In a world where new generations are obsessed with tech gadgets, sometimes all that’s needed for a change of pace is to go into the great olde outdoors! And there’s no better way to enjoy a great technology break outside than camping with the family!
Just hearing the word “camping” can make a kid smile as they look forward to all the fun games. However, you would be surprised to know that camping is a lot more than just a fun activity with the family!
That’s why today, we will look at 7 reasons why you should go camping with your kids!
7 Reasons to go camping with your kids
Need some solid reasons why you should go camping with your kids (other than being fun)? Take a look below:
1. Improved Self-Esteem
Camping allows a kid to learn new skills and, more importantly, how to survive in the wilderness! Both of these things can help a kid to improve their self-esteem.
When you go out camping, the environment is totally different from your home. This helps the kids to step out of their comfort zone and to become competent in different environments.
In addition, camping also allows a kid to do things by themselves. This involves making mistakes, learning from them, and solving problems!
So, the first reason why you should go camping with your kids is that it can boost their self-esteem by exposing them to challenges and adventures.
According to statistics from CDC, children spend up to 90% of their time indoors. However, doctors recommend that children should spend at least 3 hours outdoors.
Spending so much time indoors means children are not doing enough physical activity, which can lead to weight gain and even Vitamin D deficiency!
A great way to open the doors to improved health in kids is to go camping! A well-planned camping trip allows the kids to spend time outdoors & to actually exercise.
From hiking to swimming to running, children can do all of that during a camping trip. And spending ample time under the sun also allows them to get enough Vitamin D which is good for the bones, muscles, & mood.
2. Learn Basic Survival Skills
Despite all the technological advancements, certain survival skills are still absolutely essential for the kids, and camping can help them learn these skills!
Here’s a list of basic survival skills that your kids can learn from camping:
- How to start a campfire safely.
- Identification of poisonous plants.
- How to navigate using maps, compass, etc.
- Basic first aid skills.
- Building a shelter using available resources.
Learning these skills will help your child to be more confident in their ability to handle themselves in nature. In addition, it will also help them to develop an affinity for nature!
These days, most kids live in cities & thus are not exposed to the wonders of nature. This means they know little about nature’s fauna and flora.
A great way to develop an appreciation of nature in your kid is to go camping with them. Your little one will enjoy exploring the stunning surroundings while trailing and hiking.
And before you know it, they would start collecting small rocks or anything that looks exciting. But more importantly, camping will also teach them the elements of nature that shouldn’t be disturbed or touched.
3. Unplug From Technology
Technology is essential for our modern world & comes with a lot of benefits. But we can’t ignore the fact that it also has a negative effect on problem-solving skills and out-of-box thinking. So it is not wrong to say that technology kills creativity!
In addition, excessive screen time is also linked with various eating and sleeping disorders. And did I mention that mobile phone usage in children is linked with ADHD?
Camping allows a kid to disconnect from technology and spend time with nature. This provides them with an excellent opportunity to experience nature while skipping all the side effects of tech gadgets!
One of the best things about camping is that it helps kids to embrace simplicity. A camping trip makes the kids understand that they don’t really need constant stimulation and entertainment. And if they need some entertainment, they will have to go search for it!
A camping trip can replace mobile games with table games or even physical games. Similarly, it replaces the normal dinners with meals cooked on the fire and so on.
That’s why you can say that camping teaches kids how to be content with simplicity and how to focus more on the experience rather than material stuff!
4. Improved Confidence
For someone who has never been camping, hearing a sound at night or sleeping in the woods can be very scary! But the kids who go camping frequently are usually not afraid to sleep outdoors!
Camping is one great way for kids to step out of their comfort zone & experience a totally different environment. In addition, it also allows a kid to learn a lot of different skills.
All these things can help a kid build more confidence in themselves! However, it is important to take them camping as often as you can to reap this benefit of self-confidence!
5. Quality Family Time
We all know that kids grow fast and before you know it, they will become grown-up adolescents & thus will spend more time with their friends! That’s why it is important that you should take every opportunity to spend quality time with your kids and family.
There’s no better way to spend quality family time than to go camping with your kids. I mean, if you think about it, it would be you, the kids, and the great outdoors!
At the end of the day, it is moments like that will stand the test of time and will make their way into your child’s lifelong cherished memories.
6. Make New Friends
While we are looking at reasons to go camping, let’s not forget that camping also allows your kids to make new friends.
If you go to any mildly popular camping station, there’s a good chance you will also encounter other camping families nearby.
And before you know it, your kid will befriend kids from other camping families. Together with their friends, the kids can enjoy a number of fun activities or just explore the camping site on their own!
7. Camping is Affordable
Available data suggest that the cost of a vacation for a family with 4 members is around $4580. No matter how you look at it, that’s a lot of money which makes family vacations too expensive.
On the other hand, going camping with the family is a lot more affordable. If you decide to go wild camping, you wouldn’t even have to pay a single cent to camp there.
As for the campgrounds, the rates are affordable as well and can cost around $10 – $40 per night. This means you can spend more on the fun activities and food you would enjoy at the campsite while still saving thousands of dollars.
Benefits of Camping
When it comes to camping, there are only benefits and no downside at all! From being physically active to spending time in nature to learning valuable skills, there’s a lot a kid can get from a camping trip!
So if you are still hesitant about whether to go camping or not, then pack up your staff and enjoy the great outdoors with your kids!