Camping with kids can be one of the best or one of the worst experiences of your life. You might think I am being dramatic but if you think I am being dramatic then you have not been camping with children. Giving your kids the gift of a love for the great outdoors if one of the best gift you could ever give them. So how can you give them this gift and not lose your mind at the same time? We have put together a lift of ideas that should make your camping trip with kids a real hit for everyone.
Double Check Your Weather
I know this seems like common sense to double check your weather before you go but miserable weather can really ruin the experience however it doesn't have too. I am not saying that you have to cancel the trip completely if there is going to be a little bit of bad weather but double checking the weather and then making adjustments for what you may encounter can really save the day.
I have found Accuweather to be a great resource to use. It is easy to use and you can get a very accurate idea of what the weather will look like for the next two weeks. You can even get an hourly breakdown of what the current day will look like. I would recommend downloading the app on your smart phone so if you have service you can check in regularly to see what to expect.
Even though you can't control the weather once you know what they weather will do you can plan around it and even make it part of the fun.
Food For The Win
I don't know about you but when I am hungry I am not in a good mood. So make sure you have foods your kids will enjoy while camping. As a kid there were certain snacks that I loved that I really only got when my family was camping. That made them very special and was another reason I looked forward to camping. These treats and snacks still hold a special place in my heart as an adult.
There is nothing like food to bring a family together and camping food can be so fun as it combines 2 things every child likes, fire and food. Try including your kids in food prep as well as the cooking. You make have ideas on how to do this but here are 3 foods that let kids be a big part of the meal as well as are foods your kids will absolutely love.
Hot Dogs Over The Fire
Even if you don't love hot dogs. There is just something magical about a hot dog that has been cooked over an open fire. The taste of a the fire and smoke just seems to take it from something average to spectacular. The other great thing about hot dogs is that kids of almost any age can cook them themselves. Hotdogs come precooked so even if your child only cooks it for a moment you don't have to worry about them getting sick. Another benefit is that hot dogs are also hard to burn.
You might think this is something simple but this will give your kids the excitement of cooking their own dinner as well as a feeling of accomplishment.
Tin Foil Dinners
A tin foil dinner can be made of just about anything you want to wrap in tin foil and then cook over the coals of the fire. However, traditionally you will take potatoes, onions, carrots, and hamburger and put them into a tin foil pocket that you make by folding tin foil around your meal.
Pro Tip #1: Do several layers of foil in order to protect your food from an accidental hole or just extreme heat.Pro Tip #2: Precooking the meal and then putting it into the foil pocket so that all you have to do is warm it up on the fire can save you time and ensure that your meals are not undercooked and it is hard to see if your food is completely good in the dark.
Include your kids so they can put exactly what they like inside their tin foil packet meal which will help them be even more excited about eating them. You don't have to settle for the same old same old meal though here are 35 other delicious recipes you can use for foil packet meals.
S'mores
Dinner is never complete without dessert. s'mores are a staple when it comes to camping and are another way your child will absolutely love. You roast a marshmallow over an open fire until it is golden brown then it take and put it in between two gram crackers and chocolate for an ooey gooey treat like none other.
Clothing Matters
I know that it is hard to know exactly what kids will need when you go camping but in the case of clothing it is better to be over prepared that under. Also, another rule of nature is that if there is water anywhere in a one hundred miles radius kids will find it. So it might seem absurd but having one complete change of clothes from the bottoms of their feet all the way up to the tip of their head is something that is a must.
Nothing will ruin a trip faster than when a child steps into the river on accident and has soaking wet shoes for the next 3 days or fall completely in and now has no coat, or shoes.
Plan Out Your Activities
I know right now you are saying to yourself the reason we are going camping is to get a way from having plans and all the hustle and bustle of daily life. I want me kids to turn off their electronics and just explore. That in itself is a great plan but what if you have bad weather, what if your children have just hit their limits with exploring and are starting to test your limits? Having a couple of simple ideas to do just in case even if they are just loose plans can make all the difference in the world. With that being said, here are a few ideas of things you can do while camping.
Games
Games are a great way to pass the time as well as they are a great way to bond as a family. If your family has some favorite games they like to play, bring them. If not, a few classic camping games your kids may love to learn would be horseshoes, cornhole, or ladder toss. Each of those games I have hyper linked so that you can see how to play them if you are not familiar with them.
Hikes
Check and see if there are any unique hikes close to your camp. That is great way to get out and see the area while giving something for you to do to enjoy the nature around you.
Drives/Rides
If you have ATVs or UTVs planning out some great rides is another fun way to see the area and entertain the kiddos. In fact that may be all they want to do while camping, especially if they can drive them.
Little Comforts Matter
Being uncomfortable can make a trip less than fun. So packing some of the non essentials because they make things a little more comfortable is not always a bad idea. Something like camp seats, and specifically camping chairs for kids can make a huge difference. This will allow you and the kids to hang out and the camp fire comfortably as well as give you a place to just sit and relax and enjoy nature.
Here are a list of other things you might not have to have but might be worth taking.
Not Necessary But Pretty Great To Have:
- Kids bikes
- Fishing Poles
- Coffee Machine
- Camp Stove
- Folding Table
Think Out Your Sleeping Arrangements
For me making sure that everyone gets a good nights rest while camping is one of the most important factors to ensure we have a successful camping trip as well as that everyone has an enjoyable time. Being sleep deprived is a quick way to have angry parents and kids. If you are not backpacking and not limited on room I might recommend bringing things like your pillows from home and even your child's favorite stuffy that they sleep with to make things as normal as possible.
So is camping with kids always the easiest thing? Definitely not but when done right it will help build memories that your kids will cherish for a lifetime. It will also be times that you look back on with fondness because unfortunately ever child end up growing up and I know it is said a thousand times and you may not believe it at the moment but you will miss the crazy chaotic days you have right now with your family all under one roof.