5 tips, traveling essentials for kids

5 tips for essentials for kids

It’s not just Disney who do action-packed, head out into the countryside and you can create your own animated adventures. Here are some things to think about and pack when you are taking little ones away camping.

1)      Choose a child-friendly site and equipment

There’s a huge range of camping facilities out there and most have at least some child-friendly facilities but using a search site like Go camping america can speed up your search. Instead of simply googling for campsites in your chosen destination, this site allows you to search for parks that have specific facilities like playgrounds, games rooms and picnic areas to keep little ones entertained.

Of course, it’s not just the site that needs to be kind to kids – there’s your accommodation to consider too. Little ones can be nervous about staying out in the woods or country for the first time, so take that into account. On your first family adventure you may want to opt for a trailer instead of a tent. If you do choose a tent, think about whether there’s room for you to all snuggle down in one compartment together in case the fear of the dark gets the better of the children.

2)      Be kind to the environment around you

One of the nicest things about camping is being able to get close to nature in all its glory, but it’s important to leave it that way. Look out for eco-friendly sites that minimise waste and water and electricity use and try and do your bit while you are there: warn kids not to damage grass or plants, take all trash with you and use eco-friendly wash products that won’t damage the earth or hurt animals and bugs.

3)      Be prepared for all weather

From sunscreen through to Kids waterproofs, it pays to be prepared on camping trips. No matter how many times you listen to the weather report before you head off on your trip, packing for all weathers will mean you’re not continually cooped up indoors instead of having family fun. 

4)      Take activities with you

While it’s nice to be able to get stuck into some family hikes and picnics sometimes the weather just isn’t fun-friendly, even if you have packed your best wet weather gear. With this in mind, it’s always good to pack some board games, cards, coloring books and other things to do. These will give the children something to do while you travel and also help keep spending to a minimum on rainy days.

5)      Get the kids involved in planning

Just like any other activity, getting kids involved at the planning stage will get them on-side and excited. While it might be a bit much to give them free-reign on where you visit and when, you can spend time talking about the places you are going to stay and what you will do and mapping out key points on maps. This should keep them nice and busy in the run up to a trip and teach them some basic map skills too – you can even encourage them to draw their own mini maps and schedules for the vacation.

Susan S. Disclosure: The reviews and or opinions on this blog are my own opinions . No monitory compensation was received. I was not required to write a positive review. Your experience may differ. The opinions I have expressed are my own I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsement and Testimonials in Advertising .