Camping is one of the most common and enjoyable activities for families to do together to strengthen their bonds.
Camping is a lot more than just living outside for a couple days. It is an experience close to nature, where you get to spend time doing activities that create long-lasting memories. It can be a great experience for families who have older children or are trying to entertain a large age range, too.
In today’s age, people spend a lot of time looking at a screen, including kids, which makes activities like camping that much more significant as a way to detox and reconnect with one another.
Camping can be a form of getaway for your family, especially if any of them are going through something difficult. The teen years can be difficult to navigate, but activities like camping can be a refresher that reminds them of the greater world outside their own experiences. For more mental health help and parenting resources, visit BetterHelp.
Here are some great activities to do on a family camping trip to strengthen the relationships within your family.
Go on a hike
Hiking is one of the best ways to bond with those who are dear to you on a camping trip. If you are camping outside, there are many opportunities for hiking.
Most physical activity creates a great environment for bonding, as you are all focused on a single goal with minimal distractions. This kind of activity also boosts serotonin and can improve everyone’s mood simultaneously.
If you or someone in your family is not a big fan of exercise or hiking itself, consider taking an easier trail that does not involve too much exertion and lets you all have a relaxed walk instead.
Build a campfire
Campfires are probably one of the coziest and most soothing ways to spend night time on a camping trip.
Build a campfire in a safe spot, bring some marshmallows or other foods of your choice to roast over the fire, and enjoy the crackling, relaxing sounds of the campfire.
You can also use the opportunity to sing songs with your family, a common yet highly entertaining campfire activity. The sounds of the night with the glow of the campfire will create great memories for your family to look back on in the future.
Play a game
Games are often synonymous with computer games nowadays, but there are plenty of games that are enjoyable without screens.
Bring a board game or card game with you on your trip, or play a sport with your family, like dodgeball or soccer.
Even something as simple as tag or hide-and-go-seek can be enjoyable if you do not have any other games with you.
Do some cooking
Cooking can be a very social activity once you start to involve your family in the process. Bring ingredients for recipes that you can make while camping and encourage your family to chip in.
It can be especially exciting for young kids to eat something that they made themselves. You can cook together using a dutch oven or set up a roast.
Ultimately, there is no limit to what you can make out of your camping trip. Try to choose activities that are equally enjoyable for everyone and encourage your family to be in the moment and stay engaged outside of their phones.
The memories you create and the long-lasting impact of taking the effort to spend quality time with one another will really pay off in the long run.