Camping in the wilderness or RVing can be a wonderful getaway for your family, but keeping peace in a tiny tent is not always easy. If you are planning a family camping trip this summer, you need to think carefully about the situation. Are your kids mature enough to enjoy camping, or should you send them off to grandma’s house for the duration of your trip?
There are many things to consider when contemplating a camping trip with the kids. Here are some timely tips you can use to make camping more fun for everyone, no matter what their age.
Pack lots of games and kid-friendly activities.
Camping can be a majestic activity for adults, but children do not always appreciate the beautiful scenery and spectacular sunsets. If you want to enjoy the beauty of nature, bring some things to keep the kids entertained.
Bring lots of baby wipes and antibacterial spray.
Keeping kids clean in the wilderness is no easy task, so bring some sanitary supplies to keep those germs at bay. Practice good hand hygiene when restrooms are available and use alternative cleaning methods when they are not.
Avoid overpacking.
Some parents bring everything but the kitchen sink on their camping trips, but overpacking is a huge mistake if you are bringing the kids. Make a list of the essentials you need, then leave everything else at home.
Enjoy short hikes.
A 10-mile hike is probably not on the cards if you have small kids in tow, so tamp down your expectations and try to enjoy shorter hikes instead. Study park maps ahead of time and looks for scenic overlooks, accessible views, and other spots that can be reached quickly and easily.
Set up camp before it gets dark.
Setting up a tent while the sky darkens is a recipe for disaster and undue stress, so keep an eye on the clock and get your campsite set up while there is still plenty of daylight left.
Leave the devices at home.
The magic of camping is all about communing with nature, not crouching over electronic devices. Bring a cell phone and charger for emergencies, but leave the rest of the devices at home.
Stick to your usual routine.
If the kids have a regular bedtime, stick to it even while you are in the tent. Disrupting a long-established routine will do nothing but raise your stress level.
Seek out kid-friendly campgrounds.
Not all camping spots are family-friendly, so do your homework and find a place where your kids will be welcome.
Camping can be a wonderful adventure for the entire family, but heading into the wilderness with the kids in tow is not for the faint of heart. If you want to enjoy your next camping trip and keep your sanity, the above can help you get started.
About the author: Ali Walker
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