Reasons to take your kids camping
If you are wavering about whether or not you want to go camping with the family, we have put together a list to help you make that decision a little easier (and the most obvious reason not listed below is that its fun!!!)
Here are 5 reasons why you should take your children camping.
(If you need tips on taking children camping then click here)
1. Family Bonding Time
Sleeping in a tent, campervan or caravan is one way to get everyone together in close proximity. But more than that, it allows you as a family to do so many activities that possibly you don’t (or won’t) do at home because of the busy lives we lead.
Camping will allow you to cook together, prepare meals, work to set up your temporary “abode” for the night and do activities like hiking, fishing, roasting marshmallows, exploring, to name but a few. Telling tales around the campfire, and seeing children mesmerised by the story (and not their Nintendo DS) is priceless!
Without the interruptions of home, it may also be a chance to tell and hear more from each other.
2. Experience Nature
Did you know that its estimated only 19% of children climb trees now?
A study in the UK showed that a sample of school age children knew more about Pokemon than they did about wildlife. That is pretty scary to think that children were more up to date on pretend Japanese anime than real life creatures!
So, camping, is going to get your children out of their backyards, and into an environment that is going to allow them to see and experience nature unlike their home.
And whilst for some it may prove a little scary or daunting, do persevere. The bug that scared them on the first trip camping, may not be as frightening if they see it the next time. And the emus that wandered through our campsite that first time, freaked my children out. They had never seen such a big bird! Now, it’s like “oh, here comes an emu”….they watch but don’t go all crazy on us anymore!!
The benefits far outweigh the negatives.
3. Learning Experience
It’s not just going to be learning about nature (see point 2). There is more to learn than that! In fact, as adults, we learn something every camp trip!
Children get to learn about their surrounds, but they can learn about meal preparation, building fires, cooking, how to set up for a camp, learn more about activities (eg. fishing, hiking), and learn how to get by without computer and TV screens.
Being together in a less busy environ, might also make some children learn to get along with each other!!
4. Fresh Air and Open Skies
Not many of us probably sit it our backyards at night and look up at the sky with our children - There is always something to do around the house, or something to see on TV or on our PC, or the kids have to be in bed by 7pm.
When you are camping, sitting around looking up at the stars is what you can do. Sit with your children, and be amazed at the stars above you, the tranquillity and the clean air.
No interruptions. No pressing deadlines. Appreciate the stillness. Your children will too.
We have ideas on what you can do with your children outdoors - read our camping activities for kids to get some ideas.
When you are camping, sitting around looking up at the stars is what you can do. Sit with your children, and be amazed at the stars above you, the tranquillity and the clean air.
No interruptions. No pressing deadlines. Appreciate the stillness. Your children will too.
We have ideas on what you can do with your children outdoors - read our camping activities for kids to get some ideas.
5. Exercise that everyone wants to do!
For a lot of campers, its not all about just sitting on our camp chairs all day. Definitely, some days, but not all the time! With children, they tend to need a bit more entertainment, so exercise when camping is a lot more fun and easier than say, at home.
When you get up in the morning and depending on your campsite, there is a world of possibilities. Hiking, canoeing, playing in a creek, collecting firewood, climbing trees, clambering over rocks and playing hide and seek.
If you have brought your bikes, riding on dirt and over bumps is so much more fun – all that new territory to explore!
The sort of exercise your child does will depend on age and environment, but the main thing is they are moving and outside and hopefully having fun! A great way to get them moving is a scavenger hunt - running around to get the items, or using their technology to take photos of themselves with nature. Read all about scavenger hunts when camping and get prepared!
Just remember to have some snacks ready; exercise and fresh air makes kids hungry!
Want to know more about camping with children - here are our tips for camping with kids
Plus do you need to buy camping gear specifically for the children? Read our kids camping gear advice.
If you have teenagers, we have advice on camping with teenagers