Camping with Kids: Ultimate Guide and Checklist

The family camping trip with kids is a way to initiate the younger of being outside. Camping opens their eyes and realizes their senses to their natural environment. Start camping with your kids at any time without waiting for any occasion. The tiniest of trees or insects can teach them a lot. Nature delivers a full package of experiences.

In case of camping with kids, you need some special planning so that you won’t miss anything into the wilderness. Here are some of the important things to consider.

What to bring camping with kids?

The memories will be in the brain of your child after he is young.  If any fear gets into the heart of your child it may last forever. Special preparations will save you in that case. Bring some essential things that are required to maintain a kid.

In the absence of not being asleep, try to keep him calm. Get his favourite toy so that he can play with it. For wild animals console him not to fear. Get some musical instruments to play. 

How do you survive camping with kids?

• Look for suitable weather.
• Camp with friends.
• Try not to cook yourselves. Camp in a place where food is available.
• Get comfortable beds for sleeping.
• Try to stay dry.
• Have sound sleep.
• Try to follow the Sun.
• Keep the fire burning.
• Play games with them.
• Keep a first aid kit.
• Keep an eye on them.
• Don’t let them go alone to somewhere else.
• Have easy digestible food.

Also Read: Why is it important to plan a camping trip?

What is a good age to take a child camping?

There is no age limit to take a child for camping. It depends on how you are good at camping and babysitting. Don’t take them if you are not experienced enough. Learn first. Then think of taking your child with you. On the other hand, If you are not good enough to handle a child, then learn it first. After that, it will be easy for you to take care of them.

In case of infants, Get its baby food with you. Arrange the stuff that is required to get hot water. Toddlers will like to toddle away from you. Keep them closer to you. For young children, don’t let them go alone to anywhere else.

5 Camping with Kids tips you absolutely need to know

Practise in your backyard

Before going on a real camping trip, it is wise to arrange a demo camping in your backyard. If you don’t have a backyard, then you can use your garage as the camping ground. If not, then at least use your own home to do so.

Choose a perfect campground

Among thousands of camping spots, choose what your child will like. If your child is afraid of the wilderness, then camp in a local place instead. Kids with cycles need a good path or trail for riding. Kids with pets need special consideration. Some camps don’t allow pets with campers.

Security first

Safety is important in camping. Don’t go into a deep forest with a child. There is a chance of losing them in the wilderness. In some unknown places, drug dealers or kidnapers may be found.

It is good to stay under a strong mobile network. This will help you in the case of danger. Take a multifunctional knife with you to use it in any danger. Gun with a license is safe to keep it with. 

Proper clothing

Kids might not understand what they need according to the current weather. Check the weather first and what the weather will be in the following days.

In the summer, have some light clothing for them. Heavy dresses might create extra sweat and ruin the camping fun. During winter get some extra warm suits to make them comfortable in the open place. For the rainy season, have some rainy coats for extra protection. It is not wise to camp in snowfall. You won’t see any natural scenes but white snow only.

Take some gaming stuff

At the time when you are not hiking, arrange some games to entertain them. Take some gaming tools that your kid likes. Play with them. If you don’t know how to play, then ask him to teach you. He would like to teach you happily.

Try to understand your kid

You may not give your kid 24 hours at home. In that case you may find out something new for your child. Take that easy and deal with it. Don’t punish him if he does something wrong. Remember that  you are now like his friend.  

Camping with kids checklist 

Gears

• Lantern
• Chairs
• Sleeping bag for each camper
• Tent, poles and stakes
• Tent footprint
• Extra canopy
• Repair kit for pads, mattress, tent and tarp
• Pillows
• Extra blankets
• Headlamps or flashlights
• Lantern fuel or batteries

Kitchen

• Firewood
• Cutting board
• Corkscrew
• Tablecloth
• Stove
• Fuel for stove
• Matches or lighter
• Frying pan
• French press or portable coffee maker
• Roasting sticks for marshmallows and hot dogs
• Food-storage containers and bags
• Trash bags
• Water bottles
• Plates, bowls, forks, spoons and knives
• Cups and mugs
• Paring knife, spatula and cooking spoon
• Biodegradable soap
• Sponge, dishcloth and dish towel
• Paper towels

Cloths

• Clothes for daytime
• Extra layers for warmth
• Sleepwear
• Swimsuits
• Shoes: hiking/walking shoes, easy-on shoes and water shoes
• Rainwear
• Gloves

Personal items

• First-aid kit
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellant
• Soap
• Prescription medications
• Toothbrush and toiletries
• Hand sanitizer
• 2 face coverings per person
• Protective gloves for each person

Verdict

We know that practise makes a man perfect. You need to learn first how to camp yourself. You won’t do anything so that your child gets into any sorts of troubles. Proper arrangement will help you at this.

It is wise to have more helping hands with you. In that case, try to take couple of families and friends with you. This will save you from any kind of danger.