Camping with children allows them to play outdoors all day, with plenty of room to run around. They can explore nature, climb trees, observe wildlife and bond with mom and dad without competition from telephones, televisions or computers. You can make camping more fun for your children by providing them with their own camping equipment.
Size
Children will appreciate camping equipment sized just for them. You can find child-sized chairs, backpacks and sleeping bags that will allow them to sit with their feet on the ground, carry a pack that feels comfortable and sleep in warmth and comfort. Camping equipment for kids is more than miniature versions of adult gear. Proportions of kids camping equipment fit children's smaller frames and often come in kid-friendly colors. A Disney Princess sleeping bag or sports team camp chair, for example, could make the great outdoors a friendlier place for a child.
Comfort
While dad may be fine sleeping on the hard ground, children appreciate comfort. Provide them with sleeping pads, air mattresses or cots, along with a warm sleeping bag and a pillow. If a child has a favorite blanket or stuffed animal, bring that along. Let children carry their own pint-sized pack but don't overload it. Make sure their shoes fit well and don't rub blisters. Provide plenty of snacks and rest breaks to keep children from becoming over-tired or hungry. Give each child her own water bottle to stay hydrated and supply sunscreen and bug spray to prevent sunburn or mosquito bites from ruining the trip.
Independence
Allowing children to carry some of their own gear in a pack, to plot a hiking route on a map and to set up their own gear around the campfire encourages independence. Some children will enjoy sleeping in a tent separate from---but near---their parents' tent. Choose a small pop-up tent children can help set up and declare it a kids-only zone. Family Camping Gear says a tent that measures 5 by 7 feet will suit small children.
Exploration
Equip your young camper with a flashlight or headlamp to make nighttime trips to the bathroom less scary. Kids can also play with the lights, making shadows on tent walls or reading a favorite book. Children's binoculars, a magnifying glass or a screened container for collecting bugs encourage children to explore their surroundings and have fun camping. Kat Diamond, co-founder of the Nature Strollers hiking club in Orange County, N.Y., told "Backpacker Magazine" she recommends giving a children a camera and asking them to make a photographic record of the trip.
Safety
Children's packs and hiking boots should be marked with reflective tape to increase nighttime visibility. Choose sleeping bags and clothing treated with fire retardant chemicals. You'll want to carry a well-equipped first aid kit with wet wipes, band-aids and antibiotic ointment to treat bumps and scrapes. Goldie Silverman, author of "Camping With Kids---The Complete Guide to Car, Tent and RV Camping" recommends supplying each child with a whistle. They can sound the whistle if they become separated from the rest of the group.
References
- "Backpacker Magazine": Last Child on the Couch; Jason Stevenson; August 2010
- Family Camping Gear: Choosing a Camping Tent
- "Camping With Kids---The Complete Guide to Car, Tent and RV Camping"; Goldie Silverman; 2005
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