Camping With Kids

By Kathy

Sound daunting?
Many people love getting out and about with their camping gear, weather it be pitching a tent in the bush, caravan park or it may be touring across our vast land. Young or Old there’s always people travelling to a destination, away from their normal lives, to seek out that feeling of back to basics with nature…. Why do I love it so much? Well, I know why, thanks to my parents who started with a basic picnic out in the bush, to purchasing our first tent, making a campfire to toast our marshmallows on twigs found by me, my sister and brother. This was our memorable start for us to experiencing our bush home away from home, and you know what? To this day even with my own family now, its something you never forget! Like when dad bought the old VW Camper, that he had painted a horrid metallic green colour with the bright orange stripe down the middle. That VW took us on many camping/fishing adventures down south, even sleeping in carparks by the beach, (when it was allowed) ready to throw our lines in for that elusive bite!

What I’m trying to say is, don’t wait till your kids have left home to try the camping experience, pack up the car, and take them with you..they’ll love you for it!

Still not sure…

Here’s a few Tips & Tricks to get you from the Burbs’ to the Bush with your Kids!

Doesn’t matter how many kids you got, or their ages, we have three boys  5, 8 and 10.  As a basic rule, Keep It Simple Stupid, (KISS) sounds silly but it Works, trust me! The Bare essentials are all that you’ll be needing, apart from your gigantic family tent if the budget allows, or you can get away with a simple 4, 5, or even 6 person dome tent. We have a huge tent, but also bought  a 4 dome tent…don’t worry it squeezes 5 in very snuggly! And what’s even better, its easier to pack and put up, especially if your new at the camping thing with the kids..less is best!

Even if you’re new parents with a young bub, don’t be put off..it can be done! We did it and they love it. We had a simple bucket for our sons, when they were just 5mths old for a quick sudsy wash, oohh don’t forget, if room allows a wooden playpen is great to stop them escaping. A few toys and leaves and a bit of dirt dosn’t hurt them! If you like to bushwalk when out camping with bubs, leave the pram at home, one of those baby carriers that you tie to yourself is perfect! Of course you bring the baby bits you need and that’s it. In no time, all that fresh air will have them snoozing and more time with your partner around the campfire and a well earned wine! A Great de-stresser from the four walls at home.

Kids love to travel too, its all the excitement of somewhere different to explore and seek out... Ok, by now your probably dreading that horrid car journey with the all to familiar sounds of “Are we there yet” “No”, “Are we there yet” ..etc   If its your first long travel experience with the kids, let me tell you, they will say that!! There’s no getting out of answering that dreaded continuing question. Best advice from me is answer them, please! Even if you say NO at least 10 times..(feels like a thousand) then quickly change the subject, works everytime. There are many car games along the way that can keep them entertained, I Spy is good one. Another practical idea is pillow slips over passenger and drivers head rests are great for colouring books, pencils, snacks etc..keeps everything together. We took a roadtrip to Kalbarri with the 3 boys in 2003, a few years before we did a trip to Shark Bay with just 2 boys. Now as everyone knows that is a 8 or so hour trip…try 13! It was all good, many pitstops but we made it and we all had a ball. I’m not saying its all easy but it can be done! Just don’t forget the huge bag of chuppa chuppas!

Then there’s the shorter journeys which work just as well, you’ll be amazed at what’s in our backyard, in just a few short hours. Rivers, dams, even streams make excellent fishing for kids of all ages, even the big kind! Kids love to explore and what great a place than out in the bush by a stream. Ice-cream containers work well for catching tadpoles, even some yabbies as my older son found out! Buying the kids a simple butterfly net is relatively cheap for catching those flying insects and bugs, as boys and girls too, like to do. Its like having your own space, doing your own thing and exploring whats around you and the best part, you don’t need much to do it.

If camping out in the wilderness isn’t your style and you prefer a few more luxurys like a working toilet, pool etc..Caravan Parks may well suit you and the kids, even your Dog. There’s always room on their grassy tent sites, pending you’ve booked before the holiday period. My Sister-in-Law, Hi Sue! for example lives on a farm out in the open, neighbours aren’t so close as they are in the suburbs and they love camping out bush just as much. But one time opted to try the camping site at a caravan park, which turned out great for them as their kids got to mix with other children on the parks playground and there was a closeness about the place with more people around. So depending where you prefer to camp with your kids, it’s all Fun! Memories are a Lifetime…

And when you’ve succeeded in doing that first camping trip with your kids, just ask them..”What was the best part?”… You will be surely rewarded in knowing  they’ll never forget it!

A book that’s out at Post Offices now for around  $30 is called ‘National Parks in Australia’ its like an Atlas guide to camping at National Parks. Check it Out, and get out there!