{"id":28525,"date":"2015-12-20T23:24:02","date_gmt":"2015-12-20T13:24:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/babyhintsandtips.com\/?p=28525"},"modified":"2016-02-22T23:09:48","modified_gmt":"2016-02-22T13:09:48","slug":"essential-tips-for-camping-with-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/babyhintsandtips.com\/essential-tips-for-camping-with-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"Essential Tips for Camping With Kids"},"content":{"rendered":"
Australians have always embraced camping as an enjoyable and affordable way to get away, relax and recharge from the business of the daily grind. Perhaps you are wondering whether camping would suit you and your family and what you need to know that could make or break a tent getaway. Check out the tips below to help you and your family enjoy the next camping adventure.<\/p>\n
Camping with friends and family will make the first trip more enjoyable. Not only will it allow for campfire chats but it will also ensure you have friends on hand to help start fires and put up the tent while your skills are developing.<\/p>\n
Camping is budget friendly once you have all the gear required. Borrowing from friends is a great way to have the camping experience without the expense and check whether your family enjoy camping before spending money.<\/p>\n
Campsites usually don\u2019t have shopping centres close by. Your cousin may lend you his tent but you need to check it doesn\u2019t have holes in it before you use it. Double check all your equipment before you leave home.<\/p>\n
Caravan Parks, National Parks or bush camping are the 3 main options. Decide how important hot showers are and whether or not you want to toast marshmellows over an open fire. Be aware that caravan parks will not allow fires and National Park popular locations will often be booked out early.<\/p>\n
Camping will be more enjoyable in spring or autumn. By choosing a weekend camping getaway at these times of the year you will have decided if you are ready to camp in the cold of winter or heat of summer.<\/p>\n
When you arrive at your campsite go for a discovery walk with the kids first. Check out the lie of the land, if there are roads or rivers nearby and how to access the toilets. If there are any potential hazards or boundaries then point these out now so kids can explore while you set up the tent.<\/p>\n
Camping lets kids get back to nature. They want to explore, build forts and swing off trees. Give your child a whistle to wear and tell them to only blow it in an emergency. If they do injure themselves a whistle will carry further then their voice will.<\/p>\n
It pays to remind kids of stranger danger while camping, particularly in busy campgrounds. I recommend the \u201conly inside our tent rule\u201d when visiting new friends. We always put down a large picnic blanket in our campground and the kids gather for fierce Uno battles.<\/p>\n
With the right precautions parents need not panic about their children being near fire. Having camped with babies and toddlers my suggestions are:<\/p>\n
Shoes, jumpers and sleeping bags all need a good shake out before being used by children and adults alike. Remind them to look for spiders, snakes and cheeky possums that like to get inside the tents.<\/p>\n
After packing the tent, tarp, ground sheet, mattress mats and sleeping bags these are the family essential items I suggest for camping:<\/p>\n
For camping newbies I would recommend a campsite in a National Park located not too far from a town with eating options. Our last campsite was around the corner from Daylesford which gave us easy options and minimised food prep.<\/p>\n
If you want to cook over an open fire yourself then<\/p>\n
Those are my essential tips for fun<\/em> family camping. Give it a go \u2013 you may be pleasantly surprised. Share your best camping tip below<\/strong><\/p>\n Michelle is a travel loving, bike riding, mum to two who loves holidaying in a tent and can be found sharing stories at Gee You\u2019re Brave<\/a> about living life and parenting with an adventurous spirit. Michelle has a Masters in Special Education, currently works at an Art Teacher for children with an intellectual disability and is passionate about helping children express themselves and reach their full potential.<\/p>\n Michelle would love to connect with you Facebook<\/a> or Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n