One of the best ways to introduce outdoor camping to your kids is to plan a backyard camping in your own home. They will surely be so excited about the whole thing. Instead of pushing them to experience camping in parks or campsites far away from home, let them have their first taste of this kind of outdoor activity right in your own backyard. They would not be spooked by the idea of camping because they are in a familiar place. You can start by bringing out your outdoor camping tents and let them help you put it up.
Next, you can even make a pretend campfire by using top-of-the-line camping gear. They have this easy to use Road Trip Pack-Away Portable Fireplace and Grill that can serve as an outdoor fireplace and a grill at the same time. It is also a great way to introduce making s’mores while telling them funny stories. It is also the perfect time to introduce night sounds to them especially the hooting of the owls. They may not hear them but discussing it with them during this backyard camping will somehow allay some of their fears. If you can make them understand that they are natural sounds, they will be somehow forewarned about it and will not freak out when the time comes that you bring them over to a real campsite.
Before the actual backyard camping activity, make sure you check your outdoor camping tents. It will be too bad if there are bugs crawling inside it when your kids are trying to sleep. It has to be in a great working condition so you can efficiently encourage your kids about the joy in camping. It is even better if you use high quality camping equipment for the activity. They are not only durable but also easy-to-use. You had also better prepare them for the nightly bathroom visits. You need to discuss with them that they should not go anywhere without waking you up. It will also be great if you can convince them not to drink for an hour before sleeping time.
Camping also means playing many outdoor games and it will not take a long time for them to be convinced that it is one great activity that the family can do together. You can also discuss to them how to stay quiet during evenings so as not to disturb other people. You can do this activity several times before embarking in an outdoor camping far away from the comforts of your own home. However, make sure that your child is ready for it. After using mockup campfire on the first night, try introducing how to build a real campfire to your kids on the next day.
Talk to them about the danger that an uncontrollable fire can do to people and things. Teach them the do’s and the don’ts of campfire building. Guide them on how to do it but make sure that they understand that they still need adult supervision when they build one. When they sleep at night, make sure you have a lantern in handy so you can easily give light just in case your kids want them. Just make sure that they are battery-operated and they are safe to use inside the tent. Coleman camping equipment can make your camping lessons even more memorable.