How to Camp With Kids Survival Guide

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Getting back to the great outdoors as a family can be a fun and rewarding experience for everyone involved. But just as camping with one or two people requires planning, camping with a family requires extra thought, as well. The following tips can help make any family camping trip a rewarding and memorable experience for all involved.

Preparing Kids for a Camping Trip
If you children have never been camping before, it is a good idea to prepare them for what to expect by camping out in the backyard at home first. This is a good time to teach them about camping safety, how to set up the tent, and what kind of noises they may be hearing at night for the first time. Allow the children to participate in as much of the campsite setup as possible, so that they will understand what is happening on the day of the actual trip.

Invest in the Right Family Camping Gear
Families that are just starting out their camping adventures maybe surprised to learn that quality camping gear doesn’t mean breaking the family budget. The most important part of choosing the right family camping gear is looking for quality materials that work for the environment in which the family will be camping. A family that is going to spend the majority of its time camping in the summer months may not need a tent or sleeping gear that is rated for the frigid weather of winter.

Many online outlets offer high-end camping gear from the previous season for a fraction of the cost that a similar current season model may cost. Online stores also provide the benefit of customer reviews, which can help parents make the right decision about which gear they should invest their money.

In areas where camping is extremely popular, it may be possible to rent gear for a weekend of family camping. Gear rental is a great option for those who only camp once a year, or those who are unsure about which style of camping is best for their family. Renting camping gear is an easy way to try specific brands and styles without the commitment of purchasing gear. While gear rental does have some drawbacks, such as equipment that is not always in pristine condition, for some families, it provides more than they would need for a successful and fulfilling family camping trip.

Another consideration when looking for family camping gear is how it will hold up when used by the kids in a rugged atmosphere. Cheap sleeping bags decorated with cartoons, for example, are not suitable for an outdoor excursion, and will end up ripped, stained, or otherwise demolished when used on a camping trip.

Tips For Keeping Kids Happy While Camping
Children have a low tolerance level when it comes trying new things, so the more parents remember this, the easier the camping trip will be. The following tips can help keep kids engaged throughout the trip:

1. Provide frequent breaks at rest stops, long lunch breaks, and late starts when camping with kids
2. Prepare a checklist of wilderness items that kids can try to find throughout the trip
3. Try to book a campsite that will provide plenty of space for kids to explore within nearby boundaries without disturbing other campers
4. Have older kids keep a journal of the trip, with details about what they saw, ate, and learned from their time in the wild
5. Plan plenty of games and activities to keep kids busy in case of rain
6. Give each child their own backpack filled with a flashlight, snacks, and a water bottle so that they may learn how to be responsible for their own camping gear
7. Bring plenty of bandages, anti-itch cream, sunscreen, and bug spray to help keep the annoyances of camping at bay
8. Assign camping chores to each child on the trip. It gives them a sense of importance and helps keep them from causing trouble
9. Stick to food and recipes that kids are comfortable with and enjoy
10. Pack plenty of dry socks, pants, sweatshirts and other clothing to make sure children stay as warm and dry as possible during camping
11. Bring along a playpen for young children to keep them off the ground and entertained

Booking a Great Campsite for Family Camping
Everyone likes to go camping on the weekends, which means full campsites and a lot of people all within a concentrated area of camping space. For a first-time camping trip with the kids, book a campsite during the week if at all possible. Not only will the area be less crowded, but you’ll have a better selection of campsites from which to choose. Most parks and campgrounds offer online booking, which makes planning a trip in advance a breeze.

Look for campsites that are away from high cliffs or drop-offs, or any other geological safety concerns. Sites that are within a quick trip to the bathroom facilities and water stops may also make camping more enjoyable for kids. Parks and campgrounds that offer a wide variety of activities, such as a playground, beach, or hiking trails can also help keep kids entertained over a camping weekend.

Camping with a family is a rewarding experience, and one that will create memories to last a lifetime. With a little forethought, planning, and consideration for the special needs of children, family camping can be far more fun than it is stressful.

Resource by AnnaBelle

Annalise Kaylor is a freelance writer, editor, and consultant specializing in search engine optimized content for the web. As a writer, her work has appeared across the United States in print ads for Whirlpool, Maytag, Home Depot, and Lowe's, among others. As a consultant, she has worked primarily in the education sector, helping universities increase their web visibility and construct and implement social media strategy. Annalise is an avid reader, knitter, organic gardener and baker, as well as the author of the popular baking blog, Knead To Be Loaved. Annalise enjoys fly fishing, camping, and hiking.

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