Xbox, Nintendo, PSP are no match for star-studded clear skies, glimpse of wildlife, wooden trails, family huddled around a campfire and fresh air. Nature delivers a full-on sensory experience. Yap, I said it. And I can go on and on about the benefits of a family camping trip with kids.
Admittedly, camping can be a very enjoyable activity for children. It is often considered by parents as an opportunity to bond with their kids during the weekends and holidays. Furthermore, it will also be an opportunity to teach your kids some life skills and a lot about the environment.
However, if not well planned, it can turn out to be very messy. Consequently, you ought to prepare and anticipate every problem that could happen, and you should be well equipped with the solution. Here is comprehensive camping with kids checklist to make the trip fun, safe and memorable. Enjoy!
Pack an Emergency First Aid Kit
Kids are very playful and at times careless; they are at high risk of potential dangers out in the camping site. So, never forget or overlook the importance of bringing an emergency first aid kit for yourself and the children.
Shelter
If your outdoor adventure includes sleeping in camping tents and not in a cabin or RV, make sure you bring blankets, air bags, and tents. Additionally, ensure all the camping gear is still in good shape from the last time you used them. Don’t forget to include some comfort items on your list since they will provide you with a more pleasurable experience.
Fun Stuff
Visit online and local retail stores to get all sorts of clever ideas for campground fun. A lot of playthings ensure the campsite doesn’t feel entirely foreign to the kids. For instance, flying discs and outdoor boomerangs are always fun for kids to play with.
Food and Drinking Water
Make sure you prep some food for the kids and bring along some snacks. Always prepare your food the night before and store it in portable zip-lock bags. However, vegetables, meats, and eggs should all be kept in separate bags. Get separate coolers for food and drinks. Check where you can get drinking water. If not available, you need to bring your own. In some cases you might need a water filter, so have it handy.
The worst thing that can happen is to arrive at the camping site just to find out all your food stash is damp or has gone bad. Go over your checklist for all your camp kitchen needs, extra fuel, utensils and clean up kit.
The best way to make up your camping checklist is to mentally go through an entire day of camping and jot down all the stuff you need, from when you get up till you go to bed. If you use it, put it on the list, and you won’t forget to pack it.
Tips and Essentials
- Safety
Provide the kids with things to keep them safe and teach them about staying safe while camping. Make sure everyone has a whistle and a flashlight. Let them know it’s safe to always stay close to a big tree and near trail if they ever get lost. Teach them not to feed or touch wild animals. In a nutshell, enlighten them about the safe practices while camping.
- Be Organized
Remaining organized while camping with minors will save you lots of trouble. Always separate well-marked bins for utensils, another bin or bags containing clothes, etc. Even better, keep a reference checklist and keep it handy. Try forming a habit of putting things back in their respective places.
- Hygiene
Keeping the campsite clean is very crucial if you want to make your camping trip enjoyable. Keep a lot of trash bags. For clothes drying you can make a shift stand or use benches. Use grocery bags or trash bags to separate dirty clothes from clean ones.
Conclusion
Camping trips for kids can be quite challenging, but when you make an effort to include them, everyone will have a memorable and fun time. In the long haul when they have their own kids, they will sit around and tell stories about their exciting camping experience as kids.
Author Bio
Hi there, I’m Lucy Gomez, camp editor at Getcampingwild.com. I grew up in a suburb of Oklahoma and I have been camping my entire life. Camping in the wild is a way of life for me.