’m still discovering various useful pockets and pouches every time we use it: the hip pockets, for example, are great for storing an emergency dummy and handkerchief. It even has an integrated sun/rain cover and a mirror so I can make sure he’s not doing a danger nap! Paddy
Running buggy
Thule Urban Glide 3
£675 at Blacks
£749.99 at John Lewis
As the parent of a six-month-old embarking on another marathon block, a running buggy was a must for me. Our Thule Urban Glide 3 was a life-saver. It’s sleek, shock-absorbing and engineered to handle everything from park paths to potholes. For new parents squeezing in sanity-saving runs, it’s a smart fusion of performance and practicality. After all, why not log miles and lullabies at the same time? Tayler
Portable stove and water bottles
Jetboil Stash cooking system
£122.10 at Cotswold Outdoor
£154.99 at Base Camp Food
Chilly’s Series 2 drinks bottle, 500ml
£32 at Chilly’s
£32 at John Lewis
Any lightweight stove that fits hotdogs, pasta or noodles is a must for us. It helps make longer walks feel like a bit more of an adventure, and it warms them up if the weather is cold, too. We bring a big Chilly’s bottle for hot chocolate, but if you pack light, the stove could do that job too. Being able to say, “When we get to the woods/next bench/top of the hill, we’ll stop for lunch/hot chocolate” is an excellent motivator. Jenny
Unirider
Mountain Buggy Unirider
£49.99 at Baby Planet
£59.99 at Samuel Johnston
Now our son is two, he doesn’t like to be in the carrier when we’re out on walks; he’d much rather be independent. Our Unirider gives him the flexibility to get on and off at will. And not lugging him around in the carrier has done wonders for our backs! We tried it on the beach at first so he would have a soft landing, as it takes a bit of getting used to. But once he got the hang of it, there was no stopping him. We use it for long walks on all sorts of terrain, and it rolls over rocks and bumps with no bother. Lois
Changing mat
Osprey Poco changing pad
£45 at Osprey
From £29.82 at Amazon
Most mats are a bit too flimsy for nappy changes in the great outdoors. We spent a bit more on our Osprey Poco changing pad, which is made from a rubbery, foamy material that’s proven to be extremely durable and comfortable for bub. It folds down neatly to pop in a backpack or pram, and it has various zip pockets for wipes, spare nappies and other poo-cleaning essentials. Charlotte
Paddy Maddison is a consumer journalist and first-time dad to an alarmingly fast-moving two-year-old child. Having historically spent his time writing about the latest trends and products in men’s style, fitness and outdoor gear, he now dabbles in prams, high chairs and snot suckers (Google it) too
