If you're a fan of getting back to basics and connecting with nature, spending time outdoors with your kids is a great way to bond with them. There are so many fun things for children to do outdoors, and you can foster a love of nature and outdoor activity in them. A camping trip is an ideal thing to do with them, whether it's a special Dad-only occasion or a family affair. Spending the night in a tent can be a lot of fun for kids, and there are all kinds of activities you can do together too, from cooking on a fire to going hiking. Start planning your camping trip with the kids using the tips below.

Find the Perfect Location

Finding somewhere to camp is your first requirement. You usually have a range of options depending on what sort of camping you want to engage in. Some campgrounds offer lots of facilities, including hiking trails, making them comfortable places to stay. They're convenient, especially for families, but they don't exactly offer wilderness camping. Other options can provide you with the opportunity to get in touch with nature more. However, you need to consider what your requirements are. Do you need to be near to some real bathrooms and showers? Are you looking for somewhere close to convenient walking trails?

Get All the Right Equipment

When you're thinking of what you need for a camping trip, choosing the best tent is obviously going to be the first thing on your list. Sleeping bags and mats, or perhaps camp beds, make sure everyone is comfortable and warm. In particular, if you are camping with younger children you will need to make sure that you have extra-cozy specially-sized sleeping bags for them. But you'll need to think of what other tools and equipment you might need to make your trip fun and keep everyone happy. It's worth checking out cheap survival gear, which can help you get hold of everything from camping lamps to water bottles. The length of your trip and where you're going will influence what you need. It's also important to take your kids' needs into account.

Plan Your Food and Drink

Cooking outdoors is one of the best parts of camping, but you need to think about what your children will eat. You'll have to make sure you have child-friendly supplies and recipes that are quick and easy, and that perhaps the kids can help with. It helps if your kids aren't particularly fussy, of course. Look for one-pot, camping-friendly recipes and healthy snacks so you can all eat well. Make sure you take some fun things to eat too, whether it's marshmallows and smores or bananas and chocolate to bake on the fire. Don’t forget to keep the drinks cold too - so here's a great guide for you on the best coolers for camping. 

Come Up with Some Activities

There's so much you can do with the kids outdoors. It's a great opportunity to teach them some survival skills or just have some family fun time in the great outdoors. You could go for walks or bike rides, or you could stick around your tent and try some fun things. A nature scavenger hunt or just some time practicing building fires could keep everyone occupied.

Camping with the kids is a lot of fun, as long as you can convince them of the benefits of the great outdoors. Not all kids enjoy camping, but it helps if you make it fun for them.