You’re a huge fan of camping and you want your kids to fall in love with it, too, but you don’t really know how to accomplish your goal? Look no further because we’re here to help you out! Here’s the ultimate guide to camping with your kids that’ll help you make it happen, so check them out and get down to business right away!
First of all, know your tent
This one’s quite obvious, but let us say it once again – your tent is one of the most important items when it comes to camping with your kids, so make sure that it’s big enough in the first place. You’ve probably already figured it out, but we have to say that toddlers can take a lot of room when sleeping – often much more than you or your wife, so take that into consideration, too. When assembling the tent, try to keep your kids as busy as possible. Older children can either help with the tent or find a play spot, whereas you should definitely bring a portable playpen for the younger ones. Apart from that, you need to ensure that your tent is tear-free and leak-free, so that everyone can stay dry and safe in case of sudden overnight rain. Depending on the size of your family, you’d be wise to look in to the best large camping tents that fit your needs.
Layer up and sleep soundly
As temperatures can vary unpredictably from day to night, it’s extremely important to pack a few layers you can add on as the evening gets chillier. Needless to say, your sleeping bags play a huge role here, so be sure to buy a quality camping sleeping bag before everything else. Speaking of cold-weather camping, you should layer your kids in the following order: wicking layer (wool, silk, or bamboo), warming layer (fleece or heavier wool), and then the sleeping bag as the outermost layer. A beanie and wool socks are a must, too. When choosing your bedding, you should pay attention to the weather, obviously. A sleeping pad can be quite useful here as it provides insulation, which is highly required when sleeping on the cold ground.
Light the way
Let’s be honest – nighttime in the campground is highly likely to be much darker and scarier than your kids are used to, which is exactly why you should bring a few lanterns or string lights to create some ambient lighting. In fact, these may make the campground seem like a fairytale setting, so bear that in mind and make the entire experience even more magical for your little ones. When it comes to nighttime diaper changes or getting in and out of the tent while your kids are sleeping, you should bring a small soft light that won’t disturb their sleep or wake them up. On the other hand, headlamps are extremely handy for evening trips to the bathroom, as well as multi-use lanterns you can either place on a table or hang in your tent. Just get one that recharges via Micro-USB and you’ll do a great job!
Don’t forget to bring the essentials and security items
As for packing, it’s really important to let your kids help out and take part in it. Apart from allowing them to contribute and be a part of your family camping trip, it will also mean a lot to them as they’ll have a say in what they want to bring. Besides the tent, sleeping bags and other important layers, and proper lighting, you should come up with a wilderness survival kit that consists of items such as water purification tablets, flashlights, high-energy snacks, ropes, and many other things. Security items such as your kids’ favorite blanket, stuffed animals, and a sound machine are a huge must, too, so don’t forget to bring them along. Bringing white noise can be quite helpful, even if you don’t typically use it at home. The nighttime nature sounds are unfamiliar and can be perceived as distracting by your kids, so turn on your white noise and everyone will be more than fine.
As you can tell, there are a lot of things you have to take into consideration when planning the ultimate camping trip with your kids. However, these four are undoubtedly the most useful ones out there, so make sure to bear them in mind if you’re up for a fun and stress-free camping trip. Just stick to our guidelines and you’ll make it happen like a true pro!
