Camping & Hiking

Camping has always been a popular family activity. For some, it is not only leisure. It is a tradition! But even though you are an expert camper, things can get out of control sometimes, especially when you have a toddler!

To make sure you have a fun, safe and truly memorable camping experience with kids, here are some tips that you should consider:

Tips when Camping with Children

Make safety a priority

Anything could happen when you’re in the wild. And there are so many things to fear – from wild animals to mosquito bites – you must always observe camping precautions when you are with your kids. First of all, wear proper clothing. Take note that there’s no thermostat in the outdoors. It’s best to dress your kids in layers so they will feel warm when it’s cold and easily take off some layers when it’s getting hot. Don’t forget to pack your first aid kit and some medications just in case.

Observe proper hygiene

When you’re out there in the wild, you are exposed to every dirt and bacteria there is. Pack a hygiene kit for your toddler. It must contain soap, sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, sunscreen, dental care, etc. If you’re bringing your toddler’s favorite toy, make sure to sanitize it with wipes before and after she uses it to avoid possible exposure to disease-causing germs.

Bring multi-functional camping gear

Whether you’re camping alone or with your kids, there are some camping gears and must-haves you shouldn’t forget. One is a tarp. Waterproof tarps have many uses. You can use it as a hammock shelter or an A-frame tent, protect your tent in rain, cover your equipment, create a sleeping shelter, or block wind in your campsite. You also need a flashlight, portable wood-burning camp stove, cooler (which is essential in storing baby food or milk), compass, and multi-purpose tool or Swiss knife.

Organize fun activities

When it comes to children, it’s all about making the camping trip fun and engaging. Pack some cards or board games for your older kids, make s’mores, play flashlight tag, and storybooks. Bring some familiar toys for your toddler too. Also, choose a campsite that has many activities. Toddlers have a lot of energy and get bored easily.

Bring a lot of food

Yes. You read that well: A LOT. Toddlers are fussy when they are hungry. They also need to feed frequently to sustain their energy. You want to prepare healthy snacks for your little one. Bring some fruits like apples, bananas, and berries. Pack some breakfast sandwich, rolls, raisins, and snack bars. Don’t forget to pack some treats too! It’s okay to give them a few sweets and chocolate. Prepare individual containers for each of your children and have them carry their own backpack.

Bring familiar toys

While the outdoors are fun places for your little ones to explore, being in a strange environment can be overwhelming and uncomfortable for them. One way to keep them calm is to bring their favorite toy. Don’t bring too many toys though. Aside from being a hassle, it can distract your kids from exploring the outdoors.

Prepare for the unexpected

When you are traveling with kids, be prepared for the unexpected. You might find your two-year old screaming in the middle of her sleep or throwing tantrums. Worse, you might find yourself leaving the campsite earlier than expected. Prepare for the unexpected. You know your kid too well. Plan for mishaps. Have plan A, B, and C. Always model with a positive attitude. Always bring a bright face and happy aura. Children only copy what adults (especially their parents) do.

Ensure their comfort

In addition to their favorite toys, make your camping environment more comfortable for your kids by bringing their favorite blankie or bedding. You don’t need a fancy bedding but a safe and comfortable place for your toddler to sleep. Do pack extra pair of clothes, socks, baby wraps and hat. Consider bringing an umbrella stroller too which can be used as a campfire seat. If your toddler does not know how to walk yet, bring a comforter to lay on the ground where they can crawl on.

Be ready for naps

Toddlers need to sleep or else they will be fussy and irritable. When creating your camping schedule, don’t forget to insert naptime. Most kids need a nap every two hours. Some can bear longer waking hours. Bring comfortable travel beds where your toddler can sleep comfortably. Remember, a well-slept baby is a happy baby. You will also benefit from sorting a playlist of nursery rhymes and comforting music for sleeping.

Camping with toddlers can really be challenging and sometimes… frustrating especially if you are a first-time parent. Fortunately, there are ways to make your camping experience with your kids fun, exciting, and memorable.

When I imagine myself a survival scenario, I think about food, the tools that must be in my Bug Out Bag, or if the water I stored will be enough to quench the thirst of the entire group. I also think about finding/building a reliable shelter that will keep us safe until the main danger goes away.

However, I never think about how and where we’ll all sleep. When I plan for a disaster, I imagine myself active and on the run, but to keep my energy levels up, I need to relax. Even more, I have to sleep comfortably because a tormented slumber can quickly lead to health problems and this is not something you want when you’re fighting for survival.

So, to fix this flaw in my plan, I did a bit of research and learned there are two ways to go with this:

• air mattresses
• sleeping pads

Now, because both have strengths and weaknesses when it comes to a survival situation, I think it’s best to make a short comparison. This way you can weigh the good and the bad and choose the version that fits you best.

Still, before I start, you should know you can learn how to make a nature mattress if it happens and time catches you without a comfortable sleeping surface.

Air Mattresses vs. Sleeping Pads

First, you have to know the differences between a sleeping pad and an air mattress. The mattress can be inflated with air, offering you a taller sleeping surface that keeps you further away from the ground. On the other hand, the pad is mostly filled with foam and insulating materials, and it doesn’t change thickness.

The main advantage of an air mattress over the pad is the level of comfort. Because the bed is thicker, it offers more back support, and you can adjust the firmness per your needs. Even more, the air mattress follows the natural curves of your body, eliminating any pressure points. So, if you want comfort, the bed is the best choice.

The pad is not as thick and doesn’t provide a lot of comforts, but it is more convenient than the mattress. Usually, a bed can be quite bulky when you fold it up, and it also requires a pump, but the pad is easy to roll up and attach to your backpack.

Both options are prone to wear and tear, but a scratch on your mattress makes it unusable if you don’t have a repair kit. And, even with a repair kit, it still won’t perform as it used to. Not to mention that, in time, the valve that keeps the air inside starts leaking. The pad will also get scratched or punctured, but this doesn’t render it useless.

Regarding insulation, both options are preferred to sleeping directly on the ground, but the pad is more efficient. The air in the mattress tend to get cold if it sits directly on the ground, so you may wake up shivering in your sleeping bag. To be effective, an air mattress needs a base to keep it away from the field.

In Conclusion

Both the mattress and the pad can be useful, but if you plan on sleeping in a tent and moving a lot, the pad is the best choice. On the other hand, if you already have a reliable shelter (like a cabin) an air mattress is perfect as it’s easy to move around and provides you with lots of comforts.

I also recommend learning some tips for when you can’t sleep as survival situations can be really stressful and they take a toll on your sleeping habits.

Hammock camping is a new trend as it’s easy, convenient and more enjoyable than the traditional tent camping. Short plants forest with average rainfall rate, less mud, and swamp in Europe are perfect for hammock camping trips. At night, you will have a perfect view for stargazing and so romantic atmosphere for any sort of activities. In Belluno Dolomite, Italy or in Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia, everything you can camp, you can sleep in a hammock. But there some tips, or precautions you should practice to ensure safety during a hammock camping.

Image source

1. Don’t hang your hammock on dead or unequal trees

It is the most important thing you need to remember to have a safe and enjoyable hammock camping. The trees are the foundation of your hammock. Dead trees are weak and vulnerable – they can’t stand the weight of you and your stuff. If you tie your hammock to a couple of dead trees, even only one of them is dead, chances are they will break. Then, you will fall off to the ground. It’s hurt and dangerous!. It can damage your belongings, and some sharp points or pieces can stab you. Also, the hammock can be tattered, thus becomes useless for the rest of the journey.

Image source

Dead trees are not usable, and neither are unequal trees. Many people don’t like hammock camping because they don’t feel comfortable to sleep in a hammock. Space is narrow, so you can’t easily turn right or left. So, if you choose equal trees, you may be leaning toward the right or left. Your hammock can even be turned into a seesaw. It’s a terrible feeling! This is why you should hang the hammock onto a pair of equal trees. It ensures a balanced shape and angle. Your breath and blood circulation won’t be affected. As a result, you will feel more comfortable and have a nice dream.

2. Pack light and compact

The good point of hammock camping is compact, convenient, and minimal. Most of your stuff now will be stored in the backpack hanging up onto the hammock rope. Other small valuables will be kept inside the hammock. So, it’s ridiculous and impossible to bring your hair dryer or 4k TV. Fewer items also mean less burden is putting on the hammock and the trees, so less risk of snapping and breaking. Therefore, you need to pack as light as possible to have a safe and successful hammock camping.

Image source

To pack light, you need small but versatile tools. One of the most necessary item for a hammock camping is a tactical flashlight. As other lights, it provides visibility in dark conditions. Thanks for it you can build your shelter or prepare food when the sun is set. But it isn’t a normal flashlight, it’s tactical. That means it has more, almost survival, uses. A police flashlight often has a solid body with a serrated bezel. You can use it to fight against the intruders. With the sharp bezel, any wild animals or bad people will be scared away. Moreover, a good police flashlight can perform digging, hammering, and other tasks to survive in the wild.

If you want a self-defense option, don’t bring a gun but a knife. Travelling with a gun is complicated. It requires lots of certifications and commitments. Some countries and states may not give you a permission, too. A knife is smaller, easier to conceal, and more useful. Aside from self-defense, a knife can help you tackle any tasks, even the heavy ones. If you buy one of the best EDC fixed blade knife in the market, you can use it for preparing food, cutting ropes or plants, and making tinder. If your specific conditions require more heavy duty tools, a Mora knife or a bushcraft knife is suitable. To hunt animals or to build the shelter, those durable and powerful knives will give you a hand.

Spyderco is a famous brand of knife that produces the most reliable and effective knives. Check here for a list of the best Spyderco knife in the market.

3. Wear warmer

Image source

Wearing more layers of clothes is vital for your health either you are in a tent or a hammock. During hammock travel, it is more important. Modern hammocks always have thick layers of anti-cold materials. It can keep you from the freeze of rain and snow. But for more guarantee, you also need to protect your body. Give yourself a pair of socks, a wool hat, and a scarf. You should wear an extra sweater and long, thick pants to warm your entire body. The warmer you are, the better your sleeping and health are.

4. Use a tarp

Image source

A tarp is a thick layer of waterproof material that lays above your hammock. This roof will protect you from rain, snow, leaves, or even bugs – things that will fall down from the sky. It ensures you a good and undisturbed sleep. It stops anything trying to hit your face. It keeps cold water and snow away from you. Moreover, you can use it to wrap things when not in use. This will protect your small valuables and stuff that can’t be wet.

Final words

Hammock travel is proving to be more exciting, enjoyable, and become a new trend among dedicated travelers. But if you go on the way without basic knowledge about safety, you will risk your life. Never hang your hammock on dead trees or unequal trees. Pack as light as possible to reduce the burden, wear warmer and use a tarp to protect yourself from environmental threats. By following these tips, you may have a remarkable, safe and enjoyable hammock camping ever in your life.