Camping can undoubtedly be a fun experience for both adults and kids. However, before heading into the wild, it may help to have a ‘trial run’ indoors. What child doesn’t like building tents or forts at home? An indoor simulation can be a great way to introduce your kid to the fundamentals of camping.
While the fun and games are underway, you should keep in mind that with kids, safety goes hand-in-hand with fun. So there are some important things to keep in mind:
It is not necessary to buy a tent from thestoreas homemade tents can be just as useful for your indoor trial run. However, if you are looking for an authentic camping experience and have decided to buy a tent, there are certain features you should look for. Proper ventilation is a must, so choose a tent with mesh panels that allow goodairflow. A back-tunnel port is handy in case of an emergency. For those times when you’re really outdoors, look for a design that’s suited for the appropriate weather conditions.
While it’s easier than searching for a campsite in the wild, deciding on where to set up the tent at home can be tricky. First and foremost, the area should be big enough to accommodate the tent but allow for maneuverability around the house with some space to set up a pretend bonfire.
It’s fairly easy to set up a tent if you follow the instructions. If you still have difficulties, there’s always YouTube for support. Although today’s tents are quite portable, it’s always best to find a good spot and stick to it. To add a little realism, you could set it up on a carpeted floor to simulate the outdoors. If lacking a carpet, consider padding the floor a little. Yoga mats or dedicated floor padding for tents are easily available and provide some cushioning even in the real outdoors. Keep in mind, however, that the point of camping is to teach children a certain measure of self-reliance and to live without some of the creature comforts they are used to at home. So a hard floor, in a sleeping bag, isn’t so bad.
If your kids and their friends plan to spend the night in the tent, sleeping bags are the way to go. Make sure there is enough room in the tent to accommodate all the sleeping bags needed for the kids so that they don’t feel cramped at night.
Use Goodknight Fabric Roll-On on your child’s clothes, or you can placeGoodknight Patchesin and around the tent to ensure the children don’t get bitten while playing or sleeping. Both products are child-safe and keep mosquitoes away for eight hours. While designed for the outdoors, they work just as well inside the home. They will help make the simulation a little more realistic and teach the kids the importance of mosquitorepellents when camping outdoors.
Camping – even the simulated, indoor sort – can be a lot of fun for kids and their parents, but one must be prepared.So, keep these tips in mind when you’re setting up your tent.
