Tips for First Time Campers with Kids
Camping with your kids can be a positive life changing experience for both you and them but it may also come with a set of challenges. A few things may go wrong which may spoil the joy and hype that comes with camping or if it’s your first time camping with the kids chances are you may be really anxious and paranoid and a lot of questions may be going through your mind like how the trip will go, if the kids will be safe, how will the kids behave, will they have enough activities, what if they encounter wildlife and so on so forth which will definitely spoil the mood.
To help you out with that, we have come up with some tips and tricks that we believe will help you stay sane and kill the paranoia so that you and your kids can have a good time. That also includes your furry kids as we can understand a lot of families have a few additions running around, so don’t forget what you may need for your pet/kids. You can read our Pet Friendly Camping Tips if you thinking of bringing your dogs camping.
Have a Weekend Checklist
When travelling with kids, you need to bring more with you than when it’s just adults. There are so many things to factor in and if you don’t have a list it’s really easy to forget.
A strategy you can use is by breaking down your list into categories like:
- Food
- Toiletries
- Kitchen Supplies
- Toys
- Gear for Activities
- Lighting
- Do you require electricity or not?
- Car Extras
Keep the Kids busy
This is important especially while on the road or else you will be bombarded with the Are we there yet question after every 20 minutes which may drive you insane unless you have the patience for it. Carry books, games and of course some snacks with you. You could also play music and sing along with them. Do whatever will work to keep them happy and distracted. Keep in mind though that younger children have no concept of time or distance so there’s not much you can do even when you think you are doing the most. Try to make frequent stops on the way to give them a chance to stretch and reduce restlessness. Camping locally or within a few hours drive will minimise any painful long drives with the kids.
Don’t forget some Camping Entertainment:
- Balls for football, cricket, soccer
- Frisbees
- Vortex for throwing
- Card games
- Bikes and scooters
- Coloring books
- Binoculars
- Cameras
- Swimmers
Kids Outdoor Activities you can find at Murpys Creek Escape
While looking for a bush camping site, ensure the camp offers some safe outdoor activities for the kids which will help keep them busy as well. We offer some of the best outdoor adventures for kids. You will find all the neccesary outdoor camping kids activities to ensure that you are able to relax unwind and maybe have a beverage or two while the kids are occupied. Not to mention our new camping eco-billabong to keep you cool all year round! You can have peace of mind in knowing that your kids are safe on our family friendly campgrounds. We are also pet friendly so if you want to bring your furry friends camping, well there is plenty of room for them as well. Murphys Creek Escape is sure to be at the top of your list next school holidays for a family camping trip to try. This back to nature bush camping experience is located only 45mins from Brisbane, 30mins from Ipswhich and 20mins from Toowoomba. Conveniently located a 5min short drive off the Highway in Murphys Creek, Lockyer Valley. The campgrounds are kept clean and there is plenty of access for 2WD and 4WD cars.
Kids Camping Activites at Murphys Creek:
- Archery
- Bird Feeding
- Abseiling
- Giant Swing
- Mountain Biking
- Hiking
- Ninja Warrior Jungle Park
- Natural Eco Swimming Pool
- Pet Friendly Camping
- Camp Fires Allowed
Set up your Campsite Together
Doing this gives them a chance to learn how to do so as early as possible plus it will be fun for them especially. Give them simple tasks like setting up chairs and tables and unpacking light items from the car. You want tasks that they can do without too much effort and stress for and tasks that won’t be of harm to them. Remember to be patient with them while giving them instructions. This also includes your hand washing and bathing station. You could look into getting a lightweight camp shower and babies bring along a plastic bathing tub for them.
Teach them Camp Safety and Etiquette.
Guide them on the few rules they need to know and follow while camping. Some of these include;
- Respecting other people’s camping sites
- No shouting especially early in the morning and late at night
- No littering
- When they are out there bike riding they should have their helmets and knee caps on
- Keep them away from open fire. No running around fire pits. Always supervised near fireplaces
- If there are water bodies around the campsite, younger kids should not attempt to enter without adult supervision
- They shouldn’t wander off into the forest or bushes alone.
- Have your headlamp with you at night.
- If you see any snakes just walk away from them and tell the camp owners
Give them Simple Chores
This another way you can keep them busy. Things like collecting litter, cleaning up after themselves, folding their clothes, putting away their toys after playing and such. It teaches them how to be responsible while camping in Australia and they could carry that habit with them back home. Remember to relax though. Moving from one activity to another can be exhausting so set some time aside where all of you can just chill and unwind.
Plan out your Meals and Snacks
The best way to ensure you camping trip remains peaceful for the entire duration is not forgetting the food! When kids get hungry they get grumpy and throw tantrums. Prepping in advance makes things easier and faster.
A Quick checklist for kids camp meals:
- Webber or BBQ – This will save your life when it comes to whipping up a quick meal in no time or reheating the previous nights camp dinner from the esky
- The Esky – Most important item for all meals and snacks, keeping leftovers cold and your meats and vegtables on ice will be ideal
- Plastic Containers – Great for putting in breakfast, lunch and dinner leftovers, you might want to cook earlier in the day and reheat food later, plastic containers fit easily in an esky and will make life easier
- Reusable Plastic Plates or Disposable Plates – Make sure to bring along some plates to serve your meals on
- Plastic Cuttlery – Best way to go for those who don’t like cleaning up, you can pick up a packet of plastic cuttlery from any convenience store
Ensure these meals are easy to prepare so as to give the kids a chance to help you out. Just ensure the kids are under supervision. Make sure you store the food in plastic containers or zip lock bags.
Ensure you Set-up their Sleeping arrangements
Try and make them as warm and comfortable as possible with the new environment. Read them a bedtime story, sing to them and ensure you bring the item they love sleeping with, be it a blanket or doll with you.
There are a lot of options you can use when it comes to sleeping such as air beds, camp beds, inflating mats etc. Consider things like whether the kids will sleep with you, will they need their own mattress, will you need a porta cot for your baby, how much room do you have in your tent and so on. There’s nothing as annoying as having a bad night when you can’t enjoy camping time with the adults because the kids are staying up.
Ideal Kids Sleeping Setup:
- Small 2 Man Tent will be enough for the kids, it will have enough room for them to play, sleep and give you peace for awhile
- Yoga Mat will do for an underlay or anything similar
- Sleeping Bag will make the kids comfy, maybe an extra blanket if in Winter
- Water nearby the tent, kids will go through a lot after playing during the day or after long hikes or just talking so much
If you are looking to purchase camping gear you can check out our Top Camping Stores in South East Queensland.
Have fun!
Last but not least, have lots of fun. Your kids will have these memories with them even when they grow older so make it worthwhile.
Bonus tip: Do thorough research on the campsite you will be visiting, have as many outdoor activites as possible and take note of the weather as well. Make sure to book a stay with us for your next Australian bush camping trip to South East Queensland.