Camping is undoubtedly a favourite way for Aussies to enjoy the great outdoors, but it often falls by the wayside when kids come along.
“It’s too hard camping with kids” or “Too much work” are the common complaints. We’ve heard them all over the past nine years of travelling with our (now four) kids.
The secret is to start early. You can actually go camping with a baby or a toddler and when you’ve done it once, it gets easier.
You should also invest in the right equipment. If you enjoy walking, then purchase a good quality baby carrier or toddler backpack. You’ll be amazed where you can go with little ones when you get the right gear.
Consider carefully where you’ll go camping with the kids. Maybe you appreciate all the modern comforts and you’re best off going to a four-star caravan park where you’ve got everything at your fingertips – as long as you’re willing to pay the price.
If you don’t mind roughing it – and you’re on a tight budget – there are plenty of cheap, or free, campsites all around Australia.
Victoria and Tasmania top our list when it comes to affordable camping. Long drops and no access to power is not for everyone but kids will get used to anything.
For some families, bush camping is the only way to get away from TV and all the other electronic gadgets. Instead, play card games or throw a footy and discover how much fun it is to actually do things together. Go on long walks, have picnics and connect with your kids.
Apparently, some adults and teenagers can’t survive without Facebook, and whatever else they access, for more than a day. If this is the case, then you might have to compromise. The goal is to have an enjoyable holiday so not allowing any online activity is probably not the best solution. Talk about setting a limit and going online at a certain timeslot once a day.
The sad reality is that the majority of families spend little quality time together anymore. Life is busy, relationships are strained and holidays are few and far between.
Personal experience has taught me that kids really do grow up fast and we only have a short window of opportunity to be a part of their everyday lives. Regular camping holidays are a great way of spending time with your kids and creating unforgettable memories. Sure, it might involve a bit of hard work but it’s so worth it.
So if you’ve thought about taking the kids camping, now is the time to do something about it.
Who knows, you might become hooked and decide to go on a trip around Oz, like we did.