How To Start Camping As A Family
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One of the best ways to get away from your city life is to go camping. You can take a nice vacation in nature and not have to worry about cell phones. Plus, it’s pretty fun to build a campfire and roast marshmallows!
Camping is a great way to get away from your city life and enjoy nature, but it can be hard to pack all the right supplies.
It’s hard enough packing for yourself, let alone trying to figure out what you need for everyone in your family. Plus, there are so many different things that you might want or need on a camping trip - like bug spray or firewood!
We’ve got you covered with this article that will give you simple tips to follow to make sure you are prepared.
Use these tips found in this article for an unforgettable experience on the next camping trip you take!
1. Choose your destination
If you’re going to be camping with a group, make sure to discuss with them what you want to do and why. It can be a lot of fun planning a camping trip, so don’t turn this into a chore.
Most Americans live within 1 hour of a campsite. Consider the distance you need to travel, what activities are available, and which location can keep everyone happy.
2. Research your planned destination
Before you set off to find your perfect camping destination, be sure and do research. You want to see what types of campsites they have, are there any amenities nearby (like electricity or water), as well as if there is anything fun for kids in the area!
For example, campgrounds might have hiking, swimming, and fishing.
They may also have a playground with slides or organized activities such as crafts or guided hikes.
Most campsites also provide a picnic table and a fire pit.
3. Reserve your campsite if required
Many campgrounds require advanced reservations in order for you to stay overnight with them.
If this is the case with your destination, make sure you reserve your campsite in advance so there is no doubt about which site is yours when it comes time to set up camp.
Popular campsites will book up quickly, so be prepared to plan your trip in advance.
4. Make a checklist of everything you need to bring
Camping is an amazing experience, but it can also be great to prepare in advance.
If you’re getting ready for your first camping trip this summer, don’t forget these items!
You’ll need a tent to sleep in, food like pasta and peanut butter sandwiches, clothes like shorts and flip-flops (if you want), sunscreen so that you don’t ruin your trip by being sunburned, bug spray because nobody wants to be swatting mosquitos, flashlights, and headlamps so that when it gets dark out at night it’s not scary or difficult to find things.
Pack a list of things you might need on the trip with descriptions so that when people ask what they should bring along with them they have something handy to refer back to.
5. Pack your items according to your list for your camping trip
You do not need to use a backpack to go camping because you will be taking your vehicle. This is called car camping. Instead, you can use boxes because you will have much more room.
Use labels to make it easy to find what you need in your bags when the sunlight goes away and campfires take over. These boxes will also make it easier for you to be organized at home.
6. Prep your cooler
You will want your drinks to stay cool and if you are taking fresh meat that needs to be kept cool, then you will need a cooler.
To maximize the effectiveness of your cooler start by bringing it inside the night before. This will cool off your cooler and make it easier to keep your food cold during the trip.
Also, be sure and place the cooler in a shady spot, this will help protect you from having melted ice on your trip.
7. Have a wonderful time camping
Camping is a great way to get away from your busy life for a little while. Don’t forget that people are supposed to have fun when camping, not stress out.
Take time to relax and enjoy yourself. Make sure you keep an eye on the kids because every once in a while they could find something new and exciting to explore.
Camping is an absolutely perfect time to get your family off their phones and get them away from technology for a while.
And remember the days when you could talk to each other?
It would be really nice if we got back to that, don’t you think?
Nowadays, kids get bored just playing outside. It’s not enough for them anymore. They need screens all the time - computers, phones, TV screens. And parents feel like they’re babysitting every minute of the day!
Well, camping has enough distractions without even trying! Most campgrounds are huge and there are tons of different things to do - hiking trails, fishing, kayaking, swimming, stargazing, and roasting marshmallows.
Camping is a great way for families to get away from it all, but if you want your camping trip to be the best one yet then follow our tips.
It’s important that everyone has fun on the camping trip and this usually means planning ahead of time so there are no surprises when you arrive at your destination.
If you’re worried that your campsite will not have enough activities or distractions for children, don’t worry! Campgrounds typically offer plenty of things like hiking trails, fishing spots, kayaking trips, and more.
The most important thing about going camping is making sure you pack according to what type of campsite you’ll be staying at.
For example, a state park will often have potable water, bathrooms, showers, and often electricity. Meanwhile, dispersed or wild camping means you need to bring in everything and take it home.
Family Camping Tips And Tricks
Start Close to Home
A lot of parents tend to go all out when it comes to their family’s first camping trip. Yes, it’s an exciting time, and it’s always nice to plan properly, but it can become overwhelming for most children.
As a result, it’s better to inspire your family by keeping things close to home. Find a nice campground nearby, plan a short trip out, and then spend a night there. This is a great way to get everyone interested in the idea of camping without making it difficult for the children.
Avoid Camping in Bad Weather
Bad weather is always going to ruin your experience, and it’s something you want to avoid at all costs. There are times where bad weather isn’t a problem, but it’s a horrible starting point for those who haven’t camped before or haven’t been out in a while. This is when it is smarter to go with a straightforward plan where the weather is pleasant and doesn’t involve having to deal with a barrage of rain or thunder. You don’t want young children to associate camping with horrible memories due to bad weather.
Make it Fun
Children always want to have fun, and you have to focus on this aspect of camping.
This means you want to bring along puzzles, board games, and other relevant options when it comes to having a bit of fun. Each family is going to have a unique set of preferences, and it’s important to keep those in mind. You want to make the trip entertaining, and this has to do with blending fun activities with the camping experience.
You should plan different activities for different parts of the trip to make it easier for everyone. This is when the family starts to fall in love with the idea of camping.
Let Them Help
Camping involves so many exciting steps, and it’s nice to get the family involved.
This can have to do with setting up the tent, collecting firewood, or finding a good spot to settle in. Each campground is unique, but it’s all about getting your family involved as parents.
If they are not involved in the setup, they are not going to enjoy the process as much. Camping is not just about staying outdoors because the small details such as setting up a tent are just as memorable. You want to let them help as much as you can.
Here are more tips:
Do A Dry-Run
We all know that there can be a few challenges that we may encounter during camping. Your children might have difficulties sleeping outdoors, or your spouse might over stress from taking care of your kids out in the wilderness. Setting up a tent in your backyard is a good way to learn how they might react on their first “outdoor” camping trip. This way, you can adjust your approach to suit their needs and prepare essential things for your family, which will make your first family camp engaging and memorable.
Plan Ahead Of Time
Sorting your needs well ahead of time is one of the factors that may push your family to love outdoor camping. First thing’s first: find a location with the nearest grocery stores, gas stations, and other necessities you might need during your camping. Campgrounds in national and state parks are usually crowded in peak season. If you’re into enjoying the beautiful scenery and quiet ambiance of nature, then you need to research camping spots with a smaller crowd. Make a list of things that you will need for the trip such as flashlights, lighter, tent, tarp, cookware, clothes, toiletries, and many more to avoid any inconvenience.
Make Your Camping Experience More Entertaining
Camping is an excellent time for you and the family to bond. It’s also the perfect setting to read your favorite books while drinking coffee or tea. However, your kids might get bored easily if they don’t have things to do on your trip. Bring some things that they can play outdoors like a soccer ball, football or frisbee. You can also set up fishing, horseback riding, swimming, and kayaking depending on your location to make the trip more engaging for the family. If your kids like adventure, you can even set up activities like fossil hunting, scavenger hunt, and bug catching.
Car Camping With Kids
Car camping with kids is a great way to get out of the house and experience nature.
It’s an inexpensive, easy way to spend time together as a family. You can camp in your backyard or go on an adventure in the wilderness. There are so many benefits for you and your children when you car camp!
Camping allows families to bond while enjoying the outdoors. Kids will have fun exploring new places while learning about wildlife and plants along the way! Plus, they’ll be getting some exercise too which is always good for their health!
Get outside this weekend with your family by going car camping!
A benefit of car camping with kids is that they will be getting some fresh air and exercise which is always beneficial to their health. It allows families to bond while enjoying the outdoors.
Unlike backpacking, car camping allows parents to carry their children’s gear to the campsite, which can make it a much more enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
Thus you don’t have to rough it, in particular, with kids. It is a great way to get out of the house and enjoy something new as a family. If you want to bring more toys or activities, there’s no need to worry about weight restrictions.
Make sure you bring enough food and water for everyone! As always it is essential to be prepared while camping. And you can cook anything you want outdoors, as long as you bring everything you need to prepare the meal.
When you go camping, it is easier to get the kids to put down their phones and tablets. The world is still outside the window and full of excitement! Watching the sunset together or seeing a deer walk by are experiences your kids will remember for years to come.
Be sure to always pack extra warm clothes, even if it’s summertime. You never know when an unexpected storm might roll in and cool everything down quickly. Sunscreen is also good to have, even in the winter!
It’s true that you can camp anywhere, including in your backyard or at a nearby campsite. There are lots of benefits, like easy transportation and no need for hiking gear.
By staying close to home, you avoid having the kids get grumpy from riding too long in the car. Or if the trip does go bad for some reason, you’ll be home quickly to make it up to them!
And you don’t need to break the bank to go camping for the first time. You can often rent or borrow tents, sleeping bags, and cooking gear to start. Then you can upgrade to your own equipment as you get used to camping out or if the kids show interest in future trips!
Car camping is an excellent way for families to bond together while enjoying nature. Plus it’s a great way to teach children about wildlife and plants!
While the drive to the campsite statistically is higher risk than the campout, you need to spend some time to teach the kids about what to do around wildlife, campfires, and if they get lost.
Use the tips in this article to help you have fun on your next (or first) camping trip.
