Camping Hacks for Families

Ah, the
family camping trip: fun-filled days at the lake or river, restful afternoons
lying in a hammock slung between two trees, roasting marshmallows by the
fire, and snuggling into cozy sleeping bags at night.

At
least, that’s what glossy magazine covers and campground brochures would have
you believe about the experience. If this idealized version of events doesn’t
exactly mirror your own camping experiences, you’re not
alone.

My first few excursions into the great outdoors with
my kids involved more work than play, more chaos than relaxation, and far
more dirt (on everything) than I bargained for. In the years since, I’ve
learned some tricks of the trade that have turned my camping trips into
(almost) the postcard version.

Want to ensure that your
next camping trip is relaxing, stress-free, and focused on the fun, not the
chores, in the outdoors? The following camping tips will ensure more time in
the hammock and less time over a camp stove.

Source: Fix.com

Simplification
is the key to creating a relaxed camping atmosphere. Reduce clutter around
the campsite and shorten your packing list by bringing a few ordinary objects
that can double as useful camping tools.

• Instead
  of hauling bags of ice (and dealing with the mess), freeze plastic water
  bottles and let them slowly melt, first cooling your food, then ensuring
  hydration.
• Skip the bulky camping lantern: instead,
  simply wrap a standard headlamp around a clear plastic water jug. It will
  light up the entire picnic area for games of cards after
  dark.
• No need to bring sleeping pads
  and water toys. Sleep on plastic blow-up air mattresses
  that can go straight from the tent to the lake. Float on them during the day
  (or take a nap!), then return them to the campsite each
  night.
• Don’t buy an expensive camp kitchen set. Bring a
  hanging shoe organizer to store camp kitchen supplies, such as spices or
  grilling tools.
• Why buy fire starter or chemical-based
  gel? Use dryer lint as your fire-starter: simply save lint in cardboard egg
  carton pockets, pour wax over each pod, then bring along to start your
  fire.
• If you buy coffee at home, there’s no need to buy a
  toilet paper roll container. Store toilet paper rolls in your empty plastic
  coffee containers (the big ones work best). The toilet paper will stay dry
  and be easy for kids to find when they need
  it.

Source: Fix.com

Unfortunately,
not every camping item can be “MacGyvered” from items you already own. A few
camping “luxury” items can go a long way toward ultimate comfort and fun in
the
outdoors.

• A
  good hammock: We stand behind the Grand Trunks Goods double hammock (as
  reviewed on PracticalTravelGear.com), which is easy to set up, comes in a
  compact stuff sack, and fits two people
  comfortably.
• Headlamps for everyone: A
  headlamp can be picked up for under $10 and allows for hands-free
  illumination. We’ll never return to clumsy flashlights
  again.
• Hydration packs: Want kids to
  stay hydrated? Outfit them with small hydration packs (one liter will do).
  Most day packs now fit hydration pack bladders, which can be purchased solo
  for under $30.
• Water shoes for the
  family: Say goodbye to stubbed toes and splinters in little feet.
  Water shoes can be worn in and out of water, performing double duty as light
  hiking shoes. We love the Keens and Columbia
  options.
• A dining set for every family
  member: Check out Light My Fire: this camping product
  company makes individual meal kits that include a plate, bowl, cup, and
  utensils that all fit together. Kids take pride in ownership, which means
  they’ll do their own dishes.
• Mosquito bands,
  candles, or clothing: Mosquitos are an unfortunate evil of outdoor
  recreation, and repellent spray is often unhealthy and smelly. Mosquito bands are a non-intrusive
  alternative, and they can be bought for just a few dollars. Ditto for
  citronella candles, which can be set out on picnic tables after dark. If you
  want to go high-tech, try insecticide-treated clothing, with repellent
  infused directly into the fabric. Exofficio.com and Columbia.com both make
  shirts, pants, and bandanas in this fashion, but they won’t come
  cheap.
• Sun and shade shelter: Everyone
  remembers a tent, but many campers overlook the convenience and comfort
  offered by a sun and shade shelter. These simple canopies can be set up over
  picnic tables for shaded meals and card games or brought to the lakeshore to
  protect kids from the sun.

Dining
Hacks

Families can have all the right gear and convenient
household items, but if you’re still slaving over the camp stove, your trip
won’t be relaxing. The following dining hacks make meal prep and planning a
breeze. We prefer to cook most of our meals over the campfire or on the BBQ
to make food fun and clean-up
simple.

• Grill
  fruit on the barbecue: Fruit is more appealing than grilled veggies
  to kids, and with a little whipped cream, you can skip the marshmallows. We
  prefer to create fruit kabobs with stone fruit such as peaches, pineapple,
  grapes (cut in half for young children), and strawberries. Local berries
  bought at farm stands or even picked by the family work well,
  too.
• Make “pocket” dinners: Create
  pockets of tin foil and fill with sliced potatoes, zucchini, onions, and
  other veggies, and then let them cook in the coals. It’s best to use heavy
  duty foil to ensure that ashes don’t get into your meal. Each pocket is
  customizable and fun to eat! Best of all, when you’re done, simply ball up
  your foil and toss it on the fire. Dishes are done!
• Pack
  milk substitutes instead of cow milk: Milk substitutes like soy,
  almond, and rice milk don’t have to be refrigerated, and vanilla or chocolate
  flavors are appealing to most kids, so there’s no need to worry about keeping
  milk cold for breakfast cereal.
• Skip the
  dishes: Use empty snack-size chip bags as individual serving
  “bowls” for chili, stew, or even oatmeal. Kids love these “on-the-go”
  containers.
• Don’t get fancier than boiled
  water: If you really want to simplify mealtime, buy dehydrated
  backpacking single- or double-serving meals. They taste just fine in the
  wilderness, require only boiling water, and take about five minutes to
  prepare.

Source: Fix.com

Camp
Close to Home

There is no need to drive hours for a family
camping trip. Find a campground close to home to keep stress at a minimum.
Plus, being near home allows for spontaneous camping or quick returns home
for forgotten items. Check your region’s state park listings and then search
for available sites online. KOA.com is a good resource for campsites with
kid-friendly amenities, like pools or mini golf courses. A short drive and
familiarity with the surroundings helps campers to relax more
quickly.