Took my 6yo camping for the first time - massive failure

Jan 21·1 min read

So we went to Shenandoah last weekend with my oldest (6) and youngest (3). Thought it'd be great bonding time. Six hours in, 6yo is screaming that the sleeping bag is "too squeezy" and refuses to sleep. Then 3yo gets sick from eating too many trail mix peanuts. We ended up leaving at 2am and driving home. Wife isn't speaking to me lol. Anyone else have a first camping trip that went sideways? How do you know when kids are actually ready for overnight camping?

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Comments(5)

DDerekRegularJan 23

Shenandoah with a 3yo is rough man. That's a beautiful area but some of those trails are no joke. What went wrong exactly?

HHector R.RegularJan 23

Don't beat yourself up about this. Most people's first solo camping trip with multiple kids goes sideways. You learned what not to do which honestly is half the battle.

TTyler M.New DadJan 24

Was it the weather that messed things up or more about managing the kids? Just trying to figure out what to avoid when I eventually take mine camping.

NNick G.RegularJan 24

The gap between 6 and 3 is huge for camping. The 6yo probably had a decent time but a 3yo is just not ready for that yet. Might be better to try again next year when the younger one is 4 or 5.

CChristopherNew DadJan 24

First camping trips with multiple kids are always a learning experience. Did your oldest at least have some fun or was it just a disaster all around?