Family camping trips with tiny campers should be fun for everyone. However, poor planning can often turn it into a disaster. It often happens due to a lack of understanding among family members regarding the activities and destinations that are not suitable for everyone. With these tips, you will increase the odds that your trip will be a success.
Remember, if you plan and are willing to make sacrifices, you will reap the benefits. Secure the support of your family first to make your first trip a success. After a few successful trips, you will probably see that your travels are going in the right direction. Well, you can remain open to the possibility of redefining your expectations.
Choose Your Destination Age-Appropriate
Your destination should serve two purposes to suit your family’s age. First, it should provide safety for children without parents having to worry all the time. Parents are often in constant fear for their children’s safety, but dads often choose their destination according to their desires with many risks. Dad’s scare is much lower than the mother’s, which causes friction and makes the trip a disaster from the start.
Adventures are great and part of outdoor adventure. Therefore, parents should negotiate and create these experiences more appropriate for all family members. Also, recreational opportunities are another vital factor to consider for children and teens. Try it to be as fun as possible, so your children want to be with you during this family trip.
When looking for camps, pay attention to the different options for recreational activities. Pay attention to your children’s interests and ages. If your kids are interested in history, you can camp near a Civil War battlefield. You can also rent a ski or water ski boat or arrange river rafting for your kids if they are interested in water sports. Maybe your kids like mountain biking. Find trails in an area suitable for their abilities and ages.
Ensure Mom and Dad Are on the Same Page
Make decisions together when planning the trip. It is common for a parent (usually the mother) to play a more significant role in the children’s daily activities. However, it does not mean this person plays a sole role in planning a family camping trip. Otherwise, you will find that one who is not involved in planning the trip will be unhappy with some aspects of the trip. You can lead your family as a team. However, mom and dad should have a fair spare of approval in deciding where and what to do after arrival.
Involve the Kids for Trip Planning
After the parents have established the basic parameters of the trip, the children can get involved. You can give them a list of options that will benefit everyone. Other advice applies to families with children with different interests. In this case, you should consider having your family spend some of the time separately to accommodate different interests. A second option is to divide the time so that each family member chooses one or two activities. It is usually best, although not practical.
Make Easy Meals
A healthy diet is crucial, but make some sacrifices on camping trips. There are few outdoor meals that kids enjoy more than hot dogs cooked on sticks over a campfire. A can of beans is a great way to keep campers happy. If you want a more substantial meal, it’s worth making the preparations at home, such as a stew. When it’s ready, you can freeze it in a container to reheat over the fire.
Pack Your Needs
During your first few trips, you will be carrying more than you need. It’s annoying to bring too much stuff because you end up taking more stuff home and, worse, having to take it on your next trip. Don’t be too strict with people and tell them what not to take. You will learn more about it as you gain experience. It is a good idea to give family members the responsibility of packing and unpacking their things. Thus, remember to be flexible and open-minded.
