Camping With Kids

There’s something magical about camping that brings families closer together. It’s a chance to escape the routines of daily life, unplug, and create lasting memories. 

When it comes to camping with kids, the experience can be both exciting and daunting. We’ve had our fair share of challenges on our first camping trips as a family of five, but looking back, we realize that memories were made even among the struggles. 

Speaking of challenges on camping trips, here is a wild story from this past summer! We went to Bryce Canyon for a quick one-night camping trip. Our plan was to spend the better part of two days in the park, enjoying the hoodoos and doing some hikes. We planned to do our longest hike after setting up camp, so the other hikes would feel easier.

After arriving at the National Park, we found our campsite and headed straight for the trailhead. I had to feed the baby before starting the hike, so my husband decided to take the boys to the trail, and we agreed that I would catch up with them. I fed Lala, strapped her to me, and began heading for the trail.

After hiking for a few minutes, I hadn’t caught up with the boys. I thought that perhaps they had walked quickly down the steep hills while I was walking carefully, carrying the baby. I thought I saw my husband across the ridge, so I kept hiking.

After a while, I still hadn’t run into them, and I started to grow suspicious, wondering if the boys were whining, and Bryan was just walking fast. When I reached the fork in the trail, I didn’t see my family. At this point, I had hiked about a mile and realized I wasn’t entirely sure which way to go at the fork. We hadn’t discussed it.

I asked a fellow hiker to take a look at their map, and I found my way based on the conversation my husband and I had before the hike. Just in case I could catch up with my boys, I continued hiking.

As I reached the middle of the trail, I tried turning my phone off airplane mode but had no service. Since I had hiked about 2 miles at record speed with no sign of my family, I started to get worried. I began asking people hiking in the opposite direction if they had seen my family. Most hikers’ responses were, ‘I’ve seen a lot of kids on the trail,’ which was neither helpful nor comforting to me.

I reached the final fork in the trail. Both trails ended at the same point, but I didn’t know which one to choose. As I came around a corner and looked at the final part of the hike, it was steep, and I was tired. I was completely at my wit’s end. I hiked the last part of the trail, taking frequent breaks because of the quick pace I had been traversing the trail prior to this point.

Just before I reached the last stretch to the viewpoint at the end, I heard my name. It was my husband with my boys at the top. This gave me the last push that needed (and with no other option), I kept hiking.

When I finally reached the top, I found out that my family hadn’t even hiked the trail. When they got out of the car, they went in the wrong direction for the trailhead and took the long route to get there, all while I was feeding the baby. During that time, X had a meltdown and didn’t want to hike, so they walked back to the car and, because we had walked different paths to the trailhead, they had missed me. They tried to call me, but my phone was set to airplane mode. So, while I was hiking 3 miles with a baby strapped to me down into the Hoodoos and back up to get to the top, they walked the shorter route, 1 mile from viewpoint to viewpoint, and met me at the top. What an adventure that was!

Camping with kids rarely goes exactly as planned, but that’s all part of the adventure. Our recent back-to-back camping weekends didn’t unfold the way we pictured, yet they were filled with little moments that reminded us what camping is all about. I have some tips for making camping as a family unforgettable!

Be Present!  One of the greatest gifts of camping is the opportunity to be fully present. Children are naturally curious, and camping encourages them to explore their surroundings. Engage with their discoveries, encourage their curiosity, and take advantage of the chance to explore nature in ways that aren’t possible at home.

Unique Activities! Camping offers a setting for activities that are both unique and excitingly. Craft a bow and arrows from sticks, hike through scenic trails, catch frogs, shoot BB guns, or gaze at the stars around a campfire; the great outdoors offers endless possibilities for your kids to live out their wildest adventures.

Involve the kids! Make your kids an essential part of the camping experience by involving them in tasks such as setting up the tent, preparing a meal, or collecting wood. Older children can take on more responsibility, like helping cut wood or start the fire! This not only empowers them but also fosters a sense of teamwork and shared responsibility.

Special Camping Treats! Create a sense of anticipation by packing special treats that are reserved exclusively for camping trips. I remember the excitement of camping as a child, when we eagerly awaited those little indulgences like chocolate and strawberry milk or Twinkies. These treats not only add an element of fun but also become a cherished part of the camping experience.

Embrace the Dirt! Camping and dirt go hand in hand, especially when kids are involved. Instead of fretting about constant cleanliness, let them revel in the freedom to get a little dirty. Remember, a bit of dirt is a small price to pay for the joy of exploration. A wipe-down before meals and bedtime is usually all it takes to strike a balance between adventure and cleanliness.

Camping with kids may not always go as planned, but that’s where the true beauty of the experience lies. When camping as a family we allow our children to explore, discover, and embrace the outdoors. We create an environment where the magic of nature blends seamlessly with the joy of family togetherness. So, pack those special treats, leave the stress behind, and embark on a camping trip that’s bound to create lasting memories. After all, the nature of camping is in the memories we make!