camping tips

CAMP, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, WINTER
Winter Car Camping With Kids
- January 26, 2021
If you’re anything like me, sometimes you catch yourself wishing the winter months away in anticipation of all the fun outdoor activities you can do in spring and summer. Camping is among our family’s favorite things to do during the warmer months and we miss it during the winter. But, do we have to? Who says that camping is only for summer? Today, Oklahoma dad of two and outdoor enthusiast Jared Ryan shares his tips for winter car camping with kids. He’s got all you need to know to get started car camping with your family during the colder months. This post is packed with all his favorite winter camping gear, advice for what to pack, how to make sleeping comfortable for everyone, and more!

The need for winter adventures

For a lot of us, winters can feel long and somewhat unadventurous. Sure, we have the buildup of excitement for our holiday season; but, inevitably there comes a familiar lull in the long wait for spring. For my kids, cabin fever sets in by the middle of December. They need out of the house now.

So, forget about waiting until spring to get outside. That’s too long to wait and such a waste of a beautiful season. This is why we decided to start car camping in the winter… Yep, winter. Their need to get outside (thankfully) drove us to become cozier with the idea of sleeping under the winter-night stars.

We introduced our kids to ‘cold weather’ car camping early on. The first time we took them out in the winter they were two and three years old, so they’re used to it and don’t think we’re super crazy. I remember that trip more vividly than most, mainly because I was somewhat surprised and impressed at how well they handled the cool temps.

It was a late winter weekend, with fairly mild temperatures. The low that evening was around 42 degrees Fahrenheit. We were camped out in a small four-person tent with my and my wife’s sleeping bags zipped together around all four of us. I remember being so worried that the kids would get too cold and we’d be packing up and heading home by 1 am. Much to my surprise and delight, the kids never made a peep! We fell asleep to coyotes howling within (what felt like) 200m from our camp and woke up to turkeys gobbling and strutting through our campsite.

I remember my son dancing on the picnic table that morning while I heated up milk for their hot chocolate. While my wife and I sipped our morning coffee and snuggled up next to the campfire, the kids were running around in the trees next to our camp. That’s when I withdrew any reservations about taking out littles out during the winter months. The cold never bothered them anyway.

What is car camping?

Basically, car camping is camping with your vehicle. You can “car camp” anywhere that you can drive up to in your car, truck, or van. While car camping can also mean literally sleeping in your car, that’s not a requirement. You can also sleep in a tent, hammock or wherever floats your boat. The key is that you arrive to your campsite in your vehicle and keep your vehicle onsite, which allows you to carry more essentials than a backpacking trip or somewhere you don’t have access to your car.

We’ve been car camping for years. And while we are still not experts, we have fun learning more with every trip. Over time, we’ve acquired a solid knowledge bank of what it takes to make winter car camping just as much fun (and often more fun) as those spring and summer trips. The bonus of winter car camping is that you can enjoy your favorite campgrounds all to yourself!

You set the tone for the experience

First and foremost, when you go car camping with kids, make sure you are the cheerleader for your kids. They need you to reassure them that the temperatures are not a big deal. Eventually, they will no longer worry about how cold it’s going to be at night after they have experienced a few of these trips. Your attitude and mindset in this experience will set the tone of the trip and they’ll be much more confident and content when they see you’re relaxed and having fun.

Winter car camping gear

Next, it’s all about the gear. I’ve heard several iterations of the Scandinavian saying and I believe it holds true; “There is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothing.” That saying holds true in the winter more than any other time.

Yes, I know that camping gear can get really pricey when trying to buy for your whole family. That’s especially tricky to justify before knowing if they’ll even enjoy camping. However, there is no reason to not start out using what you already have. Remember, when car camping, you have the luxury of bringing EVERYTHING that you can possibly fit in your vehicle. You may greatly overpack those first few trips, but you’ll quickly figure out what you need (and what you don’t) and will adjust accordingly.

This can get cumbersome when loading up, so while packing EVERYTHING is possible, you won’t need it all. And you’ll quickly realize that while loading the car. I am confident to say that you will most certainly NEVER be as organized when packing out to head home. This is still a mystery to me, seriously, how does this always happen?

What to pack for winter car camping with kids

As your experience grows and you get a feel for camping, you’ll start to get familiar with the areas where you’d prefer to invest more money into more compact and purposeful gear. There are endless options for improvement and no shortage of cool camping gear out there. The options are endless, but you don’t need it all to get started.

What we’ve done over the year may also work for you. With each of our outings, we mark items off our list that we didn’t find a use for or need and recorded new processes that have worked well for us or noted items we wished we packed. For cold weather camping, most of the gear and processes revolve around the night. A cold, sleepless night can turn your kids into cold weather one-and-dones. Adding these few key routines and items to your current camping setup can definitely ease the worry about sleeping in the cold.

How to stay warm at night when winter car camping with kids

The best advice when winter car camping with kids is to make sure to get your kiddos warm BEFORE bed. We use a Mr. Heater Buddy heater to warm our hands and feet before getting ready for bed. This is a small propane heater that shuts off when tipped and has a carbon monoxide(CO) sensor in them. Although they are rated to be safe for sleeping, we do not sleep with this lit, nor do we use it in an enclosed space. If you do, I would suggest getting a CO detector to place close to your bed.

To stay warm through the night, pour hot water into a Nalgene bottle to hold between your legs or place it at the end of your sleeping bag. I haven’t tried this, but I have friends that love and swear by this tip.

Serve up dense foods for dinner that will keep your body burning calories well into the night. We try and stick to high protein dinners when camping. Try to limit water an hour before bed. For us, this includes limiting water for the dogs. It’s tough getting out of your warm bed in the middle of the night to take a kid (or dog) outside to go potty. It definitely happens, but if you can avoid it, you’ll stay warmer overnight.

Check the rating on your sleeping bag and the temperature list. That number assumes that you are wearing clothes while sleeping in it. Did you know that? When we camp in the winter, we sleep in our sleeping bags, under our comforter at night. We use zero degree sleeping bags along with a system of layering clothing that goes from the toes up in the following order: (1) tight Smartwool socks under thick, looser cotton socks (the looser sock helps provide a pocket of heat to circulate around the tight sock.), (2) thermal underwear or Smartwool base layer for the legs and torso, (3) a sweatshirt up top, and (4) beanies on our heads. We still stay away from hoodies on our kids when they are asleep.

Car camping with kids sleeping setup

Instead of a sleeping pad, we bring a futon mattress. Sounds weird, I know, but we started using this method just because we already had it available. Over the years, we’ve tried numerous sleeping pads and air mattresses. Although there are tons of insulated options out there, I have yet to find one that keeps us as warm as the futon mattress in subfreezing temperatures.

Next, we add flannel sheets, then our sub-zero sleeping bags, and top with our comforter! This is a game-changer. We’ve also used a power bank to run an electric blanket as another option. If you’ve got those things, use them!

Bring along your pillows from home. Camp pillows work fine, but when you can bring your regular pillows from home, why not? That’s one of the biggest perks of car camping! Bring what makes you comfy!

Pack clothes that are dedicated to sleeping and not used for anything else. You definitely want everyone to change into fresh clothes right before bed to make sure no one is sleeping in damp clothes from perspiration or playing in the water. My kids play hard all the way up until bed, so we wait until we’re ready to climb into the sheets before changing.

Don’t forget the indoor activities. When it’s cold, we tend to go to bed earlier. So we have enjoyed spending time reading books (currently the Hardy Boys) in the tent or playing card games. This is great family time that our kids seem to look forward to.

Pro tip: With all the extra blankets, pillows, and coats for warmth, it can get really cumbersome. We make ample use of vacuum storage bags. These are huge space savers. Just don’t forget that in order to vacuum them down from the campsite for the ride home, you’ll need to bring a portable vacuum or the pump from your air mattress and the appropriate fitting.

Winter wind and tent tips

The biggest difference when camping in the winter vs warmer months is the wind. The cold biting wind in the winter is a game-changer. Obviously, you can try to find campsites and locations that are away from water or close to trees to block some of the wind. However, sometimes we’ll sacrifice wind for a more picturesque location (photographer wife). If this is you as well, here are a few more things to note/remember:
- Bring tarps and paracord to build windbreaks. Specifically to protect your tent from heavy winds, but also your kitchen and even your sitting area. This can make a windy site MUCH more pleasant and relaxing.
- Use a heavy coat or blanket as a barrier between you and the side of the tent. This helps with insulation and to keep the warmth in.
- Bring along a mat/rug for the tent floor. We use a compact 4’x5′ outdoor mat that folds away easily. This creates a surprisingly warm and substantial barrier between your bed and the ground.
Creating winter camping memories

Camping outdoors with your family does not have to be a fair-weather activity. It’s something you can do year-round with the right gear and preparation. It’s given us countless hours of outdoor time in months where we need out of the house the most. Plus, having our favorite camping spots all to ourselves makes it worth the extra packing. Don’t be afraid to get out there and test these tips. I’m confident that you’ll have one of the best camping experiences yet. Along with an incredibly relaxing night’s sleep under the stars!

For a great general camping list, we use this list from REI. If I don’t use a list, odds are I’ll forget something.

About the author

Jared Ryan is a husband to a talented and beautiful wife, Kristen also a father of two fun-loving and adventurous kiddos. He enjoys leading family adventures to both near and far destinations. Whether it is hiking, camping, climbing, bike riding, or playing in the backyard, he loves it all. He instills in his family the importance of nature and all the benefits it can bring to one’s life. Jared is a GIS analyst by trade, so he is naturally drawn to creating maps and all things trail related, whether it is creating new trails, recording family hikes, or teaching his kids land navigation, he loves to tie in his own work with family adventures.

You can find Jared online in the following locations:
Instagram: @bikeshikesbiners
RWMC posts: Jared Ryan
CAMP, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SUMMER
Overnight Camping Made Simple
- July 15, 2020
If camping with kids sounds like fun, but also a lot of work, you’re not alone! Camping is a blast, but the planning, packing and prep work that parents have to do to go camping sometimes feels overwhelming. However, it doesn’t have to be. Short and simple single overnight camping trips are perfect for families just getting started camping or in need of a simple getaway or dose of nature. Today, we have Wendy Cox, California photographer and mom of four, here sharing tips on how to make a simple overnight camping experience fun, simple and enjoyable!

Overnight camping made simple

Tent, sleeping pads, sleeping bags, flashlights, chairs, roasting sticks, fire starter, wood, ahhhhh! Camping with the whole family can seem like a daunting task. The packing list alone keeps lots of families from enjoying one of life’s most wonderful experiences. Our family of 6 has been on many camping trips together and we always have fun, but sometimes it really is a lot of work. However, we recently went on a single overnight camping trip and it was one of the most relaxing camping trips I’ve ever had. Today, I would love to share a few of the ways that we were able to simplify our overnight camping experience and make the most of the short time.

Prep your dinner before you go

Planning meals and packing food for camping can be intimidating. Sometimes as I plan our camping trips I have these grand ideas of gourmet breakfasts and made-from-scratch dinners. Then I end up spending too much time preparing meals and cleaning up from them that I don’t get time to enjoy my family or the beauty around me. My first suggestion to make the most out of your camping experience is to pre-make your dinner. This simple step saves so much time and effort when you’re at your campsite, giving you more freedom to relax and enjoy the experience.

I have fun memories of making tin foil dinners as a child when we’d go camping. I want my kids to have that too, but I worried that I would forget something essential and might ruin the experience. There’s something exciting about eating straight out of tin foil though, so I pre-made the foil dinners at home and stuck them in the cooler already prepped. They weren’t anything fancy, just ground turkey, onions, carrots, and potatoes. The only seasonings I used were salt and pepper.

We started the campfire a little earlier than usual when we got to our campsite. It takes about an hour for the foil dinners to cook. I started out with the foil packets on the grate of the fire pit, then moved them into the hot coals. After about 30 minutes I flipped them over to make sure all the contents of the packet had cooked through. I’ve undercooked our foil dinners before, and the kids were not fans of the crunchy potatoes. Oops! But the best part about premaking foil dinners? Easy clean up and no dishes to do!

Simple breakfasts are the best

Breakfast has the potential to be a huge ordeal as well. My solution for that is instant oatmeal, hot chocolate, and fresh fruit. All I had to do in the morning was boil water. It really doesn’t get easier than that! Hot chocolate is a fun special treat that always puts everyone in a festive mood, even if it’s the middle of summer.

If you bring a small fruit like blueberries or strawberries all you have to do is wash them and you’re good to go. I once brought a whole cantaloupe on a camping trip. That was not the best idea because it required cutting on the spot and then left me with all kinds of seeds and rinds leftover when everyone was done eating. In my opinion, the least amount of trips you make to the stinky camp dumpster the better!

Play pick your spot (for next time)

You might notice that I have a tendency to focus on meals, but I promise this next suggestion isn’t about food! When we’re at a new campground, one of our favorite activities is to walk around and pick out all of the best campsites. We see which ones have good shade, a big enough spot for our giant tent, or have good climbing trees. We all have different criteria for what makes the perfect camping spot and it’s fun to see which ones the kids like and why.

The campground we were at this time had cabins, and the kids were more than happy to tell us which ones they thought were the best. If I’m on top of things, I’ll jot down the numbers of the specific sites we like (write them down, take a photo or put a note in your phone). That way the next time we want to go camping in this location, we’ll already know which campsite we want to book. My 9 year-old’s favorite was the cabin closest to this amazing stump carved into a chair.

Leave the toys at home

I usually keep the toys to a minimum when we go camping. This gives the kids an opportunity to use their imaginations and get creative. They have to play with what nature provides. It also cuts down dramatically on our packing list. The simpler, the better!

Our campsite had a lot of big, old oak trees that had dropped tons of giant acorns on the ground. My daughter thought these were amazing and started to collect acorns. We talked about how the native people would grind up the acorns and use that in a similar way that we use flour. She tried her hand at grinding acorns, and discovered that it isn’t quite as easy as it sounds!

Why go camping for just one night?

For me, the motivation to go camping (even for just one night) is the time I get to spend in nature and with family. We found several fun hikes that started right in our campground. There were fallen logs to walk on, tree tunnels to run through, and a giant field to play in. Lots of things for the kids to do and nature to explore.

Two of my three boys have a rare form of ataxia called Autosomal Recessive Spastic Ataxia of Charlevioux Saguenay (ARSACS). They attend many different types of therapy to help them increase their balance, strength, and motor skills in general. Sometimes, I feel like being out in nature is therapy in its own right. Instead of grinding acorns, the boys were more into playing king of the hill. This consists of them climbing onto a big rock and standing there with both arms raised in the air.

King of the hill sounds like a simple thing, but the benefits it has for my boys is threefold. They develop strength in climbing, balance in standing on the rock, and a can-do mindset when they make it to the top on their own. This particular day the boys were being so sweet with each other and helping each other out. That made my momma heart so proud!

Camping made simple

Whether or not your kiddos have special needs, playing outside will benefit them. Camping is one of my favorite ways to get my family outdoors, but I know that the thought of taking the whole family camping can be a little terrifying. It doesn’t have to be complicated though! Make the overnight camping trip simple by keeping your meals easy and leaving your toys at home. Let mother nature be your guide!

Additional camping resources for parents

If you’re looking for even more info on how to camp with kids, we’ve got you covered. Check out these great camping resources below:
Printable camping gear lists for families

To make it easier for you to get started on your next family camping trip, we put our ultimate camping packing list for your family in a free printable 2-page PDF for you! Use this as the perfect start to create your own master packing list. You’ll also be signed up to receive our AMAZING weekly newsletter, filled with fun outdoor activities and inspiration for getting your kids and family outside! You can opt-out anytime (although we’d hate to see you go).

[maxbutton id=”1″ url=”https://mailchi.mp/6ad1ea8208c2/fw0osm9qnr” text=”PRINTABLE CAMPING GEAR LIST” ]

What are your tips for making an overnight camping trip more enjoyable?

About the author

Wendy Cox is a family photographer and mother of 4 living in San Diego, CA. She also teaches garden education classes at local elementary schools and is an advocate of getting children outdoors. Wendy grew up in rural Northern California raising pigs for 4-H and hiking in the redwoods. She takes every opportunity to enjoy the beauty of nature while attempting to pass her love for the outdoors on to her children.

Find more from Wendy in the following locations online:
Website: http://www.wendycoxphotography.com
Instagram: @wendycoxphotography
Facebook: Wendy Cox Photography
CAMP, FAVORITE GEAR, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Pop-Up Camping With a Large Family
- July 10, 2019
Camping is a summertime essential activity! If you haven’t gone camping with your kids yet, what’s holding you back? Does it sound intimidating? Do you not think you have the right gear? Don’t know where to go? Have more kids than fit in a tent? We’re here to help! Camping might sound overwhelming, but it’s always worth it. Seasoned campers will tell you that sometimes even the most disastrous camping trips are the most memorable and fun. Today, we have the absolutely wonderful Ginny from 1000 Hours Outside here to share her best tips and advice on how to do pop-up camping with a large family. Ginny has 5 kids, an old pop-up camper and a great sense of humor. That’s the perfect recipe for a great adventure! Here’s how their family does camping.

Less stuff, more fun!

We live in an age where we celebrate minimalism. Less is more! If it doesn’t bring you joy, pitch it! As it relates to parenting, we are encouraged to own fewer toys, fewer clothes, and to have less clutter. You either own your stuff or your stuff owns you, as the old adage goes. There are certainly many benefits of a more minimalistic approach to life, but one area of childhood that we should not want to have less of is experiences. Why? Because experiences equate to learning and they bond us together as friends and as family.

Today, I want to encourage you to build as many outdoor experiences into childhood as you possibly can! Outdoor play provides significant developmental benefits to children. One way our family has substantially increased our yearly outside time is through camping. Camping can be done in a myriad of ways such as tent camping, hammock camping, car camping, staying in a rustic cabin, or even sleeping directly under the stars. With five young kids, we have tried several of the options above (hammock camping hasn’t happened yet). We found that pop-up camping with a large family is a great way to get out and see the world!

Benefits of camping

Life is hectic and no one can really prepare you for the demands that children bring along with them. Beyond the wants and needs of children, there are many other adult responsibilities to juggle. Sometimes it’s nice to get away from it all. Camping is an excellent choice for R&R because it’s affordable, accessible, and it completely removes you from the daily hustle and bustle. It’s a quick and convenient way to set all the expectations aside for a few days and to reconnect with family, friends, and with nature.

In nature, children disperse and become engaged with their surroundings. In this way, camping is an ideal vacation when you have young kids because it’s not the type of vacation that you need a vacation from. When you camp, nature surrounds you and your kids! Nature deeply occupies any age child and so this simple change of surroundings can offer some desperately needed moments of reprieve for parents and caregivers.

Why a pop-up camper?

After many years of camping with children, we found that camping with a pop-camper made camping indescribably easier and more accessible. Because it’s easy, this means camping happens more often! Campers come in all shapes and sizes, but pop-up campers tend to be on the cheaper end of the spectrum and they can offer a notable amount of sleeping space. We bought an ‘experienced’ camper (15 years old to be exact). It cost about the same as a week or two of lodging at a summer cabin. In exchange for one week of luxurious accommodations, we purchased an item that has the potential to offer us years of adventures.

Vacationing as a large family

No one talks too much about large family logistics. In fact, the only thing people told as baby number four was about to make her debut was that once we had four kids we would never get invited anywhere again. We still weasel our way into people’s lives, but the truth is there are some logistical issues once you hit the category of “large family.” Hotel rooms don’t accommodate large families well. Our vehicle choices are limited. Restaurant waits are much longer. Given these “obstacles,” camping quickly becomes an ideal way to see the world.

Pop-up camping with 5 kids

Our pop-up camper provided the answer to so many of our large family vacationing problems. To begin with, we all fit! We searched for the largest pop-up we could find. Double beds aren’t going to cut it but if you can find a pop-up with at least one king bed, you’ll find there will be ample inside space and storage. We actually found a camper with two king-sized beds that pull out on either end! Plus, there’s a bench that turns into a small bed, and a table that also turns into a small bed, fitting all seven of us comfortably inside.

Our bedtimes in the camper have provided some of our favorite memories, all together laughing and telling stories. Additionally, camping is a vacation where you can easily plan your own meals and bring your own food. Most pop-ups have storage where you can leave kitchen items at the ready! We took a quick trip to a goodwill shop to originally stock up for what we needed. Finally, we can travel and explore almost any area of the country at a fraction of the cost! The savings for a nightly campsite versus two (or more) hotel rooms rings in around 70 – 90%!

Pop-up camping tips for large families

Once your pop-up is packed with essentials, you are only a few outfits and a grocery trip away from some lifelong memories. Here are a few of our best pop-up camping tips that we’ve tried, tested and approved!

1. Research your campground and your campsite

Different campgrounds have different things to offer. Depending on the ages of your kids you might be looking for a campground that has a play structure, one with a great bike-riding trail, one with a beach you can walk to, or one with all of the above. There are typically so many options to choose from! Some have pools and others have laundry facilities. We read about a campground in Virginia that had wild rabbits running all around! Once you’ve narrowed down your campground, think through your campsite. Do you prefer shade or sunny? Close to the bathroom or closer to the beach? At each campground we visit, we make a few notes about our favorite sites for if we book again in the future.

2. Organize clothes by how they are used

With a large family, we have found that it is easiest to organize our clothes by what we use them for. We pack all PJs together in a bag. Everyone’s swimsuits and towels are packed in another bag, while jackets and long pants also get their own bag. We pack complete outfits (including diaper or underwear) so getting dressed in the morning is never a hassle. We store the bags on the beds during the day and then place them on the floor when it’s time to sleep.

3. Add a few special touches

We have a few small things that always stay in the camper. A set of matchbox cars, one small stuffed animal and flashlight for each child, a pack of glow sticks, and a special tablecloth. We only use these items on family camping trips, so they hold special sentiment for the kids. In case it rains, we also always bring along some card games and some books.

4. Think through your ideal restroom situation

As a mom, sometimes the most stressful parts of the day (and night) is figuring out how to navigate young kids to the restroom. We’ve found that keeping a small potty seat in our camper has worked wonders (we use the actual toilet area for storage). As far as showers go, we purchased a few small bathroom caddies that we keep stocked with washcloths, soap, and shampoo. Buy an extra pair of cheap flip-flops to keep feet clean in the camp showers and keep the day-to-day shoes from getting soaked. If getting to the shower is too much of a hassle, remember that toddlers and preschoolers love a bubble bath in a plastic tub at the end of the day!

Bring on the memories!

Our pop-up camper has given our large family easy accessibility to the grandeur of nature, from magnificent sunsets to breathtaking waterfalls. I often tell people it is the best thing we have ever purchased as a large family because of the multitude of foundational memories it has provided us. As our culture becomes increasingly screen-heavy, we are all in for anything that helps us increase real-life moments.

Are you a camping family?
Share some of your favorite camping memories below!

Ginny
Michigan
@1000hoursoutside

Ginny is a Michigan homeschooling mother of five and the founder of 1000 Hours Outside. She is a thought-leader in the world of nature-based play and its benefits for children. Her 1000 Hours Outside Challenge spans the globe and many people from all walks of life look to her for inspiration as well as practical tips on how to put down the screens and get outside. Ginny has a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Michigan. She is also a children’s book author and illustrator. Her book, The Little Farmhouse in West Virginia was published in February 2019. You can find her online at http://www.1000HoursOutside.com.