Kids and Hammocks

**Frolicking Dino** · 06-12-2007, 14:16

Here is Just Jeff's Hiking with kids page. Down toward the bottom are pics of his boys at ages 4 & 8 in their hammocks and a link to his homemade child's hammock and quilt.

**hacktorious** · 06-12-2007, 14:54

Originally Posted by Frolicking Dino

Here is Just Jeff's Hiking with kids page. Down toward the bottom are pics of his boys at ages 4 & 8 in their hammocks and a link to his homemade child's hammock and quilt.

Hmmm, I will have to keep that stuff in mind. My 3yo likes carrying a pack, but I think the one on the last trip was too heavy for him. The bag was too large for his back too.

He does have a cheap school bag, but it doesn't have chest straps. I think I might be able to use velcro or something.

**TeeDee** · 06-12-2007, 16:13

Remember when asking a vendor, they are limited in what they can say/recommend by the legal system and they have to give a very, very conservative figure because Bozo Joe, or Jane, could take them at their word and not consider the characteristics of their own kid. Hennessy or Clark or Jacks at JRB or ..., if they give a figure at all would do exactly like Hennessy did.

**TeeDee** · 06-12-2007, 16:15

Originally Posted by hacktorious

Hmmm, I will have to keep that stuff in mind. My 3yo likes carrying a pack, but I think the one on the last trip was too heavy for him. The bag was too large for his back too.

He does have a cheap school bag, but it doesn't have chest straps. I think I might be able to use velcro or something.

Be very conservative and very, very light in a pack for a child. Their bones are still rapidly developing and are a lot more malleable than those of an adult.

**FreeTheWeasel** · 06-12-2007, 16:33

I posted a two hammock under one tarp report which you can view here

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ead.php?t=1154

I found it only marginally successful. I had to place my daughter's hammock about as high as I could reach and because the hammocks sagged, I had to place mine fairly low. This meant that I had to really lift her into the hammock and when I got in mine, I was bumping the plants below.

Next time, I'll try one tree for both heads and two trees for the feet so that we form two legs of a triangle.

I have a monster tarp though. If you are getting a scout from Hennessy, I think you can get he same poly hex fly that I have thrown in for free as part of a sale.

FreeTheWeasel

**Frolicking Dino** · 06-12-2007, 16:33

JJ recommends a maximum load of about 1/4th of the child's weight. My son used a mesh child's backpack without a chest strap and loved it - the bag only weighed 9 ozs. Fit is way more important than design because of the light amount of weight the child will carry. An average 3 year old only weights about 30 to 35 lbs so they shouldn't try to carry more than 7 to 8 lbs. You should also be ready to carry the child's pack if they get really tired. Growing take a lot of energy.

**rptinker** · 06-12-2007, 19:16

Originally Posted by hacktorious

What's the general consensus on the age of children sleeping in a hammock by themselves. I emailed Hennessey and they told me a child should not sleep in a hammock alone until they are at least 12.

Has anyone let a 3 year old sleep in their own hammock, or would that be insane?

I have two kids. One is 6 yrs old and the other 13. They have their own hammock and love sleeping on it at home (backyard camping) or the outdoors with minimal supervision. I would still suggest that children should be taught how to use their equipments and adult supervision is necessary for their own safety and enjoyment.

PS. Im using a clytor clone.

**blackbishop351** · 06-12-2007, 19:48

Originally Posted by FreeTheWeasel

I posted a two hammock under one tarp report which you can view here

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ead.php?t=1154

I found it only marginally successful. I had to place my daughter's hammock about as high as I could reach and because the hammocks sagged, I had to place mine fairly low. This meant that I had to really lift her into the hammock and when I got in mine, I was bumping the plants below.

Next time, I'll try one tree for both heads and two trees for the feet so that we form two legs of a triangle.

I have a monster tarp though. If you are getting a scout from Hennessy, I think you can get he same poly hex fly that I have thrown in for free as part of a sale.

FreeTheWeasel

You could also try a single pair of trees with the hammocks side-by-side...I think Jeff likes this arrangement (if I remember right) because there's little interference from the small weight of a child, and it keeps them close at hand in case of nightmares or a bathroom emergency or whatever. If that's not suitable, you could always use a single pair of trees with a spreader bar between the suspensions on the head end.

**Just Jeff** · 06-12-2007, 20:40

Depends on the kid obviously, but my kids have been hammocking for a few years now and they're 7 and 11. They can get in and out by themselves if we hang it low enough. I usually set up their insulation for them but other than that, they're in it by themselves. Twelve is craziness for kids with normal development, but I can understand the liability issues that would lead a manufacturer to say that...no fault on him.

I like the side-by-side b/c I can easily check on them at night for sweating or shivering...they don't know how to regulate their heat like we do. Also, when it's cold and windy, I put myself on the windward side and give him a bit more heat b/c we're leaning on each other just a bit.

Re: weight - a 3yo should carry a bit of water and a little snack so s/he can feel proud at breaks, probably a lightweight favorite toy, and possibly a rain jacket. That's about it, IMO. But every kid is different. If you use a normal school pack, make sure the straps don't rub the sides of his neck. And in survival we just used 550 cord to make chest straps...you can fake one out of anything.