Tips for Your First Campout with Kids

It’s never too early to start camping with your kids. It offers a unique opportunity to bond, explore nature, and create memories. Sleeping under the stars, enjoying campfire meals, snacks (hello s’mores!), and immersing yourselves in nature can be enriching for children and adults! A little bit of preparation goes a long way in keeping everyone safe and stress-free.

Preparation Is Key

For a comfortable and enjoyable trip, aim for overnight temperatures around 50-60 degrees. Always check the weather forecast before you go to decide whether you’ll tough it out in a tent or opt for the comfort of a cabin. Campgrounds are a great way to introduce your children to camping, as there are amenities like bathrooms, camp stores, and a variety of planned activities to help keep your little ones entertained while providing peace of mind for parents.

Pack a top-notch first aid kit

A well-stocked first aid kit is a must-have for any camping trip. Kids are natural explorers, which often means minor cuts, scrapes, insect bites, and burns are inevitable. Having the right supplies on hand can turn any potential mishaps into minor inconveniences, so you can get back to your adventures quicker.

Your camping first aid kit should include:

• Adhesive or liquid bandage

• Gauze pads and medical tape

• Antiseptic spray or antibacterial spray, ointment, or wipes like Dermoplast Wound Wipes

• Dermoplast products can double-task in anti-itch, burn, and insect bite support

• Tweezers and scissors

• Disposable gloves

• Pain relievers

• Hand sanitizer

• Any specialized medication for family members

Teach your kids basic first aid

Empower your kids with basic first aid knowledge. Not only does it enhance their safety, but it boosts their confidence and independence. Here’s how to make it fun and effective:

• Recognize and Report: Teach them to identify when someone is hurt and to alert an adult immediately.

• Identifying Supplies: Show them basic first aid supplies and explain their uses.

• Clean and Bandage: Demonstrate how to clean a wound and apply a bandage.

• Role-playing: Create fun scenarios to practice responses to common injuries like cuts, scrapes, and insect bites.

Additional safety tips

Set clear ground rules about campsite etiquette when you get there. Discuss whether your kids are allowed to be near water, if they can go to the bathroom by themselves, and what to do if they get separated. (One idea – set a buddy or whistle system!)

Nighttime safety is important — equip everyone with headlamps and flashlights and remind them to be aware of potential hazards such as nearby roads, steep drops, campfires, and wildlife.

Always Be Prepared to Have Fun

Stick to the golden rule of camping — leave no trace. When you’re packing to return home, make sure to take all your trash and supplies with you, unless there are designated trash bins onsite. Teach kids the importance of cleaning up after the environment. The key to your first successful camping trip is flexibility and fun. No pressure, just go with the flow and enjoy every moment!