The Magic of Camping with Children: Creating Lasting Memories in the Great Outdoors

Kids Bell tent camping

Camping with children is an extraordinary experience that can ignite their imagination, foster a love for nature, and create cherished memories that will last a lifetime. In today's digital age, where screens dominate our daily lives, taking the family on a camping adventure offers a refreshing escape from the ordinary routine. Discover the wonders that await as we delve into the countless reasons why camping with kids is an absolute must.

In a world increasingly disconnected from nature, camping provides a perfect opportunity to immerse children in the beauty of the great outdoors. Far from the confines of four walls, kids can run freely, breathe in the fresh air, and develop a profound appreciation for the natural world around them. The sights, sounds, and smells of the wilderness awaken their senses, fostering a deep connection with Mother Earth.

Unleash Imagination:

Camping kindles the flame of imagination in children like few other activities can. In the absence of modern distractions, kids have the freedom to explore, create, and invent their own adventures. Whether it's building a fort out of fallen branches, pretending to be intrepid explorers, or telling captivating stories around the campfire, camping allows their imaginations to soar to new heights.

Quality Family Bonding:

In our busy lives, finding quality time to spend with our children can be a challenge. Camping offers a unique setting where the family can unplug from technology and distractions, enabling genuine connections to form. From setting up the tent together to gathering firewood, every task becomes an opportunity for teamwork and bonding. Sharing meals, engaging in campfire conversations, and stargazing as a family strengthens the emotional ties that will endure for years to come.

Learning through Adventure:

Camping provides a valuable educational experience for children. It encourages them to explore and learn about the natural world firsthand. From identifying different bird species to studying animal tracks, camping presents endless opportunities for discovery. Kids can develop essential life skills such as problem-solving, resourcefulness, and resilience as they navigate the challenges that camping may present. The lessons learned in the outdoors often leave a lasting impact on their personal growth and development.

Unplugged Recreation:

In an era dominated by screens and virtual entertainment, camping offers a much-needed respite from technology. It allows children to disconnect from gadgets and engage in old-fashioned outdoor recreation. Whether it's swimming in a nearby lake, hiking through scenic trails, or playing traditional campfire games, camping reintroduces kids to the simple joys of physical activity and unstructured play.

Camping with children opens a world of wonders, where nature becomes their playground and memories are woven into the fabric of their lives. It nurtures a sense of wonder, fuels their creativity, and strengthens family bonds. So, gather your gear, leave behind the daily routine, and embark on an unforgettable camping adventure with your little ones. The great outdoors awaits, ready to inspire and transform your family's experience into something truly magical.

Tips for camping with Kids

Camping with children can be a rewarding and memorable experience for the whole family. To make your camping trip with kids enjoyable and stress-free, here are some valuable tips to keep in mind:

Choose a family-friendly campground: Look for campgrounds that cater to families with amenities such as playgrounds, clean restrooms, and nearby attractions suitable for children. Research and read reviews to find the best options.

Plan and pack together: Involve your children in the planning and packing process. Let them help choose camping gear, clothes, and activities. This will make them feel excited and invested in the trip.

Practice setting up the tent: Set up your tent in the backyard or living room before the camping trip. This allows children to familiarize themselves with the process and helps avoid confusion and frustration at the campsite.

Pack essentials and comforts: Be sure to pack essentials such as extra clothes, bedding, first aid supplies, insect repellent, sunscreen, and appropriate footwear. Also, bring comfort items like their favorite stuffed animal or blanket to help them feel secure. It is important not to go too overboard as it can detract from the essence of camping. Sometimes less is more.

Keep meals simple: Plan easy and kid-friendly meals that require minimal preparation. Prepping some meals in advance and bringing along pre-packaged snacks can save time and ensure everyone is well-fed.

Engage in outdoor activities: Encourage your children to explore and engage with nature. Go on nature walks, have scavenger hunts, or play outdoor games. Bring along sports equipment, frisbees, or kites to keep them entertained.

Embrace the elements: Prepare for changing weather conditions by packing appropriate clothing layers and gear. Teach your children about staying safe in the outdoors, such as avoiding unknown plants and wildlife.

Create a routine: Establish a daily routine for meals, bedtime, and activities. This helps provide structure and familiarity for children, making them feel more secure in the camping environment.

Safety first: Prioritize safety during the camping trip. Set clear boundaries and rules, especially around the campfire and water bodies. Teach your children about fire safety, wildlife awareness, and the importance of staying close to the campsite.

Unplug and connect: Encourage your children to disconnect from electronic devices and fully immerse themselves in the camping experience. Use this opportunity to bond as a family, share stories, play games, and create lasting memories.

Remember, the key to successful camping with children is to be flexible, patient, and have fun. Embrace the adventure, enjoy the outdoors, and savor the quality time spent with your family. Happy camping!

The Brands of Nomadic

Ever since ‘Nomadic’ was born, we’ve been testing brands to find the best of the best for our customers.

And 6 years later, we can say with confidence that we have found them! All items on our website are from the brands that we’ve personally chosen with care because we know that they provide high-quality products every time.

Let us introduce you to our favorite brands…

CanvasCamp

Where it all began! These tents are what we used to develop our fleet of glamping rentals - which means that they have been well and truly tested with repetitive use through all four seasons. These tents are built to last! CanvasCamp quality means 100% Cotton, being the ONLY tent manufacturer to bear ‘The Seal of Cotton’. Cotton is a sustainable and renewable material, meaning that it’s good for the environment, and you’ll notice the difference compared to plastic-based tents!

Why do we choose CanvasCamp? Cotton provides the advantage of being breathable, allowing moisture particles to escape directly through the canvas. This prevents dampness and humidity from developing inside the tent, keeping it nice and dry inside. Cotton canvas still keeps rain out too though! Cotton fibers swell in the rain, preventing the droplets from passing through the canvas.

With CanvasCamp, you can be guaranteed quality products at affordable prices.

Whiteduck

Our newest affiliate! Boy, are we excited to have these tents on board.

Their canvas is made from ‘duck army’ - 100% cotton canvas which has a higher thread count than regular Canvas, making it extra heavy-duty while still being smooth to the touch. Think of it like sheets - you know you’re getting the good stuff when you splash out on a higher thread count!

These guys back their tents, to the extent that they offer a lifetime guarantee. We also like supporting these guys because they are a new brand on the market - but that hasn’t held them back from making 5,000% growth year on year since they started in 2017! We reckon it must be for a reason! We are proud to be behind them.

Winnerwell

Winnerwell is our go-to brand for all things hot tenting and camp cooking! Offering camping stoves (for inside and outside of the tent), flat-pack fire pits, and all the trimmings. Here in Taupo, winter camping can be a challenge… But not with these bad boys to keep you warm!

A hot Milo made without leaving the warmth of the tent? An ambient fire crackling away through the night? That’s a yes for ‘hot tenting’ from us! Thank you Winnerwell for making it possible.

Barebones

These guys have allowed us to expand our range of products to include all things camping - from lighting to cutlery, to cooking accessories and outdoor knives. These beautifully crafted products are designed to be desired. Stylish and functional, they make the perfect gift for any outdoor enthusiast!

In Barebones' own words, they help "connect people to food, nature, and the primal pull of the fire."

There you have it, our favorite brands. Keep an eye out for more coming soon!

Hot Tenting

Hot tenting… Sounds interesting? No, it’s not about getting steamy in a tent with your festival fling, or lighting up with all the doors shut… Hot tenting is the latest craze when it comes to tent living and winter camping.

Hot tenting involves having heating inside the tent - usually in the form of a wood burner stove. Why should camping adventures be restricted to the warmer months?

How Does Hot Tenting Work?

The wood burner stove sits inside the tent, with a chimney pipe that leads outside the tent through the ceiling canvas. The heat resistant flashing kit is fixed into the canvas to ensure that the chimney flue can leave the tent safely, without heat escaping. Stock up the firebox with firewood and you’re good to go!

Canvas tents breathe easily compared to plastic or other Nylon tent materials, and don’t carry those same fire risks (*Note: Please use wood burner stoves responsibly!!*). This means that you are much less likely to have moisture building up inside the tent, and you stay both warm and dry inside.

When you’re ready to go home, the stove and chimney pipe can be packed back down to the size of the firebox for easy portability.

Why Try Hot Tenting?

No more need to store the tent away through the winter months - you can enjoy camping all year round!

Just think - A warm place for shelter, regardless of the temperature outside. You can do all of your cooking straight from the stovetop, without having to brave the elements. No more cooking in the cold or rain! Late night Milo’s made without leaving the comfort of the tent…

You can dry out any wet clothes and shoes next to the wood burner, and enjoy watching the logs burning on the fireplace at the end of the day... Talk about ambiance!

We’ve tried and tested this ourselves. The Nomadic hub is based in Taupo, NZ - known in the North Island for its near arctic temperatures and those southerly winds off Mt Ruapehu!! We get the occasional winter night of temperatures in the negatives.

The team here at Nomadic put the Winnerwell Medium Nomad Woodburner Stove in a Canvascamp patrol Pro tent to the test in the middle of winter this year. It was a fantastic experience, nestled in the native bush, able to cook and keep our tent warm. Temperatures outside in the car were coming up at -2 degrees, while inside a comfy 20 degrees.

Nomadic offers a range of wood burner stoves, flue pipes, and fixing kits, as well as many tents to go with.

Give hot tenting a go for yourself and send us through your cosy hot tenting pics!