There is no excuse why you should leave your kids at home while you go. Camping can be a great family outdoor activity with the kids if you plan well. Camping with the young ones is not a stressful as you imagine it to be.
With proper planning, tagging your kids along for your camping expedition could be enjoyable and memorable for all plus you get a chance to teach your kids basic survival skills like lighting a fire, roasting meat and so on. These are what lifetime memories are made of. In fact, in these days of smartphone and TV addiction, you kids get to benefit from spending time outdoors.
Here are the tips you need for a smooth camping experience with your kids.
Packing
It is difficult to pack light when going camping with the kids but you can try. Pack a mixture of heavy and light clothes which are appropriate for every kind of weather. Even in the summer months, the nights can still be considerably cold for your kids and you need to keep them so they don’t contract pneumonia. So you will need light clothes for the day and slightly heavier ones which they can layer to keep warm.
Remember to pack medications for yourself and the children and a first aid kit will also come in handy in case of minor scratches and injuries.
Pitching the tent
You’ll definitely need Large Family Tents where everyone can fit in without it feeling stuffy and crammed.
The ground upon which you pitch your tent should be level so that there isn’t any spaces left between the tent and the ground where bugs can creep in. Irregular terrain also tends to accumulate puddles of water when it rains.
Also, have a ground cover beneath the tent to keep it warm and absorb terrestrial moisture.
Starting a fire
Knowing how to start a fire is an essential camping skill. You need fire to cook and warm your food and also keep wild animals away from your tent especially if you are camping in the wilderness. The fire will also supplement the warm clothing in keeping you warm in the cold nights.
Carry matchboxes and keep them in a waterproof zip lock bag so they are always dry when you need them. Also, carry with you some old newspapers just in case it trains and the leaves and twigs are too wet to be ignited.
Safety
The safety of your kids becomes more paramount when you leave the safe haven that is your house for the unfamiliar camping grounds.
Show your kids around the camping ground and point out to them the potential hazards that they may encounter and what to do in case of an emergency. More importantly, emphasize to them the importance of sticking together as a group and the dangers of wandering away.
For everyone’s safety, have flashlights in your packing list. You will also be better prepared if you do your research on the potential hazards that lurk in your camping location before your arrival.
