Camping And Children: Making Sure They Will Have Fun

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Authors: Golda Jarvis

Modern children don't play outside as often as children used to. Many children have so many electronic devices in the home, that they see very little benefit in going outside. It is up to you to instill a love of the outdoors in your own children. Taking your children on camping trips is a great way to get them outside again. Besides being a wonderful way to enjoy nature, camping is a great way to spend time together as a family. Besides, it's fun.

When planning a camping trip, try to be as practical as possible. Activities should be organized to cater to the different age groups of accompanying children. Likewise the location also should be chosen wisely. For instance, if you have a preschooler with you, rock climbing and water sports may be off limits.

Also try to select activities that the kids will enjoy. A child that has no initial interest in the outdoors may be a bit resistant to a four-hour lecture on the rare Palos Verdes blue butterfly, but might enjoy catching and releasing a few species. Likewise an adventurous kid is not going to be happy with just camping and sleeping and no adrenaline-rush adventures.

One of the best ways to get the kids ready for a camping trip is to practice camping. You can begin training preparations for a real camping trip through mock camping sessions that involve pitching a tent in your backyard. You can take walks or bike rides around the neighborhood or visit a local park so that they can get used to being active together as a family. All of these things will make the camping transition a lot easier.

Teach the kids the importance of respecting nature. Children are inclined to plucking plants unless they are taught early on about the value of protecting wildlife, both fauna and flora. Also teach them about avoiding restricted areas and endangered plant species. Explain to them about the hidden dangers of non-suspicious looking plants such as poison ivy or poison sumac. They must learn that, while it is okay to admire wildlife, they must respect animals by giving them their space and not touching them.

To make sure your kids enjoy their camping experience, prepare for their initial anxiety. Carry their favorite toys with you as this will be a comforting security blanket, offering them a sense of familiarity even in the new surroundings. Every member of the camping trip, including the little ones, should be equipped with a flashlight. Depending on where you live and where you are camping, it may be much darker out in nature than at home, so a flashlight will act as a nightlight in unfamiliar surroundings.

Try to build in activities you know your children will enjoy. Since weather is unpredictable, it is wise to carry small games or a deck of cards to keep children entertained in case of sudden showers. Moreover, having some yummy treats on hand will make everyone happy.

Keep in mind that you want your kids to remember this experience fondly, so enable them to participate in preserving their own memories of the trip. Give them each a disposable camera so they can take some pictures from their persepctive of the experience. They can photograph anything that can serve as a perfect reminder of this day, and later fill an album with memories of their family adventure.

Keep in mind that you want your kids to enjoy camping. Be as flexible as you can. While some activities should be planned, also give children space to be themselves and establish their own connection to nature. Be spontaneous. Play jump rope with your kids or roast some marshmallows. You can play a game of football or play catch. Your children will remember the time you spend with them doing these fun things. Kids love a chance to play games and get dirty. Make sure that the kids are as involved as possible in the entire camping experience. No matter what happens on the trip, keep a smile on your face and your children will too.

If you take the time to plan for most contingencies, you can turn your camping trip into an event your kids will remember forever. Create opportunities for your kids to get outside whenever they can and assist in reversing the sedentary trend the kids of the future are facing. Pretty soon, they'll be begging you to come outdoors with them.