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Camping with Young Children
Howdy,
Going camping with Grandchildren is, well a challenge. But I got the merit badge more than once. Camping can be a lot of fun for younger children – however, you’ll need to prepare differently than you would for a camping trip with your buddies. If you’re thinking about taking your children on their first camping trip, read on for more helpful tips on camping with young kids:
Start with Short Trips
Even if you pride yourself on the month long wilderness adventure you recently took, it’s best to start young children on shorter camping trips – no more than two to three days at a time. Camping trips – as fun as they may be – are stressful on young children, who aren’t yet used to being out of their comfort zone for an extended period of time. Young children may feel uncomfortable when they’re away from their usual routines, even if you believe the natural world is infinitely more fascinating than the host of television programs and video games that seem to constitute a normal day in your house. Start small, and when your children start begging to stay longer, go ahead and up the length of your trip.
Plan Your Days Wisely
However, don’t think that you need to pack more activities into these few days, just because you’re taking a shorter trip. Camping should be a relaxing activity for you and your children – and you won’t achieve that if you plan something for every moment of every day. All those fabulous attractions and learning opportunities will still be there next year, but if you try to shuttle your children back and forth to all of them over the span of a weekend, you’ll end up with some cranky children – at best. Instead, shoot for one or two attractions a day, and be sure to leave plenty of time for bumming around the beach.
Look for Campgrounds with Family Amenities
Campgrounds vary widely in the amenities they have on site for families with young children. While most have at least a playground for younger visitors, some campgrounds also feature waterfront access, picnic facilities and sports fields. Some campgrounds even host special programming for children. These programs are typically free to campground guests, and may include everything from identifying local plants and wildlife to junior ranger programs that teach children outdoors skills.
Get Feedback on Potential Campgrounds
So how do you tell if a campground is family friendly? First, check online. More and more campgrounds are setting up websites that enable visitors to look up their amenities before you make a reservation. If you aren’t able to find a campground’s website, try giving the campground a call. The person staffing the check-in office should be able to give you a good idea about what resources exist for families at the campground. In addition, you might find it helpful to ask friends and relatives for recommendations – parents with first-hand knowledge of a campground may be able to tell you whether or not the campground is as family friendly as it claims to be! You can also ask here.
Wherever you wind up going, remember to stay flexible during the trip. If bad weather hits and your children are miserable, don’t be afraid to pack up and go home. It’s far better to reschedule for a better weekend than to leave your children with a bad impression of camping! I know this is just the tip of the iceberg, so if you have something to say, share it. Good luck and thanks for looking.
Going camping with Grandchildren is, well a challenge. But I got the merit badge more than once. Camping can be a lot of fun for younger children – however, you’ll need to prepare differently than you would for a camping trip with your buddies. If you’re thinking about taking your children on their first camping trip, read on for more helpful tips on camping with young kids:
Start with Short Trips
Even if you pride yourself on the month long wilderness adventure you recently took, it’s best to start young children on shorter camping trips – no more than two to three days at a time. Camping trips – as fun as they may be – are stressful on young children, who aren’t yet used to being out of their comfort zone for an extended period of time. Young children may feel uncomfortable when they’re away from their usual routines, even if you believe the natural world is infinitely more fascinating than the host of television programs and video games that seem to constitute a normal day in your house. Start small, and when your children start begging to stay longer, go ahead and up the length of your trip.
Plan Your Days Wisely
However, don’t think that you need to pack more activities into these few days, just because you’re taking a shorter trip. Camping should be a relaxing activity for you and your children – and you won’t achieve that if you plan something for every moment of every day. All those fabulous attractions and learning opportunities will still be there next year, but if you try to shuttle your children back and forth to all of them over the span of a weekend, you’ll end up with some cranky children – at best. Instead, shoot for one or two attractions a day, and be sure to leave plenty of time for bumming around the beach.
Look for Campgrounds with Family Amenities
Campgrounds vary widely in the amenities they have on site for families with young children. While most have at least a playground for younger visitors, some campgrounds also feature waterfront access, picnic facilities and sports fields. Some campgrounds even host special programming for children. These programs are typically free to campground guests, and may include everything from identifying local plants and wildlife to junior ranger programs that teach children outdoors skills.
Get Feedback on Potential Campgrounds
So how do you tell if a campground is family friendly? First, check online. More and more campgrounds are setting up websites that enable visitors to look up their amenities before you make a reservation. If you aren’t able to find a campground’s website, try giving the campground a call. The person staffing the check-in office should be able to give you a good idea about what resources exist for families at the campground. In addition, you might find it helpful to ask friends and relatives for recommendations – parents with first-hand knowledge of a campground may be able to tell you whether or not the campground is as family friendly as it claims to be! You can also ask here.
Wherever you wind up going, remember to stay flexible during the trip. If bad weather hits and your children are miserable, don’t be afraid to pack up and go home. It’s far better to reschedule for a better weekend than to leave your children with a bad impression of camping! I know this is just the tip of the iceberg, so if you have something to say, share it. Good luck and thanks for looking.
A canvas campateer
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