This is a paid collaboration with Safe and Sound
Now more than ever we want to stay safe and healthy on all our family adventures, both close to home and further afield and having the right kit in your day bag is essential to staying safe right now.
My boys and I are really active, we don't like to stay still for long, with most days being spent out and about exploring the Brecon Beacons, camping or spending a few hours at the skate park. That means besides things like water and snacks, it's really important to have some first aid supplies on me because you never know what could happen and being able to safely clean a wound or put a plaster on a cut can really help prevent infection and encourage a wound to heal quicker.
We recently climbed The Skirrid in the Brecon Beacons, a fantastic mountain hike perfect for families that takes you to an impressive trig point summit, which offers incredible views across the Beacons. To get to the summit you first have to do a steep climb through ancient woodland before coming out into open mountainside. Hikes like this, of course, come with some risk and require packing essentials to limit any problems.
Micro Adventure Packing List
1. A mini first aid kit - Safe and Sound has some great products suited for the whole family, which can be easily popped in your bag. We made sure to pack some plasters (I did end up having to use one for my youngest who cut his leg on a bramble) as well as the Hand Sanitiser and Antiseptic spray. The plaster are especially designed for kits in mind and are hypoallergenic and have fun designs. Adding suncream to a first aid kit is also a good idea as you never know when you may need it.
2. Plenty of Water - I know this seems obvious but you really can't take too much water if you're heading out on a hike or physical activity. I always make sure to have at least two large reusable water bottles between the boys and I.
3. A light waterproof jacket - preferably one that can fold down to a small size and pack into a bag. Living in Wales has taught me the weather can change at any time so having a waterproof jacket is key.
4. An extra layer of clothing - especially if your heading up a mountain summit - even a small mountain is usually going to be colder on the top by a few degrees than it was at the base so it's really important to have an extra layer of clothing such as a hoodie or thermal long sleeve top to keep you warm and a warm hat is never a bad idea either.
5. Healthy Snacks - you want something that isn't going to spike your sugar levels too much but still provide you with energy especially if you find yourself in a tricky situation. Things like nuts, oat bars, sandwiches and fruit are all a good idea.
6. Battery Pack for phone - when people get lost or into a spot of trouble they often use their phone to navigate their way out of it, but this often drains a lot of battery and emergency services often get calls that end up cutting out due to no battery so if you know you're going somewhere remote or off the beaten track then a battery pack is essential.
7. Physical map of the area - if I can I often try and print or purchase a map of the local area as phones and online navigation cannot always be depended on due to lack of signal and a physical up to date map is a reliable fall back option.
8. Smaller items to consider - it's worth packing a small touch if you're going anywhere later in the day and also a lighter and whistle can come in handy. If your heading out on a particularly long hike then a small emergency blanket is always a good idea and these are super light and fold down to the size of an envelope.
Of course, some of our adventures are closer to home & even a trip to the skatepark requires taking along some essentials, especially a first aid kit as it's certainly a higher risk activity.
I encourage my children to take calculated (and well supervised) risks because it helps build resilience & self-belief in their bodies as well as giving them a sense of freedom and connection with the outdoors. Even the simple act of falling and getting back up on their scooters or skateboards is a learning experience for them.
Having my Safe and Sound kit on me means that any cuts or scrapes can be dealt with quickly and can be clean properly, especially with the antiseptic stray as well as the antibacterial gel being very handy during Covid should they touch a surface that doesn't look clean.
As with most things, the outdoors is there to be enjoyed but you also need to be prepared.
