The Great Outdoors: Camping with Kids

Last weekend, my husband and I packed up all the necessary equipment and went camping with our children for the first time ever. It was a lot of fun, but very, very tiring. One thing I noticed was that the families with young children looked like they were stressing more than they were enjoying themselves, and I shared their feelings at times.

Camping is a great way to get more active and enjoy nature as a family, but it can be a challenging, if not harrowing, experience for the parents of young children. Use the following tips to ensure that your camping is as stress-free as possible.

Be Prepared
Start making a list of camping necessities a few days before your expected departure. Last-minute planning will only cause you to forget certain essentials. If your child regularly uses sippy cups or pacifiers, pack several. Pack a few small toys or books, but don’t expect your children to pay much attention to them. Also bring extra clothing, because S’mores are quite messy and muddy lakes are toddler magnets.

Test Run

I can not stress this enough! If you’ve bought any new equipment, like an air mattress, tent, or camping stove, give these products a trial run at home. This should help you work out any kinks, and avoid snags when you’re at the campsite, allowing you to concentrate on keeping track of your children, which brings me to my next tip:

Expect Your Children to Go Crazy

My son discovered his inner pyromaniac, while my daughter just wanted to run. Anywhere. And. Everywhere. It wasn’t just my kids; I observed numerous parents of young children reaching their wit’s end and snapping at their kids, saying things like, "Get back here now!" or "Who said you could do that?" There’s not really much you can do about your kids’ excitement. On their first camping trip, they will experience sensory overload. Just watch the fire very closely and try to find a camping spot that’s not too close to a road.

Choose Your Campground Wisely

If at all possible, scout out your desired campground beforehand. Don’t feel that you have to rough it too much with little ones in tow. Look for a place with at least one flushing toilet, because toddlers in the midst of potty training would rather scream bloody murder than enter a stench-filled Port-a-Potty (ask me how I know this). Try to find a campground that has activities for children and a nice playground. If you will be camping for several days, laundry facilities would be nice, too.

Sneak Around

Don’t even attempt to put up a tent in front of a toddler. Take the children to the playground and let your partner accomplish this task on his own. Trust me, he’ll finish it faster by himself than he would with a toddler rampaging around! If your children are anything like mine, they will want to spend a while cavorting inside the newly set-up tent, which presents a great opportunity to accomplish other tasks, such as starting a fire.

Lights, Lights, Everywhere

Since children are so prone to running wild on their first camping trip, consider investing in a small, bright flashlight or lantern for each of your little ones. First of all, these little lights may be just fun enough to keep the kids entertained for a while. Second, if a youngster does try to make a getaway, you’ll be able to spot her more quickly if she’s got a light attached to her. I LOVE the Coghlan’s Micro Lantern.  This tiny lantern packs a real punch. At only two inches tall, it’s actually twice as bright as a ten inch tall lantern I own! I was able to hang this little dynamo at the top of my rather large tent and see well enough to make the bed at night. Plus, it lasts 25 hours (50 when flashing) and clips securely to a toddler’s shirt or belt loop. At only $7.99, this lantern is a must-have for camping trips.

Most Importantly…

Don’t forget why you decided to take your children camping in the first place. You wanted to have fun and enjoy healthy activities and the outdoors as a family, remember? If you find yourself getting stressed to the max, take a step back. Don’t let momentary stresses overshadow what could be a wonderful experience!