Planning a camping trip with teens? Check out these tips for a fun and rewarding adventure. Get ideas for engaging activities and shared responsibilities.
There are many ways to engage with school-aged kids on a camping trip. But as they grow into teens, things change. Teenagers aren’t interested in some of the more kid-like endeavors and activities. Blowing bubbles and flying kites no longer hold their interest.
Having been camping with kids and now camping with teens and young adults, we’ve learned and are learning a few things about what works.
Tips for Camping with Kids and Teens
- Everyone must pitch in. While camping is a vacation, it doesn’t come without some work. Essentially you’re still cooking and cleaning, just on a smaller scale. Ensure everyone contributes to meal prep, cooking, and keeping the camper and campsite tidy daily. This shouldn’t only be on the parents. The work is part of the reward. Everyone can and should do something.
- Choose simple meals and snacks and do as much prep as you can before traveling.
- Leave space to just “be” and let go of some of the routine/schedule.
Every day doesn’t need to be planned out to the hour. While some routines are good for younger children (such as sleeping and eating schedules), free play with no time limit is so good for them. - Encourage and invite but don’t force teens to do activities they really take no pleasure in.
Swimming, hiking, bike riding, walking, yard games, etc. Not every teen will enjoy every activity—and that’s okay! Try to lean into what they do enjoy. - Eat dinner together as a family, around one table if possible. If not, try to all be in the same area. It’s a great way to connect and reflect on the day’s events and just enjoy each other’s company. This is extra special if you have teens who work or have sports schedules and getting everyone around the dinner table is challenging. Soak up these sweet moments.
- Bring a deck of cards for teens and a board game for kids. Card games are a great family activity in the evening as everyone is winding down. A simple board game is a fun way to play with younger children.
- Don’t ban tech completely. Our kids/teens are growing up in a tech world. This is what they know. Inviting your children into outdoor activities naturally reduces their screen time. It just takes a little intention.
- Campfire conversations. This idea just hit me since our kids are older now. But teens love talking in the evenings about various things, and around the campfire is perfect for this. Don’t try to force questions, though. Try to let the conversation flow naturally.
- Don’t forget your Bible. Campfire bible reading really is the best. Waking up before the kids and pouring a cup of coffee, lighting the fire, and spending time with the Lord is such a sweet time. As your younger children wake up, you can invite them to sit with you and either read them a bible story from their children’s bible or let them read beside you. I don’t force my teens to read the Bible, but I do invite them by simply being an example by reading mine.
Camping is such a sweet time to spend outside and with family. When you leave the responsibilities of home, it’s easier to relax and refresh. Even while our kids still had access to screens, they still wanted to spend time outdoors doing other activities and only be on their screens occasionally.
