Seven Tips and Tricks for Camping with your Kiddos
Camping with your kids can be rewarding and challenging at the same time. Children have a different set of needs that require planning and preparation before attempting a crazy adventure together.
To help you plan your next adventure with your kids, we thought we’d give you seven ideas to help you make your trip enjoyable and memorable:
Plan ahead
Make your reservations in advance. Campsites tend to fill up quickly, especially those in the national and state parks.
It’s a good idea to give your kids a sense of what it’s like to sleep outdoors, especially if this is their first experience. Pitching a tent in the backyard will not only be fun for them, but they’ll know what to expect.
Orient your kids
For their safety and your sanity, give your kids a set of “camping rules” that need to be followed throughout the trip, this lets them know what’s expected of them. You could include: bring a whistle and flashlight, don’t take fire or candles inside the tent, don’t touch the lanterns, stove, or grill, and leave wild animals alone.
Pack Appropriately
Avoid bringing “just-in-case” items that will take up essential space or make bags heavy. Check on the weather to help you plan your camping wardrobe.
Pack enough to eat and try not to substitute foods if you haven’t tried them before. It’s no use packing something your kids won’t eat. You’ll also need items like camping lanterns, insect repellants, and biodegradable wet wipes. Mylar blankets would be a great emergency addition.
Arrive in daylight and stick to routines
It’s a good idea to unpack and get everything ready while you still have light. Gathering kindling needs adult supervision for younger kids but get them involved in your activity and have them do little chores.
As much as possible, stick with bedtime rituals and nap schedules. Kids stress easily over missed naps and bedtime stories.
Bring your first aid kit
You can never overestimate the security of having a reliable and complete first aid kit for your outdoor trips. Cuts and bruises are inevitable with kids, so it helps to have a first aid kit handy. Customize your first aid kit by adding your family’s prescriptions and EpiPen if needed.
Keep things interesting for kids
Kids who help with preparations and do basic camping chores will not only be kept busy, but they’ll feel like they’re important members of the team. Make it memorable by playing mini-games, or telling stories over a campfire.
Enjoy the trip
Camping is a healthy way of helping young members of the family to develop their independence and it’s also a bonding experience. Kids will only be kids for a while so just enjoy the outdoors and have fun.
What are your tips for families camping with their little ones? Share them with us by commenting below.
To help you plan your next adventure with your kids, we thought we’d give you seven ideas to help you make your trip enjoyable and memorable:
Plan ahead
Make your reservations in advance. Campsites tend to fill up quickly, especially those in the national and state parks.
It’s a good idea to give your kids a sense of what it’s like to sleep outdoors, especially if this is their first experience. Pitching a tent in the backyard will not only be fun for them, but they’ll know what to expect.
Orient your kids
For their safety and your sanity, give your kids a set of “camping rules” that need to be followed throughout the trip, this lets them know what’s expected of them. You could include: bring a whistle and flashlight, don’t take fire or candles inside the tent, don’t touch the lanterns, stove, or grill, and leave wild animals alone.
Pack Appropriately
Avoid bringing “just-in-case” items that will take up essential space or make bags heavy. Check on the weather to help you plan your camping wardrobe.
Pack enough to eat and try not to substitute foods if you haven’t tried them before. It’s no use packing something your kids won’t eat. You’ll also need items like camping lanterns, insect repellants, and biodegradable wet wipes. Mylar blankets would be a great emergency addition.
Arrive in daylight and stick to routines
It’s a good idea to unpack and get everything ready while you still have light. Gathering kindling needs adult supervision for younger kids but get them involved in your activity and have them do little chores.
As much as possible, stick with bedtime rituals and nap schedules. Kids stress easily over missed naps and bedtime stories.
Bring your first aid kit
You can never overestimate the security of having a reliable and complete first aid kit for your outdoor trips. Cuts and bruises are inevitable with kids, so it helps to have a first aid kit handy. Customize your first aid kit by adding your family’s prescriptions and EpiPen if needed.
Keep things interesting for kids
Kids who help with preparations and do basic camping chores will not only be kept busy, but they’ll feel like they’re important members of the team. Make it memorable by playing mini-games, or telling stories over a campfire.
Enjoy the trip
Camping is a healthy way of helping young members of the family to develop their independence and it’s also a bonding experience. Kids will only be kids for a while so just enjoy the outdoors and have fun.
What are your tips for families camping with their little ones? Share them with us by commenting below.
