When planning family holidays, an affordable yet fun option to consider is camping. Going on a camping trip can be relaxing and educational because it allows you to connect with nature. Even so, there are some special preparations you need to make when camping with children, and a few of them are discussed below.
Choose the Right Campground
Not all campgrounds are ideal for families with children, as some may contain water hazards or be filled with people who are drinking and partying. As such, it is important to research a particular campground ahead of time in order to find the right one for family holidays. Find a park with a playground or other activities for children to ensure they will have plenty to do. You should also know whether a campground has security, and what their policies are on alcohol and fireworks.
Pack the Right Items
Having the right items with you will make family holidays at a campground even more enjoyable. For starters, you will need to have a well-stocked first aid kit that includes remedies for sunburn and insect bites. If water activities are planned, a child-sized life jacket or other flotation device should also be included. Don’t forget to bring shoes that your child can slip on and off easily, as well as a lightweight rain jacket. If your child has a favorite toy or stuffed animal, be sure to bring it along as well.
Choose the Right Campground
Not all campgrounds are ideal for families with children, as some may contain water hazards or be filled with people who are drinking and partying. As such, it is important to research a particular campground ahead of time in order to find the right one for family holidays. Find a park with a playground or other activities for children to ensure they will have plenty to do. You should also know whether a campground has security, and what their policies are on alcohol and fireworks.
Pack the Right Items
Having the right items with you will make family holidays at a campground even more enjoyable. For starters, you will need to have a well-stocked first aid kit that includes remedies for sunburn and insect bites. If water activities are planned, a child-sized life jacket or other flotation device should also be included. Don’t forget to bring shoes that your child can slip on and off easily, as well as a lightweight rain jacket. If your child has a favorite toy or stuffed animal, be sure to bring it along as well.
Plan fun Activities
Your camping trip doesn’t have to include just sightseeing or outdoor recreation, as you can also plan some fun games to help keep kids entertained. Have them make their own fire starters out of wood chips and wax, and then build a campfire and roast marshmallows. You could also plan a scavenger hunt by listing items from nature, and then having your child cross things off the list as they are found. Even traditional games such as tag and hide-and-seek can be excellent ways to keep children occupied, while also allowing them to burn off some extra energy before bedtime.
Eating Fun Foods
Half the fun of a camping trip involves eating. When planning what to eat, think about things that children will love, yet will also be easy to make on a grill. Kebabs are a favorite because children enjoy roasting them over an open flame (just be sure to supervise them properly). Corn on the cob, baked beans with sausages, and homemade pancakes are all good choices as well. For snacks, consider some trail mix with peanuts and individually-wrapped sweets, an apple or cherry cobbler you bake in a coffee can over a roaring fire. Enforce drinking water as much as possible, but have a few juice boxes on hand to offer as a special treat during the day.
Days out with the kids can be exciting whenever the outings involve camping trips. By taking your children camping at an early age, you will instill in them a love of nature that they are likely to carry with them into adulthood.
(Photo by Quang Minh (YILKA) via Flickr)
Your camping trip doesn’t have to include just sightseeing or outdoor recreation, as you can also plan some fun games to help keep kids entertained. Have them make their own fire starters out of wood chips and wax, and then build a campfire and roast marshmallows. You could also plan a scavenger hunt by listing items from nature, and then having your child cross things off the list as they are found. Even traditional games such as tag and hide-and-seek can be excellent ways to keep children occupied, while also allowing them to burn off some extra energy before bedtime.
Eating Fun Foods
Half the fun of a camping trip involves eating. When planning what to eat, think about things that children will love, yet will also be easy to make on a grill. Kebabs are a favorite because children enjoy roasting them over an open flame (just be sure to supervise them properly). Corn on the cob, baked beans with sausages, and homemade pancakes are all good choices as well. For snacks, consider some trail mix with peanuts and individually-wrapped sweets, an apple or cherry cobbler you bake in a coffee can over a roaring fire. Enforce drinking water as much as possible, but have a few juice boxes on hand to offer as a special treat during the day.
Days out with the kids can be exciting whenever the outings involve camping trips. By taking your children camping at an early age, you will instill in them a love of nature that they are likely to carry with them into adulthood.
(Photo by Quang Minh (YILKA) via Flickr)
(This post was written by Emma Leeke)
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