10 Family Camping Tricks and Tips for 2022

Camping has its origins in the olden times when our forebears set up camps, and dwelled in tents, moving from place to place in search of food, and it was their way of life. In this modern world, camping has become a recreation that reconnects us with nature, a sweet escape from the bustle of urban life. It has now diversified in many ways depending on the activities involved.

Family outdoor camping is a magical bonding moment that unifies a family to strengthen relationships, away from mobile games, television shows and the convenience of technology. 

We have outlined doable tips camping enthusiasts would always count on, and you can likewise do, to make your family experience fun-filled and one for the books.

1. Bring along with you Hydrating Foods

Kids love salty and sugary snacks and can make them crave more water, especially in summer. Foods that give extra hydration include cucumbers, melons, oranges and the like. Besides refreshing, it’s healthful to have them in your camping food essentials.

When out in the wild, you can go foraging for berries, cacti and green coconuts. This activity could be fun because you get to taste what the natural environment offers, plus they have high water content. Be cautious, though. There are edible plants in the forest but do not eat them if you are unsure. Better to be safe than sorry.

2. Pack Non-Perishable Ready-To-Eat Meals

Bring sufficient amount of food the whole family enjoys. Ready-to-eat meals are an excellent addition to your essentials because they are packed with nutrients, quick to prepare and, you can eat them straight in the pouch by just adding water. You can buy them easily online, and they come in different variations that allow you to choose which appeals to your taste best.  

3. Must-Haves for Comfortable Camping

Your goal is to stay comfortable and insulated during your whole trip in the backcountry. Ensure that your tent, self-inflating sleeping pad and, sleeping bag are enough to accommodate the entire family. Environmental conditions around the campsite can be unpredictable, particularly during the night. You will sleep the night in the wilderness with these gears, staying protected and calm. 

Include lightweight and compact camping chairs in your list to make sitting in the outdoors convenient. Bringing a packable folding table could be practical to make eating more enjoyable, particularly in the absence of camping facilities at the campsite.

4. Use Doritos as Fire Lighters

Guess what? Dorito chips can be used as an alternative kindling when you can’t find dry twigs or papers. They are flammable and burnable because they are made with corn starch and coated in oil. Light a small pile of Doritos with a match and be amazed! This suggestion is only a backup though, munching these chips sounds more tempting than setting them on fire. 

5. Pack Wisely and Save on Space

When loading items into your car, the heaviest items come first, then pack on top and around them. Place the heaviest items on the floor, far forward and on the center, if possible, to achieve weight balance.  

Unroll self-inflating sleeping pads and sleeping bags rather than having them all rolled up. Put them between two items as buffers or place them in spaces to prevent moving. Save space by nesting your pots and pans into one stack or storing other kitchen items inside them.

Secure all loose items before hitting the road by using cargo straps when needed. You don’t want to see your stuff flying after a sudden halt or swerve.

Since a family car can be cramped, store bulky items like bikes, kayaks, skis and, whatnots on your vehicle’s roof rack carrier to provide more space for other essentials. 

6. Have a Portable Water Filter as Backup

 Take enough bottled water you can consume for the entire duration of your outing. You will never know when you will run out of drinking water. You are in luck if your campsite has a potable water supply. Otherwise, you can turn to freshwater sources, but chances are they are contaminated. It is safe to boil drinking water to kill bacteria and cool before use. Another way is using a portable water filter to remove impurities. Purifying your water will significantly reduce the likelihood of getting sick while on a trip.

7. Nature-Friendly Mosquito and Tick Repellent

When lit up, a stick of sage produces smoke and a smell that will ward off mosquitoes. Besides being eco-friendly, it has an earthy, delightful scent.

Wildlife in the area can be hosts to ticks, and they can also attach to humans. Get rid of them by formulating your natural tick deterrent. Blend 1 part tea tree oil to 2 parts of water and keep it in a spray bottle. Spray around the campsite, your sleeping gear, clothes and shoes. Ticks dislike the scent of tea tree oil and would not want to come anywhere near it.

8. A Mini First Aid Kit is Handy

This kit should be kept available at all times, more so when you are out in the wild. Pack essentials like band-aids, gauze, alcohol, medicines and, sanitizing wipes for emergencies. You can store them in old prescription bottles where they can easily fit in.

9. Give BLM Camping a Shot

The Bureau of Land Management or BLM permits setting camps on public lands they manage. Camping aficionados call it BLM camping. However, there are protocols you must know. Thus, educating oneself on these regulations is vital. Once you know the ropes, you are unrestricted to set camp on breathtaking American landscapes that range from 34 rivers to 136 wilderness areas. Expect encounters with wildlife and other animal species you have never seen before. Google their official website to choose from among the many locations available for camping.

10. Create Your Portable Washing Machine

If you stay out in the wilderness for extended periods as a family, expect a pile of dirty laundry. Fret not; you can wash along the way by making your mini-washing tub. Get a new plunger and a bucket with a lid. Cut an opening through the top enough for the plunger holder to fit. Presto, you have improvised a mini washtub! Nothing fancy but this will save your day from scrubbing laundry with your hands.