Plenty of people have gone camping at many stages of their lives, but not everyone has done it with kids. Camping with kids presents its own challenges that you might not necessarily think of when you’re trying to pack everything you and your family will need for a weekend getaway. Here are just a few helpful tips that can help the whole family have the best time in the outdoors.
Make kids part of the planning
If your children are at an age to do so, let them give input on where they want to go, what to pack, what to eat, and what activities to do. As the adult, you don’t have to bend to their will, but you can certainly incorporate at least one of their wishes.
When packing their bags, encourage them to leave their electronics behind, and focus on the family and nature experience instead. Younger children can bring a favorite toy or other item for a feeling of security and familiarity.
Let your kids help set up the campsite. Giving children chores or putting them in charge of task makes them feel included and important, and also serves as an opportunity to teach them new skills.
Prioritize safety at the campsite
The outdoors are full of all kinds of things we aren’t used to dealing with in urban life, such as an unimaginable amount of bugs, hazardous pathways, and even wildlife. You don’t have to be a forest ranger to come up with a contingency plan for any of these situations. A comprehensive first aid kit is easy to purchase or compile on your own, but be sure it includes sunblock, after sun spray or lotion, adult and child pain relievers, insect repellent, antibiotic ointment, and bandages.
Getting lost in nature can happen rather easily, as is evidenced by the enormous amount of adults who manage to do it all the time. Equip your kids with an emergency whistle or flashing beacon so they can be easily located if they stray. Go over plans for what to do if you get separated multiple times before you head to the campsite.
Pretty flowers should never be picked, and juicy berries should never be eaten. Poisonous plants abound in the natural world, and one of their best lures is their beauty. Be sure to educate your kids about the dangers of poisonous plants ahead of time.
Keep the itinerary light
You might be headed to a remote cabin with the family for some much-needed R&R, or perhaps you’re headed to an all-inclusive summer camp with activity schedules that make your head spin. Whatever brand of camping you’re headed for, it’s important when camping with kids to keep the itinerary light.
There is a wealth of activities you can do with your kids on a camping trip: biking, horseback riding, hiking, fishing, swimming, birdwatching, or scavenger hunts. Scavenger hunts are especially fun for small kids. Small rocks, leaves, and nuts can be collected to use later for crafts, and studying an insect while it munches on leaves or clambers around a stick can provide endless fascination.
The best way to enjoy camping with kids is to treat them like they’re part of the adventure! Doing this will instill your children not only with a deeper love and respect for nature, but an unending amount of both for you.
Images via vastateparksstaff, USDAgov
