A family camping night allows family members to bond away from technology and other distractions. Camping by nature is relaxed and less scheduled than everyday life, but some planning ensures the family time is worthwhile. Keep in mind the ages of your kids when planning the activities. Include the kids in the camping night plans so they will enjoy the event as well.
Start Small
If it’s your first camping trip as a family, don’t aim for a multi-week excursion that will have you hiking out into the middle of nowhere and completely living off the land. A weekend trip is the perfect way to ease into camping.
Consider Amenities
As a family, decide where you want to camp. If you’re looking for an active trip, scout out a location with lots of hikes and water holes to keep you busy. If you have a family member who is unwilling to forego certain conveniences, see if you can find a campsite with running toilets.
Gear Up
Good gear can make the difference between a good night’s sleep and a horrible one. Good gear can mean staying dry if it starts raining in the middle of the night, or waking up in a soggy tent. In other words, good gear can make or break a trip.
Plan Ahead
When camping, there are a lot of factors that you cannot control—so be sure to have a firm command on those you can. That means planning ahead by reserving campsites, paying permits, and organizing meals. Staying organized means that you’ll be ready to handle the unpredictable elements of camping when they inevitably arise.
Make It
Fun Infuse your camping trip with a little fun—for instance, set up a contest for who can build and light a campfire the quickest, or bring along some unconventional toppings for a s’mores bar. Even chores can be made fun—whoever gathers the most garbage at the end of the trip might be rewarded with getting to choose the soundtrack on the ride home.
Start Small
If it’s your first camping trip as a family, don’t aim for a multi-week excursion that will have you hiking out into the middle of nowhere and completely living off the land. A weekend trip is the perfect way to ease into camping.
Consider Amenities
As a family, decide where you want to camp. If you’re looking for an active trip, scout out a location with lots of hikes and water holes to keep you busy. If you have a family member who is unwilling to forego certain conveniences, see if you can find a campsite with running toilets.
Gear Up
Good gear can make the difference between a good night’s sleep and a horrible one. Good gear can mean staying dry if it starts raining in the middle of the night, or waking up in a soggy tent. In other words, good gear can make or break a trip.
Plan Ahead
When camping, there are a lot of factors that you cannot control—so be sure to have a firm command on those you can. That means planning ahead by reserving campsites, paying permits, and organizing meals. Staying organized means that you’ll be ready to handle the unpredictable elements of camping when they inevitably arise.
Make It
Fun Infuse your camping trip with a little fun—for instance, set up a contest for who can build and light a campfire the quickest, or bring along some unconventional toppings for a s’mores bar. Even chores can be made fun—whoever gathers the most garbage at the end of the trip might be rewarded with getting to choose the soundtrack on the ride home.