It’s been a busy month at work, but you finally have the time to take the kids camping. You want to make campfires under the starlights and roast hotdogs while you laugh and tell them stories. Camping with your kids is a beautiful experience, especially when you can bond over the cricket sounds and enjoy each other’s company.
However, that potentially beautiful experience can turn out stressful and sour when you’re unprepared. While you can scrounge up equipment here and there when camping alone, you need to be more meticulous when kids are involved. Many things build up to having the best camping moments, including how prepared you are, how safe the trip is, and the camping gear you use.
You need to patronize a camping gear brand renowned for providing reliable equipment for family excursions when shopping for your tools and gear. We recommend VEVOR as a reliable company for your camping essentials. VEVOR, whose brand slogan is ‘Tough Tools, Half Price’ is known for its collection of durable and family-friendly camping essentials. As noted in the brand’s slogan, these tools also come at affordable prices.
In this article, we’ll give you a detailed guide on preparing for camping with kids, providing insights on what to pack, the gear you need, and more.
Table of contents
Choosing the Right Camping Style
Choosing the appropriate camping style can dramatically influence your family’s outdoor experience. There are three major camping styles: tent camping, recreational vehicle camping, and dispersed camping. Each option has benefits that cater to your family’s preferences and offer characteristics that make camping with children easy. We will discuss these options and how to make the best choice for your camping trip in this section.
1. Tent Camping
Tent camping with kids is one of the most affordable and fun outdoor experiences. Kids love to help around, and setting up the tent together gives you time to bond with them and gives them a sense of importance.
With only a tent and backpacks, you can teach your children about nature and survival skills. Because you may need to carry the tent up the trail, you should buy a lightweight, versatile, easy-to-pack tent. We recommend the VEVOR Canvas Tent. It’s spacious enough to contain eight people, has an easy 4-step setup, and can be used in three different ways: the full mode with the tent in all its glory, rolled door mode to take in the scenery and serenity around you, and the groundless canopy mode.
If an 8-capacity tent is too big for your small family, consider the 3-Person VEVOR Camping Tent. This tent is spacious, made with rain-resistant material, and has an anti-UV sun protection package that protects your family from UV rays.
2. Recreational Vehicles (RVs)
RVs blend home and nature without overdoing either. They are mobile accommodations with beds, kitchens, and even sometimes bathrooms. These mobile camps are perfect for families who don’t want to spend the first few hours of their trip setting up tents.
All you need to do is drive your RV around, pack in a lovely spot, explore the area, or watch the sunset, and your family can retire back into the RV for the night. But, even with RVs, you still need to enjoy your camping experience. You will need a stove, tables, and foldable chairs to camp outside the RV.
We recommend getting VEVOR’s Folding Camping Table which is built to hold different capacities and is also portable for moving. You can buy the 60 lb capacity that you can use for different purposes, from camping to making barbecues, or invest in the 200 lb capacity that can take more load but is just as easy to pack.
Now, you can either buy an RV or rent one. Recreational vehicles come in different types, and your rental choice depends on what you need and how you need it. Some of the types of RVs you can rent include Motorhomes, which are self-propelled with their own engines. You can also opt for a Towable attached to a towing vehicle that moves them around. The third is a truck camper, a demountable RV that can be loaded on and off the bed of a pick-up truck.
You can rent RVs from traditional rental companies or from private rentals that are more like Airbnb in the RV space. You can find RV owners willing to rent their RVs for your family camping trip on websites like Outdoorsy and RV Share.
3. Dispersed and Backyard Camping
Dispersed and backyard camping for kids introduces your family to a more gentle and serene approach to camping. Dispersed camping is when you set up camp outside designated campgrounds, usually national forests or public lands. You can camp on a stretch of land that oversees the horizon and enjoy quality time with your family.
If you prefer to camp at a designated area, you need basic amenities, as most campgrounds may not offer them. One of these amenities is a folding wagon for moving your stuff around. You can invest in a wagon for this purpose. VEVOR’S Foldable Wagon is crafted from high-strength iron and can take up to 220 pounds, so you can carry your chairs, food, gaming materials, and other loads and still fold back your wagon when you’re done.
Backyard camping is exactly as it sounds: setting up camp in your backyard. It’s an easier way to introduce your kids to camping without the stress of moving around. You can prepare everything in the comfort of your home, and you can always run back into the house in case of bad weather.
Essential Gear for Camping with Kids
When camping with kids, you need the right equipment, from shelters to cooking gear, that can help keep everyone safe and comfortable without losing the fun part of camping. If you’re unsure of what to get to make this happen, we have a list of essential camping equipment that eases the stress of camping:
Shelter and Comfort
Proper shelter and gear are the foundation of camping. A sturdy, spacious tent, like the VEVOR Canvas tent, will protect your family from outside elements. You can get comfortable sleeping bags with insulated pads for extra warmth and cushioning for colder periods. VEVOR also offers durable, foldable chairs that are easily transported and set up. The brand’s folding camp chair with footrest mesh and cupholder is perfect for relaxing with your kids.
If you have older family members, consider getting the VEVOR’s camping folding chair designed for adults. This chair can hold 350 pounds in weight and is lined with soft pearl cotton, letting you sit on it for a long time without discomfort. It also has storage bags to pack your beverages and other needed materials.
Cooking Equipment
When camping kids, you need the basic cooking equipment to keep them well-fed and nourished. Get a reliable stove and a set of dining utensils — plates, bowls, cutleries, and tongs. VEVOR’s Triple Burner Outdoor Camping Stoves are perfect for this purpose. They are designed for easy use and consistent performance.
The burner has a multifunctional gas stove perfect for outdoor camping and a high-temperature coating that makes it resistant to rusting or peeling due to high heat. Its triple-face burner makes it ideal for cooking everything from hot breakfast to afternoon snacks. They also have a compact, lightweight design that won’t overburden your load.
Safety and Navigation Tools
Safety is a priority when camping with kids. Ensure you have safety tools, like first aid kits, inhalers, medications, sweaters, bug repellents, and other essentials your children may need in place. You should also prioritize getting accurate maps and a GPS device to ensure you stay on the right path — you don’t want to spend your camping trip trying to find your way back after getting lost.
Preparing for the Trip?
So, what do you need for a camping trip? You only need the essentials when camping, and you can file these essentials under three categories. When making a camping list for kids, we’ve curated the three categories of essential things you will need. They are:
- Clothing: Pack weather-appropriate clothing for each family member. Include waterproof and warm layers. Don’t forget hats, gloves, and sturdy footwear. Some tiny details, like your kid’s favorite stuffed animal, can make a world of difference.
- Food: Plan meals and pack non-perishable foods, such as pasta, rice, snacks, and canned foods. Remember to bring enough water and beverages for the kids. When it comes to beverages, whether you’re packing your favorite canned beer or some Coca-Cola for the kids, they’re better served chilled. You need a movable refrigerator that’ll keep everything iced. The VEVOR 12 Volt, 58 QT Car Refrigerator is big enough for your perishables and bottled drinks. You will also need to store your perishables in the refrigerator to avoid them getting spoilt.
The VEVOR 12 volt, 58 QT car refrigerator has a fast cooling speed from 20℃ to 0℃ in 15 minutes and can last 10 hours even after unplugging from the power source—you’ll never have to worry about hot beverages or spoiled sausages on your trip.
- Entertainment: Include items that’ll keep everyone entertained—preferably a game the family plays regularly. It could be board games like Monopoly and Scrabble, books, frisbee, or football. You could also play a game of charades to keep the kids entertained.
Tips for Packing Efficiently
You may forget some things amidst all the packing, but it’s avoidable. Some of these tips will help you pack what you need without over or under-packing:
- Use a packing list. Write down everything you need, and check each item off as you pack. You can use that list as a reference to know if you packed everything. Write this list long before your trip date so you’ll have time to include everything,
- Pack smart. Use space-saving techniques, like rolling your clothes and using packing cubes, to manage your luggage space.
- Involve the kids. Let them pack their backpacks with their favorite items to teach them responsibility and ensure they have their essentials.
- Check gear beforehand. Assemble your tent before you leave home and check the functionality of your gear before your trip to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Activities for Kids While Camping
Camping generally gives children the opportunity to explore the natural world. This keeps them engaged, but you can also add a few recreational activities to enhance their experience. You can consider these few activities:
Nature Games and Exploration
Encourage your kids to connect with their surroundings. Create nature games and organize a scavenger hunt to help them discover local flora and fauna. You can take some binoculars with you to spot wildlife from far away. These activities are fun and educational for the kids.
Water Activities
If your campsite is near a body of water, incorporate activities like swimming, canoeing, and fishing into your daily activities. Ensure the kids are safe to go into the water and always have their life jackets on. Please avoid going into the water if you’re unsure of the safety of your wards.
Creative and Educational Activities
The camping time could be a great time to put the students through some creative and educational activities. For instance, this may be the perfect opportunity to do some guitar lessons learn about some basic crafts such as pottery, or pick up the skills required for storytelling.
Tips for a Smooth Camping Experience
It will be in the interest of everyone involved to have a smooth camping experience. This is even more important for parents or guardians when kids are involved.
- Get all the essential camping tools and gear before heading out.
- Teach the kids about safety. Ensure you lecture them about wandering off, going into the water unsupervised, or interacting with wildlife.
- Choose a campsite that’s safe and suitable for children. Look for flat terrain to pitch your tent and keep it sheltered from the wind.
- Don’t stay too close to water bodies for safety, and clear the area of debris before pitching your tent.
- You should plan simple and nutritious meals that require minimal cooking. You can make some meals in advance to reduce your workload at the campsite.
- Pack healthy snacks like fruits, nuts, and granola bars for quick energy boosts during activities.
By being intentional about ensuring a smooth camping experience, everyone will head back home happy and fulfilled.
Conclusion
Camping with your kids is an enriching experience that combines fun, learning, and a good time. The activities you incorporate into your trip teach your young companions valuable outdoor skills and bring your family together. However, you need the right gear to plan and execute these trips successfully.
Whether you need to set up a cozy campsite, prepare meals for your family, or keep them safe, VEVOR’s quality camping gear is the perfect tool for you. They don’t just offer top-of-the-line quality but are also renowned for offering significant value for money. Prepare for your next family outing by visiting the VEVOR website to explore and buy their collection of dependable camping gear.
