Photo: Gamma-Ray Productions / Flickr

Perhaps it is time for your children to experience their first outdoor adventure. It may seem daunting at first, but taking your children camping regularly is one of the best ways to create lasting fun family memories. And it does not have to be complicated. A few useful tips, a kids’ camping kit and a good location are all you need for the perfect outdoor family holiday.

Preparation

To start, prepare your children for the idea of camping. You may want to pitch a tent in the backyard, or let them lie on the lawn and watch the stars at night. It is also useful to go for walks in the country to spark their interest in wildlife before you take the children camping.

Choose your destination

Don’t go too far away for you first trip. It is important not to tire the children out before they arrive at the campsite. And make sure that the campsite is safe. You may also want to go somewhere with bathroom and toilet facilities just to make your life easier. On the other hand, portable camping toilets are easy to find and just as easy to set up, if you are not close to facilities.

Packing

Apart from all the regular camping gear like tents, sleeping bags and cooking utensils, make sure you remember to pack a first aid kit, sunscreen and insect repellent. You should also have a special kids’ camping kit that will help to keep them busy and entertained. This should include children’s spades, craft items like plastic scissors, glue, and paper for making a nature collage. You could also bring special jars or boxes for any ‘treasures’ they collect and a disposable camera for each child to record the trip.

Finally, all you need is a collection of songs, some fireside stories and a willingness to go with the flow to make your first family camping trip a roaring success.

Tags: camping, campsite