Kids & Cold

Kyoto: Hiking from Kibune to Kurama

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Make sure there's ample food and liquid for everybody—even when they're "not hungry."

Oddly, human appetites—even those of normally ravenous child humans—diminish in cold temperatures. This, despite the fact that winter activities require more fuel because the body needs to generate more heat. Getting plenty of liquids is important, too, for an efficient metabolism. A dehydrated person is much more susceptible to hypothermia.

The bottom line: You need to keep your family well-fed and watered, even though they may not feel particularly hungry or thirsty. Fortunately, some of the best (lightest, highest-energy) trail foods and drinks are also kid pleasers.

Trail Snacks
High in carbohydrates and protein, and easy to eat on the move—that's the ideal winter trail food, and that's GORP: any mixture of raisins, peanuts, M&Ms; or chocolate chips, coconut, etc. For a day hike, pack 1/2 lb per person, 1/4 lb each in individual baggies.

Liquids
Hot apple juice or cider are excellent, child-friendly winter trail warmers. Hot broth-based soup and herbal teas are good, too.

One additional note: Don't let anybody eat snow. Aside from the probability that it contains contaminants, snow sucks away a tremendous amount of body heat to convert from solid to liquid. It is not an acceptable substitute for drinking water.