Hiking With Kids

Primus Solar Camping Lantern One if by land, two if by sea. Its historical significance aside - kids love lanterns - it is more versatile than a flashlight or headlamp. Sized just right for little hands and weighing just 13.6 ounces, the Solar Camping Lantern has a solar panel on top and a set of rechargeable batteries. This means that if someone forgets to turn it off at night, you won't be without light the next evening. Just leave the lantern in a sunny place during the day, and voila! ? the lantern is recharged and ready to go come nightfall. The five white LEDs are bright enough for camp cooking or reading in the tent after dark. For back-up, the lantern runs on 3 3-D batteries. $40; primuscamping.com

Columbia Silver Ridge Zip Off Pants and Camp out Hoodie While some zip-off pants look like you're safari-bound, the Silver Ridge Zip Off pants are stylish synthetic pants. The uppers are stand-alone shorts that are flattering and functional ? with a quick tug of the zipper add (or subtract) the piece that extends from just above your knees to ankle. The waist is high enough that they can be comfortably worn with a pack and there are plenty of pockets. The nylon material is soft and supple and keeps kids cool and protected from the sun. The shorts have a 9-inch inseam and adjustable waist. For kids 6-12, the Camp Out Cutie is the perfect summer jacket. The 100 percent French terry has Omni-Shield treatment, so while it looks like a simple cotton hoodie, it offers a surprising amount of protection from cloudbursts and wind. $36 (pants), $34 (hoodie); Columbia.com

Mountain Smith Borealis AT Daypack One of the quandaries of hiking with kids is how to carry a good camera and multiple lenses. The Borealis is a beefy backpack built with a dedicated, built-in camera bag. The bottom compartment is lined with Velcro-attached cushioning inserts. You can configure the cushions to fit almost any camera/lens combination. A half-moon shaped zipper opens the compartment so it lays flat - giving you an easily accessible, stable platform for accessing lenses, filters and your camera. The upper compartment is big enough for lunch, a couple of jackets, sunscreen, hat and gloves. On the outside are easy-to-use snowboard and ski attachments - for four-season fun. The Borealis weighs 5 pounds and has 1,586 cubic inches of storage space, including two inner waterproof pockets, an hydration sleeve, a removable rain tarp and a zip pouch on the waist belt. $189; mountainsmith.com

Keen Targhee Youth Hiking Shoes Kid's need comfortable, durable shoes if they are going to enjoy hiking. The upper needs to be able to take lots of abuse, and the sole should have an aggressive, rugged tread. Keen's Targhee shoes fit youth sizes 1-6. Both parents and kids will love the bungee lace system that doesn't require any tying. The uppers are water-resistant leather and mesh, so they keep out dirt, but don't get sweaty. $60; keen.com

Black Diamond First Strike Ski and Trekking Poles These four-season adjustable poles are designed especially for kids to use on the trail or slope. The rubber grips are sized to fit small hands, and the animal graphics are bound to bring a smile to any child's face. The FlickLock mechanism adjusts easily to match any activity. Adjust them again when your child has that 2-inch overnight growth spurt. Poles come with two baskets (low-profile ones for trekking and larger ones for skiing) and durable steep tips. $46; blackdiamondequipment.com

Zukes Power Bones Some families aren't complete without their canine companion. Zukes Power Bones are Peanut Butter-flavored energy treats for dogs. The 6 ounce resealable packet slips easily into the smallest of packs - bigger dogs can carry their own! So the next time you head for a tail-friendly trail, bring along a treat for Fido. The made in the USA treats are loaded with protein and whole-food carbs. $5.86 for a 6 oz. pouch; zukes.com

BeyondCoastal Natural Sunscreen for Kids +30 Two of my daughters inherited their mother's pale white skin; the third got her Father's darker French Canadian shade. With the two who glow in the dark, sunscreen is a constant issue. We like the Beyond Coastal Natural Sunscreen for Kids +30 because it doesn't sting eyes, stays in place when you sweat, and goes on smoothly. The sunscreen is water resistant and effective in blocking UVA and UVB rays, plus it has Shea and Coco butter, and vitamins A, C and E. The 2.5-ounce container, $11; beyondcoastal.com

GSI Halulite Ketalist There's little better than a cup of tea mid-hike (or hot cocoa at night around the campfire). The super lightweight Halulite Ketalist tea kettle holds 1 liter of water and weighs just 11 ounces. The material is ahard anodized alloy that hold up to heat and the rigors of the trail. Included are a lightweight cup with a sip-it lid and insulating sleeve, plus a telescoping fork. $29.95; gsi.com

Aladdin Sustain Snack Containers Call it an investment in nutrition. My girls love goldfish crackers for trailside snacks, but we stopped buying them after we realized that most ended up on the floor of the car, long before we hit the backcountry. The Aladdin is a simple solution. The 100 percent recycled food-grade polypropylene container carries 12 ounces of snack. It's great for grapes and other easily squishable edibles, as well as gorp, M&Ms and of course, goldfish crackers. The lid slips off for easy cleaning (its dishwasher safe), but stays on when tossed in a backpack (or purse). $6.99; Aladdin-pmi.com