It is camping season again and if you are like our family, camping is one of the top reasons we enjoy the summer. It is simply wonderful and invigorating to get away from the beeps and lights of all our distracting electronics and the general busyness of our lives. We live in such a beautiful world and taking a few days here and there over the summer to just enjoy it is a great reminder of God and His love for us.
Plus, camping naturally and in a fun way helps us practice and use essential survival skills that we could need in a disaster situation.
But I’ll be honest. Camping can also be very stressful. So much so that it wasn’t until recently that I even tried it with our kids! In order to keep my sanity (you know I’m a bit OCD, right?), I created an organized camping system that works well for us. I packed a few different tubs with our camping supplies. I never really unpack the tubs so I don’t actually have to pack and repack everything or even spend much time thinking about what we’ll need. It is just all right there. I have loved this system and since I posted it last year it has become one of the most popular posts on my site.
But there is always room for improvement! I learned a few things while camping last year, and I’ve spent some time this spring searching for additional ways to make our camping life better: simpler, more fun, more educational, tastier etc. I’ve found a few additional ideas I will be trying this summer. I hope they will improve your family camp outs as well!
13 Tips and Tricks for Camping With Kids:
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Ultimate Family Camping ListPack once and never pack again! Keep your camping supplies organized into tubs that stay packed and simply get restocked each time you get home. Just grab your tubs, pack a cooler and GO! Includes printable lists of suggested supplies. |
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Paper Towel HolderWe have a pretty good hand washing station with a paper towel holder, but inevitably, they always fall on the muddy ground at least a few times. This year, I will be hanging my paper towels using a bungee cord! Idea found here (#18) via pinterest. |
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Keeping your Cooler ColdIf you are going camping for an extended period of time or where it is especially hot, you will face the challenge of keeping your food cold. These tips from Lynn Bremner, a desert road trips expert should help! |
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PancakesWho doesn’t love pancakes when camping? This year, I will be pre-making our pancakes (restaurants do this…the batter will last 4-7 days) and putting the batter into a ketchup bottle. Less time, less mess and less space! Win. Win. Win. |
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Meal and Activity PlannerEven with my prepacked tubs, I still have to plan (and pack for) our meals and activities. I LOVE this planning system that Sarah over at Mean Mommy Academy created. |
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Ouch PouchI have a first aid kit in our camping supplies, but I LOVE the idea of having all the basics in a small little pouch I can keep handy and use for small “owies. It even includes a few suckers b/c sometimes that and a “mommy kiss” are the only things that really make it better. You can buy an ouch pouch on etsy here, but I will be making my own! |
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Camp CaddyOne problem with my tub system is that it can be hard to access things on the bottom once AT camp. This year, I will be adding a shoe organizer to our supplies so I can “unpack” the tubs at camp and have all my supplies ready to use! |
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Camp SongsOne of my favorite childhood memories is singing around a campfire. But when we took our kids last year, I couldn’t remember many camp songs. This year, I’ve printed this list and will bring it with us.. |
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Camping Bingo CardsI want my kids to notice what is around them when they are camping and gain an appreciation for all God has given us. These cards help make that FUN! |
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Camping Tic Tac ToeThe kids need something to do while my husband and I set up / take down camp. I love this simple, fun and free activity idea from 86 Days of Summer. |
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Explorer JournalI love this simple little (and free) printable journal from Fleece Fun. My kids love to explore and they love to talk about it. This journal turns that all into a great experience they can write about and have as a great memory / keepsake. |
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Free, Simple Family ActivitiesI like activities that bring us together as a family, but don’t cost money or require me to bring anything extra / special when we are camping (cause we already bring enough, right?) Most of the activities on this list from Real Family Camping are free and can be done with things right in your camp. |
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Easier Camping MealsI like to eat. I’ll admit it. I do. In fact, I love it. I especially like to eat well while camping. Doing so is much easier if you are able to make at least part of the meal at home before you get to the campground. Most of the recipes on this list from One Sweet Appetite fit that requirement. |
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Vegetable Barley Beef Soup
we just got a Coleman Weatherman tent and we love it! Room darkening and ventilation and SPACE. We have four kids, ages 15,13,11, and 9
Hello there,
I’m Jane, a freelance content writer. I’ve been researching an idea for a blog-post about outdoor lifestyle and why keeping kids and family safe has always been a top priority for parents– and then I thought that this could be an excellent contribution to your site simplefamilypreparedness.com
What do you think? Should I write it up and send you a draft?
Kindly let me know if you love the idea, and I’ll write up a post on it!
Thanks!
I am loving all your posts and lists! Thank you so much for sharing!
I suggest you write such kinds of posts daily to provide
the audience like me all the necessary info. In my
view, it is far better to be prepared for all the unexpected scenarios in advance, so thanks, it was fairly
cool.
When you are ready to get another tent I would really recommend an ozark trail tent from Walmart. They have a great selection of cabin tents ( straight walls). We have had one for a few years now and we love it. Ours is not an instant tent and we sealed all the seams. It has held up through wind and rain wonderfully.
Instead of a camp kitchen tub, we made a patrol box similar to what the Boy Scouts use. It makes it more organized and I work on the open part ( compared to a tub it has a fold down front). I leave it packed and just replace the items we used after we are done camping. I do like your idea of having a list of items in the tub and of things that need replaced each time.
Love the idea of the patrol box. THanks!
I bought enough oilcloth at Walmart to make a table cloth and seat covers for when it rains during the night and the picnic table benches get wet. oil cloth is flannel backed so it doesn’t slip. it comes in patterns, on a bolt in walmarts that sell fabric. you can also buy it at craft and fabric stores. Dollar tree has a cheaper version with plastic but they don’t last. I have used the same oilcloth tablecloth for 10-15 years.
Fantastic Kathy! Thanks for the tip!
Thanks for the tip! How do you keep the seat covers on the benches exactly?
thank`s for sharing… great post!!
togel singapore
Awesome tips! I’ll definitely be using most of these this year also! Thanks misty!
Thank Julie! I’m glad they were helpful!