It can sometimes seem like camping on your own or as a couple is much easier than going on a family camping holiday. By the time you load up the car and make sure you’ve packed enough food and supplies for everyone, you’re often exhausted and ready to go home.
However, family camping trips can be rewarding, with the potential for you to make memories that last a lifetime. If you want to ensure your next family camping trip goes off without a hitch, take note of these practical planning tips.
Invest In Comfortable Sleeping Quarters
Everyone feels much happier and more comfortable when they’ve had a good night’s sleep, so make sleeping arrangements your priority when planning your camping trip. Look at rooftop tents from leading brands like iKamper and even consider a camping annex to ensure enough space for the whole family. An ideal arrangement might be having everyone in the same tent, or you might decide to put the kids in the annex room to enjoy much-needed privacy.
Plan Activities
When you’re a solo explorer, you can enjoy activities on the fly without any planning. You can do the same when camping as a family, but it can sometimes be in your best interest to plan ahead to ensure everyone’s needs and wants are catered for.
Sit down together as a family and ask everyone what they would like to do on the camping trip. Cycling, swimming, hiking, and fishing are all fun activities that the whole family is bound to love. Once you know what everyone wants to do, you can plan the finer details, like where you’ll go and what equipment you’ll need to maximize the fun.
Organize Alternative Activities
Nature can be unpredictable, and there might be days during your camping trip when the weather is unsuitable for your chosen outdoor activities. In that case, make sure you have a backup plan to take full advantage of each day. For example, if it’s too cold and wet to go swimming at a lake or see a natural waterfall, you might visit a public pool instead.
Make a Meal Plan
Feeding a family out in the wilderness without a traditional kitchen can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. Create a meal plan, and you might be surprised by how satisfied everyone is with their camp food.
While campfires won’t be allowed in all locations for camp treats like smores, you’ll likely be able to use a gas cooker or barbeque to prepare a variety of delicious meals, such as one-pot stew, nachos, and macaroni and cheese. You can also bring plenty of non-perishable snacks like crackers, muesli bars, and nutrient-rich trail-friendly options.
If you plan to camp for several days, allow a gap in your meal plan for breakfast, lunch, or dinner at a local café or restaurant. Support local and enjoy a well-deserved break from
washing the dishes.
Conclusion
Planning a family camping trip doesn’t have to be as stressful as you expect it to be. Focus on these areas above, and there’s every reason to believe you’ll be able to plan a fun, exciting, and comfortable family camping vacation that’s memorable for all the right reasons.
