There's something special about watching a child march up a bush track with their own little pack on their back. My kids light up when they're given the responsibility of carrying their own water and snacks, and I've lost count of how many times we've pulled over on a 4 km loop so someone can fish a snack out of their own bag. But finding a backpack that actually fits a child's body, carries their gear without busting their shoulders, and holds up to the rough and tumble of Australian conditions can be surprisingly tricky.
Over the past few years, we've tested more than a dozen packs on local tracks around Sydney, the Blue Mountains, and Wilsons Promontory. Some were too bulky, some were too flimsy, and a few became instant favourites. This guide pulls together what we've learned about the best day-hike packs for kids, with a focus on options that suit the heat, the sun, and the scratchy scrub of Australian bushwalking.
The single biggest mistake parents make when buying a child's hiking pack is choosing by age rather than by size. Kids' torsos vary wildly at the same age, and a pack that's too long will dig into a child's lower back and make them lean backwards to compensate. A pack that's too short sits high and tips the weight off their shoulders. Look for adjustable torso lengths (most quality kids' packs have this) and measure from the base of the neck to the top of the hips.
Beyond fit, the best day-hike packs for kids share a few key features. A proper hip belt is non-negotiable; it shifts up to 80% of the weight from the shoulders to the hips and pelvis, which is the only way a child can carry more than a water bottle comfortably. Padded shoulder straps that curve to follow a child's chest rather than cutting into the neck make a huge difference on longer walks. Zips that are easy for small hands to operate mean kids can actually get into their own bag without needing an adult to unzip it for them.
Lightweight materials matter too. A 1 kg pack loaded with 2 kg of gear is a much heavier relative burden for a 20 kg child than it is for an adult. Aim for a pack that weighs under 500 g on its own, and teach kids to pack only what they truly need for the day.
Australian conditions are tough on gear. UV levels here are intense, temperatures on a summer arvo can climb past 35°C, and the scrub on many tracks is sharp enough to snag cheap fabric. Look for packs made from ripstop nylon with a DWR coating, and avoid dark colours that absorb heat; light colours or muted earth tones stay cooler in the sun.
Ventilation is another big one. Mesh back panels help sweat evaporate, and a hydration bladder sleeve makes it easy to slip in a 1.5 L reservoir so kids can sip without stopping. Speaking of hydration, in our summers, a bladder is almost mandatory for any walk over 3 km, and a pack with a dedicated sleeve and hose port saves a lot of fiddling at rest stops. Reinforced bottoms are handy too, because the pack will spend a lot of time being dumped on rocky ground, sand, or leaf litter.
We do most of our testing in Royal National Park and down at Wilsons Promontory, where the terrain includes everything from flat coastal tracks to steep granite climbs. One thing we've learned: kids need to be able to stash hats, sunscreen, and a lightweight jacket quickly when the weather shifts, so external shove-it pockets and side mesh pockets are gold. While we keep an eye out for snakes and funnel-webs at home, taking kids on a big international trip means learning about new critters. Our Grand Teton wildlife checklist is a handy resource if you're planning a US trip with the family.
Even the best pack won't help if it doesn't fit. To measure a child's torso, have them stand with their back to you and run a tape measure from the prominent bone at the base of the neck (the C7 vertebra) down to the level of the iliac crest (the top of the hip bones). This measurement is what you match to the pack's sizing chart, not the child's height or age.
Most kids' hiking packs have adjustable torso systems that can grow with the child, often covering a 10–15 cm range. This means a well-chosen pack can last two or three seasons, which is great value given the cost. When trying the pack on, load it with 2–3 kg of weight (water bottles work well) and have your child walk around the house or yard for 10 minutes. Watch for red marks on the shoulders, a gap between the hip belt and the lumbar pad, or your child leaning forward or backward to compensate. If any of those happen, the pack isn't right.
Letting kids help pack the bag is another small but important step. When my kids know exactly where their snack is and which pocket holds the sunscreen, they're far more likely to keep going on a longer walk. It also gives them ownership of the experience, which is a big part of why we do this in the first place.
After months of testing on everything from flat 2 km loops to steep 8 km climbs, these are the packs that earned permanent spots in our gear cupboard. All of them are available in Australia either through local outdoor stores like Macpac and BCF or via online retailers, and all have handled the heat, the humidity, and the occasional bush bash without falling apart.
| Pack model | Capacity | Weight | Key features | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trail Bum Small | 10 L | 380 g | Adjustable torso, mesh back, bladder sleeve, hip belt | Ages 4–7, short to medium walks |
| Wild Things Junior | 15 L | 450 g | Rain cover, padded hip belt, reflective trim, name label | Ages 6–10, full day hikes |
| Bush Kids Explorer | 12 L | 410 g | External shove-it pocket, side mesh, DWR coating, light colour options | Ages 5–9, hot and sunny days |
| Summit Sprout | 18 L | 520 g | Adjustable harness, hydration sleeve, hip belt pockets, reinforced base | Ages 8–12, longer or overnight trips |
The Trail Bum Small is our pick for younger kids who are just starting to carry their own gear. It handles a 6 km loop easily and the hip belt is padded enough that my six-year-old forgets it's there. The Wild Things Junior steps things up with a built-in rain cover, handy for those sudden southerly busters, and reflective trim that makes kids easier to spot in low light. The Bush Kids Explorer is the one I reach for in summer because of the light-coloured fabric and excellent ventilation. For older kids or longer adventures, the Summit Sprout has enough room for a layer, lunch, and a small first-aid kit without feeling like a big adult pack has been shrunk down.
Once you've got the right pack, a few small habits make day hikes much more enjoyable for everyone. These are the tips we share with friends and family before their first big walk with the kids.
If you're dreaming of a first international day hike with a toddler, a toddler-friendly redwoods hike is a perfect example of how manageable a big trip can be with the right mindset and the right gear.
Thanks for reading, and happy hiking! Drop a comment below with your child's favourite day-hike pack. We love hearing what other Aussie families are carrying on the trails. And if you're looking for more family travel inspiration, including adventures in Japan with kids, pop over to our Japan travel site for travel notes, tips, and itineraries from our other site.