If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, chances are you’ve thought of going camping with kids. However, camping is not for everyone especially the younger ones. If you wish for your children or future children to take interest in your hobby, here are a number of ways you can introduce them to camping and the great outdoors.
Importance of camping with kids
Most kids today likely know little about the wilderness. What they do know they probably learned from Minecraft or whatever game is popular with the young ones today. Technology isn’t necessarily a bad thing (unless… Skynet) but it seems like camping with kids and enjoying the outdoors are things of the past.
As parents, we want our children to be ready for whatever the world offers them. We’re not saying your young ones will be living in a tent someday. What we’re trying to say is that your kids are better off experiencing different things.
Gaining experiences that may prove vital someday is perhaps the most important reason to go camping with kids. As a consequence, you get to share something special with your children. You strengthen the foundation of your family by sharing the experience of enjoying nature. Plus, you all get some much needed break from technology.
Introducing your kids to camping
Start them young. You don’t necessarily have to take your infant child camping, you simply have to make them aware of such an activity. Don’t shove camping down their throats. Just talk about camping often enough that your children gets to know what it is.
Make it fun. Children are notorious for copying what they see. Use this to your advantage by showing your kids what camping is like through stories and playtime. Incorporate some aspects of camping when you play with your children.
Get Barbie to go on a trip in the wilderness. Play a camping card game or read them a children’s book about camping. There are lots of fun ways to show them that camping with kids can be fun.
Start small. Camping with kids doesn’t necessarily mean you have to take your spawns to your favorite campsite right now. Familiarize them first with the concept of camping through pretend play.
Toy versions of camping gear will help pique your children’s interest.
Better yet, camp out in your backyard. Ask your children to help pitch a tent and spend the night “outdoors.”
Use colorful tent lights or a mini lantern if your kids are afraid of the dark.
Encourage them to take interest in camping by showing them the cool stuff they get to wear and carry. Most people who go camping usually go on a hike to take in the surrounding. Let your kids explore nature with their own adventure gear.
Give your children a set of walkie talkies. These will keep them occupied and you get to keep track of them while you’re out in the open.
Tips on camping with kids
Practice makes perfect. Before you strap your kids to the car and head out to a camping site, you need to practice. Show them some of the things you’ll be doing at camp. Teach them how to pitch a tent, build a campfire, and make smores.
Make it relatable. If you have a child who has the makings of a diva, you can still get her or him to like camping. Make it more suitable to your sassy children’s taste by going on a glamping trip.
Give them responsibilities. If they’re able, give them things to do. Since you’ve practiced some tasks at home, let them do them at camp. You’ll be teaching your kids to be responsible and to value teamwork.
Include them in the planning. Gather the family and talk about your camping trip. Ask them for suggestions on where to go, what activities you can do, and what to eat. This is a good way to introduce your children to cooking even if it means something as simple as roasting hotdogs over the campfire.
Camping with kids can be a nightmare if you are ill-prepared. Make sure you bring everything necessary for a hassle-free outdoor adventure. If you have an infant, bring a portable high chair so you don’t have to carry your child always.
Being prepared not only means you have to bring the right gear and ample food and water. You also need to plan everything out including when and where you’re going camping and what to do in case of an emergency. Camping with kids will surely be a disaster if you’re caught in the middle of a rainstorm. You may also want to choose a campsite with less people around. If you’re bringing a baby, there’s a chance that your child will keep your neighbors up with his or her crying.
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