Summer Travel Camping Tips for Families

Now that the kids are out of school, many families enjoy venturing outside to enjoy the good weather and the beauty of nature. Camping is a fun and affordable way to do just that! Our family took our very first tent camping trip last summer in Devil's Lake, Wisconsin with a 1-, 3-, and 5-year-old. This year Kampgrounds Of America (KOA) invited our family to try a cabin at one of their Kampgrounds, which was a cool alternative way to experience camping with young kids. If you're new to camping with kids and want to give it a try, here are some great tips to keep in mind.

Maybe you're not ready to invest in a tent, or you're not sure whether your family will even like camping. KOA's cabins are a great way to test the waters. Everyone will still get to sleep in a comfortable bed and the cabins are climate controlled. We stayed at a campground in Florida during a heat wave, so we were very thankful for that! You're still close to nature without going completely off the grid. It's the best of both worlds.

If you're trying tent camping for the first time, be sure to practice setting up your tent once or twice at home first. If you wait until you arrive at your campsite to set it up for the first time you risk not having internet access to help with instructions or feeling frustrated as the kids whine or get into things they're not supposed to.

The biggest mistake we made the first time we went tent camping was thinking we didn't need a sleeping pad under our sleeping bags. We put our sleeping bags right on the ground and suffered through a sleepless night of rocks digging into our shoulders. Nowadays there are air mattresses, foam pads, and self-inflating sleeping pads to choose from. Do your research and pick the one that's right for you so you can face your day with energy.

For your first time camping, whether in a tent or a cabin, do a test run close to home. Knowing you can always run back for a forgotten necessity or having an out in case it's a disaster and you want to bail is so good for everyone's mindset. Once you gain confidence as campers you can start venturing further away. Consider what types of amenities your family would be most comfortable having around. Places like KOA or glamping destinations have pools, running water and even WiFi. More remote destinations or National Parks will be beautiful but may require more preparation and experience.

Some campgrounds might provide plastic chairs, but there's something nice about having your own mesh camp chairs around the campfire. They dry quickly in case of rain, and many come with cup holders and even cell phone pockets so you can enjoy your campfire in style.

Don't forget about seating for your baby or toddler! One of my biggest sources of stress while camping with young kids was keeping our youngest away from the campfire. We brought a portable high chair and kept him confined there most of the time. Depending on your child's age and stage, seating and containment options include pack n plays, strollers, portable high chairs and baby carriers.

If you're not staying in a cabin with a handy refrigerator, bring 2 coolers. Designate one for beverages and one for food. Researching tips for keeping everything ice cold in the cooler was super helpful for us since we were bringing items like milk and yogurt for the kids. Try freezing a few gallon jugs of water to use as ice packs. As they melt, you can then use them for fresh water.

The best purchase we made before camping was 2 clear storage bins for food and supplies. They're durable, keep out moisture and animals and make it easy to see where everything is stowed. These bins also stack well so you can easily organize your campsite. Don't stop at just storing food in your clear bins, though. Why not use them to pack clothes, supplies, sleeping bags and blankets?

In the days leading up to your trip, be sure to write out a camping meal plan. Purchase, prepare, chop, cook, and season your food ahead of time so all you have to do is heat it up on the grill. Tin foil will be your best friend. The KOA team suggests cracking and whipping your eggs ahead of time and storing them in an empty water bottle to make cooking scrambled eggs a breeze!

You never know what could happen when kids are playing outside. From cuts and scrapes to sunburns and bug bites, you want to be prepared to deal with discomfort. Think bandages, aloe, sterile wipes, gauze pads, hydrocortisone cream and pain relief medicine along with standards like sunscreen, bug spray and hand sanitizer.

Even with hiking, swimming and exploring the great outdoors, you're still going to find yourself entertaining little kids for long stretches of time. Some easy and cheap ways to keep them occupied are glow sticks, bubbles, buckets and shovels and nature scavenger hunts. Don't forget whimsical touches like string lights on the entrance of your campsite that kids will love!

The first time I did this I felt ridiculous. I was playing nature sounds on a machine in our tent when real nature sounds were happening just past the nylon wall. In reality, though, people were playing music, talking loudly and driving near our campsite while we tried to put our toddler to bed so we could enjoy the campfire. The noise machine will help drown out the ambient noise so your baby can get some shuteye.

Campgrounds can get quite dark at nighttime, so make sure to bring a lantern and flashlights to make your way around your campsite safely. You never know who is going to have to get up in the middle of the night to get a drink or water or go to the bathroom. Don't have a lantern? Try this tip from the KOA team: place a headlamp facing inward on a jug of water for a cool glow at night!

Before you even build a fire, ensure that it is safe to do so. If you're not sure because of a drought in the area or wildfire risk, check with officials at your campsite or park. If you're cleared to build a fire, be sure to use local wood so as not to spread harmful insects. You can usually purchase some on-site. Use an existing fire pit and make sure kids know about fire safety. Keep small children contained or on your lap. Finally, don't forget to extinguish your fire when you're ready to retire for the night.

Don't forget to check for rain, storms, or chilly weather before you leave for your camping destination so you can bring the proper gear. Extra socks and layers will help keep everyone warm if the temperature drops significantly at night. If it's going to be hot and humid, a portable fan will go a long way toward keeping you cool. Be prepared with rain jackets and activities for inside the tent if it rains.

One of the biggest benefits of camping with kids is having the opportunity to teach them about existing in nature respectfully. Talk to them about the beautiful plants and foliage around your campsite, Go for a nature hike and see how many different types of animals or insects you can spot. Show them how to leave no trace when you pack up your campsite and remind them not to take anything away from its natural environment.

One thing I was so glad our family did before we embarked on our first camping trip was to ask our friends and neighbors for tips. I also checked around to see if we could borrow camping items we didn't currently own to minimize cost. People in your community are more than willing to share what they've learned and amassed over the years. Make use of that collective wisdom to get the most out of your trip.

Whether you're visiting the local KOA or going backcountry camping in a National Park, make sure to make your reservations well in advance to get the campsite you want. If you wait until the last minute you might be stuck with campsites on a hill, campsites that are in loud areas or more expensive costs.

I know this doesn't apply to everyone, but for those of us who crave our morning cup of joe, it's basically a necessity. Consider whether you want to make instant coffee, use a French press or try a pour over so you can stock up on the materials you need. There's nothing cozier than sipping hot coffee around a campfire, especially if you can manage to wake up before your toddler.

As the adult, you set the tone for your family's camping trip. Speaking from firsthand experience, things will go wrong. Someone won't sleep well, things will get dirty, you'll forget something important or the weather won't cooperate. If this is your first or second time camping you might be tempted to throw in the towel when things get hard. Remember that if you stick with it and keep trying it camping can be very rewarding for the whole family. A positive attitude goes a long way!