5 Cool Tips for Camping with Your Kids

The best memories are the ones that you make with your kids.

If you have children, it is important to find ways for them to be active and socialize with other people besides their parents.

One of the best ways to do this is by camping together!

Camping offers a wide variety of activities- from swimming in cold water lakes, fishing, horseback riding, and more.

It can also offer bonding time for families as they trade stories about their day over a campfire or roast marshmallows on sticks (yum!).

In this article, we will outline 5 tips that will help make your next family camping trip fun and memorable.

Be Realistic

Check the site before you book a place to camp with your kids. Not all sites allow children, so make sure to get that information before booking.

If you’ve got one or more kids in disposable nappies, see if the campsite has a special place for disposing of them. If they don’t have such facilities on-site, get yourself a pack of compactable and sealed “nappy wraps."

They really do make life so much easier!

When visiting a new place, it's important to take into consideration how you will get around.

If you have young kids or are pregnant and plan on using your buggy, consider the distance of where you'll be traveling because this might not always work for all situations.

Keep The Kids Warm and Dry

Camping can be a great way to take the family out of their comfort zone but if you're not prepared it could also mean that they get wet or cold.

Make sure everyone is wrapped up in appropriate clothing for all types of weather, bring extra clothes just in case there's an accident, pack extra blankets so no one has to sleep on damp ground with only 1 layer between them and the earth below.

Camping is an outdoor activity that will test your mind and body. Tents don't provide the insulation or heating components of houses, so you'll need to be prepared for cold nights in a heated yurt if available.

Camping and the great outdoors can be an exciting experience for kids, but it’s important to make sure they are adequately prepared.

Dress children in layers so that if one gets wet or uncomfortable then you have plenty of others below them on which to change clothes.

Keep hands covered with a waterproof glove when handling food because otherwise both their hand and your food will get dirty.

And lastly don't forget about footwear- especially during the rainy season - as bare feet will quickly become cold once out in the rain.

Camping in the summer can be very fun, but there are some things you should know before going out. 

We recommend that when it is time for bed and your children have been playing all day long with their friends outside, use an air mattress instead of a sleeping bag.

When looking for a sleeping bag to use when camping, make sure that the lining is not shiny or slippery.

Cotton and other non-slip linings are best because they will keep you feeling warmer at night as well.

Related - Camping Essentials - Everything you need to go camping with your family

Keep The Kids Happy

This one might seem quite obvious but, it's easy to forget that your kids need to be entertained.

Allowing them to just sit and play video games all day is not the answer.

Try to get them outside as much as possible and engage their minds in other activities like puzzles, board games, drawing or coloring books etc.

There are also so many different camping sites that offer interactive experiences for kids which they'll love.

There are so many more activities kids can do while camping such as:

- rock climbing

- kayaking

- hiking

You not only have to keep them occupied in the day.

They also need to be entertained at night.

Here are a few different ideas:

• Bring a flashlight and make shadow puppets.
• At night, take a walk and enjoy the views.
• Play flashlight tag.
• Play hide-and-seek at night.
• One great way to beat the summer heat is to go for a late-night swim.
• Head up in the hills for star-gazing sessions.
• There are many different situations that include using fireworks, but shooting off fireworks while camping should not be one of them..
• Build a campfire.
• Campfire Facial Painting Station
• Wake up early in order to watch the sunrise.
• Get outside and take in the natural beauty around you in the evening. If you have some hills, you might be able to see the sunset.
• Create your own scavenger hunt for your kids to complete during camp time.
• Teach them different camping skills (building a fire, pitching tents).
• Campfire yoga sessions.

Stay Healthy and Safe

Safety should be at the top of your list of priorities when camping with kids.

Keep food in an animal-safe container (canister) at all times, and store it away from the tent or sleeping area.

Inspect your campsite for any signs that an animal might have been there recently, such as droppings on the ground, claw marks along trees, etc.

If you are camping with small children, don't let them go off by themselves- even if it is a child-friendly campsite. Don’t assume the site is entirely safe for kids to explore on their own.

A campsite is a place for kids to roam free, but it's also important that your child knows which areas are out of bounds and where they should stay.

As soon as you arrive at the site, walk around with them in tow so that they know what parts belong to each camper.

The next step, make sure there’s no confusion about whose tent belongs to who.

Tie up any loose strings on bunting or flags by attaching ribbons or lights of contrasting colours near the entrance of their tent; this way when night falls and everyone needs help finding home.

Agreeing on a common meeting place is an important part of any camping trip. If lost or separated in the campsite.

If there is an event, then the first aid tent is usually a good option.

Remember to Enjoy The Trip Too!

Don't forget, this trip is not just for the kids, it's also for you.

Find an activity you enjoy and spend some time doing it with your family. It will be a great way to bond!

There's no better way to bond than cooking together!

Every camping trip needs to have some fun activities. Bring along a game of cards or even just a storybook and read it aloud at night around the campfire.

Here's a camping accessory checklist:

* Tent (of course)

* Sleeping bags for everyone

* Flashlights and extra batteries

* Clothes - including rain gear, even if it doesn't look like rain is a possibility!

* Towels or washcloths (to dry off after swimming)

* First aid kit with bandages, bug spray, sunscreen and any

Here's a camping tool checklist:

* Camping stove with fuel

* Pot to cook in

* Utensils for eating

* A dishcloth or scrubby sponge to clean up afterward.

Camping rules checklist:

* Pack out all your garbage and don't leave any trace you were there

* Clear away brambles, branches or, other hazards from the area where you'll be camping. This helps make it easier to get around after dark and makes for a safer space in general.

* Safe drinking water is an absolute must, so remember to pack enough.

How should you leave a campsite?

* Before you leave, make sure the fire is out and there are no smoldering coals under it.

* Don't forget to dispose of hot ashes in a safe way by dumping them into water or covering them up with dirt.

* Respect space and privacy.

* Pack up your camping tent carefully and don't leave it standing.

* Take all garbage with you, including food scraps.

* Be polite to other campers.

* Make sure the area is as clean or cleaner as when you first arrived.

Wrapping Up

Be aware that you will be living in close quarters with your family and friends.

This means that there is no escape from the noise of snoring, loud conversations, or arguments. In order to get a good night's sleep, it may help to bring earplugs for everyone who might disturb you at night :)

Camping is a great way to get the kids outside and active, but there are some things you need to be prepared for before they head out.

The most important thing is keeping them warm and dry, which means that your tent should have enough space for everyone so they can sleep comfortably at night.

You'll also need to pack plenty of food and drink as well as any gear necessary to like flashlights or first-aid kits.

Ensuring your kids are happy and healthy is the most important thing. Bring plenty of books to read or puzzles for them to play with.

Pack board games and playing cards to help you make the most of a rainy day.

Finally, always pack essentials like sunblock and bug spray to avoid any uncomfortable situations.

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