PLANNING YOUR FAMILIES FIRST CAMPING TRIP
As a young family, you’re probably looking for exciting adventures that are loads of fun for the kids and the parents alike. Taking the kids on a weekend camping trip offers all kinds of excitement for the whole family while also allowing for time to relax and enjoy each others company. If this is your first family camping trip together, you may be wondering where to start with regards to gear needed and ideas to keep everyone entertained.
Here is a list of essential items for that first family camping trip:
TENT
Of course, you will need a place to sleep for your first adventure. When choosing the right tent, the options are endless but it’s probably best to stick to the basics for your first trip. Consider what size of tent you will need based on the number of people that will be sleeping in it. A two man tent might be alright for your partner and you, but if you have children that will be joining, you will most likely need something bigger.
If you’re planning to bring along a playpen, toys and other items for children’s comfort, then you may want to consider a six or eight man tent.
These days, tents come in all sorts of sizes and styles, with options like dividing rooms easy to find. These provide a little bit of privacy and separation while spending time together in close quarters.
SLEEPING BAGS
Even while we’re camping, a large portion of the day is still spent sleeping. If we want to enjoy our days, it’s important that we still get a good night’s rest with as much comfort as possible. This will mean choosing a sleeping bag that is warm enough for the climate and provides enough comfort that we don’t wake up sore and tired.
There are many varieties of sleeping bags that offer temperature ratings for as cold as -30 degrees Celsius. While I wouldn’t suggest taking that first family camping trip in the middle of a northern winter, you should consider the climate you will be sleeping in and choose a sleeping bag to suit.
If you’re planning to camp in the summer, in most cases a standard inexpensive sleeping bag will do just fine.
When picking kids sleeping bags, there are just as many options as for adults. Keep it simple on the first trip. The kids will love having a mini sleeping bag to match mom and dads.
SLEEPING PADS
Once again, comfort is key here. If you want to make camping a yearly adventure with your family, it’s important to enjoy yourself on that first trip. Pack a sleeping pad that will provide a little bit of separation between yourself and the ground.
There are many options when considering how much cushion you will need. Do you know what the ground is like at the campsite? Is it flat or rugged?
Also, consider how much gear you want to bring with you. If you have loads of room to pack, you can bring extra blankets or an air mattress to sleep on which will ensure a comfortable sleep. If you don’t have a lot of room, a compact sleeping mat is likely your best option and there is no shortage in comfortable products.
COOK STOVE
One of the best parts of camping is enjoying the food prepared around the campsite. Whether it’s hot dogs and burgers, or steak and baked potatoes, cooking over an open flame brings out the flavors and nostalgia we’re all looking for.
Camping cook stoves are commonly fueled by propane, kerosene or butane and come in a number of sizes and configurations to suit any of your requirements. The sizes range from a small pot holder that attaches to a small propane canister, all the way to a size that would fit your whole kitchen.
Alternatively, you could option to bring along a charcoal grill or even a full size barbecue. One of the greatest new camping products I’ve seen recently is a grill with a hitch mount that attaches directly to the vehicles hitch.
You could of course choose not to bring any cooking stove along on your trip and instead rely on cooking over the open flame of a campfire. In this case, simply bring along a grill that will fit over the campfire and cook over the hot coals.
LIGHTING
You don’t want to trip on your way to the tent at the end of the evening. As we’re finding out about camping gear, we can see a common theme that our options are endless and we need to just focus on the items that work best for us.
Gas lanterns come in a variety of sizes and fuel types including propane, butane, and kerosene as well as others.
Solar lanterns have become more popular in recent years and have many added benefits. Aside from being environmentally friendly, they often have additional capabilities like phone charging ports. Of course, if solar isn’t your preferred option, battery powered lanterns are also available.
It’s a good idea to have a small, dimmable lantern inside the tent that will help children feel at ease about sleeping outside.
Bring along a flashlight or two as well as they are easily portable if you are taking a walk at night.
CAMPING CHAIRS
Don’t forget to pack a place to sit while you’re gathering around the campfire. Camping chairs come with all sorts of options like cup holders and side tables. There are single seats or couch versions that all fold down into an easily packable size.
Pick up a few inexpensive kid sized chairs and the kids will love sitting and staring at the bonfire flames late into the night.
TOYS AND GAMES
Keeping the kids entertained will ensure that both you and them have a great trip and will help get you all excited for future camping trips. Be sure to bring a few toys that they love and can play with on their own so that you can enjoy a little down time relaxing in the fresh air.
Also, make sure to bring activities that are fun for everyone and will help make lasting memories of your very first family camping trip. Things like frisbees, soccer balls and card games pack light and will keep the kids entertained for hours on end.
Why not bring out a Nature Scavenger Hunt card game that the whole family can play together, searching for pine cones and rocks among so many other items? Team up and play against each other for some family bragging rights!
Let’s remember that these camping items are for our convenience, but the real recipe to any successful family camping trip is relaxing and spending time with those that we love. This might be your first camping trip as a family, but if you let loose and enjoy this time with you children, I guarantee it won’t be your last.
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