We're doing a 3 day camping trip next month with the boys (ages 4 and 7). I've got the tent situation figured out but I'm worried about meals and keeping them entertained. We're going to a state park with a lake nearby. Anyone have experience with this? Should I pack way more food than I think we need? What activities actually work with young kids or are we gonna be bored out of our minds?
Make sure the 7 year old has some responsibility like helping with camp setup or fire tending (with supervision obviously). Gives them ownership of the trip. And honestly a sleeping pad system will save your sanity way more than you think.
My advice: start with a backyard camping trip first if you haven't done that yet. Let them get used to sleeping outside in a place you can bail easily. Then go full camping.
Tent is just one piece. Have a backup plan for if weather gets weird or someone gets homesick. Also consider where you're camping relative to a town with supplies. And honestly, a bad first trip is still a story you'll laugh about later.
Don't stress too much about fancy meals. Honestly hot dogs, mac and cheese, and breakfast burritos are camping staples for a reason. My newborn isn't at camping age yet but I'm already dreading the sunscreen situation, so just throw SPF 50 on those boys and call it a win.
Man, three days with a 4 and 7 year old sounds amazing. Pro tip from my co-parenting weekends: bring way more snacks than you think you need. Kids burn energy like crazy outdoors and it keeps the mood up when hunger kicks in.
Meals are honestly the easiest part once you plan it out. We do a lot of one-pot stuff like chili or pasta that you can prep at home and just reheat. Your 7 year old might even enjoy helping cook over the fire, makes the whole thing more fun.
Don't overthink the entertainment piece. Let them build stuff, explore, get a little dirty. That's what camping is about. We did our first family camping trip last year with our three and it went way better than expected because I stopped trying to manage every moment.
Bring a headlamp for each kid so they feel like they're part of the adventure at night. Simple thing but it makes them feel included and keeps them occupied. Plus it's surprisingly entertaining for that age group.
Three days is solid for a first trip. My advice: go easy on the schedule, bring way more snacks than you think you need, and the kids will probably sleep like absolute rocks after all that outdoor activity. The 7 year old might actually help with the 4 year old around camp, which is cool to watch happen.
Sign in to join the conversation.
Three days with a 4 and 7 year old is ambitious but doable. The 4 year old might get tired on day 2 so have some inside-the-tent activities ready. Games, books, whatever. Also bring way more food than you think you need because they'll be extra hungry from all the fresh air.