7 Scariest Things about Camping with Kids + Free Workbook

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It’s no doubt about it, camping season is here. Like many others, I am totally looking forward to it because it’s relaxing, fun, and offers an opportunity for family bonding and learning new skills. However, camping can also be scary. Below I have outlined the 7 Scariest Things about Camping with Kids from my own experience and a few ideas to help curb the scariness.

Snakes and Spiders

Snakes and spiders are out there. Period.

Two of the best things that you can do is to…

A) teach your children about snakes and spiders (especially poisonous ones) that are commonly found in your location and give them precautions and what to do if they come across any. Caution them on digging and lifting up random large rocks because snakes can be nestled under them.

B) Distribute mothballs, peppermint oil, and/or chili pepper around your camping tent. Any, and/or a combination of these should offer a little peace of mind for your family.

**Also, read about teaching kids about venomous snakes and poisonous plants.

** Read This: 5 Reasons to Take Your Kids Camping

Animals at Night

Various animals will roam at night. For example, racoons will ramble through anything left out and opened, especially food and trash. So, be sure to keep their activity down in your area by putting your trash high up on a tree or putting it in the garbage or car before you turn in for the night. Otherwise, you will have creatures roaming the campground throughout the night startling your children every few minutes.

Water Caution When Camping With Kids

Are you setting your camping tent up near water? If so, yes it’s scary thinking about snakes in the water and geese roaming close to your site. But, what’s even scarier for me is having children near such large bodies of water when they cannot swim. Be careful with your children around the water. Make sure that they can swim and someone knows CPR.

Did you know that Groupon offers CPR and First Aid certification training courses?

Night Walkers

People randomly roam campsites to gather wood or use the potty shacks and younger adults tend to party at many campgrounds. So, simply put – they will scare the hell out of you when you least expect it. There’s not much you can do about them. So, just inform your children that people sometimes roam at night but you have their back.

Download the Free PDF workbook below to create a plan for when this happens.

Getting Lost

I can not express how important having a compass and paper map of your camping area is, especially if you are new to the area. Oftentimes areas with a campsite tend to look similar, but aren’t. So, be sure you have a map and/or compass to navigate, especially on trails.

Nothing is scarier than being lost for hours and your phone’s GPS doesn’t work because there is a lack of signal with a tired and hungry kid – all while you’re frustrated.

You May Also Like |11 Reasons Why I Love Camping

Potty Shacks

Many of these are scary-looking, dirty, stinky, and filled with mosquitos. Point blank.

So, if you have to use them, especially with children, be prepared, especially at night. Make it quick. Use large flashlights and quality camping gear. Have toilet paper ready. Spray some OFF in the air before taking down your clothes and on you afterwards. Being bit by dozens of mosquitoes on your buns is no fun for anyone, especially little ones.

The Dark | When Camping With Kids

Finally, camping in the dark can be scary for anyone, especially children. Be prepared with plenty of lights. Some of our favorites are headlamps for the kids, large flashlights, string lights, and solar lamps staked throughout the campsite, as well as the fire.

In Summary

Camping can be relaxing, fun, and offer an opportunity for family bonding and learning new skills. However, it can also be scary, so take notes of 7 of our scariest encounters and things you can do to curb some of the scariness with your children.