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Camping with Kids

Camping With Kids

Have you ever considered camping with the kids? Sounds a little daunting, doesn’t it. The thought of filling your car to the rooftop with every conceivable toy, gadget, and anything else that could remotely occupy your kids send shrills up your spine? Let alone that the tent, sleeping bags, torches, or more importantly the food is going to have to occupy what little space is left inside your vehicle! All the while, not forgetting that elusive member of the family, the Dog. Which if your pooch is tiny, like ours, has to squeeze into that little gap left between driver and passenger seats?

Seriously though, it really isn’t that bad. Camping with your kids is a rewarding challenge it opens up a whole new world, not just for them, but for you too.

People camp because they love it. It’s somewhere different, away from the everyday routine, a place to unwind, relax and do nothing basically! What more could you want, and it’s relatively cheap too. Whether it is 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, thanks to my parents who started with a basic picnic out in the bush, too 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, it’s something you never forget! Especially 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 by the beach, ready to throw our lines in for that elusive bite! I remember a time in 1986, while camped on a beach with my family, we happened to witness Halley’s Comet. Now that is something that doesn’t happen every day or year for that matter, and it is surely etched in my mind as a memorable experience.

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 of my own 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 is 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 snugly! And what’s even better, it’s easier to pack and put up, especially if you’re new at the camping thing with the kids... less is best! If your bringing more than the car can hold, hitch up your trailer. We did just that to bring the boys bikes, after much persuasion.

Even if you’re new parents with a young bub, don’t be put off! It is easier than you think. We had a simple bucket for our sons, when they were just 5mths old for a quick sudsy wash, and don’t forget, if room allows a wooden playpen is great to stop them escaping. A few toys, leaves and bit of dirt doesn’t hurt them! If you like to bushwalk or hike when out camping with bubs or even toddlers for that matter, a pram could be handy. I didn’t use one, but a baby carrier tied to you is perfect. Toddlers will walk forever if you let them! Of course you bring the baby bits you need and that’s about 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-stressor from the four walls at home.

Make sure you have a well stocked first aid box, cuts and scrapes do happen. If it happens to rain while camping out, turn it into a learning experience. There may be not too much one can do, but lots of books, papers, pencils to keep the youngsters occupied works well. Even talking about weather can be fun.
Kids love to travel too, its all the excitement of somewhere different to explore and seek out. Ok, by now your more than likely dreading that horrid car journey with the all to familiar sounds of “Are we there yet” “No”, “Are we there yet” ..Etc If it’s 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 answering them. Even if you say NO at least 10 times (feels like a thousand) then quickly change the subject, works almost every time.
There are many car games along the way that can keep them entertained; I Spy is a good one. Another practical idea is pillow slips over the passenger and drivers head rests are great for colouring books, pencils, snacks etc..keeps everything together. We took a road trip to Kalbarri with the 3 boys in 2003, a few years before we did a trip to Sharks Bay with just 2 boys. Now as everyone knows that is an 8 or so hour trip…try 13! It was all good, many pit stops 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 those special treats along the way.
Choosing a good place to camp - Research the recreation area well and avoid complications later on. If you have young children, pick a place that you will be able to supervise kids with a limited amount of effort.
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 a better 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 like to do. It’s like having your own space, doing your own thing and exploring what’s around you and the best part, you don’t need much to do it.

If cooking is their thing and you happen to have a camp oven, make some damper! All you need is flour, water, a pinch of salt and onto the camp fire. Let them do it and make a mess, that’s the fun part and the end result is just divine and yummy. Not forgetting, being watchful with them around camp fires. There’s nothing quite like sitting around a camp fire with a warm mug of Milo and marshmallow sticks for the kids. Forget the ghost stories thou, as much as we adults love to hear them around the fire at night. Not a good idea with the kids, they too have vivid imaginations! There is so much out there for them to do. Getting the kids to collect the kindling for the fire is a good start.

If camping out in the wilderness isn’t your style and you prefer a few more luxury’s like a working toilet, pool etc..Caravan Parks may well suit you and the kids, even your Dog. There’s always room on there grassy tent sites, making sure you’ve booked before the holiday period. My Sis-in-law for example, lives on a farm out in the open, neighbours aren’t as 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 the closeness about the place with more people around. So depending where you prefer to camp with your kids, it’s all Fun! Remember, when out camping with your family there’s no need to rush, enjoy your time together, these memories will last 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, and will be begging you to do it all over again!

Editors Note: My boys are now 9, 12, 14 and we now have a 3yr old Girl! Plus another dog! 

Happy Camping

Kath

File size	110 K
Date	Thu 07/29/2010 @ 06:57
Author	Kathy Monnery

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