Beginners Guide To Jeeping With Kids
How do you get started jeeping with kids? We love to go jeeping. We love to take the kids with us too. They have so much fun going over rocky bumps and exploring the forests. We want to see more families out on the trail with us. Our kids want more kids to do the “Jeep Wave” with them.
We’ve debunked the myths to jeeping with kids. We tell you how to get started, tips and tricks and answer some common questions that families have when taking the kids off road for the first time. Grab your cup of Joe and get comfy.
The Beginners Guide to Taking the Kids Off-Road
Why should you take the kids jeeping with you? Why not?! We take our kids on the trail with us because they love the outdoors. Kids naturally love adventure as do most adults.
We all want to explore the unknown. Our kids love seeing a trail off the road and asking if we can explore it. Sometimes they are dead ends and sometimes the trail leads to another or a view that we’ve never seen before.
When I was younger, my grandparents had a farm that was about 400 acres. My mom would take me on Jeep rides when I was a baby to put me to sleep at the farm.
As I got older I was able to drive that Jeep, while on my grandfather’s lap. Many times on our family vacations my parents would rent a Jeep in Colorado and we would take it into the mountains to go jeeping. These are some of my most cherished memories growing up.
With these memories embedded in my brain, I bought my first Jeep when I was 20. The Jeep bug has never left me. We currently have 3 Jeeps. We’ve been taking our kids to Colorado to go jeeping since they were very little. They now have the jeep bug too.
What is Jeeping
Jeeping and off roading I use interchangeably. They are the same thing. Driving on a dirt road. Some people bring ATVs and side by sides on a dirt road. We choose to take our Jeep on the dirt roads.
There are some misconceptions and myths about taking the kids off roading in a Jeep…
Jeeping is just for dads – There are more of dads out there taking their Jeeps off road than moms and families. But that can change. If you have an experienced dad that knows how to drive on the trail than it might be more fun for him to take the kids on harder trails than the green ones we recommend for beginners.
Taking the jeep off roads with kids isn’t safe – When you go off road you go slow. Like really slow. Sometimes you can walk faster than you drive, depending on the trail. Our kids don’t like to go on trails that have cliffs. They get scared, so we stay away from any of those trails. You know your kids. Will they get scared near cliffs or will they get super excited about the view that trail will offer? Always wear even though you aren’t going fast.
The kids will get bored – If you pick a boring trail, yes they’ll get bored. To them, they are sitting in the car…. on a boring ride. Engaging them in the whole process is key. Pick trails that have hikes or stops that they can get out and explore. Pack a picnic and fun snacks. Give them a job and have them be a spotter or hold the camera outside of the jeep. Play games or give prizes for whoever spots the most animals.
You get dirty when you go off-roading – Probably. Pack extra clothes or wash clothes, towels and baby wipes. Or pick trails that are dry and don’t go after it rains.
Every jeep trail is like the Rubicon trail – We wish! Ok not really. Forest service roads are the best roads to go explore on. They are mild roads that are less traveled. They most likely won’t be too hard. Do your homework and pick up a trail book for your state.
How to get started taking the kids with you on the trail
What do you need to get started? Find an easy trail that is short with good views. Get the kids excited to go jeeping with you. Give everyone a job, get them involved. Plan a short trip the first few times you go to keep them engaged. Make this a fun outing by bringing some fun snacks or go for a sweet treat after the trail.
Tips for Success When Jeeping with Kids
- Plan, plan, plan.
- Did I say you need to plan?
- Plan a route that is easy and not too technical
- Make the drive TO the trail short
- Drive time ON the trail should be about an hour
- Stop often
- Plan a trail that has rocks to climb on or a short trail to hike
- Pack fun snacks for when you stop
- or you can plan a fun picnic
- or you can go for lunch and or a sweet treat after the ride
- Bring scavenger hunts to do while in the jeep
- Animal bingo is always a good one to have too
Common Questions About Jeeping with Kids
Is it safe to bring the kids?
Yes. Much safer driving on a trail than on the highway. You are going slow, sometimes you can walk faster. You should pick trails that are not hard, not scary for the kids, and stay away from trails that are on a cliff. Those tends to make the kids nervous… moms too.
Will the kids get bored?
The key is to engage them in EVERY part of the process. From loading up the jeep, safety checks, packing, planning the trail, have them help you with it all. Give everyone a job to be responsible for.
How will the kids stay entertained on the trail?
Give your teenager the job of cameraman, the younger kids can take pictures, play GPS or spotter. They can draw their own map of the trail, scavenger hunts, animal bingo. I have a scavenger hunt for jeep trails. Make sure that there are rocks to climb on, side trails to hike, awesome snacks to eat and stop often.
What gear should I bring with us?
Extra change of clothes for dirty kids and husbands, layers if you are going into the mountains, camera, tow strap, your maps and/or GPS, shovel and for a full list of the gear we think you’ll need check out our full post on What Gear to Bring on the Trail.
How do you find a good trails that the kids will enjoy as well as the adults?
When we go jeeping in Colorado we use Funtreks books and Gaia GPS the most. When we go exploring in Missouri we use the MVUM maps that you can get from the ranger stations. They list out all the forest service roads. That’s what we go exploring on.
What food would be good to bring on the trail?
Picnic style food. Fun snacks. Nothing messy. Lots and lots of water or Gatorade. The higher elevation you get, the more you need to hydrate.
Always bring extra napkins. You should bring a roll of paper towels for messes and toilet paper because you never know who will need to use the bathroom, when there isn’t a bathroom. And if nature bothers your sinuses like mine…then you might need some tissue for your nose.
Quick take-a-ways about Jeeping with kids
Be prepared. Packs lots of snacks and scavenger hunts. The kids will be fine and they’ll enjoy themselves.
Who else takes the kids with them jeeping? What do you pack to keep them entertained?
