Wild camping with kids

Wild camping with kids

 

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It's no secret that the cost of living is increasing at a rapid rate. 

For some families, annual holidays just aren't an option these days; the cost of booking the accommodation and travel are one thing, but the on-site entertainment and inflated food costs are the over-priced cherry on the extortionately priced cake. 

 

 

Benefits of wild camping 

There are quite a few things that spring to mind when thinking of the benefits of taking children wild camping; but the most obvious is giving them the opportunity to get back to basics and in touch with nature. The world is a busy place, particularly if you have technology in your home. Phones beeping, a steady flow of content to catch up on, & battle royales to win on Fortnite. 

Saying that, occasionally my children like to download a film on their phones to watch in the evening - pick your battles. After all, this gives you the opportunity to have a little peace & quiet for yourself.

 

 

Of course another benefit is the cost - it’s FREE! Well, almost. Of course you need a basic camping kit but after the initial investment, then it’s free. We’ve found the majority of our kit in charity shops and selling sites such as eBay, Facebook marketplace & Shpock. Try not to get overwhelmed when deciding what to buy. There is a lot to choose from, each claiming to be better, lighter, smaller than everyone else. And although these can make your wild camp a more enjoyable experience, they are not essential and the cost soon adds up. Just stick within your budget and shop around. 

 

What to pack 

Keeping your kits simple is key, particularly if you are hiking to your chosen spot, as is the case with the majority of Wild camping to find that perfect remote spot. As long as everyone is warm & fed, you really don't need a lot.

I've listed the basic kit I use regularly for wild camping with my children. It's easy enough to carry and affordable.

 

Tent/Bivvy bag/Hammock

What you choose will depend on yours and your families personal preference, if they're scared of the dark & their age. I recently went on a wild camping trip with my two youngest and, as they wake up throughout the night, they preferred all three of us to sleep in a tent together. My son kindly let us borrow his 2-man tent, which was plenty big enough for the three of us. However, when I go with my eldest two, they like to sleep in our hammocks; my personal preference too.
Sleeping bag
Most outdoors shops will have a huge variety of Childrens sleeping bags, many at an affordable price. Once you've decided on your sleeping arrangements and checked the weather forecast, you will find a tog suitable for you. We have 9 tog sleeping bags for the children & they are always plenty warm enough in the summer. Little tip: fill the sleeping bag case with any spare clothes and use this as a pillow. 
Cooking stove 
My personal favourite for cooking for a family trip in my Trangia. Its small, lightweight and comes with two bowels and a plate. However, a simple gas stove will work too, which will likely be a more affordable option. For even less to carry, you can just cook on a fire. Food wise, simple one-pot meals work great; pasta, rice, noodles etc. And don't forget the s'mores - essential camping food!

Torches 
Kids love torches don't they? It's important that each child has their own torch they can keep in their pocket. I also love these torches hanging from the centre of the tent, or a tree if they're in hammocks, as they are super bright but can easily be adjusted. They're pretty cheap too. 
Layers 
If you're sleeping in a tent, you won't need as many layers as you will if you're sleeping in a hammock. A warm hat, extra socks, and leggings and long sleeve t-shirt under whatever they're wearing is usually suffice. Mornings tend to be a little chilly, particularly if you're in a forest and you're in the shade.
Entertainment 
For my children, a pack of cards usually keeps them entertained for hours. They're current favourite is top trumps & Uno. And for the evenings, not always but sometimes they like to watch a film together on a phone. Remember to download something before you go, it's unlikely you will have signal in such remote areas. 
And that's it. We do often take extra stuff with us but this is our basic kit of everything we know we will need. Anything else is usually barely used and a waste of weight to carry. 

 

Safety tips 

Wild camping is a perfectly safe thing to do with children. We've done it so many times and usually don't see a single soul. I have never felt worried and will continue to wild camp for many years to come. However, there are a few things you can do to help any accidents or emergencies. 

 

First aid kit 

A basic first aid kit could help you get you out of any minor trouble you may find yourself in, especially with children. Small burns, grazes, stings or bumps can be treated with basic equipment until you can get some help. 

Know where you're going

Knowing where you're going to camp isn't always an option. But if you can, check out the spot before hand. Keep a look out for crevices, dead tree that could fall, potentially busy spots etc. You will also know if you will have phone signal incase you need to call for anyone while you're out there. There are satellite phones available but I have never used one so can't recommend any unfortunately. 

 

 

Don't sleep with a light on 

This may sound like an obvious one but do not fall asleep with a light on. Children often sleep with a night light and may want to do so whilst wild camping. This will just highlight where you are for anyone walking by. The trick is to stay as hidden as you can, particularly as wild camping is not actually allowed in most places in the UK. If you camp on a full moon, it'll stay light enough that you may not even need to use a torch at all. 

What3Words

"what3words is an easy way to identify precise locations. Every 3m square has been given a unique combination of three words: a what3words address." 
You can download What3Words app on most app stores. 

Weapons 

It may be temping to have a weapon ready just incase the worst case scenario happens. I've even heard of people giving their children knives to sleep with (don't do this!) Remember, any weapon you or your children have has the potential to be used on you.  

 

So that's it, my tips on a successful wile camping trip with children. Don't be scared, go out there and have some fun. Stay safe, relax, save some money, and most importantly, Leave No Trace. 

 

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