Camping with kids

According to statistics, camping is an increasingly popular pastime in the United States. Over 50 million people residing in the United States went on camping trips in 2020 and 2021. These include children between the ages of 6 and 18. Due to the increasing trend of camping in the United States and many other countries, many people love camping with their children. They consider camping to be a great bonding experience as it allows adults and children to spend time outdoors, spend time together, and get many physical and mental health benefits. However, taking a camping trip with your children is a different experience and requires much more extensive planning.

This blog discusses how to plan a camping trip with children and which children’s camping gear to purchase.

Take a Vehicle

One of the biggest mistakes that many people make while camping with children is making the entire experience super rough. They pick up a rough camping site and expect their children to walk up to it and handle everything themselves. While there’s nothing wrong with teaching your children some camping skills, you shouldn’t expect them to walk to the camping site, set up a tent, and manage everything like adults.

Therefore, it’s advisable to take a vehicle and drive to the camping site, allowing your children to adapt to the outdoors instead of getting tired due to constant walking. It’s also advisable to pick a nearby camping site, preferably in a national or state park.

Refrain from Overpacking

Many parents think that since they’re traveling with their children, they need to bring every little thing the children might need. However, this might lead to overpacking, which can be a nuisance. Instead of packing your children’s toys and several clothes, keep things to a minimum and only pack the essentials. You can leave the what-if items behind at home and only carry what you’re sure you’ll need on the trip.

These include first aid kits, snacks, water supplies, a camping tent, some warm clothes, torches, etc. Since it’s your children’s first trip, you don’t want to overwhelm them by asking them to carry fully-packed bags. Too many items can be difficult to manage and carry, taking the fun out of your camping trip. You can also ask your children to help you pack and prepare them for future trips.

Be Prepared for Any Sudden Weather Change

Even if you’re taking a camping trip in hot and sunny weather, you never know if the weather will decide to take a 180-degree turn that day. Therefore, it’s essential to be prepared for any kind of sudden change in the weather, especially if you’re on a camping trip with little kids who are more susceptible to cold and rain.

We recommend taking some extra warm clothes to be ready for the temperature to drop at night. You should also carry raincoats to keep your children safe from the drizzle. Besides taking additional precautions to protect your kids from the cold and rain, you should also carry backpack covers to protect your backpacks. You can also buy water-resistant backpacks and tents to ensure that the rain doesn’t put a damper on your plans and damage your camping gear.

Be Sure to Take a Digital Break

When packing essentials for your camping trip with children, you need to remember that digital devices like your children’s tablets need to stay at home. Camping is all about exploring the outdoors and discovering new things about nature, which is only possible if your children don’t have their faces in their phones all the time.

Therefore, leave all the non-essential gadgets like tablets and laptops and home. It’s advisable to carry a camera if you want to take pictures on the trip since carrying a smartphone cancels the purpose of being on a digital break. However, adults need to carry their smartphones and stash them in their backpacks or vehicles for emergencies.

Include Your Children in Everything

Once you reach the camping destination, it’s advisable to include your children in every decision you make. For instance, you can explain to them what the ideal camping spot is like and ask them to look for a spot where you can put up a camp. Additionally, you should also ask your children to give you a hand with everything. Try including them in simple tasks like unpacking things and placing them in the right location. Also, let them help you set up the tent, start a fire, fill up water bottles, clean the site, and cook food.

Make Sure to Keep Them Well-Fed

Have you ever noticed that you tend to have a larger appetite when you’re traveling and spending time outdoors? Well, your kids will feel the same way. Therefore, you need to plan your meals accordingly. Make sure your kids are well-fed and are receiving enough nutrition to keep them energized during the trip.

Besides providing them with meals 3 times a day, it’s also advisable to carry some healthy snacks that your children can munch on when they feel hungry. For instance, you can give them nuts, dried fruits, granola bars, or cold sandwiches for those sudden hunger pangs.

Looking for Camping Gear for Children? Get Started with Light Hiking Gear

With the help of lightweight backpacking gear, your children are bound to have a great time on the upcoming family camping trip. At Light Hiking Gear, we have all kinds of camping gear for children and adults. Our internationally-recognized Aarn backpacks for sale are lightweight and offer maximum support, making it easier for children to carry their essentials on a camping trip. Additionally, we also have camping chairs online, tents, cooking equipment, and warm clothes like socks, which can make the trip more enjoyable for your little ones. All our light camping gear is durable and long-lasting, which is an ideal option for children.

Get in touch with us, purchase camping gear for children and adults, and receive the essentials from the comfort of your house.