Taking your family camping is a great way to disconnect from technology, boost your kids’ self-esteem, and reap the benefits of time spent in nature.
But planning a family camping trip isn’t without its challenges.
If you’re thinking about taking your family on your first outdoor adventure, keep reading to learn some important first time camping tips you’ll want to put to work.
1. Pack Smarter
Camping requires a lot of gear and set-up. And nothing will ruin a trip faster than unpacking and setting up camp.
To help avoid some arguments and streamline the process, pack everything into clear plastic bins with lids. Sort items by type, and place all like-items into a single, labeled bin. For instance, pack all of your food in one box, cooking gear in another, and your bedding in a third.
This will make it easier to find what you need without having to tear your vehicle apart.
2. Overpack
While you don’t want to pack your car so full that there’s no room to ride comfortably, it’s never a bad idea to overpack a small amount.
When you stay in a hotel, forgetting a blanket or your toothbrush isn’t a problem; the front desk will have whatever you need.
But when you’re camping, forgetting even a small item can mean a long ride to the store, or having to go without.
Bring clothing for a variety of types of weather, just in case temperatures drop at night or it rains unexpectedly. Bring extra food, water, and other essential supplies as well, just in case.
3. Don’t Forget a First Aid Kit
Even if you’re staying in a busy state or national park, it can take time to get medical care. Camping also comes with more small risks than your typical vacation.
Bug bites, minor burns, cuts, and scrapes are all a part of the camping experience. Having a first aid kit along will allow you to treat these small injuries on your own so that you can go on enjoying your trip.
4. Get Creative With Your Menu
Camping is a great chance to try out new and creative meals you would never make at home.
From foil-sack dinners to hot dogs roasted on a stick over an open flame, the sky is the limit. Research some camp stove recipes before your trip, and choose some fun ideas your family will love to make together.
5. Bring Music or Stories for the Campfire
When the sun goes down, many of the activities you enjoyed during the day time while camping will need to come to an end for safety reasons.
If you have little ones along, they might not enjoy sitting around a campfire for long periods of time. To help turn the activity into a family one, bring along some music for a sing-a-long or some age-appropriate stories to share.
Putting These First Time Camping Tips to Work
Now that you’ve learned a few first time camping tips, it’s time to put them to work.
Use our simple vacation planner to start planning your very own family camping trip anywhere in the world.