Hiking Havasupai with kids

Picture this. You’re scrolling through social media, and suddenly, you see it – a majestic waterfall cascading over a red rock ledge and flowing into the most unreal turquoise-blue water you have ever seen. You wonder if the image is some sort of Photoshop magic, so you investigate. It turns out that the water really is that color. The red cliffs are real, and the waterfall actually exists.

From the moment I saw my first photo of Havasu Falls, I knew that I had to go there. Quickly, I added it to my bucket list and started researching. I didn’t know right away if hiking Havasupai with kids would be something that could happen. I dug around the internet and asked friends who had been before, and I’m here to give you all of the tips and tricks for hiking Havasupai with kids.

What is Havasupai?

The Havasupai Reservation is located in Northern Arizona. The reservation is surrounded by Grand Canyon National Park. It is home to the Havasupai Tribe of Native Americans. Members of this tribe have been living in the area for longer than has been recorded. Some say they have resided there for more than 1,000 years. The United States government allotted the tribe 188,000 acres of land. As of the 2020 census, a little over 200 people lived on the reservation. Visiting the Supai village is a privilege. There is no other place on earth quite like it. 

Havasupai is a remote and stunningly beautiful area known for its vibrant blue-green waterfalls, red rock landscapes, and the Havasupai Native American tribe that calls it home. The name “Havasupai” translates to “people of the blue-green water” in the Havasupai language, perfectly encapsulating the area’s most distinctive feature—the mesmerizing turquoise waters that flow through Havasu Creek.

The term Supai refers to the village within the Havasupai Indian reservation. Supai Village is the only inhabited area in the Havasu Canyon and serves as the administrative and cultural center of the Havasupai tribe. Havasu refers to the blue-green water of the creek. Havasupai encompasses the tribe as a whole, reflecting their historical and cultural ties to the breathtaking natural environment of the Grand Canyon.

Why visit Havasupai?

There are no roads that take you down into the Supai village. The only way to access it is by foot or by helicopter. The trek from the parking lot trailhead to the bottom of the canyon is 8 miles. There’s something special about going places that you can’t drive to. Remote places like this are getting harder and harder to find. With the incredible beauty of the waterfalls, Havasu Creek, and the towering canyon walls on either side, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Havasupai is not just a destination; it’s a classroom where adults and kids alike can learn about geology, ecology, and Native American history in an immersive and enchanting setting. For families seeking an extraordinary blend of adventure and education, Havasupai stands as an unparalleled destination, promising a journey filled with awe, inspiration, and shared memories that will endure for generations. 

When to hike Havasupai

The best time of year to visit Havasupai with kids is typically during the spring and fall seasons. April through June and September through October offer ideal weather conditions for a family adventure in the canyon. During spring, the temperatures are mild, creating a comfortable environment for hiking and camping. The waterfalls are also likely to be flowing at their peak during this time. Summer can be extremely hot, with temperatures soaring above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38°C), making it less suitable for families, especially with young children. Monsoon season in Havasupai typically occurs during the months of July and August. This period is characterized by increased rainfall, which can lead to flash floods in the canyon. Winter can bring colder temperatures and the potential for snow, making trail conditions challenging.

Accommodations in Havasupai

Hiking Havasupai (with or without kids) is not a day trip. Anyone entering the reservation must have previously made arrangements with either the campground or the lodge in Supai Village. The minimum stay is 3 nights. A room at the lodge for 3 nights in 2024 is $2277. 2024 Camping prices are $455 per person per night, with a 3 night minimum as well. My family and I went in 2023, and the lodge was under renovation at the time. We stayed in the campground. Campground reservations can be difficult to secure (see below for more info). 

The campground is 2 miles from the Village of Supai, where the lodge is located. It’s an easy 2-mile hike, and you even get to go past one of the smaller but still amazing waterfalls – Little Navajo Falls. There is a part of the trail where you cross Havasu Creek, just before entering the campground. My kids loved going over the bridges. I was a tad nervous because we had our packs on, and the bridges were temporary (more on that later), but no one fell in, and we all made it to the campground safe and sound! 

Reservations at Havasupai

The increasing popularity of Havasupai over the last decade or more has led to a fairly complicated campground reservation system. The first order of business is to create an account with the tribe. Initially, you can try to get in on their lottery for reservation dates. The chances of you getting chosen in the lottery system are very slim. 

Cancellations

However, another option is to take advantage of another group’s cancellation. You can go to the website and click on the link for cancellations/transfers. This list updates daily with reservation cancellations. This is how we got our reservations.

The hard part about the cancellation system is that the reservation is already made for specific dates and for a specific number of people. You have to be willing to go for the dates available with the correct number of people. It took me checking every single day for months before I found a date and a group size that fit what we needed. And you have to snatch it up immediately when you see it, because by the end of the day the available cancellations have usually all been taken. May the odds be ever in your favor!

Additional resources

The tribe also has an official Facebook page with loads of great information. As your trip to Havasupai with kids draws closer, you’ll want to check into things like the weather and other updates from the tribe. Their Facebook page is a wonderful place to read the experiences of others who hiked there recently and read information that the tribe has put out regarding trail conditions, etc.

Pack mule reservations

One other consideration to make when planning your trip to Havasupai with kids is whether or not you’ll use pack mules. You can pay to have some of the tribe members strap your packs to a mule and transport your gear to the bottom of the canyon for you. More information can be found on the reservations page after you create your account with the link above. There will be a button titled “Your Pack Mule Reservation.” 

Preparing for the hike (where to stay the night before)

Once you’ve made all your reservations, you’ll want to pack your bags. If you need information on how to pack for a backpacking trip with kids, check out that linked post for tons of great ideas and gear recommendations.

The thing about hiking Havasupai with kids is that the closest overnight accommodations are located at the Grand Canyon Caverns Inn in Peach Springs, AZ. If you want to get an early start on the hike (which I highly recommend), you will want to be as close to Hualapai Hilltop (the trailhead) as possible the night before. 

Grand Canyon Caverns Inn is also the pickup point for the tags you will need to have on your packs if you are sending them via pack mule and the permit you need to get onto the reservation. All I have to say about this place is that I am glad we only stayed one night. It’s definitely an experience. It’s a little over an hour’s drive from the Grand Canyon Caverns Inn to the trailhead.

On your drive, you’ll come to a stop sign that seems to be in the middle of nowhere. Someone will be at the stop sign checking to make sure you have a reservation, so you’ll want to have your paperwork handy. Once you pass this checkpoint, you’re almost to the trail head! You haven’t even started your adventure and it’s already been quite a road trip! 

Hiking the Supai Village trail

The distance from the Hualapai Hilltop trailhead to Supai Village is 8 miles. I won’t lie to you; it’s a long hike and a hard 8 miles. You start with a series of switchbacks going down into the canyon. There is almost no shade for most of the 8 miles, so be prepared with lots of sunscreen and any other sun protection you want.

In the summer months, temperatures can surpass 100 degrees Fahrenheit. We made the trek in March. The temperatures were mild, but the sun was shining. I made sure everyone had lots of water and encouraged them to remember to stay hydrated. 

Supai Village is a wonderful sight to see after hiking for 8 miles! We stopped at the little cafe there and ordered a snack to share. Then we started on towards the campground. Just before you get to the campground you’re met with the most amazing view of Havasu Falls! It makes all of the previous 10 miles worth it. 

Finding a campsite at Havasupai

The Havasupai Campground has no marked sites. All of the spaces are first come, first served. The Havasu Creek runs right through the campground, so if you can find a flat spot beside the turquoise waters you should snatch it.

The campground has a spring where campers can get fresh, clean water to fill their water bottles, as well as composting toilets on each end of the campground. Be sure to bring your own toilet paper though. 

There are some picnic tables dispersed throughout the campground. You’ll have to get there early if you want to set up your tent near a table. In my experience, other campers will share the table with you if you ask. It’s hard to cook without a table or a flat surface. Campfires are not allowed. You’ll need to cook on a portable stove.

Mooney Falls

After your first dayjust getting to the campground, it’s time to explore. The far end of the campground overlooks another phenomenal waterfall – Mooney Falls. We hiked down to this waterfall on our second day. From the top, it looks like a treacherous journey getting down. If you’re afraid of heights, this might not be the hike for you.

In order to get down to Mooney Falls, you’ll have to use the metal chain anchored into the canyon wall. There was a pile of gloves at the beginning of the descent, but if you’re very concerned about having gloves, please bring your own.

The chain is very wet. It isn’t hard to hold onto, though. The spray from the waterfall is continually soaking the area where the chain is. You’ll definitely get damp on your way down, and back up, the chain. In the summer this would probably be very refreshing! In the spring we didn’t take too long to dry so it wasn’t unpleasant to get a little wet. When was the last time you were close enough to a waterfall to get wet in its spray? I say embrace this amazing experience!

We stayed at Mooney Falls for a short time. The kids wore their swimming suits and got in the water a bit. It was magical to sit there and take in the waterfall. Mooney Falls was my favorite of all the waterfalls we saw in Havasupai. 

Beaver Falls

The hike from Mooney Falls to Beaver Falls is about 3 miles. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but you will cross Havasu Creek several times during those three miles. As you’re traveling with kids, this will take a while. Parts of the creek are fairly deep, about to an adult’s thigh. The water wasn’t moving very quickly while we were there, but you will want to be sure that your kids are within arm’s distance when crossing the creek.

The rocks in the creek shift easily and are slippery in places. There was one crossing where almost everyone in our group fell at the same part of the creek! Plan on getting wet by bringing quick dry clothes or packing an extra set of clothes in a waterproof bag. 

Bridges and ladders

When you’re almost to Beaver Falls you will come to a series of ladders leading up and down the boulders. There is also a creek crossing that, when we were there, was too deep to wade through. There was an existing “bridge” made up of a couple of narrow logs/boards that led to a rope you could grab to help yourself up a ladder waiting on the other side.

This, by far, required the most bravery and skill to accomplish, but everyone in our group made it safely to Beaver Falls. The youngest member of our group was 11 years old. I was never worried about whether they would make it, but we had to work together to get everyone up, down, and across all of the many obstacles between Mooney Falls and Beaver Falls.

When we got to Beaver Falls, a member of the tribe was there making sure everyone who went to the falls made it back out. There was a storm coming in, and it did end up raining hard that night. The tribal member let us know that we needed to head back to the campground by a certain hour, for safety reasons. 

Footwear considerations for hiking in Havasupai

Footwear is another important part of hiking in this area. Because you will be crossing the water several times, you’ll want to have suitable shoes or sandals. This could be sandals, water shoes, or regular tennis shoes if you have a backup pair to put on after the hike. The actual hiking part requires sturdy soles, so if you bring water shoes, I would either change into your hiking boots after crossing the water or bring water shoes with a sturdy sole.

I will also note that my husband carried several children (and also me) across the creek more than once. It took a long time to take socks and shoes off and then put them back on again after crossing. He’s a trooper!

Havasupai wildlife

Another highlight of our hike on this day was the wildlife. The canyon has a rich biodiversity of native species, such as mule deer, bobcats and bighorn sheep. We came around a bend and saw several bighorn sheep just hanging out on the side of the trail. They took no notice of us and continued to eat their delicious green grass.

The calls of canyon wrens echo through the air, while colorful songbirds flit among the vibrant foliage as you’re hiking. Keep a keen eye out for the turkey vultures soaring overhead and the acrobatic antics of agile squirrels and chipmunks scampering through the lush undergrowth. 

The Confluence

Though we only made it to Beaver Falls, the trail continues to the confluence of the Colorado River and Havasu Creek. From what I have read about this part of the hike, it requires even more water crossings and is not easy.

It’s about 5 miles from Beaver Falls to the confluence. I don’t think I would attempt it with younger children. However, if I had teenagers and they wanted to do the hike, I think it would be a realistic goal to make it to the confluence.

Day three activities: rest, explore, and fry bread

The tribe requires a three-night reservation, so on the third day, we got to rest a bit. We hiked the few miles back into the village for a snack from the cafe there. At the top of the hill, just before reaching the campground, there is something you will not want to miss. A couple of tribal members set up a fry bread stand. My son said eating the fry bread was the highlight of the trip, which is so funny to me! After you purchase the fry bread there is a table with chocolate syrup, strawberry syrup, peanut butter, honey, powdered sugar, and more. I think the kids put every one of the toppings on their fry bread!

After the most delicious fry bread treat we made our way back to the campground. We napped, played cards, swam in the turquoise water of Havasu Falls, and just enjoyed being in such an incredibly beautiful place.

The hike out of Havasupai

In all honesty, I was incredibly nervous about the hike out. Hiking down into a canyon and hiking all the way back up it are two very different things. The hardest part of the hike back, all of the switchbacks, is at the very end on the way back up. They come after hiking over 8 miles from the campground. The lack of shade made me nervous too, because if all went as planned, we would be getting to the switchbacks a little after midday, when the sun is high. 

Turns out I had nothing to worry about. The kids were literally running up the switchbacks at the end of the trail. They were so excited to get back to the car and take their packs off, they had no trouble with the switchbacks or lack of energy. I brought up the rear, and they were all waiting for me as I came up to the last turn! 

Hiking Havasupai with kids

Hiking Havasupai with kids is not for the faint of heart. It requires a lot of preparation and must be planned months in advance. However, all of the planning and preparation are worth it. As you navigate the rocky red landscape and crystalline waters of Havasupai with your children, the bond forged through shared challenges and the sense of accomplishment will create lasting memories for your entire family. Witnessing the wide-eyed wonder of your little ones as they explore this natural wonderland is a testament to the profound impact that such an expedition can have on young minds!

The breathtaking beauty of Havasupai, coupled with the educational experiences it offers, makes every moment invested in preparation worthwhile. It’s a journey that goes beyond the physical exertion, leaving you with a treasure trove of memories and instilling in your children a lifelong appreciation for the great outdoors. The experience is one that you will look back on for the rest of your life and think, “I can’t believe we did that!”

Have you ever hiked Havasupai with kids?
Would you consider it?

About the author

Wendy is a married momma who recently moved from San Diego to Virginia. She’s raising 4 human kids, 2 goat kids, 4 chickens, and one grumpy cat. She enjoys gardening, hiking, camping, backpacking, going to the beach, and generally getting out of doors. Wendy is a family photographer and also works at several local elementary schools as the garden educator. She dreams of traveling to all 50 states and beyond and believes that there is great beauty to be found in all parts of the earth; we just have to open our eyes to see it.

You can find more from Wendy online in the following locations:
Instagram: @wendycoxphotography
RWMC posts: Wendy Cox

The post Hiking Havasupai With Kids appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.

Exploring Iceland with kids

Top tips for visiting Iceland with kids

• Book ahead: Attractions, tours, hotels and campers become fully booked months in advance. Get in early with booking key aspects ahead of your visit, most are refundable if your plans change and you need to cancel. 
• Be prepared: Make note of the Met Office and Road Administration websites which provide real time updates on road, weather and geological conditions along your route. Staying safe is at the front of our minds when traveling with kids.
• Dress for the elements: Iceland’s weather can be unpredictable, so make sure to pack layers, waterproof gear, and sturdy shoes for the entire family.
• Safety first: Prioritize safety during your outdoor adventures. Teach your kids about the environment, follow marked trails, and be aware of weather conditions.
• Essentials: Stock up on supplies such as food, water, and warm bedding. Campsites are plentiful, allowing you to enjoy the serene beauty of Iceland’s nature while having essential facilities nearby.
• Embrace Icelandic cuisine: Encourage your children to try traditional Icelandic delicacies like lamb soup or skyr yogurt, providing them with a taste of the local culture.
• Unplug and immerse: Disconnect from technology and encourage your kids to engage with nature fully. Let their imaginations run wild as they explore Iceland’s majestic landscapes.

Camping in Iceland with kids

Iceland is incredibly well set up for campers with well-equipped campsites found easily across the country and no pre-booking is needed. Prices range from £18-25 per night for a small camper van pitch. The facilities can vary between sites, some campsites have only bathrooms, while others are equipped with playgrounds, kitchens and cafés.

We would certainly recommend staying at:

• Skógar Campsite: Located at the base of the thundering Skogafoss waterfall. Waking up to this epic waterfall was unforgettable, and being able to explore early when there was no-one around was magical.
• Vík Campsite: This one is only open in summer and located in the heart of beautiful Vík. Perfectly located for a walk to the beach… or the local pizzeria!
• Grindavík Campsite: One of the only camp sites we found with a playground and perfectly located near the airport and just a few minutes from the Blue Lagoon. This campsite is ideal if you are planning to visit the Lagoon early!

We often get asked if camping in Iceland was cold, and we can honestly say it was absolutely fine! Although, we would recommend renting a camper van with insulated sides, a heater and warm bedding. 

What to pack for Iceland

Flying with just cabin/carry-on bags not only saves money when you travel with budget airlines, but also drastically reduces the amount of time spent waiting for luggage in airports, which is always good when travelling with children! While that means less room for packing, it can be a really practical choice for camping when space is limited.

For Iceland, layers are key as the weather is highly changeable. progressing from scorching sun to ice rain in just a few hours. Thermal base layers, wool socks, wool jumpers and a waterproof coat are essential, along with a good pair of waterproof boots (snow boots or hiking boots depending on the time of year). Don’t forget swimwear if you plan to take a dip in any geothermal pools!

Aside from clothing, we packed basic camping items (such as torches) and entertainment for the kids on long journeys (e.g. colouring books, games, toys). We were able to pre-book all of the bulky items such as towels, bedding, cooking equipment and chargers through our camper van provider including towels, blankets, cooking equipment and charger packs.

The one challenge we experienced was being able to dry wet clothes when there was very little space to hang anything so it’s best to only take quick-drying layers rather than thick clothes such as jeans.

Iceland with kids: Seven-day itinerary for camping

Exploring Iceland is a wild adventure which can can take weeks, or even months to do fully. We initially had big plans to travel the entire ring road, exploring the lesser travelled parts of the island, however we soon realised this was overambitious with only seven days. Instead, we prioritised the waterfalls, black sand beaches, and glaciers of South Iceland.

Our 7-day itinerary is action-packed and completely manageable with young children so it’s a great starting point for planning your own Icelandic adventure! We built in down-time for the boys and some activities we knew they would really love.  

Day 1: Arrival – Reykjavik and Grindavik

Keflavik is a small international airport near Reykjavik where most flights to Iceland arrive. It’s very quick to get through as there are not many flights which is perfect for travelling with young children!

From the airport, we collected our campervan from nearby CampEasy HQ, which we had pre-booked to include car seats, towels, bedding and chargers, and set off on our Icelandic adventure!

The first stop was the supermarket to stock up on food for the week. It is incredibly expensive to eat out in Iceland at around £20 for fish and chips or £10 for tomato soup. Netto and Bonus supermarkets were reasonable, easy to find and stocked everything we needed. 

Camp overnight at Grindavik campsite to be close to the Blue Lagoon for opening time.

Day 2: Blue Lagoon – Seljalandsfoss – Skogafoss – Vík

Blue Lagoon: The bright blue geothermal pools of the Blue Lagoon were a highlight of our time in Iceland and despite our initial concerns around taking small children and ruining the ambiance, it was very well set up for kids! The boy’s entry was free and armbands were provided (and compulsory) for children under eight. To beat the crowds, head to the Blue Lagoon when it opens at 8am. 

Seljalandsfoss Trail: This stunning short hike starts at the car park near the impressive 130ft Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Seljalandsfoss was the only waterfall we discovered which has a narrow path leading into a cave behind the falls! There’s a short 1km gravel trail up to Gljufrabui, another impressive waterfall hidden away inside a cavern.

Skogafoss: Casting rainbows in its spray, this waterfall was truly magical and has featured on the big screen many times.

Along the section of the ring road near Vik you will travel through the other worldly mossy lava fields of Eldhraun. Created hundreds of years ago, and now protected, this expanse of undulating green domes is certainly worth a short stop. 

Camp overnight at Skogar campsite if you want a chance to visit with no-one else around in the evenings or early morning! Or head to nearby Vik and camp there..

Day 3: Vík – Jökulsárlón

Vik: Vik is an enchanting small town steeped in folklore and mythology. The black sand, dramatic rock formations and moody seas create a particularly cinematic atmosphere. The culinary delights of Vik tempted us away from self-catering for a few meals as we indulged ourselves at the epic Black Crust Pizzeria and the Skool Beans café (located inside a repurposed school bus).

Katla Ice Caves: A short guided super jeep tour from Vik will take you to the Katla Ice Caves. These are some of the only ice caves which are open all year round. They allow children over the age of six on group tours or you can book a more expensive private tour to take younger children. Helmets, crampons and headtorches are provided for this epic three hour adventure. 

Icelandic Lava Show: Watch volcanic sand transform back into lava in this impressive demonstration! Learn about volcanic eruptions in Iceland, how lava tunnels are formed and take home a little shard of dragon glass. Situated in Vik (with a second location in Reykjavik) goggles are provided… be warned though, it does get hot!

Reynisfjara beach: Follow the instructions at the entrance to this beach to avoid the deadly sneaker waves which claim lives on a regular basis. This dramatic black sand beach hosts a huge cave made of enormous basalt columns formed by volcanic eruptions. Follow the advice displayed, dont turn your back to the ocean and keep the kids close. If you are lucky you might even spot a few puffins!

Continue the journey east along the ringroad and camp near Jökulsárlón.  

Day 4: Jökulsárlón – Fjallsárlón – Vík

Diamond Beach: Iceland’s iconic diamond beach is located along the ringroad near the Jökulsárlón lagoon. Huge icebergs carried from the glacier lagoon by the outlet river wash up on the black sand beach. This creates the illusion of huge diamonds on the beach. There’s a car park near the beach and a cafe beside the lagoon to warm up after exploring the ice! 

Jökulsárlón lagoon: This is a quick stop or perfect picnic spot. Watch the seals frolic in the lagoon as bright blue, white and grey icebergs peacefully drift past. Lagoon boat tours are available here but the smaller (and cheaper) Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon is just a short drive away. 

Fjallsárlón lagoon boat tour: Probably the easiest way to get up close to a glacier with children in tow! Hop on a RIB boat and take a guided tour of a glacier lagoon. Minimum age of 5 but they were flexible with allowing younger children. Waterproof and windproof gear was provided for the trip.

Vestrahorn: If you have time and the weather is kind, you may be able to squeeze in a journey out to Vestrahorn and back to see the mountain. This was in our original itinerary but we scrapped it after encountering some awful weather! 

Head back to Vik to camp for the night.

Day 5: Golden circle: Vík – Geysir – Gulfoss – Þingvellir – Reykjavík

The golden circle is certainly the most travelled path in Iceland, and there is a lot to see. We didn’t think it really compared to the stunning waterfalls, glaciers and beaches of the south, but the boys were so excited to see the geysers we had to include it in our itinerary.

Geysir: A collection of bubbling pools and explosive geysers. The Strokkur geyser erupts every 5-10 minutes so the wait is never long. It’s an exciting opportunity to learn about geothermal activity as it happens! There’s a visitor centre and parking here. 

Gulfoss: A short drive from Geysir, you will hear this thundering waterfall before you see it! A short walking route offers views over the waterfall at a few different points. The children weren’t too interested in this one as it’s so immense you can’t get very close. Worth a stop if you choose to travel the golden circle route. There’s a visitor centre, cafe, shop and carpark.

Þingvellir: Picturesque and dramatic scenery… but not much for the kids to do. Older children may enjoy hiking along the trails but we headed to Silfra where the crack between the separating tectonic plates can be found. There was a waterfall and some short trails here. 

Head to Reyjavik for the night.

Day 6: Explore Reykjavík

Reykjavik is a small, welcoming city which is home to around half of Iceland’s residents. There are plenty of shops, restaurants and street art to explore. 

Perlan Museum: You can get a taste of all things Iceland in one place at this interactive and educational museum! Experience the Northern Lights in the planetarium and explore the longest man made ice cave. Learn about volcanoes, glaciers and Iceland’s wildlife then head to the rooftop terrace for views over Reykjavik. 

Sun Voyager Sculpture: Make a short stop at the Sun Voyager sculpture on Reykjavik’s seafront to take in the mountain views. 

You may also enjoy heading up the iconic Hallgrímskirkja church for more views of Reykjavik. 

Camp in Reykjavik or back at Grindavik campsite.

Day 7: Depart Iceland

The final day of exploring Iceland with kids! We had an early flight out of Keflavik but if you had time you could visit the nearby Hopsnes lighthouse or spend more time in Reykjavik. Head home, taking photographs and memories to treasure forever!

Traveling to Iceland with kids

The endless opportunities to learn about the natural world and the intriguing folklore stories makes it the perfect place to take the kids. So, what are you waiting for? Gather your loved ones, and get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey through the stunning landscapes of Iceland. Let the windswept beauty of this Nordic gem ignite your family’s sense of wonder and create cherished memories that will last a lifetime. It’s time to embrace the wild and experience the magic of Iceland with your adventurous little ones by your side!

Additional resources

If you love this post, make sure to check out some of our additional family-friendly travel content on Iceland, Estonia, and the Azores.

• Chosen by kids: Top 5 things to do in Iceland
• Christmas in Estonia with kids
• The wild Azores with children

Is Iceland on your family’s bucket list?

About the author

Aimee is a humanitarian worker and photographer based in the UK. As a mum to two young boys, she spends much of her time outdoors in nature and enjoys traveling with her family. Aimee loves to support other families to explore with young children by sharing tips and inspiration.

You can find more from Aimee online in the following locations:
Instagram: @how_i_wander_uk
Website: How I Wander

The post Exploring Iceland with Kids: 7-day Camper Van Tour appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.

Camping food ideas kids will love (beyond hot dogs)

Many people think that camping food for kids begins and ends with hot dogs. And although we consider a crispy hot dog cooked over an open fire a delicacy hard to beat, our family also has many other yummy campfire favorites. 

Pretty much anything can be cooked over a campfire, with the proper tools and a little patience! Frying homemade donuts, baking bread, cooking steaks—you name it, you can cook it over an open fire. If you think about it, you’d have a hard time coming up with a food that can’t be cooked outside or wouldn’t taste better over an open campfire! You can cook things in a skillet, on a grate, on a camp stove, or in a foil packet directly on your campfire. With so many ways to cook, it can be overwhelming even to know where to begin. 

Today, we’re focusing on easy camping meals and simple recipes that your kids will love helping with AND eating. The camping foods for kids below, include meals, snacks, and desserts. These recipes are our tried-and-true favorites and are destined to become the stuff of magical memories made by my kids over the campfire. I hope you’ll add a few of them to your camping menu on your next camping trip! Because the best camping food is made and enjoyed together, outside. 

Cooking that involves the whole family

I’ve learned that if I try to do all the camping food on my own, I quickly start to feel stressed and overwhelemed. Everyone else is relaxing and enjoying themselves, while I’m busy trying to cook food over an open fire without burning it, balancing utensils on a nearby log, keeping things from falling in the dirt, and making sure no one gets burnt. Campfire cooking is a juggling act for sure.

But, one of the ways to make camping meals easier is to have help from the rest of the family! Many hands make light work, and if you include your whole family in the meal prep and cooking, it makes a huge difference.

Luckily, this doesn’t take a lot of prodding or begging for help on my part. Kids naturally love to help, and they love to try food that they’ve made themselves. Even if it’s a new food or one they don’t eat regularly, they’re much more likely to be excited about eating it if they’ve helped prepare it. It’s a win-win! 

Safety first

Just like with any other kind of cooking, the most important thing is to make sure everyone is safe when you’re campfire cooking with kids. Make sure all your children understand the importance of being careful around a campfire and know what to do in case of an emergency. Remind them of some basic safety rules: no running near the fire, be careful of any hot pots or utensils, keep a respectful distance from the fire, and no waving the hot dog sticks in the air. (There are few sights more terrifying to me than several children waving flaming marshmallows on hot sticks around a campfire!)

It helps to have a strong visual boundary around your campfire, like a metal or rock fire ring. As adults, we have to remember that our kids are often unaware of potential dangers. Part of the beauty of cooking together is that you can teach them these things firsthand. Kids are more than capable of learning how to safely function around even potential dangers like a campfire.

Basic equipment for camping food

When you’re gathering equipment to cook camping food and assemble your camp kitchen, you want to keep your supplies and equipment as simple as possible. Everything we’re sharing today can be made with three key items: (1) a hot dog stick, (2) a cast iron Dutch oven, and (3) a hobo pie iron. These three pieces of equipment have become our go-to campfire cookware. Let’s take just a minute to look at these three items and all the possibilities they represent.

Cast iron Dutch oven:

From bread to soup and everything in between, the Dutch oven is a camping food workhorse. Make sure to get one with a lid and a handle, if possible. You can hang it from a tripod over the fire, set it on top of a grate, or nestle it among the coals. With a dutch oven, you can cook biscuits, then bacon, then scrambled eggs for breakfast – all in one pot. You can simmer soup in it for lunch, and then cook our delicious kielbasa, beans, and red potatoes dish in it for supper.

A cast iron dutch oven really makes any kind of cooking possible over an open fire! I’m still working on consistently not burning the biscuits…but one day, I’d really like to master them and move on to bread!

Hobo pie iron

Hobo pie irons are an incredibly fun way to cook camping food and make the perfect kid-friendly camping meal. They elevate any sandwich to an experience of crispy, melty goodness. They can also be used as mini skillets to reheat leftovers, cook hashbrowns, make pancakes, and much more.

If you have a large family, it’s nice to have a couple of pie irons in order to keep the hobo pies flowing. We currently just have one double pie iron for our family of six, and it makes for a slower meal experience, but it’s still doable. Sometimes our extended family makes hobo pies for large family gatherings, and it’s a bit of a hectic event, with multiple irons in the fire and assembly-line sandwich prep going on. But it’s always a ton of fun.

Hot dog stick

I feel like these go without saying. If you’re planning camping food, you’re going to want some sticks to roast hot dogs or marshmallows on at some point! They’re certainly the tool that’s easiest to improvise out in the wild. All you need are some straight sticks and a knife to sharpen a point at one end. A wooden skewer could work, but you’ll want something with a large handle that won’t burn. It’s nice to have these sturdy wood and metal ones that can balance your hot dogs better and cook multiple marshmallows at once.

Other equipment for camping food

There are so many different ways to cook when you’re camping. We like to bring a foldable cooking grate when we’re camping because it makes it a lot easier to cook over a fire. Some campgrounds provide a fire ring with a grate built in, but not all of them. Foldable grates are fairly compact when folded up, lightweight enough to carry around easily, but reasonably tough and sturdy.

Some thick hot mats or cooking mitts are also important for camping food, especially when you’re handling cast iron or if you’re letting your children help with hot items. It’s nice if they’re extra-durable because cookware can get REALLY hot over a fire.

You want to be sure to pack some sturdy cooking utensils, preferably ones with long handles for cooking over a campfire. You don’t need a bunch, but I always bring some cooking tongs, a spatula, and a couple wooden stirring spoons.

Lastly, tin foil is great to have on hand when camping over an open fire. Foil-wrapped meals can be customized to suit all tastes and make great healthy meal options. You can make your own aluminum foil packs for quick and easy meals with zero clean-up! 

Breakfast hack for camping mornings

There’s nothing quite like waking up in the morning to singing birds and the relaxing sounds of nature all around. Slow mornings camping are one of my favorite things. But, we all know that mornings with kids just don’t stay slow for long! It’s inevitable that someone is asking for breakfast before you’re even out of your sleeping bags. Suddenly that vision of peacefully sipping your coffee around the campfire evaporates, and you’re scrambling to assemble breakfast ingredients before the water is even hot enough for coffee.

So, before we even discuss breakfast, here’s my best morning camping hack: pack a bag with a variety of granola bars, protein bars, breakfast biscuits, etc. While you’re getting the fire going and making that coffee, let the kids grab a snack from the bag. Mom and Dad get a few minutes to enjoy their coffee, and no one starves before the bacon is cooked. You can thank me later for that one. 

Breakfast over the campfire

I really believe that simple is best when you’re camping. At home, I typically make most of our food from scratch and emphasize healthy meals. But, that requires plenty of ingredients, time, and dishes. If you’re able to juggle that all on a camping trip, I commend you! But, in order to make our camping food easy and fun, I often rely on more pre-made foods when we’re camping for ease and convenience. 

For breakfast, one of our favorite meals is cinnamon rolls, sausage, and hash browns. These are all favorites for the kids to help with. (Other favorites include make-ahead breakfast burritos, but we’ll save that recipe for another day.) 

Campfire cinnamon rolls

Cinnamon rolls are a great camping food for kids. Refrigerated cinnamon rolls are a great way to experiment with Dutch oven baking over a campfire and are one of my favorite easy breakfast ideas. When we’re camping with limited prep space and trying to keep ingredients as simple as possible, pre-made cinnamon rolls straight from the can make everything soooo much easier! Let your kids open the package and separate the cinnamon rolls into a greased Dutch oven. Give them a little space to rise and allow some room in between them to flip them.

Put the lid on the dutch oven and set it over a hot section of slow-burning coals on a grate or a tripod. You don’t want these over open flames or they will burn very quickly! We’ve found that the best way to not burn them at first is to check the bottoms often. Of course, they bake better if you keep the lid on. But, if you aren’t confident with your fire’s temperature, just keep an eye on them. When they are golden brown on the bottom, use a spatula to flip each one over. Then watch the bottoms again. 

Learning to cook over the fire by trial and error

If your fire has a pretty nice spread of coals, they will probably take about the same amount to brown the second time. This whole process usually takes about 10-15 minutes. Every fire is different, and the kind of wood you are using affects how hot it is…which is why campfire cooking is such a trial-and-error thing.

Remove them from the fire and let your kids spread the icing on them (remember, cast iron holds heat for a long time, so you may want to set the cinnamon rolls on a plate first if you’re concerned about small hands brushing the hot pan) and enjoy! Even when we’ve burnt the bottoms a little, these little treats have been a huge hit around our campfire.

Camping breakfast sausages and hash browns 

While the cinnamon rolls are cooking, pull out the hot dog sticks and the hobo pie irons. If your kids are old enough to handle a hot dog stick safely, let them cook their own sausage links just like a hot dog. This is such a fun activity for little people.

Pro tip: buy precooked sausages! This easy food takes all the fear out of making sure the sausages are cooked enough. All the kids have to do is get the sausage heated through. And they can munch on them as soon as they are cool enough to eat.

Meanwhile, separate the halves of the hobo pie iron and let the kids lay the hash browns on them. Lay these across a grate or prop them between rocks to use them as mini skillets to cook the hash browns. Once again, minimal prep and fuss involved! You can remove them from the fire and let an older child flip them once one side is browned.

Let everyone help with camping food

I’ve discovered that letting our kids help with simple tasks like these has really increased their confidence and ability to work safely around a campfire. They know things are hot and take care not to burn themselves. Each time they try, they are a little more capable of flipping things, handling things with hot pads, and working safely around a fire.

Lunchtime around the campfire

Easy, adaptable, and delicious, hobo pies are our family’s favorite campfire meal! They require minimal cooking skills and very basic ingredients. Our favorites are sandwich hobo pies: the pizza sandwich (mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and pizza sauce), the classic sandwich (all varieties of lunch meat, cheese, and condiments), and the dessert sandwich (any flavor of canned pie filling, topped off with marshmallows).

Once the flavors get melted together in a sealed pie iron over a campfire, the taste is unforgettable! Making an entire meal of hobo pies is entirely acceptable. So is eating the dessert pies for breakfast. But, we usually round out hobo sandwiches into a healthy meal by adding fresh veggies and fresh fruit, like grapes or apples.

Making hobo pies

Get your kids involved in the process of making hobo dinners and lunches by letting them help build their sandwiches. Set out the ingredients and let them create! Kids have so much fun layering on their chosen meats and cheeses for hot sandwiches or smearing a piece of bread with pie filling to create an amazing camp pie. Just remember to help them not fill their hobo pies TOO full (especially the fruit ones), or they will be hard to eat! 

Cooking with pie irons with kids

After you assemble your sandwiches, cooking them is pretty simple. Preheat your pie iron over the fire, grease it lightly with butter or cooking spray, and then center your sandwich on the iron. Close the pie iron tightly and be sure to clip the little clasp on the handle closed, so the pie iron seals shut. We like to use a knife to trim off any bread crusts hanging off the edge before we start cooking them.

Then, cook the hobo pie until it is lightly browned on each side and the center is nicely melted. You have to pay attention to the heat of your fire to get it right—but it’s not hard. It works best to cook them slowly over a moderate fire or section of coals. When they’re finished, be sure to have a plate or clean surface ready to flip them on to (not styrofoam or plastic, because it will melt!) so they can cool before everyone dives in!

Snack time: kid-friendly trail mix

Whether you’re spending your day hiking, swimming, or just hanging around the campfire, the kids are sure to be ready for a snack before too long. Before you head out on your camping trip, have your kids help you put together this super easy, kid-approved trail mix to add to your stash of camping food! This is the easy way to make camping snacks ahead of time. 

My favorite part about trail mix is that it’s totally adaptable to your kids’ tastes and preferences. Even picky eaters can customize their trail mix to their exact likings. You can even just open your pantry cupboards and add whatever you find. The idea is to add enough nuts for protein, some dried fruit for nutrition, and some sweets, just for fun.

Kids’ trail mix recipe:

• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup honey-roasted peanuts
• 1 cup cashews
• 1 cup peanut butter chips
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 cup M&M’s
• 1 cup mini marshmallows
• 2 cups Cheerios

Mix together and store in an airtight container, or divide into snack-size bags for individual portions to stash in backpacks.

More kid-friendly camping snack ideas

• Tortilla chips and salsa
• Beef jerky
• Granola bars
• Fig cookies
• Cheese, sausage, crackers
• Fresh fruit
• Pre-cut veggies
• Mixed nuts

Camping supper idea: kielbasa, beans, and red potatoes

After a full day of outdoor adventures, everyone is always starving for dinner! Make-ahead meals and foil-pack meals are great for camping. But, my favorite camping supper is this one-pot meal because it’s so quick and easy to throw together, and then you can relax while it simmers over the campfire. In my opinion, it’s the perfect camping food. It requires a minimum of refrigerated ingredients and can feed large groups of people, which makes it perfect for camping, too. The yummy sausage-like meat is always a favorite of kids everywhere.

Memorable camping food

This was the meal I packed for our family’s first-ever camping trip, when our oldest was a toddler, so it’s a personal favorite. We were traveling home from somewhere and planning to stop over for a night in a campground in the Appalachian Mountains. I stashed a couple of cans of beans and a bag of potatoes in the back of the car somewhere and a package of kielbasa in our cooler. We arrived at our campsite in the middle of nowhere right at suppertime, with the ominous rumbling of thunder across the mountains. 

Somehow, in the midst of gathering firewood, building a fire, and trying to set up our borrowed tent, we also managed to chop the potatoes and meat and get this meal cooked over the campfire. We burrowed into our tent with our pot of kielbasa just as the storm broke loose. It was a long day and this meal hit the spot. It has remained a favorite meal for our family over the years, and one I often rely on when traveling or camping because it’s so easy. Sometimes a great camping meal will bring back memories and make you smile. 

Kielbasa, beans, and red potatoes recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 package (1 lb) Polish kielbasa
• 6 large red potatoes (or feel free to swap out a few for sweet potatoes)
• 2 cans of green beans
• 2 cloves garlic
• Salt, pepper, and seasoned salt (I use the Bearded Butchers Blend Original seasoning. It’s a local favorite, made right up the road from our home, but its great flavor and clean ingredients have made it popular everywhere!)

Instructions:

Mince garlic and saute in 1 T. butter or olive oil in a Dutch oven. Wash and cut potatoes into medium-sized cubes, then add to Dutch oven. Slice kielbasa and stir in. Add green beans and salt/pepper to taste. Saute for approximately 5 minutes, then add a cup of water and put the lid on the Dutch oven. Let simmer on the hot coals until the potatoes are tender. You want to make sure to keep just enough liquid in the pan to keep everything from sticking to the bottom, but not too much (this isn’t a soup). When it’s finished cooking, there shouldn’t be excess liquid in the pot.

Add some biscuits to any meal

Freshly cooked biscuits go perfectly with any good camping meal (and are sometimes the best part of the meal!). If you’re ambitious, you can make biscuits from scratch. Sometimes I mix my dry ingredients together before we leave to create my own “just add milk” biscuit mix. Other times, it’s WAY easier just to use canned biscuit dough! The good news is that both options taste great!

You can bake biscuits in the Dutch oven the same way you do the cinnamon rolls—check them often and flip them when the bottoms are browned. If you only have one Dutch oven, it’s a good idea (and probably easiest) to bake the biscuits before you do the Kielbasa, Beans, and Red Potatoes. Just wrap them in a towel to keep them warm until supper is ready…if they last that long!

Camping dessert: s’mores buffet

Let’s be honest – you just can’t beat s’mores for a favorite campfire dessert for every age! S’mores are the classic camping food for kids. This easy crowd-pleaser is the quintessential campfire dessert. But, in case you’ve gotten a little tired of the classic version, or if you’re just looking for an extra-fun variation, try a s’mores buffet!

Mix and match to try all kinds of new flavor combinations, and be sure to add your own favorites, too!

The base:

• Classic graham crackers
• Chocolate graham crackers
• Round chocolate cookies
• Round mint chocolate cookies
• Oreos
• Fudge stripe cookies

The middle:

• Basic marshmallows
• Square marshmallows
• Flavored marshmallows

The toppings:

• Milk chocolate bars
• Reese’s Thins
• Peanut butter
• Sprinkles
• Mini chocolate chips

Mom hacks for s’more fun

• Set all your ingredients out on a tray, so they’re easy to access! Every parent knows how quickly s’more-making gets out of control once the marshmallows start melting.
• Even if your kids can toast their own marshmallows, keep at least one adult with both hands-free until all the kids’ smores are made. That way, someone is available to help when a kid’s marshmallow is slipping off their stick or catches on fire.
• Always have a wet cloth or a bucket of warm soapy water handy before you start making smores with kids! It makes all the stickiness just So. Much. Easier.
• Don’t give in to the temptation to buy the giant “campfire” marshmallows. I know they look amazing and fun. But they’re just too big to fit into a s’more, and the mess that ensues is EPIC. Ask me how I know…
• If you want to make s’more even more fun, put your marshmallow and toppings inside ice cream cones, wrap them in foil, and cook slowly over the campfire for a warm, melty delicious treat. Great option for little kids that aren’t ready to cook over the fire on their own. 

Camping meals made simple

And there you have it! One full day of fun, easy campfire meals that you can make with your kids and that they will love! Some of our family’s best camping memories are centered around simple meals like these and the time spent cooking them together. I hope your family will enjoy them as much as we do!

What’s your family’s favorite camping food?

About the author

Leslie is an Ohio farm girl and chaser of light, children, and sometimes chickens. She’s a lover of Jesus, wife to her high school sweetheart, and a homeschooling mom of four wild rascals who love the great outdoors as much as she does. As a family, they love hiking, camping, fishing, and just about any outdoor activity. She and her husband are just beginning the process of building a homestead from the ground up, doing most of the work themselves. Leslie has a lifelong obsession with writing and capturing everyday life from behind the lens. Follow along with their homesteading, homeschooling, and everyday adventures on her Instagram account.

You can find more from Leslie in the following locations:
Instagram: @c_l_allofus
Leslie’s RWMC posts: Leslie Alvis

The post Camping Food Your Kids Will Love Eating & Making appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.

*This post contains affiliate links.

The appeal of RV camping

So, you want to travel and experience the great outdoors, but you’re not quite ready to sleep on the hard ground and wash your dishes in the creek? Then RV camping might just be the way to go for you! From compact pop-ups to luxurious fifth-wheel trailers, not to mention full-sized RV’s, this kind of camping provides options for every family and budget.

From state and national parks to dedicated RV campgrounds, when RV camping, you can stay at locations around the world for a fraction of the price of a hotel or vacation rental. RV camping also gives you a lot of flexibility to camp during seasons when the weather is not ideal for camping in a tent. RV camping also allows you to carry some of the comforts of home with you while embracing the adventure of traveling and experiencing the great outdoors. 

Considering an RV for your family?

When our family began considering camping as a more affordable way for us to travel, we weren’t entirely sure if tent camping was for us. But sleeping (basically) outdoors, staying in gorgeous natural locations, and waking up to fresh air and the birds singing all around? Absolutely! That’s when we began to research the concept of RV camping.

We found a cheap little pop-up camper off Craigslist and took off on an eight-day camping trip several states away, cold turkey. There was definitely a bit of a learning curve involved, but over the years we’ve learned a lot about how to make RV camping a success. Today the six of us are living full-time in a 27-ft RV trailer while we build our home, so we’ve got a good bit of RV camping experience to draw from.

Tips for RV camping with kids

RV camping may sound intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! It’s easier than you think, and with this post, we’ll make sure it’s your best family camping trip ever. The tips and advice in this post have been tried and tested by our team of expert RV moms. We’ve each spent significant time RV camping with our kids and have learned a lot in the process. So, whether this is your first trip out in an RV with your family or you want to make sure your next trip is a big success, here are the things you’ll want to consider when RV camping with kids. 

Tip #1: How to choose the right RV for your family

If you’re thinking of getting started RV camping, you’ve probably already learned the options for RVs are endless. How do you ever choose what rig is right for you? Frankly, I think a lot of it will boil down to two questions: (1) your preferred style of camping, and (2) budget.

RV camping style and budget considerations

The first thing you’ll want to consider when choosing the type of RV to purchase (or rent) is your camping style. Ask yourself what kind of RV camping is most appealing to you and your family. Do you want to be close to nature and have more of a traditional tent camping experience? Or do you want all the luxuries and conveniences of home wherever you travel? 

The second main factor in selecting an RV, for many of us, is budget. How much do you want to spend on your camper? The vast array of RV campers on the market today is astonishing. Ranging from questionable older models to shiny luxury homes on wheels, there is an RV camper option in every price range. Pop-ups are pretty affordable (based on what we saved for vacation accommodations, ours paid for itself in two years), while some full-sized RVs can cost more than a house. 

Pop-up campers

If you prefer to be as close to nature as possible, but still have a solid bed to sleep on, a sink to wash dishes in, and some storage, then a pop-up camper might be a good option. A pop-up camper is basically a trailer that folds out into a tent. Pop-up camping comes with a lot of perks. Most pop-ups have 2-3 roomy beds, which easily sleeps 4-6 people. They have an interior kitchen table with seating, cabinets for storing dishes and food, a battery-operated power system, and water tanks/hookups with at least a sink inside.

One downside to pop-up camping is that set-up and tear-down are a bit labor-intensive. Also, you’re still at the mercy of the weather. If it’s hot, you’re sweltering. If it rains, you may discover leaks. And if it’s cold, you will be chilly! However, pop-up campers are a great way to still enjoy the beauty of the outdoors and experience nature, while still having some major conveniences and accommodations. 

Dealing with weather when pop-up camping in a storm (a night to remember)

I’ll never forget one blustery, stormy night we spent in our pop-up camper in the mountains of Tennessee. Between listening to the wind trying to blow us away and trying to adjust a space heater to keep our kids from freezing, we didn’t get a whole lot of sleep. At some point, though, we drifted off and woke at dawn to find out we were all in one piece still. My husband triumphantly shouted, “We made it!” and thrust an arm into the air in victory.

However, my husband has remarkably long arms, and his fist connected quickly with the canvas over our bed, which had been gathering condensation all night as we tried to heat that little camper. A shower of water droplets rained down on us and I shrieked in dismay, waking the kids at the other end. They, of course, thought the condensation rain was hilarious and started showering each other in their bed. But we did make it, and the story is now a fond part of our family camping memories.

Full-sized RV campers

On the other hand, if you want an RV camping experience that is more like your own custom AirBnB on wheels, with a solid roof overhead, a bathroom, a full kitchen, and bedrooms with doors that close, you may want to look into a full-sized RV trailer. Full-size RV campers come in a variety of sizes and styles, with 1-2 bedrooms as well as convertible sleeping areas. The size, style, and newness of your RV will depend a lot on your budget.

Setting up a full-sized RV is a breeze—some campers even have self-leveling jacks to make it even easier. Just plug in your electric cord and your water hose, and you’ve got all the comforts of home, anywhere you choose to park. Other than the hefty price tag, the only downside of a full RV is the need for a towing vehicle and hauling skills. But, if you have a heavy-duty vehicle and some backing-up skills, you’ll be just fine!

Photo credit: Katie Fox @hiking.motherhood

Pro tips for choosing the right RV for your family

The Run Wild My Child team is filled with quite a few moms with significant RV camping experience. Tips and advice included below come from me, Leslie Alvis, Katie Fox (@hiking.motherhood), and Kathleen White (@faithboundfamilyadventures). Our team of experts weighed in with their tips on how to choose the right RV for your family. All of our experts are current or former full-time RV moms, with multiple kids that have traveled extensively in their RVs. Here’s what they had to say…

Rent an RV before you buy one

Pro tip from Kathleen: Honestly, if you’re an RV camping newbie, you won’t know exactly what you’ll want or need in an RV until you start RVing. When choosing an RV, there are so many factors to consider like family size, travel style, budget, RV type, etc. There’s no one right answer for your family, and if you’re just getting started, you may not know what you want, need, or will use.

I highly recommend trying a few different varieties and options of RVs before you commit to buying one. You can rent an RV from a local RV dealership/rental place or through a website like Outdoorsy. Outdoorsy lets you rent RVs directly from the owner (like VRBO for RVs!). You can search by RV type, price, location, size, and date available. They also provide 24-hour roadside service. Some will even deliver the RV directly to you! If you already own an RV, you can even list it on Outdoorsy for rent and earn extra income! 

Take an RV trip before purchasing to get a feel for your style and the amenities that you like and/or need. Maybe try a few different types of RVs. Once you figure out some of those things, you can determine the best option from there.  Start where you are with what you have, and you’ll figure it out as you go. 

Photo by Kathleen White @faithboundfamilyadventures

Set your budget and choose your non-negotiable features

Pro tip from Leslie: When it comes to choosing the right RV for your family, the decisions and options can be really overwhelming. I suggest starting by deciding on your budget and non-negotiables, then stick to them. For instance, our budget and non-negotiables were: (1) we weren’t willing to spend more than X amount of money on an RV, and (2) for full-time living, we had to have bunk beds for all our kids, not just convertible sleeping areas, (3) we needed a full kitchen. Once we knew exactly what we needed, we started looking and were able to find something used in our area that met all those requirements.

If you take your time in RV shopping, you will find something that meets your needs in your price range. Many used RVs are in great shape and much more affordable, so don’t be afraid to shop used. RV dealers have entire catalogs of used and new campers for sale in every region. If you’re willing to do your homework and know how to check over a camper for problems (or know someone who does), consider shopping private sellers through sources like Marketplace and Craigslist.

Pick an RV you have the ability to tow

Pro tip from Katie: This may sound like an obvious tip, but when you are out looking at travel trailer RVs at a dealership (or when the perfect RV pops up in Facebook marketplace), it is so easy to forget that you are actually limited to what your tow vehicle can safely tow. Not abiding by tow vehicle weight restrictions is a huge factor in RV-related accidents. Make sure to research what your vehicle can safely tow and search for RVs that meet this requirement. 

Some things to keep in mind regarding RV weight and towing

The dry weight of an RV (the weight of an RV as it is sold off the lot brand new), does not include the weight of water or waste in your tanks. It also does not include all of your camping gear, clothing, food, etc. And the amount your tow vehicle can safely tow also depends on how much weight is in the tow vehicle as well. In general terms, you must include all added weight to your tow vehicle (people, pets, car seats, bikes, etc.) and the weight of the RV and the gear inside it. 

Tip #2: Make RV camping reservations

Many campgrounds stay pretty busy during peak camping season (May through September). In order to be sure you have a place to stay when you reach your destination, you’ll want make reservations in advance! Making campground reservations for your RV is quick and easy to do online through the campground’s website. And one of the best ways to be guaranteed a good site is to make your reservations as early as possible.

Booking the best RV campsite locations

When we first started RV camping, we learned quickly that the best sites—the ones closest to the lake or river, the bathhouse, and the ones with the most space—get reserved earliest. Any RV park or campground we’ve ever stayed at has the best spots filled the whole time we’re there! There may be sites available for spur-of-the-moment camping trips, but they are often the least desirable ones. They may have less shade, be tighter to get into, or have less room between neighboring campsites. Sometimes this can lead to a slightly uncomfortable camping experience, and sometimes it’s just fine! We try not to let the campsite keep us from having a good time. Because even a less-desirable campsite is better than not camping at all! 

Size matters

The larger your RV rig is, the fewer options you will have when choosing an RV campsite. Our little pop-up can sneak into some non-electric camping sites, but a full-sized RV trailer is a lot more limited in its site options. When you go to the campgrounds’ website, you will enter your rig’s size. Then, they will show you the available campsites that meet your RV’s specifications. Some campgrounds have all the full-sized RVs lined up in rows; others spread them out more naturally among the trees.

Hookups and more

The campsite you choose should depend on what you’re looking for and need during your trip. An easy parking experience and full hookups are usually available, but you might not have as much shade or privacy. The good news is that a larger RV has its own creature comforts, such as a bathroom and air conditioning, so you aren’t quite as dependent on nature for comfort (or need easy access to campground bathrooms). If you want a more nature-oriented environment, you might have to look through a number of campground maps to get a feel for what is available, then make your reservations early.

Pro tips for making RV campsite reservations

Use Google Earth to scout your site

Pro tip from Leslie: When making RV campsite reservations, use the campground map alongside a Google Earth satellite image of your campground. The campground map gives you the location of each site and shows you its proximity to the other campsites and amenities. Some campgrounds will even show you a photo of your potential campsite from the road, but not all of them.

Google Earth satellite shows you what the actual natural surroundings look like. Are there trees on your campsite? How close is it to the road? Will you be able to walk down to that lake, or is it thick woods with a sharp drop-off down to the water? Depending on what season the satellite image was taken in, you may be able to get a pretty good idea of what your campsite really looks like.

Tales from a terrible campsite

One summer, during the busy family camping season, we made a desperate attempt to get away last minute. Every state park campground in our state was booked full, but we finally reserved one spot in the non-electric portion of a campground. It wasn’t far off the lake and seemed like it would work.

What we didn’t realize was that there was not a speck of shade on that entire campsite. It was 95 degrees each day that weekend, and our little pop-up camper was like an oven. The trees that ran between our campsite and the lake were dense woods full of poison ivy, the beach at the lake was suffering from a crazy algae bloom, and the weekend was very nearly a total disaster. We only salvaged that camping experience by packing our crew up and driving to one of the Great Lakes for the last day. Lesson learned: use Google Earth to make sure your campsite is actually a comfortable place to stay! Just because there’s a parking space on it doesn’t mean it’s where you want to spend the weekend.

Read campground reviews

Pro tip from Katie: If you have the time, browse campground reviews on sites like Campendium or even Google to see what others have said. Often people will complain about noise, sloped sites, crowded sites, etc. Or, they may share some positive things about the campground that you didn’t know. These reviews may reference certain campsites or be more general, but either way, they help you gather information about the campground to help you make an informed decision on when, where, and whether or not to book. 

Pro tip from Kathleen: RVing now is so different than when we first started a few years ago. The pandemic has pushed more people outside and camping (traditional and RV camping) are much more popular, so campgrounds are full. We used to book things on the fly and be okay. Now however, depending on where you’re going, you may need to book far in advance (and by far, I mean months). State parks are one of our favorites and often have more openings. Apps like Campnab can alert you when booked campgrounds have openings too! 

Photo by Katie Fox @hiking.motherhood

Tip #3: Stocking your RV

Now that you have your RV and booked a campsite, here comes the fun part! You get to stock up your RV with every comfortable, fun, and convenient household item you like! There are so many benefits to vacationing in your home on wheels. If you’re planning to use your RV frequently, I highly suggest having some items that you keep in the camper, so it’s easier to just toss some clothes in a bag and go! 

Every parent knows that packing for a trip with kids can be stressful. Especially when you’re camping and bringing all your food and gear, it can feel like your packing list is never-ending. However, having your RV already stocked with towels, extra blankets, sleeping bags, and some basic kitchen items makes it so much easier!

Make stocking your RV affordable

It might sound like you need a lot, but you don’t have to run out and buy everything brand new. Getting your RV ready to go camping doesn’t have to break the bank! I stocked our camper with our older towels, some recently replaced pots and pans, and some extra food storage containers. We added a few old blankets from the back of the linen closet, along with the sleeping bags (which I store in the camper). I keep small containers of dish soap, hand soap, and items like ziplock and trash bags in a drawer. 

I thrifted some like-new plates for our camper so we could go through fewer single-use paper goods. I also up-cycled some glass jars for large drinking glasses and food storage. These simple and eco-friendly choices for our camper only cost a few dollars. Knowing that all those basic items are already packed and ready to go always make camping trips easier.

Pro tips for stocking your RV

Use different colored towels

Pro tip from Leslie: Use a different color bath towel for each member of your family. Unlike at home, where every member of the family probably has their own towel rod or hook in the bathroom, camper life is a bit more crowded. Towels end up anywhere and everywhere, or all mixed up on a clothesline. Having a different color for everyone makes towel ID a breeze. Stash a clothesline and clothes pins in one of your outdoor compartments to use for quick, easy towel drying on a daily basis. As a bonus, towels that are air- and sun-dried smell fresher longer, so you can go longer between washings!

Don’t be afraid to use real dishes

Pro tip from Katie: A lot of the time, people bring disposable dishes (like paper plates and plastic utensils) camping, and this continues in RV camping as well. It can be much easier to use disposable dishes, but it is far more cost-effective and eco-friendly to purchase plastic or sturdy dish sets or use something you already own. Yes, you will have to wash the dishes regularly. Yes, it may seem lame to do this while on vacation. But, having RV or camping-only dishes saves you a ton of money and makes prepping for a trip so simple. The dishes are already in place and ready to go. Target has BPA-free plastic plates, bowls, and cups that are perfect for camping gear and a great addition to your RV checklist. 

Photo by Kathleen White @faithboundfamilyadventures

Tip #4: Understanding the tanks in your RV

Perhaps the biggest learning curve to RV camping is dealing with the tanks. Freshwater, gray water, black water—these tanks become the foundation for your daily water usage. Gray tank= sink water and shower water. Black tank= all other waste. Knowing how much each tank holds and how to empty and/or fill them is a vital part of RVing.

I certainly never wanted to know so much about waste water! But, once you understand your tanks and get used to taking care of them, it becomes second nature. If you’re camping with full hookups, you don’t have to worry too much about how much fresh water you use. This is great for long trips. But, it is important to realize that what goes into your waste tanks must be emptied! So, if you don’t want to empty your tanks until you’re done with your stay, you may have to be conservative with your water usage. This really depends on how many people are in your family. Our family of 6 can go through a fair amount of water on a daily basis, even if we’re being careful.

Different parks have different hookup methods

Some RV parks provide wastewater hookups at each campsite, which makes all of this easy! You hook up your hoses, and you’re good to go. All the state parks that we’ve camped at just offer dump stations, where you can empty your tanks as you leave. Or, if you want, you can hook everything up and drive over to dump your tanks mid-stay. But, that’s a bit of a hassle – once you’re parked, it’s nice to be able to stay put. Some people carry portable waste tanks that they empty their tanks into and haul over to the dump station. Other campers use water very conservatively and use the park bathrooms as much as possible to avoid having to empty their tanks during their stay.

A side note about those tank sensors

As a side note, tank sensors are notorious for going bad in an RV. Much like driving a vehicle without a working fuel gauge, it’s entirely possible to live without them. But, you’d better have some idea of the amount of water you’re using and the state of your water storage system. Currently, none of the sensors in our RV work, which means we need to keep track of our water usage, so we don’t run out of water mid-shower or discover the bathtub full of gray water. (But who are we kidding? The bathtub gets used as an overflow tank fairly often. It’s just better if it doesn’t happen while all the dirty laundry is piled in it!)

Once you’ve been RV camping for a while, you get a rough idea of how much water your family uses and how long it takes to empty/fill the tanks. Or…just replace the sensors!

Photo by Kathleen White @faithboundfamilyadventures

Pro tips about RV tanks

Know your black tank info

The black tank absolutely must have liquid in it to function. I know, you really don’t want to think about it. (I didn’t, either!) But what goes in, must flow back out. For the toilet waste to decompose and drain properly, you must start with 5 gallons of water in the black tank. We learned this lesson the very, very hard way. So just trust me and add the water.

Even if you’re boondocking and trying to conserve water, the black tank is not where you want to skimp on water usage. Pour in the five gallons of water. Then add these easy treatment pods to eliminate odors, or else dissolve 1 cup of borax into a gallon of hot water and add 1 cup Dawn dish soap. Either treatment helps with odor control.

Also, make sure to use RV toilet paper or a readily-dissolving toilet paper. These tricks will keep everything working the way it’s supposed to, so you can go have fun and not have to worry about unclogging a very nasty mess!

Conserve water while washing dishes

Camping in an RV often lends folks to use sinks and showers/bathtubs like they do at home. And if you have full hookups (power, water, and sewer), you can absolutely use water the same way you do at home. But, if you do not have a sewer hookup or if you are using water from your freshwater tanks, you need to use a lot less water than you do at home. 

One tip to help with dishes is to have a dish tub that fits in your sink and fill it 1/4 of the way with warm soapy water. Use this water to wet and wash your dishes and then rinse them with a low trickle of water right above the tub. The clean soapy water goes into your dish tub and fills it slowly, giving you more and more water to wash with after each dish. It also gives you a visual of how much water you are using, which helps you get better at using less. You can either dump this in your sink where it will go to the grey tank, into your black tank (if you need to add more water into it), or you can take it to the campground wastewater disposal site. 

Tip #5: Meal planning for RV camping

One of the economic benefits of traveling by RV is that you can easily meal plan ahead of time and then prepare meals for your family, right there in your camper. Even our tiny pop-up has a sink, a little fridge, and an indoor/outdoor two-burner propane stovetop. Full-sized RV’s have very functional kitchenettes that include ovens and microwaves. The convenience of an RV kitchen on a road trip gives you a lot more flexibility (and affordability) with meals than eating out or cooking strictly over a campfire. And it’s not weather-dependent, either! A lot of RV’s have an outside propane burner for outside cooking, but you can also cook in the camper whenever the weather is bad.

But, planning and packing for all your meals when camping can feel a little overwhelming. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be! My number 1 camping meal planning tip is to keep it simple. Stock your fridge and cupboard with basic condiments and seasonings that you will use for multiple meals. Both prep and storage space in a camper are limited. Think of some of your family’s favorite easy meals that call for few ingredients.

Don’t be afraid to use some convenience foods, even if you normally cook from scratch. This is supposed to be a fun time for you, too! You don’t want to spend the whole time camping cooking. When we go camping, we like to include “fun” foods that we don’t normally eat at home. The way I figure it, we’re still saving a ton of money and eating healthier than if we were eating out. The kids are thrilled, and it helps keeps meals fun and easy.

Pro tips for cooking when RV camping

Use cast iron

Bring a cast-iron skillet or dutch oven that you can use in the oven, on the stove, or over a campfire. Cast iron is incredibly versatile! It’s worth the extra weight because it’s just so useful in all kinds of camping cooking. I can use my cast iron for baking biscuits in the oven, cooking eggs over the campfire for breakfast, making macaroni and cheese on the stovetop, and baking a pizza for supper. Fun and easy food for a whole day, all in one dutch oven.

Tip #6: RV packing list, storage, and organization

Once your RV is packed with your basic kitchen and household essentials, it makes packing everything else so much easier! You just have to consider clothes, personal items (soap, shampoo, medications, etc.), gear for activities, and food items. One great thing about RV camping is that it’s so easy to pack everything up inside! Similar to car camping, you’re not limited by space. You’ve got room to stow everything you want or need — just make sure it’s securely packed for traveling.

I like to pack food items up in small plastic totes. I fill one with breakfast and snack foods, one with non-perishable ingredients, and one with kitchen supplies I’m bringing from my home kitchen. These fit right into the cupboard, and they’re out of the way while we travel.

Make a list of the outdoor activities you’re planning and the gear you need for them. Warm weather activities will be different (and need different gear) than outdoor winter activities. The outdoor storage compartments on an RV are a great place to store outdoor gear. Hiking gear, baby carriers/strollers, colder weather clothing, life vests, swimsuits, and extra gear can all be stashed away in the outside storage areas. They’re out of the way of your immediate living quarters but handy to reach when you need them.

Photo by Katie Fox @hiking.motherhood

Pro tips for packing your RV 

Use stacking plastic drawers

For packing clothes, use stackable plastic drawers that work with your small space. These fit right into most bedroom cabinets/closets and make packing and keeping clothes organized so easy. No suitcases or duffel bags piled on the floor or beds! Give each person 1-2 drawers (based on how much space you have), and voila! Clothes are packed. Even in a pop-up camper, which doesn’t have as much cabinet space, plastic drawers or packing cubes are a great solution to the chaos of having multiple people’s clothes/bags lying around.

Entertainment for the kids on rainy days

Another RV packing list you should definitely make is for rainy day games and easy activities to do close to the RV. Let’s face it: everyone who camps knows that sometimes the weather will NOT cooperate! And sometimes, you just need something to keep the kids occupied at the nearby picnic table while you’re busy. By planning ahead, you can have an entire collection of fun activities for everyone to do in or near the RV while the rain pours down outside. I like to pack a tote just for this with things the whole family can play together. I include some favorite board games, coloring books, crayons, play dough, cards, and some special toys or crafts from the dollar store. The very novelty of having a bin full of games that don’t come out unless it rains adds a certain allure to some very ordinary and familiar items.

Family camping checklist

Every family’s packing list will be different based on when and where you’re camping, the ages of your kids, the weather, the amenities, your comfort level, your camping experience/skill, and tons of other factors. I highly recommend you start with our family camping gear checklist as inspiration, but make your own master copy of your camping packing list and update it with your family camping essentials every time you go camping. Keep track of all the items you have packed and stored in the RV already, then add your clothing items and other camping gear.

Your camping packing checklist will change quite a bit over the years as you think of things that would make camping better, as your kids grow, as the seasons change, and as you get more comfortable camping. Making your own list will trigger your brain to remember things that may be important to your family. When packing, make sure to check each item off your list as you pack and then double-check your camping checklists (just in case you got distracted when packing) so you don’t forget any important items.

Tip #7: RV must-have items

RV camping is so flexible that there aren’t too many things you absolutely have to have, but we’ve found a few items that are invaluable for making your RV camping experience fun and easy.  Here are a few of our RV must-have product recommendations to add to your RV essentials checklist: 

Command hooks: You can use these anywhere and everywhere. From hanging clothes and bags to kitchen utensils, to towels and shower items, we’ve stuck them all over the camper and use them constantly! The best part is that they cause no damage to the wall and can be removed entirely when you’re finished!

Stick vacuum: No one really wants to clean while you’re on vacation. But camping with kids = messes, no matter how you do it. Whether you’re at the lake or in the woods, you’re sure to find your floor covered with sand, dirt, leaves, and (of course) crumbs. Our cordless stick vacuum is an absolute lifesaver. It’s small enough to fit into a side compartment and useful enough to make it worth the space it takes up! With one easy tool, I can sweep the linoleum floors, the rugs, and the carpet, and get the edges of the room with the wand. The floor goes from gritty and disgusting to clean in just a few minutes.

Stainless steel cups: Lightweight, unbreakable, and stackable, these cups solved our drinking cup problem and are a great addition to any camp kitchen. I wanted something reusable and plastic-free that would hold up to indoor-outdoor camping life and also stack to save cupboard space. These cups have been perfect! Even better, you can write names on them with a permanent marker so the kids can use the same cup all day long, reducing dishwashing and water usage.

First aid kit: The more time you spend outside with your kids, the more likely we all are to encounter some sticky situations. Cuts, scrapes, burns, and bruises can happen. Even when we’re being careful. A first aid kit is an essential item for your RV, as well as anytime you’re out adventuring with kids. 

Duct tape: You won’t believe how many uses you’ll find for duct tape. From patching holes to hanging items, repairing rips and sealing seams, duct tape is a super versatile tool that every RV owner should have on hand.  

Magnetic knife strip: This is a great way to keep your sharp knives off the counter, out of the way of small fingers, and still easily accessible! Ours has been invaluable for handy knife storage. The only thing is that you might want to tuck the knives into a drawer on travel days. 

Photo by Katie Fox @hiking.motherhood

RV camping with kids

RV camping and RV travel with kids can sound overwhelming when you’re first getting started, but it’s worth it. I hope this post has made the process a bit more manageable so you know what you’re getting into. Whether you’re hitting the road full-time in your RV or just heading out for a long weekend in your pop-up, I know you’ll have a great time making lifelong memories with your children. The learning curve isn’t nearly as steep as you might think – just remember that the most important thing in RV life is to have fun! 

About the author

Leslie is an Ohio farm girl and chaser of light, children, and sometimes chickens. She’s a lover of Jesus, wife to her high school sweetheart, and a homeschooling mom of four wild rascals who love the great outdoors as much as she does. As a family, they love hiking, camping, fishing, and just about any outdoor activity. She and her husband are just beginning the process of building a homestead from the ground up, doing most of the work themselves. Leslie has a lifelong obsession with writing and capturing everyday life from behind the lens. Follow along with their homesteading, homeschooling, and everyday adventures on her Instagram account.

You can find more from Leslie in the following locations:
Instagram: @c_l_allofus
Leslie’s RWMC posts: Leslie Alvis

The post RV Camping with Kids: Tips for Success from Full-Time RV Moms appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.

*This post contains affiliate links.

Ultimate camping gear list for families

Is a camping trip with your family on your summer bucket list? Are you planning to visit one of the national parks or even just a small-town campground? Camping is an amazing outdoor experience for the whole family and totally worth all the work. (Yes, it’s work.) It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you start thinking about everything you need to bring when camping with kids. But don’t worry, we’re here to help!

Let this post filled with family camping essentials and our downloadable ultimate family camping gear list be your guide! Whether you’re a camping expert or a camping newbie, having a list is a great way to stay organized and not forget any important items and start making some family memories! We’ll help you get started making your family camping packing list with everything you need to have a fun and well-stocked experience! 

Photo credit: @roaminggonzalez

Before you pack, do your research

The first thing to do before you ever start packing is to research your campground/campsite and make yourself familiar with what’s there and what’s available. Campgrounds can vary widely in the amenities that they offer. Basic amenities at most established campgrounds include bathrooms, showers, picnic tables, water spigots, trash/recycling, and firepits. Beyond that, you may also find campgrounds with playgrounds, splash parks, stores, restaurants, bike/boat rentals, hammock hook-ups, ice makers, electricity, hot tubs, movie nights, zip lines, laundry, wifi, swimming pools, nature crafts, yoga classes, and so much more! 

Check to see if your local campground has information online about the layout of your specific campsite so that you can see how much space you’ll have and what is already there. For example, some campgrounds have water access, a fire pit, a picnic table, and electricity! Some sites have none of the above, so you’d be “roughing it” and will need to bring more in order to be best prepared. Either way, you’ll still need to bring various items for a successful trip. 

Photo credit: @wildstokefam

How to acquire your camping gear affordably

Camping gear can be expensive, so it’s worth trying to find your items below retail price. Gently used equipment can be just as good as brand new at a fraction of the cost. Whatever works for your family’s budget and needs is the best option. Here are some ways to save money while still acquiring everything you need:

• Check your local “buy nothing” or yardsale sites on Facebook. 
• Look for camping gear rental services near you; by renting, you can test a product to see if you like it before taking the plunge on a purchase. 
• Buy in the off-season or during big sales; prices are sometimes better.
• Borrow from friends.
• Ask for camping gear as gifts from family or friends for holidays or birthdays.
• Check thrift stores; this is where we found our cooler & camp chairs.
• You local “dollar store” should have inexpensive utensils, tablecloths, flashlights, and snacks.

Camp packing tip: make your own list

Every family’s packing list will be different based on when and where you’re camping, the ages of your kids, the weather, the amenities, your comfort level, your camping experience/skill, and tons of other factors. We’ve done our best to provide you with a family packing camping list that you can use as a starter to make your own. We’ve  included all the basics, but we’ve also added a ton of optional items you may (or may not) want to bring. You don’t need to bring everything! Camping is all about the simple life, so just bring what you need to feel comfortable.

We highly recommend you start with our list as inspiration, but make your own master copy of your packing list and update it every time you go camping. It’ll change quite a bit over the years as you think of things that would make camping better, as your kids grow, as the seasons change, and as you get more comfortable camping. Making your own list will trigger your brain to remember things that may be important to your family. When packing, make sure to check each item off your list as you pack and then double-check (just in case you got distracted when packing).

Camping gear for babies and toddlers

Any age child is old enough to go camping. However, as parents, we know that babies and toddlers tend to be more high-needs than elementary-aged kids and above, and that goes for the camping gear we need to bring too! Whether this is your baby’s first camping trip, or 10th, there are some specific items that you may want to bring for your babies and/or toddlers while camping. Here are a few of our top recommendations:

• Pack and play – This can be a safe spot for your child to play in outside at the campground and can also serve as a bed inside your tent.
• Outdoor gate – An adjustable play gate can allow your child to play safely on the ground while still being enclosed within a safe area. 
• High chair – If your baby or toddler is used to eating in the same high chair daily, you may consider bringing it. This will make mealtime easier for everyone!
• Kid carrier – A hiking backpack or carrying sling can be helpful, especially when you go on adventures. 
• Sound machine – If your campsite has electricity, a sound machine can be helpful to drown out the extra noise during nap time or at night. 
• Stroller – Besides being a great way to transport your little one, a stroller can also help carry gear.
• Comfort items – If your child is used to sleeping with a special baby, stuffy, toy, or blanket, be sure to bring it! 

What to bring when camping with dogs

Dogs love to camp! If you can take them, camping can be a great experience for your family and your pup! Here are some things to remember if you’re bringing your canine friend along for the adventure:

• Dog bed – If your dog is used to sleeping on a bed every night, don’t leave it at home! You want them to feel comfortable while camping and have a place to rest during the day.
• Leash and dog lead – Even if your dog is the “goodest-boy ever” you still want to have a leash and even a dog run for your campsite. This is for your dog’s safety as much as anyone else’s.
• Dog food – You’d think this would be a given, but sometimes, I forget it if it isn’t on a list!
• Dog bowl – Always keep a bowl of fresh water out for your pup, especially in hot weather.
• Outdoor dog pen – Sort of like a playpen for dogs, this small but helpful pen will keep your dog contained. 

Camping gear you actually need

There’s a lot of gear you can take with you when you go camping. However, you don’t always need all that stuff. If this is your first time camping with kids, you’ll probably significantly overpack, and we’re here to tell you that’s ok! We know that sometimes having everything you just “might” need with you means that you’ll feel more confident going. And if that’s the case and gets you out the door, by all means, pack away! 

However, with a little experience, you’ll quickly realize that you don’t need nearly as much stuff for an overnight camping trip as you might think. And actually, the less
stuff you have, the easier it is to get out of the house, and the more creative and resourceful you (and your kids) will learn to be. But again, that takes time (something to look forward to, right?).

For now, we’ll go over the basics of what you need and give you plenty of suggestions for optional items you can also bring to make camping more comfortable and help you feel more prepared.

Photo credit: @kristcx

Basic camping gear list

Let’s start with the basics of traditional tent camping. Here’s what you will need most of these items for even a bare-bones camping trip. 

Tent

You’ll want to be sure you have a tent that is the appropriate size for your family. Tents run on the small side – the number of people that your tent says it’ll hold is only that, leaving you no extra room for gear, luggage, mattresses, spreading out, etc. We recommend upsizing when possible. For example, we have an 8-10 person-sized tent for our family of 4. Having room to move around inside the tent and our sleeping space is key. Also, make sure your tent has a rainfly for protection from the elements. You can leave it off for extra fresh air when it’s not raining.

Here’s a great post on the best way to choose the right tent for your family and our top family tent recommendations.

Tarp or footprint

This item is to lay underneath your tent as a moisture barrier and protect against abrasions and punctures. Not all tents come with a footprint included, so this is something that you may need to find or purchase separately. Make sure the footprint is a bit smaller (up to 2 inches smaller) than the outline of your tent. This may sound counterintuitive, but if the tarp/footprint extends out from under the tent edge or is the same size, it can cause water to pool between the footprint and your tent floor in the rain. 

Sleeping bags 

Sleeping under the stars is always a great idea, unless you can’t get comfortable and stay warm. One key element to this issue is a well-fitting, cozy sleeping bag. For kids, a bag like the Kids Kelty Mistral that keeps kids toasty in temperatures below 40-degrees, is a great investment. For the smaller ones, a sleeping sack/bag made for babies, like this one from Morrison Outdoors, might be just the right fit. If you’re camping in the summer, it may be enough to just bring extra blankets and sheets and sleep on top of your sleeping bag. 

Sleeping pad or cot

Every good camping sleep system also includes a sleeping mat or a cot. Mats are a great option because you can buy them a little big to last a longer. A self-inflating sleeping pad like the REI Kindercamp is nice and worth the extra cost because the kids can help set up their own sleeping spot and you don’t need to bring an additional air pump. If you want something bigger (for multiple kids or kids plus an adult, we love the REI Co-op Camp Dreamer Double Self-Inflating Deluxe Bed. If you’re looking for something that gets your little one off the ground, or if you have multiple kids and are tight on space, check out the Kid-O-Bunk bunk bed cots.

Photo credit: @coleyraeh

Illumination – headlamps, flashlights, lanterns

You’ll want to be able to see in the dark when camping. Headlamps offer a perfect hands-free illumination option. Once placed on the head your kid can freely move about without worrying about dropping something or shining it in the right place. We love these high-quality adjustable Petzl Tikka headlamps. Flashlights are a classic option and come in so many fun colors and sizes. Small flashlights like these EverBrite Flashlights come in multiple packs for the whole family. If you’re looking for something a bit more substantial, these LED tactical flashlights are bright, rechargeable, magnetic, and waterproof. Lanterns come in all shapes and are made from a variety of materials. One style to consider is an ultra-lightweight inflatable lantern like these LuminAid lanterns, that can also charge your phone! 

Rain shelter

A rain shelter is a great way to provide sun and rain protection over any area of your campsite. Sometimes these are called easy-up tents or pop-up shelters. We put one up over our kitchen space, so I have shade and rain protection to prepare meals. A rain shelter isn’t 100% necessary every time we go camping, but it’s a blessing if we’re expecting any rain or need some additional shade for little ones. It’s also an excellent purchase for picnics, ballgames, tailgating, and other events.

Outdoor/indoor rug

An easy-to-clean outdoor/indoor rug or small carpet is an excellent addition to your campsite. Set it right outside the entryway into your tent to minimize dirt, leaves, debris, mud, and sand tracked into your tent. It can quickly be swept or hosed off to clean. The last thing you want to feel when you slip into your sleeping bag is dirt or sand. 

Photo credit: @kristcx

Trash receptacle

A trash can/barrel is a must-have for any campsite. Sometimes campgrounds will provide these for you, but not always. We have one where the lid clicks closed so no raccoons, squirrel, or skunks can get it. However, if you have bears in your area, you might want to avoid keeping any trash on your site if possible. Be sure to check your campground’s local rules and regulations regarding trash storage and disposal. 

Camp table

Some campsites have picnic tables available at every site to provide a space for eating, cooking, playing games, etc. If yours does, that’s great! However, if it doesn’t, you’ll want to consider bringing one. I suggest a collapsable lightweight table crafted for outdoor use. 

Camp chairs

Collapsible, comfortable, lightweight, waterproof chairs are the best for camping. Some models have cup holders, headrests, or overhead shades. Pick one that suits your needs! We also recommend small camping chairs for little kids. A chair that’s just the right size like this  Coleman Kids Chair is a great option. (Although that’s not to say they still won’t steal your chair!) It’ll give them a safe (and just the right size) place to sit around the fire and feel like part of the group. 

Camp kitchen gear & essentials

Your camp kitchen gear essentials will depend a lot on the type of food that you’ll bring with you and how you want to cook it. If you do all your meal prep ahead of time or like cooking directly on an open fire, you may need less gear than if you were planning to prep, assemble, and cook your meals onsite. Before you start making your kitchen gear list, consider the food, snacks and meals that you’ll be eating (and how many of them), and then come up with a list of kitchen items that you’ll need (step-by-step ) when making and cooking the food.

When planning your meals, you’ll want to be sure to pick your  “hot” meals around the type of heat source you’ll have available at your campsite. You’ll probably have easy access to a campfire. Cooking over a  campfire isn’t hard, but you may need a few basic items to be most efficient, such as an over-fire grill grate. Another option is a portable camp stove. Some campsites may have charcoal grills for you to use, and in that case, you’ll need to bring your own charcoal. 

Stove or grill

If you’d like to eat a hot meal while camping, you’ll need something to help you cook your food. As mentioned above, some campsites have fire pits perfect for over-the-fire cooking. If you’re cooking directly on a flame, consider a grill grate or some roasting sticks or pie irons. However, you might also want to bring a small grill or cooktop. This will allow you to cook nearly anything without needing a steady fire going (and can be used in the rain). 

Wash bins, dish soap & sponge

Plastic or metal wash bins for holding and cleaning dirty dishes are a must-have. Finding nesting bins is a space saver; one can be used to wash, while the other can be used to rinse. Make sure your soap won’t harm the local wildlife – many campgrounds require use of biodegradable soap. Also, check with your local campsite regarding how to properly dispose of all food scraps, and any special areas to dispose of grey water (used dish washing water). 

Tablecloth

While not essential, a  plastic tablecloth with fabric backing is great for use on a picnic table. This allows for super easy cleanup and splinter prevention!

Photo credit: @coleyraeh

Pots and pans

If you’ll be camping at an established campsite near your vehicle (as opposed to hiking in to a backcountry campsite with only the stuff you can carry), you’re not limited on space for the kitchen cookware you bring. Full-sized pots, pans, knives, utensils, and the cast iron skill from your home kitchen will work great! No need to buy specialty camping cookware. Depending on what you’re cooking and how (size of cooking surface), bring the appropriate size. 

Pot holders, dish towels, wash rags, and cloth napkins

Choose something you don’t mind getting dirty. Second-hand shops are the place to look for these items that you can put into your camping kitchen storage and use exclusively for this purpose. 

Plates, cups, utensils

Sturdy plastic is a good choice for these items. You can use paper or plastic for convenience, but if you can choose something more sustainable and reusable, the better. Again, you can find inexpensive ones at the dollar store. 

Cutting board & sharp knife

If you’ll need to chop veggies, cut meat or slice anything for your meals, bring a sturdy cutting board and a sharp knife. Remember to keep the knife in a sealable container or with a sheath on it when not in use for safety. 

Cooler(s)

The number and type of coolers you bring camping will depend on how much (and what) you bring for food. A basic cooler with ice packs is essential for keeping perishable food and drinks cold. We usually use the reusable ice blocks from Yeti in a Yeti cooler for our food. That keeps the ice from melting and having your food swimming around in melted ice water. We do use regular ice for keeping drinks cold. And if we need ice for drinks, we’ll bring a separate special cooler for that. 

Photo credit: @kristcx

Water dispenser

Instead of using single-use plastic water bottles, we opted for a 5-gallon water dispenser on our camp table. This is not only for easy water storage, but the kids can refill their water bottles independently as needed. We can also use this water for cooking, brushing teeth, washing hands, etc. as needed. Depending on the length of your tip and access to water, you can bring your own water from home or fill it at the campsite. 

Paper towels/napkins

A roll of disposable paper towels is always a good idea for quick and easy clean-up. However, if you want to cut down on your waste, consider bringing tea towels or clothing napkins. The soiled towels get thrown into the laundry bag after use and reused for each trip. 

Tin foil

Tin foil has a number of uses and is so helpful and handy to have when cooking at the campsite. Foil can be used for both cooking or food storage. We like to make tin foil meal packets to cook on the grill or directly in the camp fire for easy dish-free clean up. 

Cooking utensils

Think about the food you’ll be cooking and consider what utensils you’ll need for cooking. A mixing spoon, spatula, tongs, and measuring cups are all basic needs for a camping trip. You may also need some specialty utensils like a can opener, wine key, whisk, or strainer for cooking some items. 

Refillable water bottles

These can be used in conjunction with your water dispenser to cut down on the amount of waste and plastic you’re using on your camping trip. Be sure to stay hydrated when camping, and bring your water with you on every adventure. 

Coffee pot/french press

It’s a proven fact that coffee tastes better when camping! And after a possibly long night, you may need some extra java in the morning. If you’re camping at a site that has an electrical plug in there’s no rule that says you can’t bring your coffee pot from home! This way, you’re sure to have coffee made just the way you like it, and plenty of it. Be sure to bring an extension cord to stretch where you need it to in your campsite. Don’t forget your coffee grounds and filters (or k-cups, or whatever you use). If you don’t have electricity, consider a french press coffee maker or a pour-over method. 

Camping food items to pack

Of course, you can bring whatever food you’d like, but here are some typical camping foods that are easy to bring, store, make and eat to add to your camping gear list! There’s no need for fancy meals when you’re camping. Just be sure to bring enough food! And be prepared for it to taste great, because everything tastes better when you’re camping!  

• Eggs 
• Bacon or sausage
• Bread
• English muffins
• Deli meat 
• Peanut butter
• Jelly
• Hot dogs
• Hamburgers
• Chicken breasts
• Fish fillets
• Rice 
• Potatoes
• Veggies 
• Fruit
• Protein bars
• Pretzels
• Trail mix
• S’mores fixings – chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers
• Gatorade or a similar hydrating drink
• Salt & pepper
• Seasonings & spices
• Condiments
• Cooking spray
• Coffee & filters

Personal care items

Just because you’re out in the wild doesn’t mean you must stop taking care of yourself. So here’s a list of personal care items to add to your camping gear list. Remember that a standard first aid kit might include some of these items. 

• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• Floss
• Shampoo & conditioner
• Soap
• Medications
• Vitamins
• OTC pain relievers
• Bug spray
• Sunscreen
• Lotion
• Aloe vera gel
• Burn relief cream
• Thermometer
• Moleskin for blisters
• Band-aids/bandages
• Antibiotic cream
• Hairbrush
• Deodorant
• Contact lens solution
• Feminine products
• Bath towels & face cloths
• Razor
• Toilet paper (depending on your campsite set-up)
• Diapers, wipes, pull-ups if needed

Photo credit: @kristcx

Clothing for your camping gear list

Depending on the season and where you are camping, you will want to bring different clothing items for you and everyone in your family. What you transport your clothes in is up to you! We used a clear tote that we kept in the car. It was easy to transport and didn’t take up much room. Other options include a suitcase, duffel bags, backpacks, re-purposed laundry bags, or a laundry basket. For adults and teenagers, one change of clothes or a shirt and pants/shorts for each day should suffice. However, kids tend to get dirty quickly when camping (especially if there’s water around), so consider bringing two outfits for each day for the younger kids and babies. But, also know that a little dirt won’t hurt and wearing dirty clothes when camping isn’t the end of the world!

Here are some clothing items for your camping trip that you may consider packing:

Base layers

Merino wool base layers are fantastic options for almost every season. The wool is lightweight, not scratchy, and warm. Woold pieces can be used alone on warmer days or can add a much-needed layer of comfort on those chilly winter escapades. One of our favorite brands that makes beautiful, soft layers is NUI Organics. We love their collection of soft merino wool, which comes in a variety of beautiful solid gender-neutral colors (so they can be passed down kid to kid). This company, in particular, is great because they carry layers for the entire family (adults included). 

Check out our post on the Best Merino Wool Layers for Kids for a comprehensive list of the best wool brands, clothing options, and price points. 

Socks & underwear

I might be the wrong person to ask this question because my formula for the number of pairs of underwear to bring on a trip goes like this. # of days you are gone X 3 = # pairs of underwear to bring. Is this too much? ALWAYS! But I’d rather be overprepared in this department. The same goes for socks, and wool is always a good option. Our favorite brands are Smartwool and Bombas. 

Rain gear

No matter the weather forecast, I would recommend bringing rain gear with you. A rain jacket for every family member, or even better, rain suits! The REI Co-op Rainwall Jacket and Rainwall Pants are great options for a two-piece set. For the younger kids, full-body rain suits are a great choice because there is little to no worry about their underlayers getting wet when the weather turns. Our longtime favorite rain suit for everyday wet adventures has been the Oaki trail suit, but we also really love the Polarn O. Pyret Rain Shell with interior fleece-lining for colder rainy day adventures. 

Photo credit: @kristcx

Swim suits

If you’re camping during the spring and summer, don’t forget to bring a swimsuit. If you’re lucky, your campground will include a body of water suitable for swimming. We like rashguards for the kids because it adds an extra layer of protection from the sun and bugs. 

Gloves & hats

If it’ll be cold, bring a warm hat for each family member and warm waterproof gloves in the winter. If it’s sunny out, consider bringing a wide-brimmed hat for sun protection during the rest of the year. Check out our full gear review post for a breakdown of the best kids’ gloves and mittens for outdoor play. 

Pajamas

Remember that the temperature can vary significantly from day to night, and you are less protected from the elements while sleeping outside. Most of the time, your wool layers can double as pajamas or serve as your base layer (underneath clothes) to keep you and the kids extra toasty warm on cold nights or when camping in cooler temperatures. Light weight layers will help keep kids cool when camping in the hot summer months.  

Shoes

Bringing an extra pair of shoes for each family member is a good idea. In the winter, be sure to bring your warm boots. In the summer, a sturdy pair of sandals is a good idea. If you’re planning on doing some hiking, biking or creeking, remember to bring your best shoes for that activity. Also, a pair of shower shoes or flip-flops if you’ll be using a public shower while camping. 

Sunglasses

You’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors; let’s protect those eyes! A polarized pair will give you a clearer view too! For little kids, we love these Babiator sunglasses that come in 2 styles (the Navigator UV and the Aviator) and a variety of colors. Frames are made from rubber, making them strong and flexible, shock and impact resistant.

Laundry bag

Don’t forget something to hold all of your dirty clothes. A large laundry bag with a drawstring top works well for us. In a pinch, you can also use a trash bag or designate one empty duffle bag or suitcase to hold all the dirty laundry. 

Campsite fun

Camping with your family should be a fun experience, and while being out in nature is a form of entertainment all on its own, sometimes you need a few other ideas of things to do or bring from home to help the play. There are a ton of fun activities you can play around the campfire and inside a camping tent to make your camping experience a memorable one. Here are some suggestions for games and enjoyment you can bring along with you. 

Walkie-talkies

Walkie-talkies are perhaps one of the best outdoor toys you can purchase for your kids! Not only are they fun to use and can be a catalyst for hours of imaginative play, but they are also a helpful device for keeping track of our busy independent kids when they’re out exploring or running around the campsite. These Topsung rechargeable walkie-talkies are great because they are long-range and come in packs of two or three.

Binoculars

My binoculars go with me on every outdoor adventure, so this is on my essentials list. But, if you aren’t a birder like I am, you might want to think about bringing a pair of binoculars to get an up-close look at some of the natural wonders you might find. A good pair of high-resolution, waterproof binoculars like these Occer compact binoculars will make sure your kids don’t miss a thing (but they also won’t break the bank). 

Field guides

Bringing a field guide relevant to the area you are visiting will be a great way to engage your kids in their environment. We all know about the fantastic apps for identifying plants, birds, and even bugs, but a good old-fashioned guidebook is an unplugged version perfect for your camping trip. 

Books

Hopefully, you will do some relaxing on your trip, and what’s better than sitting down with a good book? Scroll down below for some great kids camping books for kids. 

Games

Bubbles, chalk, jump ropes, frisbee, card games like UNO or Skip-Bo, activity books, board games, sketch pads, fishing gear, and bicycles with helmets are all options for your family to bring for some entertainment.

Outdoor string lights

Solar powered string lights can add extra light and ambiance to your tent or even your whole campsite. They make your whole campsite feel a bit more magical!

Bluetooth speaker

Bring a waterproof Bluetooth speaker with you if you want to listen to some music while camping. 

Hammock

These are not necessary unless this is your chosen method for sleeping, but they can be fun and relaxing. Many kinds are easy to pack away and lightweight while still sturdy. A hammock can easily provide my kids with hours of fun and entertainment. If your kids are anything like mine, a hammock can become a swing, a fort, or the perfect spot to ask mom for a gazillionth snack. Whatever way your kids prefer to make use of this classic camp item, you can’t go wrong with something like the ENO SingleNest Hammock.

Photo credit: @coleyraeh

Helpful extras to add to your camping gear list

• Trash bags
• Ziplock/stasher bags
• Duct tape
• Zipties
• Batteries
• Toolkit
• Portable potty
• Waterproofing spray
• Backpacks for day hikes or adventures
• Cash for the camp store
• Clothespins and a clothesline (we used this one, but a rope works well too!)
• Phone chargers
• Broom
• Camera
• Utility gloves
• Hatchet/saw
• Beach blanket
• Extension cord
• Koozies
• Tent repair kit
• Extra tent stakes
• Rubber mallet
• Fly swatter

How to store your camping gear

Now that you’ve got a good grasp on everything you may ever need to bring with you when camping, what do you do with all that gear after your epic camping trip with your family? Make your life easier by staying organized for your next camping trip, with a few of these solutions. 

Clear bins

Clear bins work really well for storing camping items. You can see all or most of the contents from the outside, if you are ever unsure of what is on the inside. Each bin can be labeled on the outside with the gear it contains, or you could even keep a master list inside the container of all the contents. This will help you make sure that things are returned to the appropriate bin and restocked when necessary.

For example, a bin with kitchen items, another for lanterns, flashlights, and string lights, a container with bedding, sleeping bags, sheets, etc. Store these bins in an out-of-the-way place like your basement, attic, or garage. If you plan correctly, you will have perfectly packed bins ready for your next adventure, making it that much easier to go camping! 

Pegboards 

Pegboards are great to hang in garages, storage closets, and basements. These are highly-functional and really helpful when hanging all kinds of items such as backpacks, headlamps, axes, hydration bladders, and even sleeping bags. Pegboards are great use of space when you are already short on space.

How to store your tent

Make sure that your tent is completely dry before storing, and don’t store it in a cramped or tight space. If it’s too tight, it can put unnecessary tension and stress on your tent fabric and poles. Your tent should be stored loosely in a cool dry place. Consider rolling the tent up and placing it inside of a large pillowcase. Avoid folding it, packing it up too tightly, or packing it in hot or humid places that can trap moisture inside. 

How to store sleeping bags

If you’re low on storage space, sleeping bags can be rolled up and stored in their original bags or inside of pillowcases. However, if you have room, you could also hang them in a closet or on a pegboard. We store ours hanging from hooks in our dry attic. 

Camping books for kids

One of my favorite camping activities is relaxing with a good book. Here are some camping-themed children’s books you can add to your camping gear list and bring along for your kids to enjoy!

• The Camping Trip by Jennifer Mann
• Llama Llama Loves Camping by Anna Dewdny
• Curious George Goes Camping by H. A. Rey
• When We Go Camping by Margruit Ruurs
• A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen
• The Little Book of Camping by Zack Bush 
• Pete the Cat Goes Camping by James Dean 
• Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping by Peggy Parish

Photo credit: @kristcx

Additional camping resources

If you’re looking for even more info on how to camp with kids, we’ve got you covered. Check out these great camping resources below for your next camping adventure:

• Camp Like A Champ Digital Guide
• Beginner’s guide to camping with kids
• Overnight camping made simple
• Top Tips for backyard camping with kids
• Winter car camping
• Pop-up camping with kids

Printable camping gear lists for families

To make it easier for you to get started on your next family camping trip, we put our ultimate camping packing list for your family in a free printable 2-page PDF for you! Use this as the perfect start to create your own master packing list. You’ll also be signed up to receive our  AMAZING weekly newsletter, filled with fun outdoor activities and inspiration for getting your kids and family outside! You can opt-out anytime (although we’d hate to see you go). 

PRINTABLE CAMPING GEAR LIST

Happy camping!
What would you add to this camping list for families?

About the author

Lissy Perna lives near the ocean on Cape Cod, Massachusetts with her husband, 2 rambunctious boys (aged 4 & 7), and an ever-growing number of pets. She grew up walking nature trails and finding joy in the beauty of nature. She now shares that love for local adventures with her community through her blog, “Get Outside Cape Cod”. Lissy knows that everyone can benefit from spending more time outdoors, and wants to inspire and support families to do just that!

You can find more from Lissy in the following online locations:
Instagram: @getoutsidecapecod
Website: Get Outside Cape Cod
Facebook: @getoutsidecapecod
RWMC Posts: Lissy Perna

The post Ultimate Camping Gear List for Families appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.

Solo mom adventures

Whether you are married/co-parenting or not, at times, we moms find ourselves parenting solo. Whether you’re solo parenting full-time or part-time, because of divorce, your partner’s demanding work schedule, deployment, choice, or other circumstances, you can still have amazing adventures with your kids. Adventuring on your own solo with your kids might sound overwhelming and scary, but I’m here to assure you that you can do it! It may not go perfectly (it won’t), but your solo mom adventure will be a fantastic bonding experience with your children and make you feel more confident and comfortable in your parenting skills. 

Seeking adventure may not be on your priority list when you’re solo parenting. But it should be! Let me take you along on my most recent solo-mom adventure, which started with chasing pretty spring flowers and ended with us going on our first campervan trip ever, heading for the blossoms in Dutch Zeeland! It was terrific and something we’ll remember forever, but I will assure you, it didn’t go exactly as planned! 

My solo mom spring experience

This past March, my husband went to the U.S. to visit his family for nine weeks. It was the first time that I was alone with the girls for such a long time. So here you have it, a solo-mom seeking adventure! As a family, we are very active and love to explore. We didn’t want my husband’s absence to slow us down or keep us from doing fun outdoor activities. I made a plan for the whole nine weeks, with tons of fun adventures and some time to slow down at home, too.

Springtime in our area is magical, with all the spring blossoms and tulips. I knew I would make the girls happy to go see them, so I planned some time to visit our nearby blossom fields. However, I forgot that looking for blossoms or flowers in spring can be tricky since it often depends on the weather. The weather in Belgium and Holland can be very unpredictable and unstable, especially during springtime! One day it is 70°C and sunny; the next day, it snows! 

Apple Blossom in Minderhout, Belgium

Spring blossoms in Belgium

The first solo mom adventure I planned was to see spring blossoms in the beautiful region of Limburg in Belgium. If you ever get to visit Belgium, you should definitely explore this area! This region has so many child-friendly, nature-based tours of art and culture. Plus, it boasts some of the most beautiful fields and forests. It is a special region where you get the sense of time slowing down and life just flows at you. It might sound crazy, but you should experience it for yourself! 

Unfortunately, a visit to the blossom fields didn’t work out for us due to weather. So, what does a mom do best? Postpone and change plans! Weather conditions didn’t keep us from going on an adventure! We visited some amazing museums, had fun at an indoor playground, went to the forest, and took off for a shopping afternoon. Not exactly what we had in mind (and we were disappointed), but we made the most out of our experience and still managed to have fun.  This probably sounds familiar to a lot of moms! Solo mom adventures require a lot of flexibility!

Moms can do hard things

I will tell you a secret. I have an enormous urge to prove that I can do everything alone. Do you have this feeling too? I used to hate asking for help. I was upset with myself when I was overwhelmed but would never admit that I couldn’t do everything on my own. 

I have learned throughout this past year that this is a foolish way of thinking, especially for a mom. My children benefit more from a mom who can regularly ask for help (and graciously receive it) and is more relaxed than a mom who is often exhausted, easily stressed out, and nervous all the time. I’m getting better at asking for help when I need it, which means my children get a better version of me. 

Setting a solo mom mission

However, there are times when moms need to do everything on their own. And solo mom adventures with your kids are the perfect time to prove to yourself that you can do hard things! It’s not about proving to myself how much work and pressure I can handle, it’s about me discovering how much fun I can have by myself with the girls. I also wanted to show that solo moms can seek adventure with kids in all kinds of fun ways completely on my own! 

So, we came up with an adventure plan and this is what we did! The mission of the weekend: enjoying our first campervan trip ever, looking for the most beautiful blossom fields on the coastline of Holland. 

Famous cherry blossom in the Zoo of Antwerp, Belgium

Solo mom adventure in a campervan

For our camping adventure, we rented the most beautiful and practical Hymer Campervan with a sleeping roof from Rent and Away. The sleeping roof takes your experience to the next level and it’s a true campervan escape. Traveling by campervan through Europe has been on my bucket list for years and I’m so proud of myself for taking on this adventure by myself with my girls. I think it proved to all of us just how capable we are of adventuring! 

Seeing Europe in a campervan

If you are ever traveling in Central Europe and you love exploring with a campervan, I advise you to start in Belgium! Get your well-equipped campervan from Rent and Away, which is run by a beautiful young family. Jo and An will make sure you will have everything you need for an unforgettable stay in Europe and take great care of you. We had the best experience with them.

Start your adventure by exploring Belgium – its such a beautiful country and conveniently located in central Europe. Drive south, passing through Luxembourg and France. Next, you can head further southeast to Spain or Portugal, or southwest to Italy via Switzerland. Both are amazing options! If these itineraries don’t inspire (although, how could they not?), you can also head up north, via the Netherlands to Scandinavia, passing through Denmark to magical Scandinavia. And I didn’t even mention how beautiful Croatia, Germany, Austria, and Slovenia are! There are so many possibilities! 

Hymer Campervan with sleeping roof

Solo mom campervan adventure starts here

Unfortunately, none of the above exotic multi-country trips were on our agenda, as we only had a weekend to travel. But that’s ok! Again, we made the most out of the time we had and had a wonderful time adventuring a bit closer to home.

We started out in Herzele, a beautiful municipal in the province of East-Flanders. An and Jo and their two lovely daughters welcomed us into their beautiful domain of Rent And Away. The perfect start for any mom seeking adventure. They are such a lovely family that loves adventuring, and this shows in their vans. You notice instantly that they have thought about every little detail. These vans are the perfect family (and solo-mom) traveling vehicles.

After a very complete and thorough tour in the van with all the necessary explanations, we were ready to go!  Since it was already nightfall when we got going, we opted to stay there and spend our first night in the van in Herzele. This way, we could leave early in the morning and go and search for flowers in the beautiful nature of Zeeland. The girls were so proud of their campervan. The only thing they weren’t very fond of at first was the indoor toilet. But I can guarantee you, it was an incredible luxury to have our mobile toilet with us! 

Chasing blossoms in Dutch Zeeland

Heading on to the Dutch coast, we made plenty of stops for picnicking and taking some beautiful pictures. I was surprised at how easy it was to park with the Hymer campervan. The size of this van is so compact that you will always find a spot to park. For a van with a kitchen, shower, toilet, table space, and sleeping space for four people, that’s pretty incredible! 

The only thing we didn’t find were the blossom fields! I completely miscalculated my route and trusted on faith and luck to find one. We did not. However, instead of being stressed out about it, we just went with the flow, drove to a destination called Cadzand, and enjoyed the beach for a couple of hours. It was not what we planned, but it worked out for the best! The girls completely forgot about the flowers and enjoyed the trip. They were so proud of their campervan that I could have taken them to an industrial zone to run around and they wouldn’t care! 

Mill in Cadzand, the Netherlands

We stayed for the night at a camping area of an asparagus farm in Ede, where they also grow blueberries. No flowers, no blossom, but instead a beautiful area with a playground and an incredible quietness. No need to seek adventure. We had a crazy fun night on the campervan’s sleeping roof after an amazing sunset. 

Sunset in Ede, the Netherlands

Embracing a change in plans

So, what about the flowers? Well, we just had to let go of this idea for the weekend and make the most of the other moments. Once I was able to let go of my expectations and follow the speed of the children, everything got easier and felt less stressful. When adventuring as a solo mom, sometimes even the best laid plans just don’t work out and the best way to stay calm and have fun is to embrace the change.

I planned our trip with only one destination in mind, the Dutch coastline, which left us a lot of room for flexibility. And this is key when you travel with kids. I don’t believe you can push children too much in what you want to do with them. You can dream of climbing a mountain during your trip. But even if you only get halfway, you also can still have an amazing experience.

Cadzand-Bad in the Netherlands

Trust yourself and your kids

One of the most important things you learn from doing solo mom adventures with your kids is to trust yourself and your parenting abilities. Pulling off a solo adventure (even if it goes wrong), is empowering! Every time you adventure with your kids, you strengthen that “mommy muscle” and want to see what else you can do.

Plus, adventuring with your kids also makes you trust your children more. I believe that kids are able to do more than they (or most grownups) think. Kids are very capable if we let them be, and solo adventuring sometimes means that they have to step up and help out more. This is a great opportunity for them to grow and learn. Getting them out of their comfort zone a bit and experiencing new things together will strengthen your family bonds. Together you will find the most magical moments and incredible places, without tight planning and high expectations.

Rent and Away Campervan

Best places to view spring blossoms in Belgium and Holland

Since I’ve lured you here with the promise of spring flower blossoms in Belgium and Holland, here’s a short list of some of the most beautiful places to visit when you go to Belgium or Holland, each described in more detail below:

• Rivierenhof Park – Belgium
• Arboretum Kalmthout – Belgium
• Hoogstraten – Belgium
• Royal Serres – Belgium
• Hallerforest – Belgium
• Keukenhof in Lisse – Holland

Magnolia blossom at Rivierenhof Park – Deurne (Belgium)

Rivierenhof Park in Antwerp is a beautiful extended park with a digital Magnolia route to explore the magnificent Magnolia trees in the park. Even though a lot of these trees are still young here (and thus relatively small), there are some larger trees spread around the park with big gorgeous blooms. I even found one with a low-hanging branch to sit on!

If you want to practice some camera skills in order to capture your adventure and tell your story, this is the perfect spot! You will find other blossoms and flowers as well here, like cherry blossoms and daffodils. So this park is definitely a must-visit if you want to experience spring in Belgium.

Bloom period: mid-March – mid-April

Rivierenhof, Antwerp

Arboretum Kalmthout (Belgium)

The garden of Arboretum Kalmthout is one of the most impressive gardens in the North of Belgium. The arboretum, as the name refers to, is a sum of different trees and plants that were all planted with a scientific purpose. Research is always ongoing in the park, and it results in a beautiful scenery of vegetation. During blossom season, you can find colorful flowers everywhere.

Bloom period: April-May

Easter Egg Hunt in Arboretum Kalmthout

Blossom route in Hoogstraten (Belgium)

Hoogstraten is a city in Belgium famous for its strawberries and beautiful hikes between the prairies. Most people don’t know that during the blossom time, they have beautiful routes to follow between the apple trees, blueberries fields, and pear and cherry flowers. This hike of 9km takes you through magnificent areas where you don’t find anything else but nature and quietness. It’s amazing! 

Bloom period: Beginning of April through the first week of May

Apple Blossom in Hoogstraten, Belgium

Royal Serres in Brussels (Belgium)

Once a year, when the flowers and trees are blooming, the king and queen open the doors of their Royal Garden for visitors. You can walk through the ancient park used by all Belgian Kings and Queens. At the end of this route, you enter the Royal Serres with many tropical flowers and trees.

Opens to the public: three weeks in April

Royal Serres Belgium

Hallerforest in Halle

Once a year, some of the Belgian forests turn completely purple thanks to the purple hyacinths that bloom from mid-April till the first weeks of May. This, of course, depends on the weather. When the weather is warmer, the hyacinths bloom more. But, the sun also makes the leaves of the trees grow faster. This robs the flowers from the light. Without sunlight, the small flowers disappear.

Bloom period: mid-April through the first weeks of May

Hallerforest Belgium

Keukenhof in Lisse

The most beautiful flower park in the Netherlands is het Keukenhof in Lisse, the North of Holland. Here you will find a colorful show of all kinds of flowers. Each and every year, you will find different creations and art pieces made of flowers. The park is located in between the tulip fields of Lisse. During this time of the year, you will find tulip fields all over.

Opens to the public: mid-March through mid-May

Keukenhof Lisse, the Netherlands

Flower fields and more

These are just a couple of places to visit in Belgium and the Netherland, but we have many more during spring. Too much to see in one season! But it is so worth visiting these two countries during this colorful season. Check out the website of Kids del Mundo for more adventures in Europe!

Solo mom adventure? Yes, you can!

So, to all of you strong women that want to go on more adventures with your kids, don’t stop going outdoors with your kids just because you don’t have someone to adventure with! You can do it! Solo mom adventures are empowering and powerful! Your kids will love seeing you being brave and courageous. It’ll plant seeds for them to grow up as independent girls and boys, too!

Just remember: Start with a plan on what to do, but don’t be afraid to let go of the idea of how to get there! Embrace the change and be flexible. You might just find an even better adventure! You can do hard things, mama! Let your inner child come out and play, sing and dance with the kids! They will love it, and you will too!

Have you ever taking your kids on a solo mom adventure?

About the author

Tine is a natural-born adventurer from Belgium. She met her husband, soulmate, and the father of her two girls while working and living in the Dominican Republic. Nine years ago they moved back to Europe and are still exploring European grounds. Her happy place is wherever her kids are, but she spices up life by discovering unknown places, planning new adventures, and going outdoors as much as possible. Having kids added a big value to her life, because seeing life through the eyes of her little ones lifted it to a completely different dimension. Their family goal is to travel the world, living a location-independent lifestyle. The family is now working on a couple of projects to make this dream happen! In the meantime, they keep on exploring and Tine keeps on writing and inspiring other families to explore just like them. 

You can find more from Tine online in the following locations:
Instagram: @kidsdelmundo
RWMC posts: Tine Voeten
Website: www.kidsdelmundo.com

The post Adventuring as a Solo Mom appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.

What is Hipcamp

At its core, Hipcamp is an online platform for finding and booking campsites, but, it is unique in a myriad of ways. Not only does it list traditional campgrounds in those big well-known (and often booked months in advance) national and state parks, but it offers a variety of options for camping on private land as well. It’s been referred to as “AirBnB for campsites,” and gives campers something a little different! 

Private landowners can list their property on Hipcamp and welcome campers to camp there! The minimum land requirement for a Hipcamp site is generally just two acres, but many Hipcamps have hundreds of acres to explore. Some listings feature simple plots of land with a single campsite, while others offer multiple campsites, spread out over the property like a traditional campground, albeit way less crowded. No matter how small or large, every Hipcamp offers direct access to nature. These campsites vary from primitive sites for tents only, to RV sites with hookups, to Airstreams, yurts, ski huts, farmhouses, tepees, tiny homes, tree houses, cabins, and cottages. Many listings have electricity and plumbing.

Why Hipcamp’s great for families

While camping anywhere is great for families, Hipcamp makes finding the right campsite for your family so much easier. Camping with kids brings on a whole set of concerns for parents, from privacy to crowds to safety concerns. Hipcamp has so many different options for camping, there’s sure to be something that works well for your particular family and concerns. Here are a few reasons why we recommend Hipcamp for families:

1. Easy to search – Hipcamp’s website and app both make it easy to find a campsite that’s perfect for your family. You can search campsites by price, area (nearby location, park, state), what amenities you want (showers, electricity, hot tubs), nearby activities (hiking, biking, swimming), glamping experiences, pet-friendly options, and terrain (mountain, lake, woods, etc.).
2. Variety of campsite options – Hipcamp has a ton of regular traditional campgrounds, but there are also lots of fun unique options for taking your camping experience to the next level. Hipcamp’s the perfect place to find a yurt, hammock pod, teepee, treehouse, cabin, rehabbed school bus, retro RV, tiny home, or cottage to rent. You might be surprised by how many options are available in your area!
3. Availability – In the last few years, the popularity of camping (and the need for disconnecting and spending time outside) has multiplied exponentially. It’s harder now than ever to find and book a campsite in particular areas. Some state and national park campgrounds book months and months in advance. That can be really hard for families to plan around. We’ve found that the availability of campsites on Hipcamp is much better. You can usually find campsites available in your area just days (or even hours) in advance of your trip. If you’re looking for a more spontaneous trip, you can use the “Instant Book” within your search.

How to book a campsite using Hipcamp

The Hipcamp platform is incredibly easy to use and very well-done. To get started with booking a campsite, you’ll just need to create a free account. Take a few minutes to fill out your profile so that the people who own the campsites can get to know a little about you and your family (optional). 

Next, start searching for campsites using the dates you want to camp, the number of campers, and the location. If you have flexibility on any of these criteria, you can leave the field blank to see even more results. Then, you can add filters to narrow your results or scroll through the options available on the map. Save your favorites to folders for easy access later. Once you find a campsite that looks intriguing, check out the listing and read through all the details carefully. Campsite details include things like type of lodging, capacity, accessibility, amenities, essentials, check-in/out times, nearby activities, terrain, availability, price, photos, and other camper reviews. 

When you’re ready to book, click the green “Request To Book” or “Instant Book” button and use the discount code CAMPLIKEACHAMP10 to get $10 off your booking. Wait for your confirmation and get excited about your upcoming camping trip! Leading up to your trip, your Host will send you all the information you’ll need to get to the campsite and you can even message the Host directly on the Hipcamp website or app.

Here’s a helpful step by step guide from Hipcamp on how to book your trip.

Our Hipcamp experience

My kids and I recently booked a little weekend camping getaway through Hipcamp and we had a blast! I wanted to stay somewhere a little different than a traditional campground, away from the crowds and the hustle and bustle of busy state park campgrounds in our area. Hipcamp delivered with tons of options for private campgrounds near creeks, in the woods, on farms, or vineyards. There were treehouses, barns, school buses, cabins, and yurts. I had no idea there were so many options within a 2-hour drive of my city.

We chose to stay in a yurt on an animal rehabilitation farm. It was the perfect combination of rustic and secluded, yet comfortable and nice. The yurt was separate from the barn, house and other traditional campsites, so we had a sense of privacy, but easy access to others (just in case we needed help, if necessary). This gave me a lot of peace of mind when camping solo with my kids. The amenities and campsite were well-described in the listing and it was super easy to chat with the landowner via text through the Hipcamp app when we had questions. The whole booking process was a breeze.

I loved the beautiful yurt we stayed in and the amenities available for campers. The yurt was well-appointed with beds, linens, furniture, cooking equipment, fans, and more. We had access to a firepit, our own private outhouse and shower, a nearby creek, and a whole farm full of animals! The animals were by far, the biggest hit of the entire experience for my children. They had the opportunity to love on horses, donkeys, goats, sheep, potbellied pigs, chickens, and dogs. They couldn’t get enough of them and would spend hours petting them and visiting with them. It was an amazing experience. 

Check out some of America’s best Hipcamps to visit in 2022

• Best Hipcamps in California (toggle to your state to find the best Hipcamps near you)
• Best Hipcamp Tent or RV Camping Sites
• Best Hipcamp Glamping

Book your next camping adventure with Hipcamp

If you’re looking for a unique camping experience for your family, we highly recommend giving Hipcamp a try! You never know what kind of camping adventure you’ll find in your area. Be sure to use the code CAMPLIKEACHAMP10 to get $10 off your next booking. 

More family camping resources

If you’re looking for even more info on how to camp with kids, we’ve got you covered. Check out these great camping resources below:

• Camp Like A Champ Digital Ebook
• The best tents for families
• Ultimate camping gear packing list for families
• Beginner’s guide to camping with kids
• Overnight camping made simple
• Backyard camping
• Winter car camping
• Pop-up camping

Printable camping gear lists for families

To make it easier for you to get started on your next family camping trip, we put our ultimate camping packing list for your family in a free printable 2-page PDF for you! Use this as the perfect start to create your own master packing list. You’ll also be signed up to receive our  AMAZING weekly newsletter, filled with fun outdoor activities and inspiration for getting your kids and family outside! You can opt-out anytime (although we’d hate to see you go). 

PRINTABLE CAMPING GEAR LIST

Have you tried Hipcamp yet?

The post Unique Family-Friendly Camping with Hipcamp appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.

Overnight camping with kids

Hi! We are Tyler & Misha, an outdoorsy Colorado family enjoying and experiencing the outdoors with our kid. Overnight camping with your little ones in tow may sound like an expensive and stressful effort. However, it doesn’t have to be. With a little bit of courage, some preparation, and the right gear, camping with kids can be easy and enjoyable! Not only will you appreciate the time outdoors, but your kids will also be thrilled with this new outdoor adventure.

Camping is one of our family’s favorite outdoor summertime activities. Unlike most daily outdoor summer activities, camping can cool you down in the summer. This is especially true, if you venture up into the mountains, where the temperatures tend to be at least a few degrees cooler. We’ve spent a lot of time this summer camping with our little one and we’ve learned a lot about what works (and what doesn’t) along the way. We’re here to help guide you towards making a plan for your first (or next) overnight camping trip with your kids.

Camping is a learning experience

Our experience camping, especially with kids, comes with a lot of practice and trial and error. Don’t expect to get everything right the first time. And don’t be afraid to get things wrong. That’s how you learn! (And for the most part, most camping mistakes and forgotten items tend to not be as big of a deal as you might expect). Confidence in overnight camping with kids will only come after you practice, make mistakes, and find your groove. And you can’t make mistakes if you never go — so let’s go!

A fair warning though, once you start camping with kids, there’s no going back! Camping with  This amazing outdoor activity will be so much more fun than you can imagine. It’ll be worth all the work. At the end of your trip, the stories and experience will pull on you and you’ll be compelled to take your kids out almost every weekend for a fun camping trip.

Benefits of camping for kids

There are so many benefits of camping under the stars and even more when you’re camping with your kids. The biggest benefit to camping is breaking the monotony of daily life. Did you know kids love change? Not only does a new activity or location change a child’s perspective, but it also stimulates their brains. Kids love challenges and doing something different from everyday routines. Introducing new activities with camping can also make the trip that much more of an adventure. They learn new things, try new things, and push their potential.

As a family, camping can also help you rediscover your bond, away from the creature comforts of home. While camping, kids learn valuable skills hands-on, responsibility and independence. It is a great time to introduce lifestyle changes and distribute responsibilities by giving simple chores for everyone to do at the campsite. Camping is not just a fun activity, but a life skill. It is a survival tactic and every kid deserves to get exposed at a young age. 

There’s also no denying that kids love the outdoors and spending time in nature makes everyone feel better. Happiness doubles when they are able to be outdoors all day and night. The fresh air, sunshine, Vitamin D and lots of unstructured free time to play and explore are all great for kids. 

Planning a perfect camping trip with kids

There’s no one right way to plan the perfect camping trip. Each family should evaluate what type of camping trip they’d like to experience and plan accordingly. Start by thinking about or writing down the things you want to accomplish with this family camping trip and/or things you’d ideally like to do. Once you’ve listed your target idea(s), do some research on the best location for achieving your goals and move towards the execution part of the trip.

It’s always good to have a purpose, but the goals for your trip don’t have to be lofty or aspiration. If your only goal for camping is to spend a great evening with your family in the woods around a campfire, then gear your preparation and research towards finding a wooded campsite and bringing lots of firewood and marshmallows. If you envison fishing, swimming or canoeing, look for a campsite near a stream. If you’d like your kids to be able to run around safely with a bunch of other kids and play, look for a group camping area in a park. 

Choosing the right camping location

We always recommend that for your first camping trip, choose a location close to home. Maybe within your city (or close enough to drive home if you need to bail in the middle of the night). If for any reason you find you or your kids are not enjoying the camping vibe and desperately want to leave, you can easily get back to civilization or your own home easily. With kids, you never know how they react to anything they are doing the first time. Being close to home and having the option to leave at any time gives first time campers extra peace of mind. Hopefully, you won’t need to leave, but knowing you can makes the decision to try camping in the first place a lot easier. 

If you’ve gone camping before and are ready to venture out a bit farher, here are few tips for choosing the right camping spot for your family:

• Check out overnight campgrounds nearby and the availability of camp spots at your local state park/national park. Pick a location that has trees or preferably a water stream. 
• Look for locations that are not too remote. Camping areas should not disturb wildlife and should avoid wildlife encounters. 
• Find a spot close t0 other people camping in a dispersed fashion. It’s wise to choose an area as a first-time camper with other people just in case you need help at any point. Other campers are usually more than happy to lend a helping hand. 
• Do a little research about the location you choose for camping. For example, read up on the local wildlife and know whether it’s mosquito/tick season, rattlesnake season, what poisonous plants are nearby, etc., so that you can take necessary precautions beforehand (bring bug spray, warn kids of poison ivy).
• Choose a spot that caters to your hobbies. For example. if you like hiking you can camp up in mountains or a state park that has trails to explore. Or if you like boating, paddle boarding, look for a campground close to a lake or water body. It’s always fun to do activities you love along with camping.

Types of campsites and camping locations

There are so many campsite options you can choose from when it comes to taking your family camping. Weigh your needs and requirements and choose the type of campsite and set up that suits you best. Timing can play a big role in choosing camp spots; it can be time-consuming to research options and during peak camping seasons, campsites book up quickly (and sometimes way in advance). Beginner campers should opt for comfort and safety when going with kids. However, with that said, camping is a rugged activity, so don’t be afraid to get a little off the beaten path!

1. Reserved campground (paid )

If you’re a first-time camper, we’d highly recommend you to choose the option of camping at a reserved campsite. 

Reserved camp spots are a hassle-free smooth option for convenient camping. For this, you will have to look into camping options at your local state parks, National Parks, lakes, BLM, etc. to book a spot. You can usually book online and get all the info on the website that you need about what ammenies are available nearby and what’s provided. These spots are usually open reservations 6 months to 1 year in advance, so you need to be way ahead to book a spot for yourself. This is not always the case, but for peak season (summer) expect to book further out. 

Reserved camp spots are usually set up for you beforehand and offer you a site to pitch your tent and park your RV/camper. They often provide you with picnic tables, grill/campfire pit, trash cans, clean toilets (if you’re lucky you may find clean showers). These campgrounds may offer a good amount of shade from the trees and are usually well maintained. 

2. First come first serve (paid or free)

Most US National Parks and National Forests hold a loop in the campground that is open for first-come, first-serve purposes. These are a great option for spontaneous campers. These spots are under the state authority hence they usually provide you with all basic amenities as the reserved camp spots. 

Sometimes these sites have restrictions, like tent camping only, so make sure to read the fine print and weigh your options before camping here. They also usually offer a picnic table, toilets, trash cans, and some shade depending on what state you’re at. No prior booking is needed so there’s a good chance you may find a spot if you arrive earlier in the day.

3. Dispersed camping (free)

Dispersed camping is a term used for camping on land outside of a designated campground. Yes, you guessed it right, it’s camping on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land. BLM land offers you the opportunity to camp anywhere on public land. You can take your RV’s/campers/tents and camp under the stars wherever and whenever.

Sometimes there are readily used BLM campgrounds, which operate like first-come, first-serve campgrounds. They may have campfire rings and they may have toilets, but these are usually not part of the BLM camping experience.

There’s almost always no fee involved for dispersed camping because there are usually no amenities that come with it. You just have a giant chunk of land all to yourself to enjoy with your family. This is our favorite camping style and the camping style we prefer 95% of the time. You’re usually not dealing with any other campers nearby, so you don’t have to keep the kids quiet (and you won’t have rowdy campers waking you up in the middle of the night).

However, dispersed camping also calls for a lot of personal responsibility because there’s no one around to help you out if needed and no one there to question your actions. That said, you must be mindful to pick your own trash and dump it at a nearby dump when you get a chance. Always remember the Leave No Trace principles!

4. Camping on private land (paid or free)

If you’re lucky enough to know someone with private land, that’s another option for camping. Similar to dispersed camping, camping on private land means that you’ll probably have the entire area to yourself. There may not be cleared locations for a fire and/or tent, so be mindful of your surroundings and make sure you have permission to clear spaces or make a fire. 

You can also pay to camp on private land. Websites like hipcamp.com are great for finding provide land to rent that’s away for others or only allows small dispersed groups. HipCamp rents tent and RV sites, as well as unique camping and glamping properties like teepees, hammock camps, cabins, etc. 

Choose a style of camping that suits you best

Just like there are a variety of different campsite options, there are also a lot of different ways to set up your camp. Whether you’re tent camping, car camping, cabin camping or something in between, you’re guaranteed to have fun. Try one, try them all! Find the style of camping that best suits your family and have fun experimenting along the way. Camping with kids is all about getting outside together. The point is to connect your kids to nature and encourage them to spend time outdoors right? Any form of camping does just that!

Tent camping

A good tent can cost anywhere from $250- $1000 new. However, you can also get a tent second-hand much cheaper, or you can borrow a tent from a friend, if you are new to camping and just want to try it out. In that case, any tent that will fit your family is perfect for this adventure.

Tent camping is the cheapest most affordable option without a doubt. It’s also a lightweight option when camping with kids. Tent camping is our most preferred option because we love sleeping under the stars and feeling the earth beneath us. Also, this is the simplest style of camping. If you love the outdoors and love hiking, this will give you more opportunities to explore than any other option out there.

Please note, tent camping comes with a little more safety prep than other options.  (Please refer to the Safety section above for details.)

Rooftop tent

Rooftop tent can cost anywhere from $750 (basic) to $5000. These are more expensive than regular tents and you need to make sure your vehicle can handle them. We recommend looking for used ones.

Rooftop tents are an upgraded version of plain ol’ on-the-ground tent camping. A lot of parents are opting for it due to the convenience of it being a smooth camping option, off the ground, but still under the stars. You don’t have to worry about pitching and un-pitching a tent because your rooftop tent is practically already set up (you just have to unfold it). Plus, they come with a thick mattress pad and are set on top of your car roof, so you can basically take it anywhere and anytime without paying any extra cost.

This is a fun way to camp with your kids on the go! Also, you have a lower risk of bugs and critters bothering you.

RV/camper camping

RVs and/or campers can run anywhere from $6000 and up (way way up). You can get them used (we highly recommend this) or buy a new one from a dealer. You can also rent an RV/camper before purchasing to see if this is the type of camping you and your family enjoy. 

If you’re a first-time camper, unless you have a lot of money to invest on your first camping trip, this is not the most recommended option. RVs are expensive, so it makes sense to ensure you enjoy camping before you jump in and spend a lot of money. However, if you know you love camping and exploring the natural world around you, RV camping can enable you to extend your adventures, camp in dispersed campgrounds for longer periods of time, and camp in pretty much in all weather conditions very very comfortably. 

While RV camping is a more glamourous way of camping (glamping got its name from somewhere), you and your family will still spend a lot more time outside and will connect with your kids more than you may have by remaining at home. Campfires, hiking, playing with nature finds, digging in the dirt, playing card games or board games on a picnic table, swimming in the nearby water, fishing, cooking over an open flame, enjoying a campground playground, and so many more outdoor adventures still happen while RV camping.

Vehicle camping

Yes, it’s a thing! And all you really need is a car (or truck, or minivan, or SUV) with room enough for all of you to lay down and a mattress pad for comfort. Vehicle camping means that you can camp even if you do not have a tent or RV. If you have a vehicle with seats that flip down, an air mattress, and some blankets, you can cruise over to the mountains for some car camping with your kids.

The most spontaneous camping trips we’ve ever done, and the most successful ones, have to be when we decided to take the road less traveled and made our way to the county roads. Try it once and thanks us later! 

Be aware of the weather in your camp area

Weather plays an important role when it comes to camping. Prepare ahead of time by checking the weather forecast for the area to help you avoid forecasted rain, strong winds or storms. But also know that sometimes rain and other inclement weather can appear suddenly, without much warning.

Rain is a common thing when overnight camping in the woods. Luckily, tents usually come with a rain cover. Make sure your bring your rain fly and know how to use it. Also, be prepared with a few indoor tent activities (card games, coloring books, etc.) or rain gear (boots and rain coats), so that you can continue to enjoy your camping experience despite the surprise weather.

NOTE: Along with weather, you may want to check forest fires and flash flood warning in your area. Interstate openings/closing info to avoid waiting in long traffic and your local weather-related forecast.

Camping essentials for first-time campers

There’s a lot of gear you can take with you when you go camping. However, you don’t always need all that stuff. Your first time caping with kids means that you’ll probably significantly overpack (and that’s ok!). With a little experience, you’ll quickly realize that you don’t need much for an overnight camping trip with kids. And actually, the less stuff you have, the easier it is to get out of the house and the more creative and resourceful you (and your kids) will learn to be. 

We have made a list of essential camping gear for overnight camping with kids that exclusively caters to tent camping/roof tent camping. 

• Tent (with rain cover) 
• Tarp
• Mattress pad/air mattress 
• Mattress pump
• Sleeping bags, pillows, blankets
• Down jackets (or any cold-weather jacket)
• Rain jackets, boots
• Water containers (keep two 10 gallons)
• Water filter
• Food supplies
• Coolers/ice chests (to keep necessary food cold and fresh)
• Stove/grill
• Lighter/matches
• Dry wood (for campfire)
• Plates, utensils
• Soap
• Trash bags
• Towels
• Toilet paper (even if the campground has toilets, sometimes the bathrooms run out of TP)
• Ziplock bags
• Totes for supplies
• Lighting (headlamps, lanterns, flashlights, fairy lights)
• Music/speakers (optional)

Camping safety is important

Safety is of utmost importance when camping out in the wild, especially with kids. It is always good to be proactive and prepared. Below is a list of the most basic things you can take along with you to keep you safe and prepared for any situation.

• First aid kit
• Flashlights
• Airhorn
• Bear spray
• Bug spray/tick spray
• Sunscreen
• GPS-device
• Map of the location (internet may not work everywhere)
• Tool kit
• Rope 
• Duct tape

Note: If a life-threatening emergency happens, do not fiddle around using your first aid kit, call 911 immediately. First aid kits are for minor injuries. Unless you are a skilled medical practitioner or have some kind of training related to a medical emergency, call for help!

Camping food that can save you time and energy

Usually, when camping, you can take pre-prepared meals or raw produce to cook at the campsite. If you opt for the latter, we have some quick meals that we cook at the campsite and you’d enjoy it too. 

• Chicken/turkey cheese sandwiches. All you need is sliced meat from a deli, some cheese, bread, and any condiments you like. You can eat it raw or grill on your campfire. (If you have never used a cast iron skillet before this is a great time to make good use of it)
• Pasta/ mac & cheese. Kids love pasta (with tomato sauce or just butter) and mac & cheese. Both are pretty quick meal ideas or sides you can offer them.
• Soup (any kind your family loves). You can make your own or buy cans or packets from the grocery store. Heating up soup is quick and easy.
• S’mores! Do we have to explain that?
• Burgers (or hot dogs) on the campfire. Burgers are the most cooked food at our campsite. Throw some patties on a cast iron pan, cheese on top, grill some buns and you have another quick meal ready. Hot dogs can be cooked on a stick!
• Sauteed veggies, mashed potatoes, and campfire grilled chicken with toasted buns. This looks like a super fancy thanksgiving dinner kinda meal but this is a very quick and yummy meal that gives everyone their favorite item on one plate.
• Box of oatmeal – Oatmeal packets make for an easy breakfast. (Pancakes or waffles are other delicious easy to prepare options too.)
• Pack some beverages of your choice and juice for kids to cool yourselves down. Make sure you have plenty of water in addition to your other beverages.
• Coffee or tea for mornings, so you don’t run around like zombies the whole time.
• Chips and dips. Kids enjoy this snack and so do adults. It’s a great appetizer to keep everyone satiated while you learn how to cook over the campfire. 
• Grab and go fruit. Apples, bananas, mandarines, and even grapes are perfect fruits to pack on camping trips. They don’t require any prep work (except washing) and are easy to store outside of an ice chest.
• Lots of snacks & protein bars. These are obviously perfect for snacking on all day, but also for when you go off on adventures away from the campsite. 

You can add anything you like to this list. These are just simple food ideas we use on our camping adventures. Make sure you have good coolers so your food is fresh and ziplock bags to store leftovers.

NOTE: Do not put food anywhere close to your tent or even inside of it, as it will attract wildlife. To be safe lock the food in your car, use provided bear boxes or other campground recommended options.

Easy ways to pack your food supplies and camp gear

When camping with kids, be sure to organize your supplies and camping gear in a way that makes sense and works for your family and situation. You do not want to reach your campsite and not be able to find important things. As a parent, we already have our hands full and we do not want to leave any room for more any issues or forgotten items. Camping with kids is not hard, but it is way easier when you pack what you need and can find it easily.

Organizing camp gears

When leaving for a camping trip, make sure you have everything organized and ready to load. Separate things into categories and pack accordingly. We suggest making separate totes/crates for these separate supplies.

• Dry food & supplies
• Camp gear
• Coolers full of cold/perishable foods
• Miscellaneous

Label your totes

Once you’ve separated things into totes, label and make sure they are closed securely. One trick is to take a piece of paper, write the contents of the totes, and seal it with clear tape. This looks like a lot of work but it comes in super handy for parents. If you have older kids this is a great way to start distributing responsibility amongst them and start your trip in an organized manner. That’s right! Getting your older kids to help you organize for the camping trip, helps them build skills they can use their whole life.

Pack perishable food in a cooler

Invest in at least two good size coolers. We highly suggest having one 60-65 hard and one 40-45 Soft cooler. The hard cooler can be used to store all beverages, meat, milk, and premade food from home. The soft cooler for cheese, dips, sauces, and other quick food items you may wanna eat on the way. A bag or two of ice is gonna be good for an overnight trip, if you plan to extend the trip, dry ice is a better choice. You can always buy more ice at local grocery stores or gas stations if you are camping near a town.

Insulated coolers that keep the food cold and fresh for over 5 days are good to invest in. Also, look for bear-proof coolers, those are a game-changer.

Organize baby/toddler or kid items in a separate box

Basic everyday essentials for your baby/toddler should be easily accessible. Do not forget to bring extra diapers, wipes, itch/rash creams, or their favorite toys. Keeping it separate will keep your children from digging through other important supplies (where they shouldn’t reach). Kids tend to dig into stuff and during camping trips because items that are usually inaccessible are stored in different locations. They can find lighters, matchsticks, or certain items they shouldn’t play with or be close to. 

Explore, pitch, and enjoy your night

When you arrive at your destination, well equipped with all the essential items, the first thing is to find your campsite. If you have pre-reserved your camping location, you just have to unload and pitch your tent or park your camper in your designated spot. The site is almost ready for you to start your camping adventure.

If you haven’t pre-reserved the campground and reach a National Forest for dispersed camping, here are a few tips to get started.

Explore the area thoroughly

Before you begin to unload your stuff, it’s a good habit to investigate the area.  As parents we all have an instinct, we know if the place gives us the right vibe. Go explore the place and see where are you on the map. We mentioned GPS as one of the essentials and it comes in handy right now. It basically gives you a solid idea of your location, nearby forest, weather, etc. Also, you may want to decide where you want to park your family for the night so this is the time when you can find a spot at your dispersed camping area.

Pitch your tent

After you’ve found that perfect spot, it’s time to unload your stuff. We recommend pitching your tent before unloading everything. You want to do it before dark unless you have a rooftop tent or a camper. Spread a plastic tarp under your tent before you pitch your tent, this will keep all the dirt and dust out of the tent and you will have a clean tent to step into.

Once you have pitched your tent, spray the bug spray inside your tent and zip your tent back up. You will have no mosquitoes or bugs all night this way. If you have made it to your camp early and you have a lot of daylight time, you can go and explore or do some fun activities with kids before the campfire or you can just let your kids play around and spend this time settling down and unload rest of the stuff.

Campfire and food time

Gather the wood or use the dry wood you bought for this camping trip. If there is not an existing campfire ring, use some rocks/bricks to make one. We have a great post on how to build a campfire with kids. This is a great time to teach your kids fire safety and caution. This is also a great time during the camp night for music, discussions, or just fun with kids. The campfire is also perfect for making S’mores with your kids and cooking or reheat your meals.

Make good use of this time because we truly believe campfire nights are magical. You can make your own family campfire songs or a game that you play during overnight camping with your kids. Have a great time together, eat delicious food, and watch stars the whole night. Create something exclusive to your family, so your kids enjoy spending time with you and you can make some beautiful memories together. Here are some ways to make campfire and bonfires magical for kids! 

Sleep under the stars

As it gets dark, you will want to switch on your tent lights or lanterns for everyone to find their space to sleep. If you have a baby/toddler you might want to place a travel bed inside or co-sleep, whichever you are more comfortable with. Change your kids to warm clothes. Generally, nights are colder, and tents, cars, and RVs are not insulated as well are your home.

You all might want to wear an additional layer to keep yourselves toasty throughout the night. Get inside your sleeping bags or under your blankets and call it a night. It’s gonna be a cozy night, so hug each other before bed. Have a wonderful night! 

Note: Go into a camping trip knowing that you probably won’t sleep as well as you do at home in your own bed. Yes, you may be extra tired in the morning, but that’s a small price to pay for the memories you’ll have of this adventure. Knowing this before going into your trip will prepare you. 

A few more tips and tricks for camping with kids

• Plan and prepare your trip ahead of time. If you leave it for the last minute, important things may get missed.
• Leave anything you find at the campsite as-is. If it doesn’t belong to you, it may belong to people who camped before you. Leave it behind. Except for obvious trash. Always pick up trash and leave the campsite looking better than you found it.
• Do not leave any traces behind. It should look like you never camped there.
• Be extremely mindful of trash disposal. A simple trick is to throw trash in trash bags as you make it. Hang a trash bag from a table or your car and keep loading it until full. Do not litter. If there’s a place to dispose of your trash properly, do so. Otherwise, take it with you and make sure it gets taken care of. 
• Minimize campfire impacts. Use campfire wood in small chunks to avoid creating a big fire. Once you are ready for bed, calm down the fire and put the fire out before going to bed. Forest fires are a major issue! Be careful.
• Please respect the wildlife in your camp area and do not disturb their lifestyle. Always remember you are visiting their home and you need to give them their space.
• When camping at campgrounds with other people, make sure you are not disturbing their peace or encroaching their space. With kids, it’s hard to not be loud but this is the time you can teach your kids to be considerate of other’s space and privacy. Also, remind kids not to walk through other people’s campsites.
• Before you go into the tent at night, use your flashlight to check for bugs or other critters. This is just for extra peace of mind.
• Keep the airhorn, bear spray, or other items like this in the tent, but away from the kid’s reach. Maybe keep a child-proof box or just clip it in your tent.

We hope this guide, full of tips and tricks for an overnight camping trip with kids is handy for you as a parent. We would love to hear how it went for you as a first-time camper.

Additional camping resources for parents

If you’re looking for even more info on how to camp with kids, we’ve got you covered. Check out these great camping resources below:

• Camp Like A Champ – Digital Ebook
• The best tents for families
• Ultimate camping gear packing list for families
• Overnight camping made simple
• Backyard camping
• Winter car camping
• Pop-up camping

Printable camping gear lists for families

To make it easier for you to get started on your next family camping trip, we put our ultimate camping packing list for your family in a free printable 2-page PDF for you! Use this as the perfect start to create your own master packing list. You’ll also be signed up to receive our  AMAZING weekly newsletter, filled with fun outdoor activities and inspiration for getting your kids and family outside! You can opt-out anytime (although we’d hate to see you go). 

PRINTABLE CAMPING GEAR LIST

Where will your next (or first) camping adventure be?
Happy camping!

About the author

Indian Oracle is an interracial family of 3 based in Boulder, CO: Juno (Tyler), Misha (Uplabdhi), and their son Zen (Tarakshya). Juno and Misha have been raising Zen exclusively outdoors ever since he was born. His first outdoor exposure was a short hike at 2 weeks, and his first travel experience was an international flight at 2 months to India. Misha firmly believes that the outdoors brings out a holistic personality and growth of a child. Their family is always in the wilderness, raising their kid in the wild outdoors. They are passionate hikers, mountain bikers, and motorbikers. The Indian Oracle family is always on the go and encourages other families to quit a monotonous lifestyle by opting outdoors. They share easy, doable, and feasible ways to live an outdoor lifestyle. “You don’t need awesome gears and comfy campers to be outdoors, you need a passion and love for mother nature.”

You can find more from Misha online in the following locations:
Instagram: @indianoracle
RWMC posts: Indian Oracle

The post The Ultimate Guide to Camping with Kids appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.

{This post contains affiliate links.}

Backyard camping with kids

Camping is a great way to get outside, enjoy nature, and spend some quality time unplugged. Camping with children can be tough and intimidating, though. Especially if you’re new to camping. Trying to remember to bring everything they need, keeping them entertained, and cooking food they like to eat can be stressful and overwhelming.

Camping with kids is worth it, but it is a lot of work. If you have multiple children the amount of work and difficulty level can multiply quickly. However, we have a great solution that will be less work, less hassle, super fun, and get you and your kids prepared and excited about a camping adventure!

Let me introduce you to backyard camping. Backyard camping is just that…camping in the backyard. It’s a great way to ease into real camping or just a great way to get outside and enjoy nighttime nature without the hassle of packing up everyone and everything. If you’re just getting started with camping, want to see how your kids will handle it or just want to spend an evening under the stars (with all the amenities of home nearby), backyard camping is going to be perfect for you!

Image credit: @meghangarriott

How to pick your backyard campsite 

When setting up your campsite in your backyard, there are a few things to consider:

1. Cooking and eating (campfire and table/chairs)
2. Sleeping arrangements (tent or other)
3. Activities or games (enough space to play)

You don’t need a ton of space for backyard camping, but you’ll want to have a designated space for each of these things, if possible. All three of these designated areas can vary greatly depending on where you live, the size of your yard, and what you plan to use for each. 

Eating, sleeping and spending time outside are the quintessential elements needed for a camping trip. You don’t have to get fancy with any of them, but try to incorporate them to give yourself and your kids a genuine camping experience. Below are some ideas you can use to plan your camping trip in the backyard. 

Image credit: @sara_mccarty

Backyard camping food 

A big part of the camping experience is the food. The great part about backyard camping is you don’t have to pack up all that food first and haul it to your campsite. You don’t have to worry about coolers and ice and bring everything you need to cook. You can be a little more creative with your camping food with your refrigerator so close.

If you have a place in your backyard for a campfire or a small fire pit, we highly encourage you to use it for your camping meals! That will help give you an authentic camping experience and help you gain confidence in what you’ll need to cook when you’re on a camping trip away from home. Plus, it’s super fun for the kids! It’s definitely not every day they get to cook over a fire! If you don’t have a fireplace or a fire pit using, the grill at home is another good option.

Some of our family’s favorite campfire foods include the classics like s’mores and hotdogs.  We also love some more creative creations like grilled jelly and cream cheese sandwiches, “cinnamon bears”, and campfire pizzas. Foil packet dinners are always fun. I’ve included some kid-friendly camping recipes below!

We have a great article about involving kids in the fire-making process. And another on tips for outdoor cooking with kids, which will tell you how to get your kids involved in food prep and meal planning for your camping trip. 

Image credit: @meghangarriott

Creative campfire recipes

Here are a few of our family’s favorite campfire recipes and treats. None of these are too complicated and you can get as creative with them as you want and to your family’s taste. I hope you’ll try a few of these recipes out at your next backyard camping adventure!

Grilled jelly and cream cheese sandwiches

To make grilled jelly and cream cheese sandwiches we use a campfire pie iron. Use two slices of buttered bread. On the inside of one slice use about 2 tablespoons of whipped cream cheese, on the other slice use your favorite fruit jelly or jam. Use the pie iron to cook them just like you would a regular grilled cheese about a minute or so for each side.

Then enjoy a delicious and easy grilled jelly and cream cheese sandwich. This can be a great breakfast option or a dessert option. This can also be made over your backyard grill if you are not using a firepit.

Cinnamon bears

“Cinnamon bears” are a family favorite that I made with my family camping while growing up. These use a loaf of French bread, butter, cinnamon, sugar, and a roasting stick. Cut the French bread into thick slices. Dip the sides into butter then into a cinnamon-sugar mixture. Put it on the stick and roast over the fire till the sugar caramelizes. This was always our go-to breakfast growing up!

Cast-iron skillet pizza

The last creative camping dish you should try during your backyard camping trip is cast-iron skillet pizza. A cast-iron skillet is a great Multi-use tool for camping and for in the kitchen. Check out this recipe for the cast iron skillet pizza. If pizza isn’t your thing check out this list for a ton of fun cast iron camping recipes.

Foil-packet meals

Foil packet meals can be anything you want them to be! These can be made ahead of time and placed on/in the fire to cook. We usually do some combination of meat and veggies, tossed in seasoning and maybe a dab of olive oil. We’ve done everything from steak strips with Brussel sprouts to freshly caught trout with lemon and broccoli. 

Image credit: @sara_mccarty

Backyard camping sleeping arrangements 

The great thing about sleeping outside in your backyard versus a traditional campsite is it probably has less wildlife (and fewer bugs), so your outdoor sleeping options are a little broader. When considering the different sleeping arrangements for backyard camping don’t overthink it. Kids will likely be excited to sleep with whatever you give them because it is fun and exciting just to be sleeping outside!

And while you may have fewer bugs in the backyard than out in the wilderness, it’s still a good idea to spray whatever you plan to sleep in with some bug spray or permethrin to keep mosquitoes and ticks away.

Image credit: @sara_mccarty

Backyard tent camping 

Tents range in size, rooms, and difficulty to set up. If you are camping in your backyard to prepare for a larger camping trip it’s a good idea to set up your tent at home first. And even sleep in it! This way, you know what you are doing once you get to an actual campsite, and you know all the tools and gadgets you will need once you are away from home, how much space you have inside and the way you want to set everything up. This step is great for helping build your confidence if you’re a new camper.

If you aren’t preparing for a camping trip away from home and are just backyard camping for fun, any kind of tent will do. Homemade tents built out of sheets or tarps can be a fun activity and learning opportunity for kids. Or you can even set up camp in the kids’ clubhouse or make some kind of fort. 

Image credit: @thimbleandtwig

Hammocks

Tents are not the only way to sleep outside! If you have some trees or poles to use, hammocks are a super fun and comfortable option for backyard camping and really allow you to enjoy the night. We recommend the hammocks with mosquito netting so you don’t get eaten alive overnight! 

If opting for hammocks, you’ll want to make sure the kids using them overnight are older and are able to get in and out of them easily on their own. Hammocks may not be an appropriate option for young kids to sleep in overnight. 

Image credit: @wonderclubexplorers

Sleeping bags

Don’t have a tent or a clubhouse or a hammock? Never fear! Sleeping bags can be used alone on the ground – they’re not just for use inside a tent. If you live in the county or in a smaller town with minimal light pollution, sleeping in a sleeping bag underneath a full sky of stars is magical.  If you lay long enough and pay attention to the sky on a clear night you will likely even see a few shooting stars!

Sleeping bags come in lots of fun options, with different thicknesses, and tend to roll up and pack up nicely and easily for kiddos. We recommend a lightweight sleeping bag if you’re camping in the summer months. If you don’t have sleeping bags though no worries.  You are just steps away from the house when backyard camping, so it is easy enough to throw some blankets and pillows outside to use as well. 

Another perk to being in your backyard is having easy assess to electricity. So if you want to be extra comfy while sleeping outside you can blow up a nice big air mattress to put in your tent. This is often what my husband does when camping in the yard with my kids. You can also use a blow-up pool raft. 

Image credit: @sara_mccarty

Set the mood for backyard camping

A tent and a campfire are probably enough to really make it feel like camping! But if you want to get extra creative and really set the mood, stringing lights, setting out tiki torches, or just using some lanterns is a fun way to bring light to your backyard campsite. Since you’re just at home perfection can go out the window. You can string up some old Christmas lights or some rope lights. If you don’t have those, tiki torches are a great way to keep bugs away and give off some added campfire glow (you can even get citronella torch fuel).

While you’re putting up lights or lanterns, don’t forget about the playset or tree house if you have them! Even though the children may play on these playsets every day, playing on them in the dark with some fun lighting will bring new life to them and give them something fun to do after the sun sets. 

Image credit: @meghangarriott

Backyard camping games and activities 

And speaking of fun things to do when you’re backyard camping, now is the time to break out the slackline, glow sticks, sparklers, and flashlights for some fun games! 

Slackline

During daylight hours, one of our kids’ favorite things to do on a camping trip is to play on the slackline. We always bring our slackline on camping trips and set it up for the kids to play on. Sometimes they’ll spend hours walking on it, bouncing, playing games, challenging each other. It’s a great screen-free way to keep them entertained. 

Glow sticks

Glow sticks are fun, but when kids are decked out in glow bracelets and necklaces, they are also a great way to be able to see your children as they run around in the dark! Last summer we found a glow stick ring toss game that entertained the kids outside for quite some time. You could easily make your own glow stick ring toss by making rings out of some sticks and sticking a few straight in the ground.

Flashlight tag

Another fun and classic evening game is flashlight tag! Every house I’ve ever stayed at has had different flashlight tag rules. So grab your flashlights (or headlamps) and your running shoes, make up your own rules, and get out and play!

Catching fireflies

Here in the Midwest, our favorite backyard activity is catching fireflies. This activity can be reserved for dusk, before you break out your glow sticks, sparklers, and flashlights. If using a mason jar to collect and observe, try turning it upside down to better see them, as the lightning bugs like to fly upwards. Try to make sure you release them after 15 minutes so they can find their mate and continue making more lightning bugs for future fun!

For more on lightning bugs, we’ve got a whole post dedicated to Fun with Fireflies. 

Image credit: @meghangarriott

Backyard camping freedom 

Taking kids on the road for a camping trip can sometimes be stressful and overwhelming. But, when you bring camping to your own backyard a whole new world can open up. Your options for food, fun, and sleep are so much greater, which can allow the whole family a little more fun with a lot less stress. Backyard camping is a great way to gauge your family’s interest and ability to go on another camping trip a little further from home. Happy camping!

What are your favorite backyard camping tips?

About the author

Meghan is a country living, mom of 2 boys in rural central Illinois (with a baby girl on the way). She is a Physical Therapist Assistant by trade but spends most of her time outside with her family. At home, she has large flower, herb, and vegetable gardens to tend to and 3 large dogs to play with. As a family, they enjoy hiking, camping, boating, fishing, and helping her in-laws show and raise livestock. Photography became a hobby while in isolation after her oldest son’s bone marrow transplant. It has since become a passion to capture her family’s daily life. Throughout her family’s journey with rare disease and transplant, the outdoors have been a safe space for the whole family to grow, learn, and thrive.

You can find more from Meghan online in the following locations:
Instagram: @meghangarriott
RWMC posts: Meghan Garriott

The post Tips for Backyard Camping with Kids appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.

Teaching basic fire skills to kids

If your kids are like my boys, they love the idea of creating a fire, cooking over a fire, and even extinguishing a fire. Having a firestarter in your home is a fun journey. Kids learn so much as they practice following directions, caring for the environment around them, and more. Furthermore, they begin to feel responsibility and ownership of their time outside. When children have a buy-in, a role, they really want to be in that place often. So let’s get started; let’s teach our kids how to build fires. 

Smokey the Bear says “safety first”

Conversations and practice are the best ways to teach kids how to build fires. When my boys were 2-3 years old, we began this process. As we were outdoors nearly daily, they sat around a fire, gathered kindling, and helped put out a fire from a very young age.

Let me begin by telling you that 6 years ago, I knew nothing about building a fire. Zero. Zilch. So do not be intimidated. You can learn just like I did. Go with a friend who enjoys building fires and knows how. Watch, ask questions, be like a kid learning to build a fire. In truth, I think this might be the best way anyhow. If you don’t have someone to show you how, you can always Google it! There are tons of videos and articles out there that will show you exactly how to build a fire. 

Fire safety tips for kids

If you recently learned how to build fires, then you will remember the safety rules, the steps involved, etc. If it’s been a while, here’s a quick refresher of some important rules to establish when teaching kids how to build a fire and teaching children about fire safety:

• Location – Only build a fire in an area you know allows it.
• Fire ban – Make sure there are no fire bans. 
• Check the wind – Windy days are not fire-friendly days. 
• Clear the area – Make sure there’s nothing in the area where you’ll be making the fire. This is such a good project for littles, they can begin this in their toddler years.
• Wood only – Remind kids that the only thing that goes into a fire is wood. No fresh weeds or vines. No food. No plastic. 
• Water supply – Have a working water hose or a vessel filled with water near your fire ring.

These fire safety tips can be parts of conversations you have while you build fires near your children. It can take months of this type of conversation before some will feel comfortable heading into fire building with a child. Eventually, your firestarter should be able to tell you these rules independently. Knowing this information and being able to implement it without reminders, is the first step towards autonomy when building fires. 

Basic steps of building a fire

Once a child knows the basic safety rules, they’re ready to start building a fire. Teaching kids to build a fire occurs in steps. Dependent on the age of your kids, they can help with various tasks. Before the actual fire starting can begin, they’ll need to clear the area, gather kindling, and demonstrate that they know and observe safety practices near an active fire. Then, they are ready to begin to build.

The basic steps of building a fire go like this:

1. Location – Choose a spot with at least a 10-foot circumference of clearing, there should be no overhanging branches.
2. Clear the area – Remove all brush, twigs, leaves, etc. from around the fire area.
3. Dig a small pit – Some sites recommend as deep as one foot. Our family chooses to not make so deep of a pit and instead focus on a larger fire ring.
4. Create a ring – Arrange rocks around the space you will build an active fire. 
5. Gather wood – A fire needs three things: fuel, oxygen, and heat. Wood is the fuel. You want three types of wood: Tinder, kindling, and logs/large wood.
6. Arrange the wood – There are a couple of different options for setting up your firewood. We go over the teepee and log cabin styles below. 
7. Ignite the kindling – Finally, ignite the kindling to get the fire started.

Looking at the list above, things might feel overwhelming. So, let’s move through the fire-building process step-by-step. 

How to choose a safe fire location

Choosing a location is probably the easiest and most self-explanatory part of teaching kids how to build a fire. Kids should understand where are good fire spots and where are not. Having adults help with this is necessary and not something I would pass off to a child until they have shown their understanding many, many times. Practically speaking, I let my boys show me where they would like to build. They typically choose well, but, occasionally they need a reminder about being too close to a tree or other structure, or if there’s a limb hanging overhead. 

Clear the area and make a fire ring

As I said earlier, clearing an area can be something even your youngest firestarters can help with. Having a space for your fire free from things that could burn is essential. In our family, digging a pit is optional. If you have properly cleared an area and created a ring with rocks, plan to maintain and remain with the fire, you can decide if you need a pit or not. They can be great for camping, as it creates an easily reusable space. One of my boys’ favorite parts of fire building is the ring itself. Something about hunting rocks and shaping the ring is just fun!

Gathering wood for a fire

When teaching kids how to build a fire, you’ll need three types of wood: tinder, kindling, and fuel wood. We actually like to bring our own tinder (see below). For those times when you have no tinder with you, it can usually be found in your immediate surrounding area. You can use dry bits of grass, pine, moss, lichen, and leaves. Focusing on finding dry, crunchy leaves is the best.

Once you have collected a good handful of tinder, you need kindling. It is fun to assign roles if more than one child is involved. Someone can be the tinder person, the kindling person, and the fuel wood person (of course, you’ll want to rotate). Kindling will be the small sticks and twigs you set up over the tinder. It will catch fire first and then ignite the fuel wood. 

Choose your campfire style

There are a few different ways to stack your wood so that it gets proper aeration for a long-lasting burn. For this discussion, we’ll cover the basics of the teepee/cone method and the log cabin method. Both are easy for kids to understand and create.

A teepee tends to be a great and easy starting place. For the teepee/cone method, make a small teepee/cone of kindling around a few handfuls of tinder that are loosely piled in the center of the fire ring. Your tinder goes at the base of the fire and then your kindling is placed over it in a tent/cone shape. Once you have your kindling in place, you will build a larger tent shape with your fuel wood around your kindling. Light from beneath and blow as needed. Once the fire is going strong and the temperature increases, you can add larger logs a few at a time as needed. My boys love to build this and enjoy the challenge of getting it to stay upright.

For the log cabin method, place two larger pieces of fuel wood parallel to each other on the ground in the center of the pit. Leave some room in between the logs. Then, place two more pieces of fuel wood criss-crossed on top in the other direction (like you’re building a log cabin) to form a square. Place your tinder inside the square. Continue adding a few more layers of fuel wood around the perimeter, getting a bit smaller with each layer. Finish your log cabin with a layer of kindling and tinder across the top to make a roof. Make sure you leave some space between the fuel wood logs so the fire can get plenty of oxygen. This build is great for longer and slower burns. 

Some additional info on firewood

Depending on where you’re making your fire, there may be restrictions on firewood. Usually, it’s recommended that you do not bring firewood with you if you’re traveling from more than 50 miles away or crossing large rivers. Some campgrounds may even ban bring-your-own firewood regardless of the distance you travel. This is to keep local insects out of certain areas and to prevent the spread of new (and possibly invasive) species into areas.  

If you forage for firewood, make sure to show the kids how to gather only downed wood. Never cut live trees or break off branches from standing trees, even dead trees. Birds and wildlife make use of dead branches and snags. Fresh wood can also be an issue because sometimes it can be wrapped with poisonous vines that can cause reactions to the skin when burned. 

Starting the fire

Matches are our favorite item for lighting our campfires. Kids can simply toss the match into the fire once ignited. Easy peasy. Just make sure to supervise and stay close to your kids at all times. 

DIY firestarters

One of our favorite types of kindling is homemade firestarters. DIY firestarters are super easy to make and truly make the fire lighting process so easy. We gather our dryer lint and keep it in a bag in our kitchen along with any old candles (with that wee bit of wax in the bottom), used wax melts, string, twine, etc.

When you want to make some tinder, you can use an old cardboard egg carton. Simply put some of the dry burning things in, heat the wax you’ve saved, and pour it over the dry pieces. This makes amazing firestarters. You can break off the carton cups and use one section at a time to start your fire. This is also another way children can be involved in the whole process. 

Putting out a fire

Possibly the most important part of teaching kids how to build a fire and about fire safety is to teach them the proper way to put out a fire. Having a shovel and a bucket is a must. Bring these with you any time you build a fire outside. The shovel is to toss some dirt and stir your fire. A fire must be cold when you leave a site. A person should be able to touch the coals and not feel any heat. If there is heat, repeat!

What do you repeat? Water, stir, touch. Adults only for touching, please (at least until you have a child who knows and understands when it may be too hot). Putting out a fire is a simple process, but teaching your kids to be sure it is stirred and cold it where it’s at. 

Teaching kids how to build a fire is fun

There is something truly magical about outdoor campfires. I love cooking over a fire, roasting marshmallows, and sitting beside a fire and crocheting. Teaching my kids how to build a fire has been an important outdoor survival skill. Seeing my sons take pride in a fire they built and can now enjoy, is the icing on top! There are so many fun things to do with a campfire. Once they can build a fire, they can practice making food in the campfire! They can catch fish and roast them. Kids will love the responsibility, the wonder, and the memories made!

Don’t forget to ALWAYS use common sense and safety practices with fires. Especially as your children are learning. 

Do you have tips for teaching children to build outdoor fires?

Show us your campfires!
Use the hashtag #runwildmychild and tag us on Instagram! 

About the author

SarahRuth is a homeschooling mother of three boys. She was raised in cities across the East coast, but now resides in the Appalachian Mountains of Georgia where her husband grew up. Passionate about inspiring others to shift from the status quo of Western indoor life, she launched a local Free Forest School chapter in 2017. Her family clocked over 2k hours outdoors in 2019 and believes that outside time as a family is vital to a joy-filled life. She collects books, stray children, and as much coffee as her body will permit. When not foraging, chasing waterfalls, or camping with her crew, you can find SarahRuth crossing the globe from her laptop, teaching English full time online! She has two bachelor’s degrees in Education and is passionate about teaching children to love learning through outdoor adventures.

You can find more from SarahRuth in the following online locations:
Instagram: @kindle_togetherness
RWMC posts: SarahRuth 

The post Outdoor Skills: Teaching Kids How to Build A Fire & Fire Safety Tips appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.

The need for winter adventures

For a lot of us, winters can feel long and somewhat unadventurous. Sure, we have the buildup of excitement for our holiday season; but, inevitably there comes a familiar lull in the long wait for spring. For my kids, cabin fever sets in by the middle of December. They need out of the house now.

So, forget about waiting until spring to get outside. That’s too long to wait and such a waste of a beautiful season. This is why we decided to start car camping in the winter… Yep, winter. Their need to get outside (thankfully) drove us to become cozier with the idea of sleeping under the winter-night stars.

We introduced our kids to ‘cold weather’ car camping early on. The first time we took them out in the winter they were two and three years old, so they’re used to it and don’t think we’re super crazy. I remember that trip more vividly than most, mainly because I was somewhat surprised and impressed at how well they handled the cool temps.

It was a late winter weekend, with fairly mild temperatures. The low that evening was around 42 degrees Fahrenheit. We were camped out in a small four-person tent with my and my wife’s sleeping bags zipped together around all four of us. I remember being so worried that the kids would get too cold and we’d be packing up and heading home by 1 am. Much to my surprise and delight, the kids never made a peep! We fell asleep to coyotes howling within (what felt like) 200m from our camp and woke up to turkeys gobbling and strutting through our campsite.

I remember my son dancing on the picnic table that morning while I heated up milk for their hot chocolate. While my wife and I sipped our morning coffee and snuggled up next to the campfire, the kids were running around in the trees next to our camp. That’s when I withdrew any reservations about taking out littles out during the winter months. The cold never bothered them anyway.

What is car camping?

Basically, car camping is camping with your vehicle. You can “car camp” anywhere that you can drive up to in your car, truck, or van. While car camping can also mean literally sleeping in your car, that’s not a requirement. You can also sleep in a tent, hammock or wherever floats your boat. The key is that you arrive to your campsite in your vehicle and keep your vehicle onsite, which allows you to carry more essentials than a backpacking trip or somewhere you don’t have access to your car.

We’ve been car camping for years. And while we are still not experts, we have fun learning more with every trip. Over time, we’ve acquired a solid knowledge bank of what it takes to make winter car camping just as much fun (and often more fun) as those spring and summer trips. The bonus of winter car camping is that you can enjoy your favorite campgrounds all to yourself!

You set the tone for the experience

First and foremost, when you go car camping with kids, make sure you are the cheerleader for your kids. They need you to reassure them that the temperatures are not a big deal. Eventually, they will no longer worry about how cold it’s going to be at night after they have experienced a few of these trips. Your attitude and mindset in this experience will set the tone of the trip and they’ll be much more confident and content when they see you’re relaxed and having fun.

Winter car camping gear

Next, it’s all about the gear. I’ve heard several iterations of the Scandinavian saying and I believe it holds true; “There is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothing.” That saying holds true in the winter more than any other time.

Yes, I know that camping gear can get really pricey when trying to buy for your whole family. That’s especially tricky to justify before knowing if they’ll even enjoy camping. However, there is no reason to not start out using what you already have. Remember, when car camping, you have the luxury of bringing EVERYTHING that you can possibly fit in your vehicle. You may greatly overpack those first few trips, but you’ll quickly figure out what you need (and what you don’t) and will adjust accordingly. 

This can get cumbersome when loading up, so while packing EVERYTHING is possible, you won’t need it all. And you’ll quickly realize that while loading the car. I am confident to say that you will most certainly NEVER be as organized when packing out to head home. This is still a mystery to me, seriously, how does this always happen? 

What to pack for winter car camping with kids

As your experience grows and you get a feel for camping, you’ll start to get familiar with the areas where you’d prefer to invest more money into more compact and purposeful gear. There are endless options for improvement and no shortage of cool camping gear out there. The options are endless, but you don’t need it all to get started. 

What we’ve done over the year may also work for you. With each of our outings, we mark items off our list that we didn’t find a use for or need and recorded new processes that have worked well for us or noted items we wished we packed. For cold weather camping, most of the gear and processes revolve around the night. A cold, sleepless night can turn your kids into cold weather one-and-dones. Adding these few key routines and items to your current camping setup can definitely ease the worry about sleeping in the cold.

How to stay warm at night when winter car camping with kids

The best advice when winter car camping with kids is to make sure to get your kiddos warm BEFORE bed. We use a Mr. Heater Buddy heater to warm our hands and feet before getting ready for bed. This is a small propane heater that shuts off when tipped and has a carbon monoxide(CO) sensor in them. Although they are rated to be safe for sleeping, we do not sleep with this lit, nor do we use it in an enclosed space. If you do, I would suggest getting a CO detector to place close to your bed.

To stay warm through the night, pour hot water into a Nalgene bottle to hold between your legs or place it at the end of your sleeping bag. I haven’t tried this, but I have friends that love and swear by this tip. 

Serve up dense foods for dinner that will keep your body burning calories well into the night. We try and stick to high protein dinners when camping. Try to limit water an hour before bed. For us, this includes limiting water for the dogs. It’s tough getting out of your warm bed in the middle of the night to take a kid (or dog) outside to go potty. It definitely happens, but if you can avoid it, you’ll stay warmer overnight.

Check the rating on your sleeping bag and the temperature list. That number assumes that you are wearing clothes while sleeping in it. Did you know that? When we camp in the winter, we sleep in our sleeping bags, under our comforter at night. We use zero degree sleeping bags along with a system of layering clothing that goes from the toes up in the following order: (1) tight Smartwool socks under thick, looser cotton socks (the looser sock helps provide a pocket of heat to circulate around the tight sock.), (2) thermal underwear or Smartwool base layer for the legs and torso, (3) a sweatshirt up top, and (4) beanies on our heads. We still stay away from hoodies on our kids when they are asleep. 

Car camping with kids sleeping setup

Instead of a sleeping pad, we bring a futon mattress. Sounds weird, I know, but we started using this method just because we already had it available. Over the years, we’ve tried numerous sleeping pads and air mattresses. Although there are tons of insulated options out there, I have yet to find one that keeps us as warm as the futon mattress in subfreezing temperatures. 

Next, we add flannel sheets, then our sub-zero sleeping bags, and top with our comforter! This is a game-changer. We’ve also used a power bank to run an electric blanket as another option. If you’ve got those things, use them! 

Bring along your pillows from home. Camp pillows work fine, but when you can bring your regular pillows from home, why not? That’s one of the biggest perks of car camping! Bring what makes you comfy! 

Pack clothes that are dedicated to sleeping and not used for anything else. You definitely want everyone to change into fresh clothes right before bed to make sure no one is sleeping in damp clothes from perspiration or playing in the water. My kids play hard all the way up until bed, so we wait until we’re ready to climb into the sheets before changing.  

Don’t forget the indoor activities. When it’s cold, we tend to go to bed earlier. So we have enjoyed spending time reading books (currently the Hardy Boys) in the tent or playing card games. This is great family time that our kids seem to look forward to.

Pro tip: With all the extra blankets, pillows, and coats for warmth, it can get really cumbersome. We make ample use of vacuum storage bags. These are huge space savers. Just don’t forget that in order to vacuum them down from the campsite for the ride home, you’ll need to bring a portable vacuum or the pump from your air mattress and the appropriate fitting.

Winter wind and tent tips

The biggest difference when camping in the winter vs warmer months is the wind. The cold biting wind in the winter is a game-changer. Obviously, you can try to find campsites and locations that are away from water or close to trees to block some of the wind. However, sometimes we’ll sacrifice wind for a more picturesque location (photographer wife). If this is you as well, here are a few more things to note/remember:

• Bring tarps and paracord to build windbreaks. Specifically to protect your tent from heavy winds, but also your kitchen and even your sitting area. This can make a windy site MUCH more pleasant and relaxing.
• Use a heavy coat or blanket as a barrier between you and the side of the tent. This helps with insulation and to keep the warmth in. 
• Bring along a mat/rug for the tent floor. We use a compact 4’x5′ outdoor mat that folds away easily. This creates a surprisingly warm and substantial barrier between your bed and the ground. 

Creating winter camping memories

Camping outdoors with your family does not have to be a fair-weather activity. It’s something you can do year-round with the right gear and preparation. It’s given us countless hours of outdoor time in months where we need out of the house the most. Plus, having our favorite camping spots all to ourselves makes it worth the extra packing. Don’t be afraid to get out there and test these tips. I’m confident that you’ll have one of the best camping experiences yet. Along with an incredibly relaxing night’s sleep under the stars! 

For a great general camping list, we use this list from REI. If I don’t use a list, odds are I’ll forget something.

About the author

Jared Ryan is a husband to a talented and beautiful wife, Kristen also a father of two fun-loving and adventurous kiddos. He enjoys leading family adventures to both near and far destinations. Whether it is hiking, camping, climbing, bike riding, or playing in the backyard, he loves it all. He instills in his family the importance of nature and all the benefits it can bring to one’s life. Jared is a GIS analyst by trade, so he is naturally drawn to creating maps and all things trail related, whether it is creating new trails, recording family hikes, or teaching his kids land navigation, he loves to tie in his own work with family adventures.

You can find Jared online in the following locations:
Instagram: @bikeshikesbiners
RWMC posts: Jared Ryan

The post Winter Car Camping With Kids appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.