Tips for Taking the Whole Family ‘Wheeling

Four-wheeling is one of the most family-friendly activities you can do. Loading up the kids and heading out to explore the outdoors together, without the distractions of cell phones or the need for portable DVD players, creates memories that last a lifetime. Remember, kids are just little people, and although they might not be as concerned about that broken axle shaft as you are, they still have the same basic needs.

We asked some of the coolest moms we know for their advice on how to make certain that a weekend of four-wheeling is fun for the whole family. Jaime Risavi is the mother of two active boys, ages three and six, who spend their winters snowboarding and summers camping and rockcrawling. “There is nothing worse than a tired, hungry kid!” Jaime shares. “Make sure that you have plenty of water and snacks for the entire day. We have an ARB freezer/fridge and it does a great job of keeping everything cold, regardless of how long we are on the trail.” When kids are out of the vehicle playing with their toys, make certain that they are in the shade, clear from the vehicles, but still in sight. “You never know when someone will break on the trail, so we typically let Avery and Keegan each pick out one toy to bring along.”

Inside the vehicle, make certain that the children’s seats are properly installed and that they are strapped in any time the vehicle is moving. Containment is a big issue too, especially for younger children. Pay special care to ensure that their heads are fully supported and prevented from any sudden movements. “Our boys didn’t like the wind in their faces when they were younger,” Jaime adds. “We find bandanas are great, not only to keep the wind off, but also to help keep them clean and cool as well.”

Shana Whitford of Friese Images and her husband Brian took their son Owen across the rugged Rubicon trail when he was only seven months old. “The rocking of the trail put Owen to sleep for much of the day,” Shana confessed. “We thought that it was great at the time, but when we got to camp and everyone was exhausted from a long day, Owen was wide awake!” Shana suggests packing plenty of wet wipes and sunscreen, “bring more than you think that you will need. The baby wipes are popular with more than just the kids!” She also stressed the need to bring warm clothes if you are planning on camping overnight. Young children can’t necessarily verbalize when they are cold, so pay special attention to the weather. “The temperature drops quickly when the sun goes down, and kids don’t always stay inside their sleeping bags or under the blankets.”

As your children get older, reinforce that if they are ever feeling uncomfortable or sick on any obstacle, you will take the time to stop and let them watch from a safe distance. Also consider investing in trail guides like Backcountry Adventures and Sidekick Off Road and let everyone in the family have input on your next adventure. That could mean incorporating a visit to a ghost town, fishing hole, or scenic overlook to keep everyone happy, all of which beat watching another DVD from the back seat.