Camping With Kids Checklist
Do the dirty work ahead of time and and prepare a “camping with kids checklist” for your group
When planning a Dads & Kids Camping Weekend, or any camping trip, it’s important to be prepared. If you’re expecting a large group trip, it will be beneficial to both you and your campers to gather a master “camping with kids checklist”.
Your dads will thank you when you remind them of all the little things that they probably would have forgotten otherwise. It will also help new dads develop their expectations of the weekend.
Young kids
Toys, security blankets, lots of snacks and plenty of entertainment is encouraged. Young kids can’t run off with other kids for an afternoon like the older ones can. This means you’ll be spending a whole lot more time keeping them happy.
Comfort items like coloring books, trucks, dolls and items they’d find at their own house will keep them at ease on days where they’re feeling uneasy or overwhelmed.
Tweens
Flashlights, several pairs of shoes or boots, mp3 players, tools for building and lots of projects that can be created independently work for this age group. Kids in those in-between ages will be perfectly happy to frolic with other kids their own age, but it’s best if you give them something constructive to do.
If your kid is shy, you can’t force them to play nicely with the other kids until they’re comfortable. This might not happen until the first group campfire or ice-breaking activity. Bringing an iPod for the trip will give them something to do when they want to chill out from all the excitement.
If your kid isn’t shy, bringing things like a few extra pairs of shoes will keep their feet clean and warm when they’ve been out building forts in the woods or catching fish by the river all afternoon.
Mini adults
Kids that have gotten to that age where they’re either Dads & Kids Camping aficionados or “too cool for school” may be hard to work with. Asking them to be part of the dadly duties will help keep them engaged, and having them to cook or set up the tents will give them a sense of responsibility and pride.
If your kid has been coming to Dads & Kids Camping Weekend for several years, they might just be happy to meet up with old friends and start hanging out. This is OK too.
In terms of entertainment, try lighting up your nights by bringing glow sticks and sparklers. Glow sticks are non-toxic and safe so that even preschoolers can enjoy them. Older kids will enjoy lighting sparklers from the campfire and waving them around to create patterns in the air.
Finaly, the most important item to have on your “camping with kids checklist” is a camera. This weekend is going to make memories that they won’t soon forget.
If you want to learn more about how to start and organize your own Dads & Kids Camping Weekend, check out my 45-page Dads & Kids Camping Handbook.