Some Tips for Camping with Kids
Jun 27th, 2009 by DavePF
When you’re camping with kids there’s a lot of effort and patience involved in planning and preparing for the trip. While camping with kids can be a lot more fun, if you’re not ready it can be a stressful experience for both you and the kids.
You will likely have to make some sacrifices if you’re going to take your kids camping. In the end it’s well worth it especially when the kids are having a great time.
The precious time that you are able to spend with your kids at the trip—playing, exploring nature, and doing camping activities are simply rewarding. You won’t mind the extra effort especially if you love your kids so much.
To save you from having too much of a headache, here are some tips to start with:
- Get the kids involved with the planning and preparation. Ask for their suggestions and ideas regarding camping activities and places to visit. For example, do they want to go hiking or fishing or both? Allow them to pack their own things while supervising them along the way.
Kids would do anything to prove something including being responsible so treat them like responsible adults by making them see the value of their opinions.
- You don’t need an expensive sleeping bag for kids. A cheap junior sleeping bag does the job well enough.
- Try backyard camping if it’s your kids’ first camping trip so they know what to expect and they won’t get homesick.
- Elicit their help in setting up the campsite. Teach them how to pitch their own tents and ask them to help Mom with the cooking. No, they don’t need to chop and slice or boil water over the stove. They should only be involved with kid-friendly chores.
- Be sure to teach your kids some safety skills like blowing a whistle when they’re in trouble or how to use a compass.
- Gathering round the campfire at night and singing and story telling is a lot of fun.
- Take the kids on day hikes and show them the wonders of nature.
- Don’t forget to teach them how to keep themselves safe at the camp. No playing with fire and no swimming in the lake alone are just some of the many rules they have to be familiar about.
- To get the kids to be interested in chores, create games out of them
- Carry some binoculars so you can take the kids birdwatching as one of your camping activities.
- Remember to take the insect repellent and sunscreen.
- To help your kids deal with anxiety at night, give them a flashlight or glow stick.
- Do some star-gazing.
- Remember the first aid kit.
- Have some night snacks. Not inside the tent of course. Before you go to sleep, a few chats and chips will surely be a great finale to a great day.
- Bring something for the kids to play with like binoculars or magnifying glass.
- Don’t forget to pack extra batteries for the camera and lights.
Camping is one the sure ways you can spend quality time with your kids. It may take more effort on your part but it’s well worth it.
