Tips for Planning Your First Family Camping Adventure

It’s never too early to start camping with your kids. Family camping trips are an excellent way to introduce your children to the wonders of nature and provide them with a full sensory experience.

While it can be an overwhelming idea, all it takes is planning and preparation. Here are some tips for getting started and making camping with kids a good experience for everyone.

Practice Camping at Home

If your kids are outdoor newbies, pitch a tent in the backyard or even inside your home. Let them hang out in it and sleep in it so they become comfortable with a new sleeping environment. Spend a half-day or so at a lakeshore or park and see how your kids react to the experience.

Find the Right Campsite

Pick campgrounds with amenities that suit your family’s needs. Some campgrounds have ball fields, beaches or swimming areas, streams or rivers and playgrounds. Others offer picnic tables, flushing toilets and hot showers. If it’s your first time out, start small, stick close to home and choose more developed campgrounds with buckets of amenities, and make your way up to more remote or adventurous locations.

Research Activities

Be ready with some potential ideas of what to do when the kids say “I’m bored.” Know what day hikes or other activities are available at your destination. Many campgrounds have bulletin boards that map out easy nature trails.

Organize Your Gear

Organize camping gear in totes for easy access when you get to camp. Use clear bins to keep your kitchen supplies, tent, sleeping bags and other equipment in separate compartments. You don’t want to spend a lot of time rummaging through your stuff at camp, so having your items organized ahead of time is essential.

Anticipate Possible Challenges

You know your child best and how they may respond to situations. Try to troubleshoot potential problems ahead of time. Is your child still potty-training or hates getting up at night to go to the bathroom? Bring a little travel toilet that you could put just outside your tent. Does your child wake up early? Bring a book or a toy to keep them occupied. 

Allow Room to Grow

You’re not going to create the perfect experience the first or even send time out. Take notes at the end of each trip to remind yourself what you should bring next time, what you can leave behind or how you might do things differently. And don’t forget to have fun! Enjoy this time with your family and the memories you will make.