Camping with kids can be a lot of fun – but it’s important to be prepared for the adventure. Here are some tips to make sure your trip is enjoyable and memorable for both you and your little ones!
Why Camping Is A Great Choice For A Family Vacation
70% Of Americans Consider Themselves "Campers"
92 million American households identified as campers and 58 million households camped at least once in 2022! That's more than 2/3rds of All Americans.
2023 North American Camping & Outdoor Hospitality Report In 2022Camping is a great way to spend quality time with your family and bond with nature. It’s also a great opportunity to teach your kids about the world around them and how to appreciate the outdoors.
There are many different types of camping, so you can choose the one that best suits your family’s needs and interests. For example, if you have young children, car camping might be the best option for you. This type of camping allows you to bring all of the comforts of home with you, so you don’t have to worry about roughing it too much.
If you want to get away from it all and really experience nature, then backpacking or primitive camping might be more up your alley. These types of camping trips require more planning and preparation, but they can be very rewarding experiences for the whole family.
Or if you want to have a camping adventure that doesn't require hiking but you can still lug tons of gear to a remote spot you might consider getting a UTV to help carry everything. By adding a Polaris Ranger front cargo rack you can totally load it up with everything from an extra large family-sized tent to solar panels, grill, food, etc. and nobody will have to worry about carrying it on their back!
Tips To Ensure You Have A Great Family Camping Trip
No matter what type of camping you choose, there are some important things to keep in mind to make sure your trip is enjoyable for everyone involved. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Choose the right camping spot
Choose the right campsite: When you’re looking for a campsite, it’s important to consider the needs of your family. If you have young children, look for a site that has amenities like flush toilets and showers. If you have older kids or teens, they might prefer a more remote location where they can explore and experience nature more fully.
Make sure you have all the necessary supplies
Be prepared: One of the most important things to remember when camping with kids is to be prepared. This means having a first-aid kit on hand in case of minor injuries, packing enough food and water for everyone, and being aware of the local weather conditions.
Not all animals are friendly!
Be careful around wildlife: It’s important to teach your kids about the dangers of interacting with wildlife. Make sure they know not to approach or feed any animals, no matter how cute they may seem. This is why it is important to carry bear spray if you are in an area where you might encounter bears.
Plan activities for the kids
Keep them entertained: Camping can be a great opportunity for your kids to unplug from technology and explore the great outdoors. But, it’s important to have some activities planned to keep them occupied. This could include things like hiking, fishing, swimming, or playing games.
Have alternative plans if things go wrong
Be flexible: Things will go wrong – and that’s okay: When you’re camping with kids, it’s important to remember that things will go wrong. There will be arguments, someone might get lost, and bad weather might ruin your plans. It’s important to stay calm and be flexible when these things happen. After all, part of the adventure of camping is learning how to roll with the punches.
Keep everyone safe and comfortable
Make safety a priority: When you’re camping with kids, safety should always be a top priority. Teach your kids about basic campfire safety, how to stay safe around animals, and what to do if they get lost.
As well as this, you need to do your part by ensuring that you have brought a suitable tent with you all to camp in. You can look into camping with suv tents as these are spacious and attach to your SUV easily for example. Make sure whatever tent you choose is suitable for all kinds of weather, and will keep you comfortable through the nights!
Always leave nature better than you found it
Leave no trace: One of the most important things to remember when camping is to leave no trace. This means packing out all of your trash, not disturbing any plants or animals, and being careful with fire. By following these simple guidelines, you can help protect the environment and ensure that everyone can enjoy the outdoors for years to come.
Use this time to teach about conservation
Help them appreciate nature: Camping is a great opportunity to teach your kids about conservation. This includes things like Leave No Trace principles, respecting wildlife, and not littering.
Give The Kids Valuable Life Skills
Children's brains are like a sponge and they take in all kinds of information. When you head out camping with them, they will pick up all sorts of things while on the trip. The great way to ensure they have a memorable adventure is to give them something that is more than just a bit of fun. Teaching them important skills while in the wild could give them even more confidence and make them feel like a competent human being. From teaching them skills with otf knives and other equipment, to small pieces of vital advice, they could leave the trip with a lot more wisdom thanks to you.
Don't Forget To Have Fun!
The most important thing to remember when camping with kids is to have fun! Take time to explore nature together, play games, and make memories that will last a lifetime.
