Getting children interested in camping
Helping children enjoy camping is one of the simplest things in the world, take them camping and start at a young age! If you do this, they will gain an appreciation for the outdoors, nature, camping, and the time spent as a family. Too many people worry about the children getting bitten by an ant or falling into stinging nettles. It is going to happen, but is better than addiction to television or drugs and won’t warp their mind nearly as much!
Keep Bugs at Bay
To avoid the insects, and some should be avoided, take bug spray and creams, put them on each morning and evening. This will help keep most of them away and even animals will avoid a kid smelling of insect repellent! You can also teach them how to look for ant hills and homes, teach them about ants! Camping is a learning experience and by helping the children learn, you will help them enjoy the camping!
Get them involved
Let them help with the camping, this makes them feel a part and gives them a sense of pride! They can help you look at places over the Internet or through magazines. “This place has flowers and this place has squirrels, where should we go?” Being part of something, especially at the start will increase the level of excitement and enjoyment!
Camping near water
Of course, choose places that will be safe and the right level for the children. Almost all children love water, so camps on a lake or by a river are beautiful, but make sure the children take swimming lessons or watch them at all times. The water may be too cold for swimming, but there is fishing, watching dragonflies or just skipping stones! Cold water places may be best for young children, they are less likely to put more than a toe in but will enjoy the water anyway.
Keeping Camp Stocked
You should also allow the children to help during the camping trip. They can get wood for the fire or gather stones for the fire pit, just remember to teach them to move the stones carefully as creatures live under them.
Scavenger Hunts
Speaking of creatures, look for them! It can become a scavenger hunt to find different birds or butterflies, or bizarre beetles. At night around the fire while roasting marshmallows and telling stories, listen to the sounds and guess what they could be! Are they frogs, crickets, owls or maybe elves. The children will enjoy this and come up with very weird ideas, but let them!
And that is how to help children enjoy camping, let them help and let them imagine things!
14 Comments
mumsoffduty
June 21 at 11:01 am
Neither my husband nor I are camping people but I know that our son will probably want to go one day! We’ll probably try it and absolutely love it! Great tips, thank you.
Sabina Green
June 21 at 11:34 am
You might surprise yourself, it really doesn’t have to be that bad with the right planning and right equipment x
motherhoodtherealdeal
June 21 at 12:06 pm
We’re lucky that my daughter absolutely loves camping but that is probably her age – a keen six year old! I’m guessing they need more encouragement as they get older?
Sabina Green
June 21 at 1:07 pm
We started camping when my now 6-year-old, was just 18 months, the others were 3, 5 and 11. I can honestly say they have all just grown to love it more as they have got older so fingers crossed for you too x
Kelly
June 21 at 9:57 pm
As a child I went camping every year but as an adult I enjoy my comfort so much, but it’s something I need to do with my daughter.
Sabina Green
June 25 at 12:08 pm
I definitely think camping is much more comfortable now than as a child. We use camping beds now, only the cheap ones from Go Outdoors and they are far comfier than an airbed which deflates in the middle of the night 😉
Lyndsey O’Halloran
June 22 at 6:50 pm
I would love to take Erin camping but we don’t drive so it makes it a bit hard.
Sabina Green
June 25 at 12:09 pm
There is a great camping group on Facebook called Tent Talk Camping Group with lots of campers who don’t drive and great tips on how to do it x
jennifuchs
June 23 at 9:38 pm
It’s not my children who need persuaded to be interested in camping – can’t say it’s top of my list of things to do… My husband and sons are working on changing my mind.
Sabina Green
June 25 at 12:10 pm
Haha, well, in that case, send all the boys off for a camping break alone and you can revel in a tidy and quiet house 😉 #winwin
happylifewithanuma (@aanumaa)
June 24 at 8:46 am
we have bought the tent but never dare to go camping with my little one but this post gave me cougage. thanks.
Sabina Green
June 25 at 12:11 pm
What? You’re halfway there, just do it, even if only for one night. Sometimes that’s all you need to get the bug x
Thoroughly Modern Grandma
June 25 at 8:39 am
Some great tips. Our 3 grandsons love camping and as well as camping with the family they’ve also been on a few trips with the Scouts. I think camping is a great way to relax and have fun.
Sabina Green
June 25 at 12:26 pm
My son has just been camping with the scouts and loved it, he can’t wait for next year’s trip. They learn great skills and independence too x