Planning a Fall Family Camping Trip? Here’s 18 Must-Read Tips
Taking your kids camping is an excellent way to get them outdoors and away from the fast-paced world of technology. It can also help them learn valuable life lessons, making them more responsible for their safety.
While a family camping trip doesn’t need to be an elaborate affair, it does require a little preparation. However, these minor details will separate a good camping experience from a disaster and help ensure your family has a memorable adventure. Here are my tried and true tips to make sure that you have a great getaway.
Choose the Right Campground
If you’re planning a family camping trip, the right campground can make all the difference. Many factors must be considered when choosing the perfect spot for your family.
First, you’ll want to decide what kind of experience you’d like to have on your trip. For example, do you want a wild, off-the-beaten-path spot or a more populated campground? Do you want one with resort like amenities and activities, or something that allows you to sleep in a national park?
You’ll also need to consider how close the campground is to everything you’d want to do while on vacation. Ideally, you’ll want a campground that’s in a scenic area but is still accessible to shopping, restaurants, and other amenities. Because when you’re traveling with the kids, if it can happen, it will happen!
Make Sure To Consider Campground Size
Another important consideration is how large the campsites are at a particular campground. You want to choose a site that’s spacious enough for your family but not too big that you feel uncomfortable.
When bored or using the bathroom, your kids will need a place to go. Finding a campground with bathrooms and showers nearby is always a good idea.
Don’t Rush Packing for a Family Camping Trip
Packaging all the essentials is one of the most important parts of planning a family camping trip. Unfortunately, it can be daunting, and forgetting something is easy.
How do I do it? Before anything else, I will make a packing checklist for my family’s trip. This can help you as well to avoid any unnecessary mistakes, and it will also save you a ton of time.
The Time of Year Will Influence Your Packing List
You’ll first want to determine what weather you will encounter and pack accordingly. This will save you a lot of time, and it’s always a good idea to have a few extra layers on hand if the forecast is for rain or cold conditions at the beginning or end of summer.
Yes, It’s About Shelter, but it Also Comfort
Next, it’s essential to think about comfort. Sleeping bags, pillows, and a warm blanket are all necessary items to bring along.
Another set of camping essentials is a tent and a shelter. A tent will keep you and your children comfortable during the night and any stormy weather. Tents and shelters come in all shapes and sizes, and as a beginner camper, you can be intimidated by choosing among all the various options.
Keep in Mind Your Trip Length
That’s why you need to consider what kind of camping you will do with your family – longer/shorter stays, how many of you, and what kind of activities you plan on doing. Answering these questions will help you outline your needs, and then you will choose your tent and shelter accordingly.
Day and Night Time Extras You Should Really Consider
For extra comfort, consider adding an air mattress to your camping gear. This will allow everyone to sleep better and make the whole camping experience more enjoyable.
It would be best if you also packed some activities for the kids. This can include board games, coloring books, frisbees, and other things to keep them busy during the day.
Staying Safe While Camping
Camping is a great way to bond with your family while enjoying the outdoors. But it’s also where many hazards lurk, from wild animal attacks to flash floods; staying safe while camping is essential to protect your family’s safety and well-being.
Safety is the number one thing for me whenever I take a trip, especially camping. Therefore, before you go on a camping trip, I strongly suggest thoroughly planning and preparing for it. In addition to preparing essentials such as water, food, clothing, and toiletries, you’ll need to prepare an emergency kit for your family.
Take a Camping Safety Class
You can take advantage of classes offered by the Parks and recreation department or outdoors outfitters to learn how to stay safe while camping. You’ll learn valuable skills such as identifying wildlife, minding fire safety, and avoiding poisonous plants.
Take the time to teach your kids camping safety. For example, give them their flashlights to keep around and teach them how to signal for help. Also, don’t forget to bring a bucket of water and a hose to extinguish any campfires. This is especially helpful when you’re in a primitive campground without access to water hookups.
Fun Activities to Enjoy on a Family Camping Trip
If you’re planning a family camping trip with kids, it’s essential to think of ways that your children can have fun, not just what the parents want to do. This will help them enjoy their time outdoors and build memories that will last a lifetime vs. having a trip where kids are bored and complaining the whole time. Here are some things I always do with my family:
Gift Each Kid a Nature Journal
Bring a nature journal and encourage your children to record their observations and activities on the trails. They will better understand the natural world and learn new things about their surroundings, including what kinds of animals live in the park and how to identify them.
Rock Painting
Have your child paint rocks found on a hike or around the campsite using water-based, non-toxic paints. This activity is also a great way to teach them about the different colors of rocks and what they are made from. And bonus, they make for great keepsakes of your trip.
Create a Journey Stick
Older kids will enjoy constructing their journey stick by using a walking stick and attaching items to remind them of their camping adventures. This activity is also great for older kids to practice their creative skills.
Keep Kids Busy on A Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt is a fun activity for all ages and can be as simple as putting items in a brown lunch bag, or it could be more complicated with different categories of items. For example, younger children might enjoy a color-themed scavenger hunt that requires them to find a specific object in a particular color or to gather things of a given theme, like leaves, stars, or a campfire.
Involve Kids in Making Food Over the Fire
Camping is a fantastic way for families to bond and create lasting memories. When you take the time to prepare for a family camping trip, you can make it easier and more enjoyable for everyone.
Before I go camping with my family, I always plan our meals. This will ensure delicious, healthy, and fun meals while on the go.
There are many different types of foods that you can eat while camping, including fruits, vegetables, and meats. You can also bring snacks such as peanut butter and banana wraps, granola, grilled cheese, or tuna sandwiches.
Doing Meal Prep at Home is Worth It
Another great option is to bring a backpack with meals made ahead of time. This can help you save time when cooking on your camping trip.
For example, if you prepare overnight oats or banana bread for your family on the trip, you can store it in a cooler to easily take it to the campsite. This will also help you save a lot of money.
Leaving No Trace When Departing from Campground
Leaving no trace is the best way to minimize your impact on the environment while enjoying a trip in nature. The principle applies to everything from litter to human waste to rinse water. It is also one of the most important things you need to teach your children when spending time outdoors.
Here’s How To Make This Respectful Act Easy
A clear understanding of Leave No Trace will help you accomplish your trip goals safely and enjoyably. It will also minimize your impact on the natural and cultural resources of the area you are visiting.
My best tips:
- Ensure that all trash, leftover food, and litter are removed from your campsite and rest area before you leave.
- Take extra trash bags with you on your camping trip. They’ll be handy for disposing of any litter you find during your stay and help keep your campsite tidy.
- Use only trails and campsites already there, even if you have to trek through mud or water. This will help protect backcountry resources and avoid damage to the fragile ground or areas that don’t recover quickly.
- Select destinations that are appropriate for your skills and ability. This will minimize resource damage and ensure your trip goals are safely and comfortably met.
- Make sure you know the regulations and particular concerns for any area you plan to visit, including those in which you plan to camp. These can be found by contacting local land management agencies, websites, offices, or visitor information centers.
Will You Plan a Camping Trip This Year?
Family camping trips can be a fun and memorable experience for everyone. However, with some prior planning and preparation, you can ensure the trip is enjoyable and safe. Be sure to research the area you’ll be visiting, bring all necessary supplies and equipment, pack enough food and water to last the duration of your stay, and remember to have fun. You can ensure that your family camping trip is one for the books with a little effort.
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This article was produced by Planner at Heart.