Camping with Kids

Tips for Camping with Children

• Don't forget one of your kids at home, or even worse, at a campground!
  
  
• Make sure the campground you are going to has all the amenities and activities needed to keep your kids busy. A boring campground for kids is going to be even harder on you than it is on them.
  
  
• Bring what you know you'll need to take care of them. Don't assume the campground store will have those #3 diapers and wipes!
  
  
• Bring lots of sun block!
  
  
• Bring lots of mosquito repellant!
  
  
• When camping with children, remember to be patient with them. They're kids. They are going to want to get into everything! Realize this going in and you'll have a much better time of it in the process.
  
  
• Include them in everything you do. Give them camping chores. Just like at home, children need to have responsibilities around the campsite. Let them help with the dishes, put up the tent, clean the fish with you, etc.
  
  
• S-mores! S-mores! S-mores! Don't forget the Graham Crackers and Hershey's chocolate to go along with those marshmallows. And don't forget a tool to roast the marshmallows with.
  
  
• When camping with kids, bring enough for everyone. Doesn't matter what “it” is, make sure that no one is left out. If there are only two fishing poles and little Billy doesn't get to have his own, little Billy will cry. And mom and dad don't want that!
  
  
• Fishing is the best, especially for first-time kids! Let them bait the hook (but be careful to help them). Teach them to cast and reel. See how long their patience lasts….
  
  
• Take the kids on Nature Walks. Teach them about the real birds and bees. Take your time when hiking with children. Let them inspect everything. Look closely at everything that interests them.
  
  
• Never, ever forget to bring bathing-suits for all of your kids. Even if the campground doesn't have a swimming pool, lake or stream to swim in, your children can get soaked by the hose or whatever. And kids that get to get wet are happier kids!
  
  
• Corbread! Aint nothin' wrong with that!
  
  
• When camping with kids, be prepared for all types of weather. Be sure to have games that can be played inside the RV or camper.
  
  
• Likewise with clothing, be prepared for those summer storms that show up unexpectedly. Have warm clothes and even rain-smocks on hand just in case.
  
  
• Bring every ointment you can think of. Things like poison ivy, bee stings and sunburns are as much a part of camping with kids as are S-mores. Be ready for them.
  
  
• Choose a campground with many amenities. Swimming pools are almost a must. Playgrounds are right at the top of the list also. And if it is up to me, there has to be a place for the kids to go and do a little fishing.
  
  
• Think long and hard about camping at a primitive campground before you take children to one. Campgrounds must have showers or my wife will absolutely refuse to go.
  
  
• Be as ready as you can be for almost anything. Have a list and check it twice before leaving, ensuring that you are as prepared as possible for the unexpected.
  
  
• You can never be too prepared.