Take into account the age of your children when considering where you camp and what you do, just so that no one is left out and everything is age-appropriate.
Camping is a fantastic way to spend quality time with your family and getting away from the humdrum of daily life. Taking a break from the norm allows you to get some clarity and gain some perspective about your usual routines. Because you’re all away from Wi-Fi, it means there are no distractions, so family time actually means family time. Your family is all away from creature comforts, meaning you all have to build resilience and make do with what you have in front of you. If this sounds like something you want to organize for your family, here’s how to make your family camping adventure memorable.
Choosing your campsite
If this is your first time camping with your family, you don’t want to choose a campsite with the minimum amenities and facilities. After all, you want them to enjoy this experience. So when you’re thinking about campsites, it’s a good idea to choose one that’ll keep your children entertained with things to do and things to explore.
Having towns nearby will also provide you with the opportunity to take them out of the campsite, just to switch things up a bit. Or, if you’re going with other adults, it may be the perfect opportunity for you and your partner to leave your children with them for an evening to enjoy some quality time together.
Therefore, the first thing you should do is opt for a family-friendly campsite, where children are welcome and there are things for them to do. If your children are occupied and happy, then you’ll be too.
But don’t forget, you’re planning a family camping adventure, so plan a few family activities. Do a bit of research into what nature surrounds your campsite and plan things like walking on a trail, cycling, going to the local beaches or coasts. Even watching a sunset will be an enjoyable experience together. Some local towns will be steeped in history and local folklore, which will not only delight your family, but they may learn something too.
Deciding your camping style
There’s more than one way of camping, aside from traditional tent camping, you can go backpack, RV, and trailer camping. You can even go Glamping, which is a fairly recent addition to the camping scene.
Although you may want to try these different styles, you need to consider that each one requires different equipment. This could get expensive, especially if you have several children. However, tent camping can be an inexpensive way to camp as long as you have the basics. This includes sleeping bags, torches and batteries, camp chairs and tables, a first aid kit, cutlery, tools, including a pocket knife.
A pocket knife is a handy device because it’s small enough for you to carry it in a pocket, and it can also have attachments to complete a range of tasks. It’s worth knowing what the attachments can be used for and practicing using them. Regular cleaning and sharpening a pocket knife will keep it in good condition for years to come. The last thing you’ll want is to be camping and find out your pocket knife is blunt, right when you really need it.
Packing essentials
It’s really easy to get carried away and pack everything but the kitchen sink! However, camping is about leaving unnecessary items behind, and only taking the necessities. You obviously need clothes and shoes for all kinds of weather, toiletries, non-perishables, water, sleeping equipment, plenty of batteries, torches, and lamps, and a first aid kit. A map and compass are particularly important if you’re planning to leave the campsite. Ensuring your phone has GPS so that you can be found in case you got lost or injured is also worth investing in.
Many campsites will have a shop that provides basic camping items, so it’s always worth knowing what your intended campsite has to offer. When doing this, consider how far the nearest towns are, just in case you actually need to go further afield for items.
Before you set out on your adventure, get your car checked for any faults or repairs, along with your tires too. You don’t want to be without your vehicle or have it break down en route or whilst you're camping. If you have all bases covered, you’re better prepared.
Photo by Daiga Ellaby on Unsplash
Your family will enjoy this special time together as long as you plan wisely and make sure that you have all your essentials, and a few extras, as well as plan for any eventualities. Take into account the age of your children when considering where you camp and what you do, just so that no one is left out and everything is age-appropriate. Once you have all this in place, not only will your family enjoy this camping adventure, but they’ll more than likely be looking forward to the next one, and it’s these times that make memories that last for a lifetime.
Main photo by Anita Oosting from Pixabay
