Going Camping with Your Family? Here are Tips to Help You Along the Way
Going camping is something many of us have fond childhood memories of. The great outdoors, fun activities and awesome bonding experiences are just some of the reasons camping is such a great family holiday choice. Whether going in a big group or as a solo family, you want to make sure you and your kids have a great time along the way.
Keeping your kids entertained, happy, full of food, and healthy on a family camping trip can seem like a daunting proposition. But, fear not! There are plenty of hacks and tips to help you plan and enjoy your camping holiday, however big a family you are taking. Read on for some of these top tips to help you sort out your dream family camping trip.
Camping with the Kids
There are plenty of concerns when taking your kids camping – understandably so. You could be away from necessary amenities, shops, or even medical help – though we all hope that would never be needed! This is why it’s important to do a lot of pre-trip planning.
Thinking about location, equipment, food, and plenty of other potential stumbling blocks along the way are all key. Plus, you want to make sure your trip is fun-filled as well as safe and practical, right? Whatever you choose to do on your trip, this checklist will help you plan a trip filled with enjoyable memories for you and your little ones. Join Winter Camp 2022: https://www.leselfes.com/winter-camp/,
Choose a Family-Friendly Location
This may seem obvious, but it’s important to do a bit of research on your potential chosen camping locations. Some campsites are strictly not family-friendly. These particular sites are geared towards adults who want a quiet getaway without kids, so the last thing you want is to turn up to one and be turned away.
Even family-forwards campsites aren’t always as simple as they seem. For example, facilities such as baby changing or toilets vary from site to site. You may wish to choose somewhere with baby-specific facilities or somewhere with included childrens’ events or activities. First and foremost, find your campsite and make sure it has all the perks you feel you need.
Try a Simple Tent
Choosing a suitable campsite is one thing, choosing a suitable tent is another. Traditionally, many tents have been hard to put together, complicated in structure, and downright frustrating to erect. This problem is slowly becoming a thing of the past with various pop-up tents and other clever solutions.
One of these smart tents is a roof box for your car. The designers over at roofbunk.com explain how a pop-up roof tent can make camping all the easier. Their blogger writes that “rooftop tents typically only take around 30 seconds to open up and close, so you can imagine the time and effort you’re saving with them!” This sounds perfect for a getaway with the kids. Pop up your roof box tent and it’s like a fun bunk bed for the kids. Easy to set up and pack away, taking a little bit of stress out of your trip.
Other Essential Gear
Speaking of reducing stress, there are a few items that you absolutely must not forget on a family camping trip. Kids are messy, let’s face it, so you’re probably going to want to bring plenty of paper towels, baby wipes, and something to wash and hang clothes with. Kids can get through their clothes quickly, especially in the great outdoors, so this is a definite must.
Look After the Kids’ Health
Using baby wipes and clean clothes to help your kids stay fresh is one thing, but keeping their health in check while camping can feel like a whole different ball game. When kids are excited and outdoors, injuries can occur. So, it’s always important to have a basic first aid kit with you. Again, you may choose to camp at a site with on-site medical assistance, though this is a rarity.
Other health essentials include any medications your children take, as well as bug spray and sunscreen. The last thing you need is itchy or burned kids, ruining their health and their holiday memories. Finally, be sure to make sure you keep the kids as warm and dry as possible. Weather changes can’t be controlled, but having plenty of spare socks can!
Plan or Bring Lots of Activities
These days, children are exposed to digital enjoyment long before they even play outside alone. TVs, iPads and the like all give kids a huge amount of entertainment from day dot. Going away camping can remove all of these digital distractions, which is arguably a good thing, though your kids may not agree!
If you are worried about frustration or boredom within the group, try and pre-plan plenty of activities. Whether these are on-site, organised things like group sports or swimming, or just simple day trips to neighbouring towns and activities, you need to keep your schedule full. Keep the kids busy and they’ll not have time for boredom.
Food Prep and Meals
Keeping everyone fed with only basic cooking tools can seem daunting. With proper planning, though, it doesn’t need to be. You can make epic meals from tinned foods and packets of rice or pasta like chilli con Carne and spaghetti bolognese. Camping recipes don’t need to be boring. In fact, sometimes the challenge brings out the inner chef. Take lots of snacks and properly plan your meals. This way you can stock up knowing exactly what you’ll need.
Make Time for You
Finally, make time for yourself. Likely late evenings or early mornings, when the kids are asleep, try and do things to create your own personal memories. Enjoy a drink with your partner or have a quiet, romantic breakfast by the fire before the kids charge in! This trip is likely mostly about the kids, but there’s always a little time to relax and pamper yourself, too.
Enjoying a family camping trip, then, doesn’t need to cause stress. A few days of proper prior planning will help you go into your trip feeling confident in your plans for food, activities, sleeping arrangements, and kids’ health. Follow these tips and get yourself ready for the best family camping experience of your life!
