Camping With Kids? Try These 3 Tips to Make it Easier

Whether you want to take a family road trip over the winter break or you’re already planning ahead for Spring, packing up the RV for a camping trip is a great way to get away and disconnect from the hustle and bustle of life.

But, when you’ve got kids, camping can sometimes seem a little overwhelming - if you’re not prepared.

You know your kids better than anyone, so we’ll preface this blog by saying - do what works for you! These tips are suggestions you can use to make things easier, but feel free to adapt them to your personal style or into something you know your child will respond to.

With that in mind, let’s look at three easy tips you can use to make camping with children easier.

1. Plan Ahead

You probably already know this as a parent but planning ahead is the best thing you can do when traveling with kids. This becomes even more important when you’re camping. What does ‘planning ahead’ really mean?

First of all, take a look at the weather forecast before you go. Pack your children clothes are appropriate for anything from thunderstorms to blizzards, depending on what you see. The last thing you want is your child shivering in a t-shirt when you’re spending the night at a snowy campground.

Additionally, be sure to research things to do and sights to see before you hit the road. Depending on where you’re staying, you might not have great cell reception, and you don’t want to hear the dreaded “I’m bored!” as you try to find good Wi-Fi to plan your day.

2. Make Sure They Know The Rules

Setting some ground rules for your children while you’re on the road and at different campgrounds can make a big difference. You can’t expect them to behave a certain way when they don’t know what they can and can’t do. After all, a campground can look like nature’s big playground, and it’s supposed to be - but, it’s important to be courteous and respectful to that playground and the other people there, too.

Make sure you set these rules for the RV and for camping beforehand, and make sure your kids fully understand them. When they know what to expect, they’re less likely to be overwhelmed and they’re less likely to “act up,” since they know there will be consequences.

3.Reach Your Destination During Daylight

When you’re doing all of that planning for your trip, try to map out routes that will allow you to reach your destination(s) during the day, even if there are only a few hours of daylight left.

If you pull into a campground at night, you really can’t do much. The kids have been cooped up in the RV all day, and there’s really not an opportunity to get out and explore.

When you arrive during the day, you can give your kids a chance to look around and get a feel for their surroundings. It’s a great time for them to burn off some energy and play, especially if you want to set up a tent or build a fire.

Camping with the whole family is always an adventure and can make for unforgettable memories. But the experience will be that much sweeter if you keep these tips in mind for camping with kids.