How prepared are you for camping with a kid?

Camping along with your kids is a very educative and enjoyable experience provided you plan the camping trip. Here are a few expert tips that would make the camping experience unique.

Expert tips on heading to the great outdoors with kids:

Plan ahead: Planning well is very important to enjoy the best camping experience with the kids. Make sure you have plenty of food and the right gear; big things will automatically take care of themselves when you plan on little things.

Consider your children’s ages: There is no minimum age to camp; it is also possible to camp with toddlers. It is best to take an adult or teenager when camping with toddlers to keep watch; take along a baby carrier to hold the child when travelling with babies so that you can easily set up the tent and cook dinner.

Choose a campsite that is family friendly: Consult your friends who camp frequently and choose a location that offers good options of activities like hiking trails or a lake to play in. It is always best to choose smaller campsites that have less traffic than campsites near major roads.

Bring good supplies: This includes bikes, a football and water guns to ensure kids of all ages have fun; also bring along their favorite board games, a deck or two of playing cards, binoculars and small flashlights for everyone. You could also bring along a hammock to swing in and some sidewalk chalk for car camping.

Plan for rain protection: Pack along a supply of tarps and para-cord to create an emergency rain shelter; pitch a main tarp over the picnic table for dining and games area and another as a place to sit and read.

Involve the kids in camp tasks: Getting your kids involved in age-appropriate jobs like collecting rocks to weigh down tent corners or gather sticks for the fire would keep them focused on the job and would be a great help to you. Check on camp ground rules for gathering firewood and share it with your kids; also ensure they know how far away they can go and when they should be back.

Teach kids safety rules: Teach kids to not enter other campsites without your permission; younger kids should wear a whistle around their necks and older one should carry a first aid kit. Kids should be taught to stay at a tree and blow the whistle 3 times if they get lost in the woods and stay at the tree until they're found; they should repeat three short whistles as needed.

Pack fun camp foods to enjoy on your adventure: Toast a marshmallow over the fire and sandwich between graham crackers lined with squares of chocolate or make a simple campfire stew by browning ground beef and adding cans of tomato soup and vegetables, season to taste and enjoy. Bring fresh fruit and cheese for healthy snacks.

Take along more kids, adults/families: Take along some extra adults to watch over if you invite extra kids; taking another family along will make great memories for everyone.

Bring along the 10 essentials while camping or hiking in the woods: Bring along matches, a fire starter, a map, a compass, a flashlight or headlamp, extra food and water, extra clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen, a pocket knife and a first aid kit.

Use the buddy system: Do not let the kids walk alone in the woods; younger kids should be within eyesight and older ones within ear shot. Let the kids entertain themselves and explore and see what activities they can engage in; kids are really creative and they can have a memorable time at camps.

Learn about ticks that are a common danger in camps: Make sure your family knows what a tick looks like and how to remove one; they can burrow into your skin and cause Lyme disease and other illnesses. Add Tick Key  (a little aluminum gadget that removes ticks completely, safely and effectively) to your first aid kit and check each other for ticks often during the camping trip.

Educate your kids to identify poisonous plants and be aware of animals: Teach your kids to respect wildlife and dispose off trash properly. Help your kids gain a better understanding and respect for the great outdoors by teaching them about nature. Consider making a stop at your local book store to learn more about the wildlife.

Relax and have fun: Plan less and play more; camps are excellent opportunities to get away from everyday life. Narrate stories around the campfire, read or play board games by the light of a campfire, gather your chairs together to talk after dark and just enjoy one another's company in a natural setting.

These preparations are sure to give you a real enjoyable camping experience.