Kids on trails

Children can love overlanding, and a Jimny is a fine family adventure car. The trick is to keep trips easy, short and safe, and to let the kids' limits set the plan.

These notes are for families in India. They are general guidance, not medical or legal advice. Rules on child restraints are in the child seats guide, and every child is different, so adjust for your own.

By Gypsy Overlanding Family ®

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Family trips work when they are easy, belted and watched.

The short answer

Choose easy routes and short days, keep every child belted in the rear seat, never leave a child alone in or near the car, and keep a close eye near water, heat, drops and campfires. Plan for more stops, more water and an easy exit, and skip anything that needs a risky recovery.

Do

  • Pick easy routes and plan short days
  • Belt every child, in the rear seat
  • Keep children away from moving vehicles and recoveries
  • Carry extra water, snacks and a first aid kit
  • Keep an easy way out

Do not

  • Leave a child alone in the car, even briefly
  • Let children stand or play near a moving vehicle
  • Attempt technical sections with children aboard
  • Camp next to water or on drops
  • Push on when children are tired or unwell

Choosing routes and days

  • Easy grades. Gravel and gentle tracks suit families. Leave steep climbs, deep water and technical ground for adult-only trips. See sample routes for grading
  • Short days. Children tire fast and need plenty of stops. Plan fewer kilometres than you would alone
  • Daylight arrivals. Night driving and night camps are harder with children
  • An easy exit. Know where you can turn back, or reach help, at every stage

In and around the car

  • Belts and seats: every child in the rear seat, belted or in the right seat for their size. See child seats in a 5-door
  • No standing or sitting on laps, and no heads or arms out of windows
  • Stay clear of moving vehicles. A reversing car cannot see a small child
  • Never leave a child alone in the car, even for a minute. It heats up fast
  • Keep recoveries child-free. Ropes and winches can kill, so keep children well back, with an adult watching them

Camp with children

  • Pick flat ground away from water, drops, roads and animal trails
  • Set clear boundaries and agree where children can go
  • Keep the stove, fire and tools well out of reach
  • Keep food sealed and away from the tent to avoid animals
  • Keep a torch and a first aid kit within reach. See camp setup

Heat, altitude and fun

  • Heat: children overheat faster than adults. Offer water often and use shade. See heat and hydration
  • Altitude: children can get altitude sickness too, and may not be able to say what is wrong. Go up slowly, watch them, and descend if they seem unwell. See the first aid guide
  • Keep it fun: give them jobs, games and snacks, and stop for things they find interesting

Pick the setting

Tap where you are to see the sensible rule with children.

Tap a setting (6 to try)

The rule for Easy gravel day

The rule
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Details
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Common mistakes

  • Leaving a child alone in the car. It can heat up deadly fast.
  • Letting kids near moving vehicles. Drivers cannot see small children.
  • Planning long days. Children need many stops.
  • Camping near water or drops. Children wander.
  • Taking children on technical ground. Rollovers and recoveries are dangerous.
  • Ignoring altitude signs. Children cannot always say what is wrong.
A final word. Children are more vulnerable to heat, altitude, water and vehicles than adults. This guide is general information, not medical or legal advice. Keep trips easy, supervise closely, and turn back when anyone is unwell or unsure.