Camping And Kids: Making Certain They Have Fun

Author: Travis Grant

Kids are not as inclined toward outdoor activities as they were in days gone by. Many children have so many electronic devices in the home, that they see very little benefit in going outside. It is up to you to instill a love of the outdoors in your own children. Taking your children on camping trips is a great way to get them outside again. Camping is a fun way to spend time as a family and enjoy nature together.

Since you want the camping trip to be successful, take into account the individual capabilities of each child. There is a variety of activities associated with camping. Some of them are very rigorous, while others are not. For instance, you will want your kids to know how to swim well if you decide to camp at a reservoir. The best thing to do is to start off your camping trips with simple, enjoyable activities, saving the hair-raising adventures for when they become outdoor enthusiasts.

Not all people take to the outdoors instantly, and the new generation, used to being cooped indoors with their electronic gadgets, may need some coaxing before they can be tempted to join camping trips. You can slowly prepare them for this by spending more time engaged in outdoor activities. Go on some walks together or plant a family garden. This will get your kids ready to participate in new activities.

If you ask your children to participate in the preparation for the trip, they are more likely to have fun when it comes time to go camping and consider the trip their own. Find out what they want to do when your family gets to the campsite. Do they like the idea of hiking, or would they like to try fishing? Their choice of activities will dictate the location of your camping site. You might even want to get their opinions on where to go as well. That will make them feel they are truly a part of the family adventure, and not simply being dragged along.

Children are often uncomfortable in new environments; this is an aspect of camping that you should be prepared for. Carry their favorite toys with you as this will be a comforting security blanket, offering them a sense of familiarity even in the new surroundings. Bring a flashlight so that they won’t be scared when it gets dark outside. A flash light can make them feel as comfortable as having a nightlight in the room.

Try to build in activities you know your children will enjoy. Bring fun games along for them to play during downtime, such as during a rain storm or after eating. Moreover, having some yummy treats on hand will make everyone happy.

These camping days are going to be some of the treasured moments of your child's life, so help them create and keep special mementos of the trip. Inexpensive disposable cameras can be doled out to each child to encourage them to click pictures of their experience just like the grown-ups are doing. Let them take pictures of plants, animals, and the tents so that they will have a keepsake to remember the excursion.

A camping trip involves a lot of planning and preparation. To ensure that your children enjoy their time in the outdoors, you will need to organize the activities carefully. However, please do not turn a potentially fun family outing into a strict, time-bound military exercise. You want your children to like camping, so make sure they remain engaged with the family by getting them to help out with various camping duties. Take time out from the chores to go walking or exploring with your kids.

As camping has its share of dangers, make sure your children follow basic safety rules. Watch out for potentially hazardous situations that arise in unfamiliar territory. Keep a close watch on the kids especially if you are near a lake or have lit a bonfire. It’s okay for your kids to explore and get dirty, since that is what camping is all about, but they obviously should not wander too far from camp unsupervised.

If you take the time to plan for most contingencies, you can turn your camping trip into an event your kids will remember forever. Get your children outdoors as much as possible and help unplug the next generation. It won't be long until they'll be outside all the time and you with them.