Our everyday lives have been so hectic lately that we just want to leave everything and move out to nature. Well, it’s not a bad idea, though. There are so many people who choose camping twice or thrice a year just to be cut off from the world. Camping is a recreational outdoor activity that involves spending time in nature, typically away from urban areas and often overnight.
You can engage in various outdoor activities like hiking and fishing and just enjoy nature. In this article, I’ll tell you everything about camping and the gear required for camping.
We’ll also share with you the warmest kids’ sleeping bags, which will be a necessary tool if you want your kid to accompany you.
Let’s get started!
What are the Benefits of Camping?
- Stress Reduction: As discussed earlier, camping allows you to escape the stressors of daily life, such as work pressure and urban noise. It helps you remain calm around nature, where there won’t be any phone calls or texts, but just you and your inner self.
- Improved Mental Health: Everyone’s mental health is being affected these days, and no one wants to talk about it. Spending time in nature can actually reduce anxiety, depression, and stress, contributing to improved mental health.
- Better Sleep: With the reduction of screen time it’ll lead to improved sleep quality due to exposure to natural light. So, you will experience a good night’s sleep after a really long time.
- Fresh Air and Natural Environment: Another important benefit of camping is the opportunity to breathe fresh air and enjoy a healthy outdoor environment, which can benefit respiratory health.
- Family Bonding: The last but the main benefit is the opportunity you’ll get to bond with your family. With a long, hectic schedule, you don’t get to spend quality time with your family, especially your kids. So, camping will be a great idea to spend quality time with your family.
What are the Gears Required for Camping?
You cannot just leave your house into nature for camping without any prior arrangements. You need to have special camping gear and equipment to go into nature, and without it, you’ll feel lost. We’ll help you figure out the equipment which you need to purchase.
- Shelter: The first basic necessity is shelter, and that includes a suitable tent for your group size and weather conditions. Make sure to practice using it before, or read the guidelines to ensure that it’s easy to set up. You also need a ground cloth or tarp to place it under the tent for extra protection against moisture.
- Bedding: After you have shelter, you need something to sleep on peacefully. You need a sleeping bag, and make sure to select an appropriate one for the expected temperature. Then add in some sheets and blankets for extra comfort and warmth because you never know the temperature of the new place you’re going to. Also, take a camping pillow, or you can have a stuffed sack with clothes too. Lastly, you need to have an air mattress or sleeping pad that will provide insulation from the ground.
- Cooking and Food: If you are camping in the middle of the jungle, you require the necessary equipment to cook food. You would require a camp stove, especially the portable ones, to cook your meals. You’ll also require fuel for the stove so ensure to have enough for your trip. You also need all the basic utensils like pots, pans, plates, etc. Also, make sure to pack non-perishable foods and enough clean water for your trip.
- Fire and Lighting: Another important element in camping is fire and enough light to help you protect yourself from wild animals. Have some matches, lighters, or even a firestarter kit to start a fire. Also, keep a headlamp or flashlight that’ll provide illumination at night. Lastly, keep a lantern at your campsite for ambient light.
- Clothing: According to the appropriate weather, having layered clothing is necessary, especially making sure to have rain gear. Also, keep extra socks and underwear to feel dry and comfortable. Lastly, do have a hat and a pair of gloves to protect from sun or cold.
- Footwear: If you want to go hiking, you need sturdy hiking boots so that you can walk comfortably. Also, make sure to keep camp shows that are lightweight and easy to slip on around camp.
- Navigation: You don’t want to get lost in the middle of the jungle, so make sure to have a map and compass or GPS, which will help you with navigation in unfamiliar terrain.
- Personal Items: Now comes the personal items that you need to have, like a first aid kit where you’ll keep all your basic medical supplies. You also need to have toiletries like toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and toilet paper. You also need to have a multi-tool kit and a knife for handy tasks. Lastly, keep insect repellent beside you always to protect yourself against bugs and mosquitoes.
- Safety: In case of emergencies, keep a whistle always. Next, keep sunscreen and sunglasses to protect from the exposure of the sun. Lastly, always keep an ID for emergency contact information.
- Camping Accessories: You need to have camping accessories like camp chairs for portable seating camp tables to cook food and have dinner. You also need to have a rope and cord for various purposes, and lastly, always keep duct tape as it might come in handy.
- Backpack: Having a good quality backpack is necessary to help keep all your items safe. Also, ensure to have an appropriate size backpack for your gear.
- Entertainment: If you are on a solo trip, then make sure to have something beside you for entertainment. You can have books, games, and other forms of entertainment.
Warmest Kids Sleeping Bags
1. REI Co-op Kindercone 25
This is a high-quality sleeping bag designed specifically for kids. It is designed to keep young campers warm in various outdoor conditions. It offers reliable insulation, making it suitable for cooler temperatures. It is also made with synthetic materials like a recycled polyester shell and lining. The number 25 in the hg product name indicates its temperature rating, which means it is designed for use in temperatures around 25 degrees fahrenheit.
2. Kelty Kids Mistral 30
Kelty Kids Mistral 30 is a high-quality sleeping bag specifically for children. The “30” in the product name indicates its temperature rating. This product is an appropriate size for children and ensures a snug and comfortable fit. This sleeping bag features a mummy-shaped design, which helps retain heat efficiently and provides a cozy sleeping experience.
3. Coleman Kids 30-Degree Sleeping Bag
This product is designed to provide a comfortable and warm sleeping experience for children during outdoor adventures. The 30 degrees in the product name indicates its temperature rating, making it versatile for various camping conditions. It is constructed from durable polyester material, ensuring longevity and withstanding the rigors of outdoor use.
4. L.L. Bean Kids’ Adventure Sleeping Bag
The L.L. Bean Kids’ Adventure Sleeping Bag is designed to provide a comfortable and cozy sleeping experience for children during camping and outdoor adventures. The interior lining of this sleeping bag is described as “buttery soft,” providing a comfortable and plush sleeping surface that will feel gentle against your kid’s skin. It also features a full-length zipper around the foot area, allowing for ventilation as well as stretching freedom for kids.
5. ANJ Adventure Theme Kids Sleeping Bag
It is designed to provide a comfortable and cozy sleeping experience for your kids during both indoor and outdoor adventures. It features a mummy-style design, which helps retain heat and provides extra warmth by reducing unnecessary space inside the bag. It has dimensions of 27.6 inches (top width) x 21.6 inches (bottom width). Ensuring a snug fit for young campers.
6. The North Face Wasatch Pro 20 Youth Sleeping Bag
It is a high-quality outdoor sleeping bag designed specifically for young adventurers. It is designed for three-season camping and has a temperature rating of 20 degrees Fahrenheit. It also features a mummy-shaped design that helps retain heat and maximize insulation. It is also insulated with synthetic materials that provide excellent warmth even in damp conditions.
7. Morrison Outdoors Little Mo Baby Sleeping Bag for Camping
This sleeping bag is designed to provide comfort and warmth for infants and toddlers during camping trips. The age range is between 6 to 24 months, making it suitable for the youngest campers. It is available in two temperature ratings: 20 degrees fahrenheit and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It comes in both down and synthetic insulation options, as it offers an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio.
8. Big Agnes Little Red Little Kids Sleeping Bag
This sleeping bag provides comfort and warmth to all the young campers. It is available in a 20-degree Fahrenheit, ensuring that kids stay warm during chilly nights while camping. It is insulated with synthetic fibers, which provide excellent warmth and retain heat even when damp. The sleeping bag is designed to be durable and quick drying, which is an essential element for outdoor adventures where gear may get wet and dirty.
9. Kelty Mistral Kids Sleeping Bag 20-Degree
It is a high-quality sleeping bag designed for young campers and outdoor enthusiasts. It is rated for temperatures as low as 20 degrees fahrenheit. It even features Cloudloft insulation, which provides excellent warmth and retains heat even in damp conditions. It is constructed with a durable yet lightweight shell and liner, designed to withstand the rigors of outdoor use. The bag incorporated offset quilting to prevent cold spots, ensuring that heat is distributed evenly.
10. Big Agnes Torchlight 20 Adjustable Kids Sleeping Bag
It is a highly versatile and innovative sleeping bag designed with young campers in mind. It is adjustable in design and can expand in length to accommodate a growing child, making it a long-lasting investment for parents. It is designed for use in temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit, making it suitable for various camping conditions and seasons. It also features a mummy-style design, which provides excellent heat retention and minimizes cold spots.
Conclusion
Camping is an amazing way to just cut off from everything and get on the journey of rediscovery. Even though it sounds difficult to plan and execute, once you start doing it, it’ll be fun. In this article, we discussed everything you need to know about camping. Starting from its benefits to the gear and equipment you need to have before leaving for camping. We also discussed the most comfortable sleeping bags for your kids.
Make sure to research thoroughly before picking out the spot for camping.
