I generally wait until they are 4. Granted, this is a 2 mile trip, 4 miles total. My two older sons both started at 4. The girls started later on. My younger son who is 4 now missed out this summer and will have to wait until he is 5. frown That is his dad's fault though. I was surprised how much my girls liked it though. I guess all the girls here are saying...duh...but anyways. My oldest daughter gets mad when we car camp at a busy campsite. She wants to get way out there with only nature and no people.

Anyways, expect to carry most of their stuff if they are young. And, make the mileage very low. Also, I try and get them food they really like. I don't worry too much about nutrition (to a point). It is only a day or two of not eating healthy. Plus they associate backpacking with good food.
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