Camping With Kids Tips

Camping with kids tips run the full gamut. As the adult, you're the camp leader in your family's excursion. To make the most of your time in the great outdoors, here are 12 camping with kids tips to help you make the most of your adventure.

1. Start simple. If you've never taken the kids camping before, start simple and work your way up to bigger trips. For example, start with a weekend trip close to home to avoid having an ultra-long stay or ultra-long car trip on their first camping adventure.

2. Keep your eagle eyes active. Never leave your young child alone, especially near water or a campfire.

3. Don't overschedule. As adults, we sometimes feel the need to go, go go. If we take this hard-charging mentality to a campsite, we can lose the real purpose of going away. To a child, just sitting around a fire or going on a little nature walk can be a huge adventure. Relax, and enjoy the slower pace of life.

4. Avoid weird food. Don't make them eat weird food just because you're camping. Stick with the basics, keeping in mind the type of food they prefer every day. If they don't like mushroom-snail kabobs at home, they're not going to like them any better just because they're cooked over a nice campfire.

5. Bring easy snacks. Bring at least a few snacks that don't require you to cook, even over a campfire. This is especially true of your first meal, when getting a campfire started might take a while.

6. Plan for at least one rainy day. In case it rains, have at least one backup plan. Pack a fun family game you can play in the tent and/or research some of the local attractions.

7. Invite friends or family. If you have friends or family with children the same age, consider camping as a group. Or, if you have an only child, consider letting him or her bring a friend.

8. Unplug. Leave the electronic devices at home. Sure, you'll probably want your cell phone for safety, but other than that, try to unplug and encourage the whole family to follow your lead. Your kids will make more true camping memories without those distracting video games and portable DVD players.

9. Slumber Bags aren't Sleeping Bags. Remember, unless you're camping in a very warm climate, those cartoon-character "sleeping bags" they sell for slumber parties aren't going to be warm enough for sleeping outdoors, even in a tent. You'll need to reinforce your children's sleeping arrangement with additional blankets, or buy them a regular camping sleeping bag.

10. Teach wildlife safety beforehand. Explain to your kids ahead of time that they should never feed the animals. Not only is this not good for the animals, it can encourage scavenger behavior which can be irritating in the best-case scenario, or at worst-case, life-theatening. There's a reason signs say, "Don’t Feed the Bears."

11. Stash clothes for the drive home. Save a clean set of clothes for the drive home. Not only will this help ensure everyone's warm and comfy on the way back, but it will save your car from excess dirt too.