Kids are naturally curious, and what better way to let them explore the wonders of the outdoors than a family camping trip? Time in nature makes kids brighter, happier, and healthier by boosting their immunity, energy, and creativity. Outdoor adventures can improve their physical fitness and coordination, while also increasing their problem-solving abilities. While your little one enjoys the fresh air, they are also reducing stress and symptoms of attention deficit disorder. Mother nature wins all around!
Whether you’ve been an avid camper most of your life or are looking for a new summer activity in the great outdoors, we have some tips to make this a fun family-bonding experience.
Plan with the kids for S’more fun
Camping is the perfect opportunity for your children to learn new skills and enjoy all aspects of being outside. Include them in the planning process by picking out a campsite together online and seeing what activities might be available nearby at the time of your trip. Have them join in the meal planning by letting them choose a few of their favourite foods and help to pack the ingredients into the cooler. Don’t forget the S’mores!
If you have a yard or large enough living room, set the tent up at home first. Older kids can help read the directions and learn to set up, and younger kids can help by counting the poles and pegs to make sure you have all the pieces you need. You can even spend a night in the tent right in your backyard! That way, the kids can get used to being out in nature overnight before the big trip.
Embrace the outdoors
Daily life at the campsite is the perfect opportunity to go back in time and live a little more simply. Once you’re at the campsite, kids can assist with small tasks like deciding where to pitch your tent and gathering firewood.
While being mindful of all safety precautions, cooking a meal over the campfire for the first time can be really fun. The kids can collect a bucket of potable water for boiling, have their piles of tinder ready as you build the fire, or bring over the items from the cooler. Be sure to show them how to properly extinguish the campfire before bedtime.
Including the kids in all aspects of camp life keeps them engaged, curious, and builds confidence through learning a new skill. They may even want to be more involved when you get home!
Pack the essential camping gear
Having the right camping gear is a requirement for any successful camping trip. You don’t need to have all the fancy gadgets, but some essentials will make the trip go more smoothly so you can relax and enjoy. Some family camping essentials include:
- Sleeping tent – One big enough for the whole family (or maybe you want to get the kids their own).
- Dining tent – The amount of mosquitoes and blackflies can be in-tents (ha-ha)! A separate dining tent for the picnic table area is a great idea to keep out bugs and other critters.
- Sleeping bags, pads and pillows – To keep you comfortable and warm as you spend a night under the stars.
- Proper footwear – For the campsite, it’s handy to have a pair of shoes that easily slip on and off before heading into the tent, so dirt and rocks aren’t tracked in, as well as a pair of closed-toed shoes for hiking. A pair of secure sandals or water shoes is also a good idea if you’re planning on heading to the beach.
- Protective clothing – Long and short sleeve shirts, pants, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, bathing suits, beach cover-ups or water shirts and quick-dry towels.
- Lanterns and flashlights – A headlamp is useful for navigating the campsite at night and it’s a fun item to pull out as a surprise.
- Fully stocked first aid kit – You’ll want to include bites+stings cream, burn relief cream, bandages, antibiotic ointment, bug spray, sunscreen, and keep the kit handy.
Bring games and plan activities
A trip in nature is the perfect time for a screenless vacation. While there may be some resistance at first, as time goes on, you will turn to other activities to occupy your time. Put down the devices and enjoy some quality family time!
Here are some activities you can do:
- Nature scavenger hunt – Create your own scavenger hunt to keep the kids on their toes. Some campgrounds might have similar activities on the schedule. Be sure to check the events bulletin when you arrive!
- Sketchbook – During the evening downtime, get the kids to draw their favourite experience from that day.
- Hiking – Depending on the location of your campsite, there are usually trails designed for all ages, ranging from a boardwalk trail through a nature preserve or more rugged, hilly trails through the woods.
- Bird watching – Bring your binoculars for spotting birds and animals.
- Biking – Cycling through the campground is a great way to get around.
- Swimming – In addition to swimsuits and towels, bring some fun water toys like a snorkel, goggles and buckets for sand castles.
- Star gazing – Who will spot the first shooting star? Can anyone spot the Big Dipper?
- Studying vegetation – Learn about safe-to-eat plants, such as wild raspberries or blueberries and plants to avoid such as poison ivy and oak.
- Exploring the hidden parts of nature – Roll over a rock or log to see what critters lie underneath.
- Geocaching – This is an outdoor activity that uses GPS devices and navigation skills to find hidden containers or geocaches. It’s like a global treasure hunt, or game of hide-and-seek, where people look for hidden stashes of objects.
- Pick up a paddle – Rent a canoe or kayak and hit the water. Don’t forget your life jackets!
Be ready for adventure, expect the unexpected
As the Scouts always say, “always be prepared”. Plan simple meals with lots of easy go-to snacks to take with you to the beach or grab quickly when you get back to the campsite after a family hike. With the essential gear and activities, you will be well prepared.
That being said, a family camping trip is sure to bring unknown adventures! This is your friendly reminder to give yourself the gift of embracing new experiences. It’s ok to steer away from your plans and practice releasing expectations.
With a family camping trip you are creating memories, stories and funny anecdotes for many years to come. Cherish this time and enjoy it!
