Is camping actually fun or just Instagram material?

Dec 9·1 min read

Honest question: everyone here posts these perfect camping photos with their kids roasting marshmallows by a fire, but like... do your kids actually enjoy it? Mine complain about bugs, dirt, sleeping bags, being cold, not having bathrooms. Last trip my 7yo cried because a moth came near the tent. We spent $500 on gear and he lasted 6 hours before demanding to go home. Am I doing something wrong or do some kids just not like camping? Would love to know I'm not alone here.

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Comments(5)

JJames H.RegularDec 9

Your kids will remember camping differently as they get older. Right now bugs suck. At 12-14 they'll actually enjoy it. Don't bail on it yet, just accept that pre-teen camping is rough.

HHank L.RegularDec 10

My kids hate the bugs and dirt part but love the "we're roughing it" part. The actual camping is maybe 30% of the appeal. The other 70% is "we're doing something different." Instagram leaves that out.

MMatt J.RegularDec 11

The complaints stop once it gets dark and you're telling stories by the fire. That's the moment where camping actually works. Getting there sucks though.

MMitch R.RegularDec 11

Honest answer: mine complain for like 30 mins then actually have a blast. But the Instagram version where kids contentedly sit by fires is fake. They're usually fighting about something.

MMax R.RegularDec 10

Most camping photos are taken right before everything falls apart. The marshmallows are the 10-minute window where everyone's happy. Rest of the trip is chaos.