Outdoor Blog
20 Family Camping Hacks to Keep Kids (& You) Happy

One of the most fun experiences you can have as a parent who loves the great outdoors is introducing your little ones to camping, hiking, and more.
Learning to appreciate nature at an early age, as well as the basics of outdoor safety and survival, can set a child up for a lot of success. While it can be a lot of fun to share your love of nature with your kids, there are also challenges that come along with family camping. With these tips in mind, your kids (and you!) can rest easier, stay safe, and have more fun on your next trip.

With some preparation, a family camping trip can be lots of fun!
General Family Camping Hacks
To start off, let’s look at the big picture, and some general camping ideas to keep in mind during your next family camping trip. The good news is that natural wonder is going to do most of the work for you! If you can make sure your kids feel safe, involved, and engaged, it’s easy to have fun, learn, and bond as a family when camping together.
1. Involve Kids in Some Decisions
The key to having the best camping trip possible with your kids, no matter what their age, is making sure they feel engaged and involved with the process. If you can convince them that this is something they want to do and have some say in, it’s a lot easier to go along with the plan.
Otherwise, you’ll be spending most of the time trying to convince them to pay attention, stop complaining, or see the value in the natural world around them. So the first step is to make sure you involve them in some decision-making when you’re getting ready and out on the trail.
2. Be Flexible and Understanding
On the other side of things, you should also approach your child’s first camping trip with reasonable expectations. They may not love it right away, and it can take some time to figure out how to have fun together as a family.
You know your children best, so listen to them, pay attention, and be ready to understand when they get stressed out, tired, or bored. With this guide in mind, you can avoid a lot of the common pitfalls, but children of any age can always throw you a curveball.
3. Anticipate Challenges
On that note, an integral part of the first-time camping experience is to anticipate potential challenges you may run into. Think about stress points in your everyday life with your child and then integrate solutions into your camping checklist.
For instance, a picky eater might need additional food options to try. Or for kids that are potty training, you might want a travel toilet to encourage them to use it. Make sure to bring kid-safe insect repellent and consider other safety issues like potentially poisonous plants.
4. Stay Organized
This one might sound a little silly. As a camper or backpacker, you know that organization is key to a smooth trip even without kids. As a parent, you know that being perfectly organized with kids is nearly impossible. So the trick here is to organize as much as you can beforehand. Especially if you’re planning on camping as a family often, organizing everything you need into set totes, packs, and bins can help.
You should organize items by type and when you’ll need them. So, bug spray, sunscreen, and your first aid kit need to be accessible anywhere: on the trail, at a campsite, in the car. Items like sleeping bags and cooking materials can be stored by type for easy unpacking when you make camp. The more specific you can get the better!
5. Take Advantage of Childlike Wonder
One plus side of camping with kids is that everything is new to them! That means they’re often naturally excited about seeing new things, exploring new places, and learning about camping and hiking from you. So use that to your advantage!
Enjoy the time without kid’s TV shows to watch and try to connect with them as much as you can. Camping can be an excellent bonding activity and simply sharing what you know about nature, trail etiquette, and more, is often enough to make a family camping trip a big success.

Kids can be picky eaters so make sure you include a few treats in your camping menu!
Getting Ready: From Food to Fun
Still, there’s a lot you can do to ensure everyone has fun. One refrain here will be to prepare, prepare, prepare. Anything you can do in advance will make it easier when you get out on the trail. Things may still change and surprise you, but you’ll reduce the potential problems that might turn up.
6. Practice At Home
One way to iron out the kinks before your next camping trip is to “go camping” at home first. Whether you do this out on a lawn, or even in an indoor play area if you don’t have outdoor space at home, a practice run can make family camping a much easier endeavor.
You can anticipate many different problems that may come up, but for a truly stress-free camping experience, you should try it at home first. You may be surprised what your child finds difficult or stressful! And once you know, you can prepare for it in advance.
7. Pack Foods They Like
While a camp kitchen doesn’t offer the greatest variety of food options, camping food has gotten a lot better than it used to be! There are tons of ready-made camping meals available now, and some that even cater to kids specifically. One trick here though is just knowing what your kid likes to eat and involving them if possible in meal planning.
For instance, they may be more likely to eat the healthy parts of a meal if you let them pick which veggies to go with. But it can also help you figure out what they’re most likely to eat on the trail. After all, one of the biggest limitations of camping is having a set amount of food to choose from. Consider packing some fun treats, like marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers for s’mores or other campfire favorites.
8. Help Them Pack
For young children, you’re most likely packing for them. But as young as possible, you can try giving them a packing list to work off, as well as a duffel bag or small backpack to fill. You should of course check their work later and help them understand the list as much as you can.
This is one of the important lessons you can teach just by involving them in camping trips early on. So even if they’re not ready to pack on their own, let them help and be part of the process if you can.
9. Dress in Layers
It’s always a good idea to dress in layers if you’re going out into the wilderness. You always want to have more options than necessary for levels of warmth and wind protection. After all, the whole idea of going camping is to be (somewhat) out in the elements.
So a key part of any successful camping trip is staying safe, warm, and dry. This is especially true for little ones! Even if you’re not cold, they might be, so have the right layers for the season of your trip.
Fun Camping: Keeping Campers Happy
Take a deep breath! After all that prep, you’re ready to go and excited to head out on a peaceful trip with kids in tow. When you step out the door, however, the camping adventure truly begins. Remember: stay flexible! Even with perfect planning, things might not go exactly as expected. Keep these tips in mind to make sure the trip goes smoothly and that your little campers stay happy on the trail.
10. Find A Kid-Friendly Campsite
One thing you might consider when camping with kids is whether it’s worth it to be close to some amenities. Restrooms, a water pump, and handwashing stations can all be handy when you’re camping with kids. While these things may not be necessary for a solo trip, they can make taking care of (and cleaning up after) kids a lot easier.
You can also camp at sites with attractions like playgrounds, play areas, or even natural features like lakes. This gives you some built-in entertainment and somewhere for kids to run around without wandering too far.
11. Embrace Dirt
That said, a little bit of mud can be okay! Kids are messy, and especially so when the cleaning options are limited. Get them hiking and camping gear that’s okay to get a little muddy, and be ready for lots of clean-up along the way. This can be a good moment to teach them about caring for, cleaning, and maintaining gear, too. Dirt getting everywhere is just part of camping with kids.
12. Safety and Survival Lessons
You can teach them other important hiking, camping, and survival lessons too! One of the most engaging activities for families on the trail is to learn together. One of the most fun camping ideas is to try out different DIY fire starters with older kids. You can teach them a little bit about wilderness survival with just a little tin foil, kindling, lint, or even steel wool and batteries. It’s fun and a fire safety lesson all at once.
13. Share the Load
In the “general hacks” section, we talked about how involving your kids in decision-making and planning can make for a great camping experience. The same goes for camping responsibilities, chores, and other things. The more you can get them involved in the plan, the more fun they’re going to have and the more they’ll focus on the trip.
For kids that aren’t big enough to carry their own pack yet, you can still put a few snacks in a small backpack for them to carry. While they may not be able to carry a water jug with enough for the day, giving them kid-sized water bottles to carry can help them feel involved, responsible, and interested in what’s happening.
Overnight Camping: How to Handle Bedtime
Bedtime can be one of the toughest parts of camping with kids. But with a little planning and some clever parenting, you can bedtime in a tent stress-free and fun.
14. Familiar Bedtime Routine
One of the most important tips for camping with kids is to keep a familiar bedtime routine. Going to sleep in a strange place and after an exciting day can be difficult for children. This is especially true if they’re not comfortable or if you change their sleeping schedule too much. So try to keep to the same schedule, and do whatever you can to mimic their at-home bedtime routine.
15. Build A Cozy Sleeping Space
Comfort can make a big difference. An inviting and comfortable sleeping space will make bedtime go down easier than an uncomfortable set-up. Look out for kid-sized sleeping bags that they can set up themselves, and make sure the quality is good enough to keep you comfy. Bringing along a stuffed animal, or comfort blanket can also help a lot.
16. Add Some Special Touches
You can also make bedtime special with touches like glow sticks, string lights, and other gear for kids to use themselves. Having some control over lights can make them feel safer and more comfortable. It can also be fun to show them how to set up or sleep in a hammock if they’re old enough. This can make bedtime a bit more exciting and appealing as well.
17. Going Potty at Night
Going to the bathroom in the middle of the night can be hard for kids, especially if they’re still potty training. Having a small travel toilet to set up right outside the tent can make it easier, as can gear like headlamps or other lights that make it easier for them to see in the dark.
Make Camping Fun For Kids
So finally, let’s look at fun activity ideas that can take your family camping trip to the next level. Instilling a lifelong love of camping is as easy as keeping these great tips in mind.
18. Pack A Toy
While there are a lot of fun ideas out there for games, activities, and crafts on the trail, bringing a toy can go a long way towards keeping kids happy (and quiet). Pick a favorite toy that’s easy to carry and bring it along. This can be great for entertaining your kids while doing things like cooking, setting up tents, or anything else where you need them out of your hair.
19. Nature Crafts
Use the world around you to help provide fun activities while learning about nature. From simple games like “I Spy” to more involved activities like a campsite scavenger hunt, there are tons of games you can play on a family camping trip. Try looking up printable bingo cards or other small games to keep kids happy and entertained on your trip.
20. Invite Some Friends
The ultimate way to make a camping trip more fun for your kids is to let them invite a friend or two along! After all, most kids are more excited to spend time with each other than just mom and dad. You’ll still get some bonding time, and kids can entertain each other pretty easily. It can be a bit trickier to anticipate the needs of someone else’s child but bringing along friends can help your kids love camping.
Final Verdict:
It’s never too early to start camping with your kids! Of course, you should be careful to pack the right outdoor camping gear for your family and have backup plans in case something goes wrong, but with a little forethought, understanding, and care, camping with kids can be tons of fun.
Let the great outdoors speak for itself and look for teaching moments wherever you can. But most of all, just enjoy the time together, the campfire songs, the challenges, and everything that comes with a well-planned family camping trip.
Bonus tip: Check out this great video for a few easy craft and game ideas!
Outdoor Blog
Living Life on the Edge: Embracing Adrenaline-Fueled Moments

Life is an adventure, a journey filled with countless opportunities for thrill and excitement. For some, the idea of living life on the edge, embracing adrenaline-fueled moments, is an exhilarating concept that fuels their passion for adventure. This article delves into the world of adrenaline-chasing, highlighting the benefits and experiences of such a lifestyle.
Kitesurfing: Riding the waves of excitement
The first step to living on the edge is stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something new. Kitesurfing, a water sport combining wakeboarding, windsurfing, and paragliding elements, is an excellent example of an adrenaline-fueled activity. The activity entails utilizing a sizable maneuverable kite to capture the force of the wind, enabling the rider to traverse the water on a board specifically designed for kiteboarding. There is nothing quite like the exhilaration of soaring through the air, feeling the breeze caress your cheeks, and mastering the art of maneuvering a kite. Kitesurfing is a remarkable adventure that captures the spirit of embracing excitement and pushing boundaries.
The psychological thrill
In addition to the excitement of the tangible experience, embracing a daring lifestyle offers a mental rush that is just as stimulating. Engaging in these activities provides an exhilarating experience that stimulates the production of endorphins, the body’s innate pain relievers. This results in a profound sense of joy and an overwhelming feeling of invulnerability. The thrill of this frenzy can become habit-forming, compelling thrill-seekers to pursue fresh and increasingly demanding adventures consistently.
The benefits of embracing the edge
Embracing a daring lifestyle goes beyond pursuing excitement; it presents many advantages. Participating in thrilling adventures can enhance physical well-being, as numerous pursuits demand robustness, stamina, and skill. Furthermore, they have the potential to enhance one’s emotional well-being by offering a means to alleviate tension and unease. Engaging in these activities demands concentration, which can effectively alleviate mental clutter, resulting in a serene state once the surge of excitement diminishes.
The balance of risk and reward
While living life on the edge can be exhilarating, it’s important to remember the balance of risk and reward. Adrenaline-fueled activities often involve a certain level of risk, and it’s essential to approach them with a healthy respect for safety. Proper training, equipment, and precautions can help mitigate these risks, allowing you to enjoy the thrill without unnecessary danger.
Always research your activities and location. This understanding can help you decide if the risk is acceptable and if you have the skills and equipment. Check and maintain your gear, and never sacrifice safety. Finally, embracing adventure with a responsible and safety-conscious mentality lets you enjoy high-risk activities without risking injury.
Living life on the edge embracing adrenaline-fueled moments, is a lifestyle choice that offers a unique blend of thrill, excitement, and personal growth. Whether kitesurfing across the waves, scaling a mountain, or skydiving from a plane, these activities provide an escape from the mundane, a chance to challenge oneself, and an opportunity to experience life at its most vibrant. So, step out of your comfort zone, embrace the adrenaline, and start living on the edge. After all, life is not meant to be lived in the slow lane; rather, it’s about experiencing every thrilling moment it offers.
Outdoor Blog
Renewable Energy Farms That Make Beautiful Hiking Trails

Wind farms and solar panels are not just alternative means to get our natural resources. They have now combined with another industry and are making some unexpected news.
The tourism industry has marked renewable energy farms as hiking trails, and hikers are here for it. You can read more about renewable energy sites. Although you might not think of hiking on a wind farm as beautiful as hiking along a famous mountain trail, you might just be in for a surprise.
Let’s discuss the benefits that renewable energy farms have as hiking trails.
Why are Renewable Energy Farms Important?
Renewable energy farms are important for the future of civilization. These farms provide an alternative to our natural resources, such as wind and energy.
The most important benefit of renewable energy is that it doesn’t produce any greenhouse emissions and reduces the air pollution other traditional processes create when providing natural resources.
These farms also allow for the creation of the country’s own resources without having to import natural resources from another country and save their limited natural resources.
Here are some of the reasons why energy farms are important:
- Allows for sustainable rural development
This will allow landowners to make an extra income by generating energy.
- Test new technologies
Providing the opportunity to test technologies to find new ways to create renewable energy.
- Improving the effect of climate change
Climate change has left the environment filled with toxic pollutants, which has led people to become sick and breathe in harmful air.
Renewable energy can change this by lessening the number of pollutants that are released into the atmosphere and providing much safer, cleaner, breathable air.
- This leads to job creation
Job creation within the renewable energy farms industry is plentiful as there is a need for skilled workers such as construction, maintenance and manufacturing to build the necessary infrastructure that is needed to generate these wind and solar farms.
The Benefits of Renewable Energy Farms As Hiking Trails
Renewable energy farms have many benefits for both the environment and people who love spending their time outdoors.
Embracing the Use of Green Technology
Since wind farms and solar plants are located in areas that are unpopulated, they make for great hiking trails.
By visiting these sites, people get to experience green technology, and by integrating them into recreational spaces, people can visit these sites and embrace green technology by seeing how they work and the positive effects that it has on the environment.
The more people embrace the shift to green technology, the easier it will be to use it.
Energy Farms Offer A Unique Experience For Visitors
Visiting energy farms means you will have a unique experience while there. You will get to see how these large devices work and how they replace the basic resources needed to survive.
Tours can give visitors more information on the background of the construction of devices, their environmental impact and why it is important for us to switch to sustainable energy resources.
Visitors Get to Enjoy Natural Beauty
The sites for these renewable energy farms are often located in areas that are surrounded by natural beauty, such as large landscapes.
Natural pathways can be used as hiking trails without the need for carving out new roads and damaging the ecosystem.
Visitors can even discover native plant life and explore the natural wonders that are located at these energy farms, as they are often placed where no infrastructure has been built on the property before.
Providing Health and Wellness Benefits
Hiking has many health benefits, such as reducing stress, improving fitness, and helping aid mental well-being.
Energy Farms have Community Benefits and Increase the Economy
These hiking trails can help boost economic sales, bringing tourists to the community. This will give the local people the opportunity to expand their businesses.
This can also help increase employment within the community as these sites will be visited frequently and lead to new business openings to cater to tourists.
Conclusion
Renewable energy farms greatly benefit both the economy and the people who want to spend their time on them. These farms are especially important for transitioning from natural resources to newer energy resource power plants.
From learning how to embrace green technology to getting health and wellness benefits to enjoying nature’s natural beauty and finding job opportunities within the market.
Spending time on these renewable energy farms can be educational and recreational for anyone who visits them. To find more renewable energy farm hiking trails, you can visit https://outsidebozeman.com.
Outdoor Blog
Top Recommendations for RV Window Maintenance

Much like other sections of your RV, the windows sometimes need a bit of maintenance. It is essential to clean off dirt and insect smudges and also make sure they are adequately sealed to avoid leaks and water harm.
If you have a broken RV window, then you may want to consult Van Isle Glass. However, if you wish to know more about simple measures to ensure your RV windows stay spotless and secure, you are in the right spot! Continue reading below.
Polish Your Windshield Using Ultra-Fine #0000 Steel Wool
Numerous RV enthusiasts have praised the use of the finest grade of steel wool #0000 for removing stubborn bugs and water marks from their windshields. Before proceeding, first test the #0000 steel wool on a small portion of your windshield. Apply it with light, circular motions. Sweep away any remaining steel wool bits with a microfiber towel. Next, spritz the surface with a residue-free glass cleaner and wipe it down with a separate cloth.
Steel wool is also great when used with a spray lubricant for cleaning tires, maintaining grills, starting campfires, and repelling mice. A gentler alternative is cleansing dish pads. These pads are versatile, suitable for cleaning various materials such as wood, porcelain, stainless steel, chrome, painted areas, and glass.
Apply a Sealant to Avoid Leaks
Silicone sealant is effective in stopping leaks in areas like your windshield, RV windows, sunroof, and vents. It penetrates tiny gaps, creating a robust waterproof barrier. Ensure the surfaces are clean before application and do not have old caulk, dirt, oil, and other residues.
Furthermore, clear away any standing water on windows to prevent hard water stains. Make sure the inside of your windows stay dry to avoid condensation and mold build-up. If there is significant condensation on your windows, consider getting a small dehumidifier.
Use Tools to Access Difficult Regions
Using cleaners with long handles can prevent you from straining to clean those distant parts of your windshield. Windshield cleaning tools often feature a lengthy, swiveling triangular head that is ideal for getting into corners and spots difficult to access manually.
Opt for a Residue-Free Glass Cleaner
A high-quality glass cleaner will maintain the clarity of your windows and windshield. A great glass cleaner performs well on both standard and tinted windows, making sure to remove streaks or leftover residue. Another option is a natural concoction of half vinegar and half water, with a touch of lemon essential oil.
Steer Clear of Cleaning RV Windows in Bright Sunlight
A sunny afternoon may feel perfect for washing your RV windows, but the warmth can speed up the drying of the cleaner, resulting in streaks or spots. It is advisable to tackle your RV window cleaning during early morning, late evening, or when stationed in a shaded area for the best outcome.
Endnote
Keeping your RV windows clean and clear is not only about aesthetics, but is also vital for safety. The subtleties in cleaning, like steering clear of the sun and using the appropriate products, play a key role. Adhering to these guidelines will help you maintain a pristine view during your various journeys.
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