When going on a camping trip with children it is important to get a few things right. Things like getting to your chosen campsite in plenty of time to set up camp and get everything organised. The last thing you want to do is have the kids hanging around getting cold and bored, while you’re trying to pitch a tent in the dark. This way you won’t be starting your campout by getting stressed.

Kids love to feel a bit independent so if you can take two tents, one large one for the adults to sleep in, that also serves for eating meals and for the whole family during the daytime. And also a smaller pup tent for the younger ones to sleep in and as a refuge for when they want a break from mum and dad. Make sure its close enough to keep an eye on them so they stay safe though.

Make sure you bring along plenty of things for the kids, like books and games, so that they have plenty to keep themselves occupied, as you can’t guarantee fine weather all the time, and at least if it is cold and wet outside they can amuse themselves. There is nothing worse than sitting in a tent listening to the rain with nothing to do.

If you have smaller or younger children, don’t expect them to be able to keep up on long day hikes as they just won’t be able to do it. Try to break the day up into smaller outings, this way it makes it much more of an adventure and they will find it fun and not a chore. Also find out as much as you can about the area in which you will be staying, so that you can organise lots of different day trips to any places of interest.

Summary

- Arrive in plenty of time to set up camp.

- Give the kids their own space (pup-tent)

- Bring books and games for bad weather days.

- Find out about the area your staying in, for day trips.

- Make sure to pack food and drink in case stores are closed on arrival.

- Let the kids get involved in whole thing, like pitching their own tent and helping with the cooking etc.

- And don’t forget to ENJOY IT.

Lastly when you get back home make sure that you wash and repair any gear that needs it and then repack it ready for next time. That way your all set for your next top family vacation.

When going on a camping trip, it is best to come completely prepared.  Often times, when you are camping, you are pretty far away from the nearest gas station or large grocery chain – both are places that we have become dependent on in today’s society.  Whether you are camping with the family in your RV or if you are hiking the wilderness alone, there are some basic necessities that you should not leave behind. 

RV Camping Necessities

When you and your family go RV camping, you have the luxury of a large automobile with plenty of storage space for food, beverages and other camping equipment.  You will also want to make sure that you have plenty of emergency equipment in case your RV runs into a bit of bad luck on the road.  Spare tires, fully charged flashlights and cell phones as well as items such as snow chains or engine coolant, depending on which season you are traveling during. 

When travelling across the country in an RV, you have enough room to house items such as a microwave or a miniature refrigerator, so you can plan your meals accordingly.  Most of the places you stop at during your vacation will have all the amenities you could ever need such as electricity, sewer, or gasoline; however, it is still important to verify that these amenities will be available to you before you plan the stops on your RV camping trip. 

Tent Camping Necessities

If you are planning on taking your family tent camping, the situation changes dramatically.  First and foremost, you need a place to sleep so make sure that the tent is packed or it will be a cold and miserable weekend! You must also consider how to store and transport your food for the trip.  In most cases, a large ice chest will do quite wonderfully.  Many camp sites that you visit will have basic amenities such as restrooms and showers, which make camping in a tent easier and more accessible for everyone. 

In some cases, it may be necessary to bring items such as folding chairs and a table so that you will have a place to eat.  Although most camp sites you find will come equipped with picnic benches and fire pits, if you aren’t staying in a state park or private campground, these amenities might not be available to you. 

Lastly, there are some adventurous souls who are willing to forego any kind of amenity and completely “rough it.”  For these explorers, items such as canteens and tin plates for cooking and eating become almost a luxury as much as a necessity.  No matter where you decide to camp, it will inevitably become much colder at night.  Therefore it is important to prepare, not only with a high quality sleeping bag, but with thermal garments and quality fire starting equipment.  Although great care and experience are needed in starting one, a campfire is the ultimate survival tool when you are alone in the wilderness, so make sure that you have the necessary equipment to start one.  Not only is it a source of heat and useful for cooking and purifying water, it will also be extremely effective at warding off some of the larger animals during the wee hours of the night. 

Successful Camping

As you can see, the necessities for enjoying yourself and staying safe on your next camping trip vary depending on whether you are staying in your RV, taking the family out for some tent camping, or exploring the wilderness on your own.  Although many more items might be necessary depending on the location of your camping trip and the time of year in which you go, the items discussed above will give you a better understanding on how to prepare for your next camping vacation.