What could be more fun than a camping trip with your children? While it seems like a fantastic idea, it can also be an overwhelming task without the proper planning. However, even if you have never gone camping before, a few precautions can make your vacation one that your children will remember their entire lives.
First of all, location is everything. When camping with children, you want to choose a location that has easy access for vehicles, and can be easily found by others. Your location should ideally have access to clean water that you can use to cook with and to prevent dehydration. This can save you a lot of weight in your pack, which will already be laden with other necessities.
Consider the essentials for your family while in the wild. Pack extra clothing and a jacket for your children in case of changes in weather. Make sure everyone has enough food, a sleeping bag, water, a first aid kit, and a tent. You may even want to think about buying one or two tents large enough to hold your entire family for the night. Review the "rules" for your trip with your children, emphasizing fire safety, the danger of wild animals, and basic first aid.
While hiking and campfires are crucial elements of your trip, children may not be as prepared for these tasks as adults. Keep your hikes short and your routes simple to avoid losing anyone in the woods. Remember that younger children may not have the stamina to carry a large pack, or walk long distances, and plan accordingly. While many of your children's items can be stored in an adult's pack, you don't want to end up with one person carrying too much weight. Before starting a bonfire, make sure that your fire pit is well constructed and that there is water nearby, just in case.
Once you've planned your trip, include some fun activities for your family to enjoy. Pack a couple of board games for a great family activity if the weather does not cooperate. Or pack some peanut butter play dough, which is edible as well as fun to play with. Simply mix 1 cup of peanut butter, ½ cup non-fat dry milk, and a teaspoon of honey, and enjoy. Let your children create their models on wax paper mats to avoid a sticky mess, and you could even join in, too!
Scavenger hunts can be another great family activity. Make lists of what each team needs to find based on what is around you. If there are other campers around your campsite you can be more inventive than if you are alone in the woods, but either way kids will get a kick out of this race. Have an adult accompany each group of children to see who can find all the items on their list first.
Don't forget about your campfire as a source of fun! S'mores, hot dogs on skewers, or stone soup can all be cooked over a campfire, and are exciting to prepare. Even cooking is more fun outdoors!
Be safe and enjoy your camping trip with your children. This is how lasting childhood memories are made!