These winter camping tips for when you have kids are definitely going to help you overcome some of the hurdles you can encounter. Winter camping is not for the faint hearted so it is important to be prepared and aware especially when taking kids. It can be an incredibly memorable experience for everyone though and one you should definitely take a leap on.
Choose The Right Kids Sleeping Bag
It is vital to choose the right sleeping bag for your kids, especially in winter. Sleeping bags are rated based on their different temperatures. You will need to assertain the overnight temperature where you will be camping and determine if the sleeping bag is rated for that temperature.
Another aspect you will want to consider when choosing a kids winter sleeping bag is the design. The best design for a winter sleeping bag is a mummy design. Mummy sleeping bags are wider at the top and narrow down the bottom. This is to prevent extra air from entering into the sleeping bag since less air means better insulation and warmth. Mummy sleeping bags also have a snug hood at the top to keep your child’s head warm.
The Coleman Mummy – Youth Sleeping bags fits all the criteria for a great kids winter sleeping bag. It has a temperature rating to 30F or -1C so you can be sure that it is warm and toasty even when it is icy cold outside. The mummy design will add an extra layer of protection. These are suited for children aged 6+ based in the average child’s size and will be big enough for anyone up to 5ft.
Winter Camping Tent
A winter camping tent will often be marketed as a four seasons tent. This indicates that it is appropriate for use year round through all seasons, however they have special features built in that make them optimal for winter camping.
You will find that four season tents are more costly that your regular tent, namely because of the extra design features. These include stronger framing, and fabric and more of it. Winter tents are usually only designed with one layer of waterproofing fabric and limited windows. For example a winter tent may eliminate the usual rain fly in favour of single wall design that has build in waterproofing. This allows for less air to make its way into the tent and potentially lower the warmth inside.
You are unlikely to find super large family style tents that are designed for winter camping. Winter camping tents are most commonly designed as smaller one room dome tents. Don’t let this put you off camping with your family in winter though! Where there is a will there is always a way!
Nature Hike offers a winter camping tent which fits 4 people which is perfect for a small family. It is designed to withstand wind, rain and even snow so you know that it will hold up even in harsh winter weather. The look of this tent is sleek and compact which I really like.
Sleeping Pads Vs Air Mattress
Sleeping pads are hands down, no competition the best camping mattress you can buy. I went into more depth on why in this post so if you are in the market for sleeping solutions definitely go and read it for all our recommendations in what to look for.
The short and sweet of it is , that sleeping pads while thinner offer much more insulation. When you are winter camping with kids insulation and warmth is paramount. Air mattresses have a large pocket of air between you and the ground which acts and big bubble of freezing cold air. It is impossible to stay warm because the air directly underneath you is so cold it prevents you from warming up and staying warm. It is like sleeping on an icepack. No matter how many layers you put on, you are still going to feel the ice.
Sleeping pads are around 2-4 inches in height which may concern you. If you are like me you are are probably wondering how that is going to 1. be comfortable and 2. keep you warm. I can personally attest to both and assure you that you will be warm and you wont feel a thing underneath you.
On our first camping experience with sleeping pads instead of air mattresses we had a concerning rocky site. However once our sleeping pad was laid down right on top we could not feel a single rock. The foam which is inside the mattress absorbs all the bumps and lumps. The kids actually did and experiment to see what they could fit under there before we could feel it.
The foam inside the sleeping pad acts as insulation allowing you to stay warm through the night. So now, as opposed to sleeping on an ice pack you are now sleeping on a warm cushion of happiness.
Sleeping pad recommendations:
QOMOTOP Ultra Thick Self-Inflating Camping Mattress
This one is great if you aren’t heading too far off the beaten track. It comes in multiple sizes and is extra thick and self inflating.
If you are after something much more compact and light you will love something like the single HiHiker sleeping pad. This sleeping pad is so compact that you can easily fit it in your back pack. It is also self inflating so no need to bring an air pump.
Keep Inside The Tent Dry And Clean
During the summer you are probably going to be subject to dirt and sand inside your tent. Unfortunately winter brings mud, sludge and water. You are really going to appreciate the effort you make to ensure that as much mud stays outside your tent!
One of the best ways to do this is to have a plastic tub or two outside the door to the tent. When you are coming inside the tent simple throw the muddy boots and shoes inside. Make sure that you have a tub with a lid in case of wet weather through the night. No one likes to have to put on wet shoes the next morning!
Adequate Lighting
There is no day light savings in winter and it can get dark very early. Right now it’s not even 5pm before the sun sets and we live in what is proudly known as the “sunshine state”. You will most like be doing the night routine, including cooking dinner by some sort of camping light rather than the sun.
Odoland have some brilliant lanterns that provide excellent lighting solutions when camping. What we appreciate about this particular lantern is that is has a built in fan which helps with ventilation. Despite it being cold outside it can really become rather stuffy inside a tent. Air circulation helps to keep everyone comfortable.
Headlamps are also a great idea for hands free lighting solutions. In winter there is likely to be a lot more time spent inside the tent in the evenings. Headlamps are great for reading and quiet activities, also we think they are great for cooking outside.
Wear Appropriate Clothing
Layers, layers and more layers. The best way to dress kids for winter is in layers. You need to read this post to get a full rundown on the essential winter gear for kids.
Cotton is going to be your worst enemy when it comes to winter camping with kids. It has a very poor insulation quality and holds on to moisture like no other. Even when it is “dry” the fabric can still feel damp especially in winter.
If you are camping with your kids in winter you should really invest in some wool clothing. Merino wool is best for children (and adults) because it is incredibly soft and gentle. Regular wool can be itchy and uncomfortable which ultimately results in cranky children and parents.
Once you are all insulated and cozy and warm you need to have a waterproof outer later as your final layer of protection. A waterproof jacket is what you are needing here. If you have super small children you may want to think about an all in one suit like this one and you won’t need to worry about your little ones becoming wet and cold underneath.
When your children go to bed at night it can be tempting to put them into regular pjs but make sure that they are wearing thermals underneath. This is in order to help them regulate their body temperature through the night as the temperature drops. You can read about what you need to look for in thermal wear here.
Ease Into the Experience Of Winter Camping With Kids
Winter camping is a whole other level when compared to summer camping, especially with kids. You should consider starting small.
A backyard campout is always the best place to start. You can be set up exactly how you would be at the campsite but with the added security of a warm cozy bed 20 feet away. This set up is the perfect way to iron out any missteps and blunders that you have or things that you had not considered.
Once you have mastered the backyard campout you may be ready to head out wild. I would suggest that you don’t make your first fully fledge winter campout with kids right in the dead of winter. The shoulder seasons are a good way to ease in to cooler weather camping.
The most important thing to remember is that it is all about having fun. We always say to our kids “If you act enthusiastic you will be enthusiastic”. This always helps when things are going a little awry.
Eat Simple Food
We like good food and I don’t think that camping means that you should be relegated to eating rubbish. Good food keeps you energized and happy.
Good healthy food can also be simple food. Sometimes it just takes a little preparation before you leave. Ideally you want to just be heating food up in winter. It is not the time for leisurely BBQ’s!
Hobo dinners are perfect for winter camping because you can prepare them before you leave. Simply keep them chilled until you are ready to throw them on the camp fire or grill. A beautifully warm and nutrious meal without any of the hard work at camp.
If you want to go for an even more rugged camping experience then freeze dried food packets are going to be great! I find it incredibly fascinating that you can have a hot bowl full of chicken n dumplings by simply adding water. Mountain House are the leaders in freeze dried camping meals and therefore have an abundance of different meals to choose from. You can buy packets individually or in bulk. I am always after a bargain so would lean towards the bulk box. It is half the price when you buy them in bulk.
