7 Tips for Camping with Kids
Us Carrieres LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to Camp! We have been known to go camping impromptu on many the occassion. However, it is becoming more difficult to just up & head to Cherry Hill, Potato Patch or Almanor with having two kiddos now.
When we first went camping with Stephen (he was 3 months old) it became apparent that camping was NEVER going to be the same... Gone were the days of get up and go with just an ice chest, beer, food, sleeping bags & some fishing poles. Over the last few years with one & now two kiddos we have developed a pretty solid strategy for being able to camp at the last minute.
1. Keep All Your Campgear Together
Nothing delays packing up the truck like having to look for a missing sleeping bag or the fold up chairs etc. We keep all the non bedding gear in a specific area of the garage, and keep it easily accessible! All the bedding: sleeping bags, pillows, towels etc. are kept inside together in a closet, ready to go!
2. Have Dedicated Camping Only Kitchen Tools
We have camping only dishes, pots, pans, utensils....... We keep them all together in a large storage box. They stay in the box and only come out to be washed and then they go right back. This way we just have to grab the box and we know everything we need is ready to go.
3. Have a Dry Food and Paper Goods Box
Keep this item filled with your families favorite non perishables: marshmallows, graham crackers, chili, mac&cheese, cooking spices, oil, chips, fruit snacks etc. Refill after each camping trip to limit your pre-camping shopping trip.
4. Dedicate a Dresser Drawer for Warm Clothes
I make sure we always have warm clothes easily accessible; don't want to have to search the attic for sweatshirts in July! Makes for quick packing....don't forget lots of socks, like an ungodly amount.
5. Brush Up on Your TETRIS Skills
For real though.... the amount of stuff you need for camping with kiddos is ridiculous. Pack & plays, toys, bikes.... Speaking of toys, it is helpful to dedicate one of those storage bins to camping only toys; again so you can grab and go. Update toy bin as needed.
6. Meal Plan and Shop Accordingly
We typically have 5 or 6 camping meal staples. Many of the items can carry over to lunch/breakfast the next day etc. (goal is not to have any leftovers for returning home). We also have a dedicated food cooler and a dedicated beer/juice-box cooler. The ultimate goal of meal planning is so you just have to pick up some fresh items to go with your already packed dry items and ice from the store. I will shop while Rick packs up the truck so we just have to load the ice-chests and kiddos when I'm done shopping.
7. Have a Group of Camping Friends
Nothing makes a camping trip more fun than a group of friends...except a group of friends with KIDS! Kids entertain each other when together... otherwise its all MOMMY/DADDY (best whiney voice imagined) all trip long and that is no fun. So share these tips with your friends to ensure the next time you go camping is as enjoyable as possible.
Luckily Rick and I have some amazing friends who love to camp as much as we do. Can't wait to hear all about your camping adventures.
Check out some fun Nor Cal campgrounds HERE
Take a look at my Camping Pinterest Board HERE
Let me know how you save time while getting ready to camp with your Kids below!