Have you taken your family camping lately? There are so many reasons to go camping this year. The best reason is because it’s a great way for your family to spend time together and have fun. You can also explore new places, make friends, and be close to nature.
Even if you don’t own all the right gear you can have fun camping. You can borrow or rent the basic equipment, and there are plenty of campgrounds with easy access to parking.
And the best part of all? Camping is very affordable, so it’s something most families can do.
The Best Reasons to Take Your Kids Camping
You Can Social Distance If You Want
If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that staying cooped up inside for a year straight isn’t the best for our mental health. Now that people are getting out and about again, camping is the perfect option because you can choose just how much interaction you want to have with others.
Maybe you and your family want to mostly hang out by yourselves, staying safely distanced from other campers, or maybe you’ll want to invite your new Campground neighbors over for S’mores and campfire stories. You get to decide.
Take a Break From Tech
Sometimes you’ll end up at a campsite that has no Internet or cell service. Oh, the horror! Actually, that might be one of the best parts about camping. You and your kids will be forced to be present in the moment, and you can use the time to relax and connect with each other.
When we’re constantly looking at our phones and screens, it’s hard to stop thinking about anything else and remain focused. Camping is a great way for your family to check out of this crazy world for a while.
Try this fun Camping Scavenger Hunt with your kids – it’s a FREE Download!
Camping is Like a New Adventure
I’m a big fan of my daily routine, but sometimes it can feel like being in a rut. You can get so used to the same wake-up time, the same breakfast, lunch and dinner, the comfortable bed you sleep in every night, and the rest of your daily grind.
When you go camping, you’ll find you’ve been pushed out of your comfort zone and encountering challenge. You’ll have to overcome obstacles like making a fire or pitching a tent. When you get over each of these challenges, it’s super satisfying!
Camping is an Opportunity to Spend Time with Your Family
Camping can strengthen your family bonds. When you camp with your kids, you’re teaching them how to be independent, try new things, and experience different aspects of life. These can help them become more confident and develop survival skills that will come in handy later in life.
When you go camping, you’ll have time to talk to each other, to tell stories and jokes, and to listen to each other, like when you’re sitting around the campfire. It can be a nice chance to be quiet and still with each other, too, something that can be all too rare in this day and age.
You’ll All Get Fresh Air and Exercise
Many of us spend a lot of time indoors, sitting at desks, sometimes all day. Camping is a way to get some great, natural vitamin D from the sun! Vitamin D helps to strengthen your bones and muscles. It will also help with a mood boost.
There are so many fun activities to do while camping, like hiking and swimming, or the scavenger hunt download we’re giving away. You can cook delicious meals over the campfire and enjoy them outside on a picnic table. Almost all camping activities give you a chance to connect with nature in ways that you won’t have anywhere else.
In fact, if you plan it right, you’ll all be so worn out from all the things you’ve spent the whole day doing, you’ll sleep like babies.
Your Appreciation of Nature Will Deepen
When you go camping, you’ll see just how beautiful the world is. Whether you’re in the mountains, in the desert, or at the beach, you may never want to go back to the city after experiencing nature first-hand! You can reflect on all your blessings in a place full of natural beauty.
Related: Every Kid Outdoors Program for 4th Graders
You’ll Experience the Outdoors in a Different Way
In Southern California, we’re lucky enough to get to spend time outdoors all year long. And many of us run, walk, or play a sport outside as part of our normal routine. But it’s not often that we get to experience nature in the same way we can while camping.
Getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city is key to the rejuvenation we all crave. Camping offers a good balance of “roughing it” and comfort. When you camp, you can bask in the beauty of nature and find solitude from society. It’s an escape unlike any other! You’ll feel refreshed both mentally and physically after every trip.
You Can Find Places to Camp Almost Anywhere
There are plenty of places to camp here in Southern California, from the beach to the mountains. If you’re feeling adventurous, why not try some unique camping locations? There are so many options – you’ll never run out of places to go. There’s a new app that even lets you find places to camp on private land.
Related: Find the Best Campgrounds in SoCal
Camping is a Bargain
Compared to staying in hotels, camping is a terrific way to travel as a family and keep the costs down. It’s ideal if you’re trying to stay on a budget but still want to visit interesting places. Since you’ll be making your meals over the campfire, you’ll save money on eating at restaurants, too.
Take Your Family Camping
If you are looking for a socially-distanced adventure this year, go camping with nothing but a tent and some food! There’s no better time than now to be adventurous. You can reconnect with friends, family, or your significant other while sleeping in the wilderness. The best part about camping is that it’s affordable and each campsite is completely unique.
MomsLA is your source for Things to do with Kids in Los Angeles
Sarah Auerswald is the co-Founder and Managing Editor of MomsLA.com.
