Camping is an ideal way to interact with nature and introduce your children to the outdoors. However, family camping trips with young children can be hectic and stressful. Knowing what items to bring for your children as well as some well-executed planning can help you and your family have an enjoyable camping experience. The more often you take your family camping, the ability to know what and how much to bring will become second nature.
Packing Tips
Worrying about packing camping gear for the entire family, as well as sufficient food, adequate clothing and sporting equipment can become overwhelming. In deciding what to pack for kids, less can actually be more. Resist the temptation to bring too many toys, advises Redrockadventure.com, to avoid clutter, lost or broken parts and unhappy campers. Take advantage of being in nature with your child and leave the electronic entertainment at home.
The National Wildlife Federation has a solution for packing kids' clothes and keeping them organized: "Sort and pack each day of your children's clothes within individual small plastic grocery bags ... . This way you can grab a bag in the morning and have a full set of clothes for the day, and at night you can stuff the dirty ones back in the bag" to keep them separate from the clean clothes.
Items of Comfort
Your child might feel somewhat disjointed by sleeping in unfamiliar territory. Because the darkness and foreign noises of the outdoors might frighten her, be sure to pack items that are familiar or bring her security. A favorite blanket, a beloved stuffed animal, a flashlight or glowsticks can comfort her during the night. If listening to music is part of her nightly routine, consider bringing a portable music player for her to listen to familiar, soothing music.
Prepare for the Elements
During outdoor adventures, you may be exposed to a number of different weather conditions. It might rain or snow or be very hot or windy, so be sure to pack a set of seasonally appropriate clothes for each day and an extra set of clean, dry clothes for every other day you are camping. Bring one to two extra pairs of close-toed shoes per child in case your child's shoes get wet or cause blisters. Bring jackets, gloves, extra socks and blankets in preparation for cold nights. Rain gear and boots, tarps, waterproof sleeping bags and extra beach towels will help keep your family dry when it rains. In the case of hot weather bring hats, kids' sunglasses, sunblock and bathing suits.
First-aid Preparedness
Whether you decide to take your family camping alone in the wilderness, to a beach or a recreational trailer park, it is important to pack a first-aid kit. Access to emergency help may not be immediate, so it is important you have essential first-aid care on hand. This includes adhesive bandages, elastic bandages, antiseptics, rubber gloves, cotton swabs and gauze, antibiotic ointment, moleskin for blisters, tweezers and a first-aid instruction booklet. Include hand sanitizer, a kid-safe insect repellent, anti-itch ointment, sunblock for kids, any prescribed drugs and medication for your child's allergies, including an EpiPen. Also pack sufficient amounts of water to ward off heat exhaustion and dehydration.
Outdoor Activities
Bring a children's nature book and refer to it as you take nature walks with your child to help him learn the names of trees, plants and animals. Bring binoculars for bird-watching forays. Pack a box or jar in which your child can store special stones, sticks or bugs he discovers. Take advantage of the outdoor setting to teach your child how to fish or rock climb. A disposable camera can help your child connect with and capture nature from his own point of view. Bring a hammock or camping chairs to relax in and absorb the calming sights and sounds of nature with your child.
Baby Gear
If you are bringing an infant, pack a sling or carrier in which you can easily transport your baby. This will make it more convenient to keep a constant eye on your baby and will also keep her out of harm's way. A portable crib might be bulky, but it will be a comfortable, familiar environment for your infant to sleep in at night.
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