Outdoor gear for children

The smaller a body is, the larger its surface relative to its weight. Heat is lost through the skin, so children cool down faster than adults in cold, wind and wet. At the same time they can also overheat faster in heat and during exertion. Their skin is more sensitive in the sun; the WHO therefore stresses that children should be especially well protected from the sun.

Children often report cold, hunger, thirst or exhaustion late – sometimes because they are playing and don't notice, sometimes because they don't want to complain. A tired, whiny or suddenly very quiet child can be a sign that they are cold or need energy. Adults therefore have to pay closer attention than they would to themselves.

Children also lose things more easily, run ahead or fall behind. Good children's gear makes up for these differences: it keeps them warm, protects from the sun, is easy to see and does not overload them.

Children need the same layering system as adults: a base layer on the skin, a warm mid layer, rain jacket and rain trousers, plus a warm hat, gloves and a sun hat. An adult carries a complete spare set, because children get wet quickly while playing – in the stream, in puddles, in the snow.

Their own small pack makes children proud and gives them responsibility. It should be light and have a chest strap so the shoulder straps don't slip off. Inside go only a water bottle, a snack, a jacket and a favourite item. Everything heavy – water for everyone, food, first aid, the warmth reserve – is carried by the adults.

When camping, a child needs a sleeping bag of the right length. An adult bag that is too long stays cold at the foot end, because the child would have to heat the empty space with their own body heat. Underneath belongs a good sleeping pad, because otherwise the cold ground draws the heat out.

Check the child's hands, neck and mood regularly on the way. Cold hands and a cold neck show that more clothing is needed; a sweaty neck shows that one layer less will do. Plan trips so that you can turn back early at any time – better too short than too long.

Drawstrings on hoods and at the neck can catch on branches, play equipment or fences. So choose children's clothing without long drawstrings at the neck. Bright, vivid colours and reflectors make children much easier to see at dusk and in the woods; dark clothing without reflectors is a common mistake.

Practise with the children what to do if they get lost: stop, wait in one place and blow the whistle regularly. A whistle can be heard further than shouting and takes less effort. If a child is missing and you cannot find them quickly, call the local emergency number (112 in the EU).

Before every season, try on shoes and clothing again, because children's feet grow quickly. Shoes that are too small pinch and cause blisters; shoes that are far too big let the foot slide, which also causes blisters and makes tripping more likely. A little room for the toes is right; a huge amount of space is not.

Clothing “to grow into” is tempting but works poorly outdoors: sleeves that are too wide let in cold and snow, trouser legs that are too long get wet and dirty, and a pack that is too big doesn't sit right. Because children's gear is outgrown so quickly, it is especially worth buying second-hand or swapping with other families – how to check used gear is covered in its own entry.

Babies and toddlers have additional needs, for example with baby carriers and child seats. For these, the manufacturer's information and specialist advice are the right way to go.

Children who feel comfortable want to come again. Plan plenty of breaks, enough snacks and small goals along the way: a stream, a big rock, a viewpoint. The trip should suit the child's age and fitness, not the adults' wishes.

Let children take responsibility for their own gear: packing their own pack, clipping the whistle to their jacket, checking the lamp. That way they learn through play what matters outdoors and know where their things are in an emergency. The same goes for a child's go bag: small, light and with something familiar that comforts.