Our family loves camping! It seems like summer passes us by so quickly but this year we were able to squeeze in a couple camping trips and we had a blast. I've partnered with Wenzel to share why you should try tent camping with kids!
Before we tried camping with kids the first time, I had some hesitations. Would they sleep okay? Would I spend 99% of my time trying to keep them from falling in the fire? How many mosquitoes would try to eat us alive? And what about ticks?! I grew up camping and I enjoy it but I wasn't sure about taking the kids when they're so young. However, we decided to give it a try and I'm so glad we did!
6 Reasons to Try Tent Camping With Kids
Their World Slows Down
With so many activities all the time I think kids get overwhelmed. Even though our kids stay home with me, we still get out a lot during the week. Between playdates, gymnastics, MOPS, and more, we seem to be running all the time. We get up early, head out the door, and often don't come home until later in the afternoon. It's easy to see sometimes our kids just need life to slow down. They need time to play without a plan. Camping provides time for kids to do just that!
They Can Get in Touch with Nature
We live in a small town and our kids play outdoors a lot. Even still, they can always use more time in nature. We've been camping twice this summer and in just those two trips we saw deer, squirrels, snakes, frogs, and lots of birds. The kids spent time playing with sticks and rocks rather than toys. They got SO dirty, and they absolutely loved it!
It Gives Them a Break from Electronics
Electronics are a big source of fun for most kids. My kids love their screen time as much as any other, but I notice their behaviors are better when they can take a break. Tent camping provides a a great excuse to skip out on electronics. With no electricity (even if there is, you don't have to hook up to it!), the kids can't beg to watch a show. It forces them to play together and get creative. When we went camping, the kids made up all kinds of stories and played together constantly. I didn't even have to worry about them falling in the fire!
Kids Can Learn Life Skills
This is such an important one! I think that because our kids are so young, we sometimes forget how much they're learning just by experiencing things. While we camped, we taught our kids about cooking over a fire, which is something we never do at home. Sure, we grill, but it's over a gas flame--totally different! Plus, we taught them all about starting a fire, and they learned a lot about fire safety.
Camping made them think outside the box, also. When it was time to brush our teeth, our daughter said "How can we? We don't have a sink!" She figured out that she could use a water bottle to get enough water to brush and rinse her mouth. Our friends taught the kids how to make pancakes from scratch which was a blast for them. There are so many learning experiences while camping. You don't even need to try to teach, they just occur naturally!
They Can Meet New People
Some of my favorite memories from camping as a child include meeting other kids. It was amazing how quickly friendships could form over a weekend and I can still remember some of their names! Have we kept in contact? No. But meeting them made a huge impact on me as a child. Our kids are very social and they try to make friends wherever we go. Camping is no exception, and they found kids to play with both times we camped this summer.
Tent Camping is a Great Way to Spend Family Quality Time
Even though we spend the majority of our time together, tent camping provides a different environment for our family. We can spend time doing things we normally don't, like hiking and swimming somewhere new. It gives us time away from our phones or the TV, where we can just focus on our kids. Some of my favorite moments this summer were camping as a family and I can't wait to make more memories next year! (We're not yet brave enough to try winter camping with kids in Minnesota-HA!)
Wenzel Tent & Gear Co.
It's impossible to go tent camping without a tent, and I was so excited when Wenzel Tent & Gear Co. sent me their Shenanigan 5 in Blue Geo from their Tribute Collection! The Tribute Collection is a vintage-inspired line with tents, chairs, sleeping bags, and more!
Tent Camping in the Shenanigan 5
I could not believe how easy it was to put up the Shenanigan 5. We laid the tent flat, pounded in the stakes, and put the steel pole up. That's it! That's all you need to do! It took less than 5 minutes and then we staked the rear vents to let some airflow pass through, also.
These unique vents are open at the peak and near the floor of the tent to allow the air to move. There are also three zippered windows to keep the air circulating. With four of us snuggling in a tent, this is imperative for a good night's sleep!
Another awesome feature of the Shenanigan 5 is how tall the peak is. At 90", even my 6' tall husband can stand comfortably in this tent! That can't be said for any tent we've used in the past. The floor is also spacious, with 86 square feet of room to move around. We can comfortably fit all four of us as well as our sleeping gear and packed bags.
The only downfall of this tent is that our son thinks the pole is a fun bar to hang from. He's only two so we're teaching him that we need the pole to keep the tent up and that we don't want to rip the fabric by trying to yank it around or hang from it. I'm sure it won't be long before he gets the idea to leave it alone. One thing I'd like to add to the tent would be a rain cover, but for now a tarp will work if we get caught in the rain while tent camping!
Double NeverFlat Fabric Air Pad
The first time we went camping, my husband and I woke up SO sore from sleeping directly in sleeping bags on the ground. I knew we needed to get a mattress of some sort for the next time we camped. The Double NeverFlat Air Pad is the perfect option because it's compact, lightweight, and fits perfectly between the support pole and the outer wall in the Shenanigan 5.
At four inches thick, it's just the right size to keep us up off the ground without making us compromise precious space in the tent. It has a two way valve that automatically monitors pressure and adjusts when necessary. It's a million times more comfortable than sleeping on the hard ground! We will probably end up buying another one for the other side of the tent.
We're very impressed with the quality of our Wenzel Tent & Gear Co. products and I'm sure we'll be adding more to our collection. I've been eyeing up their sleeping bags and camp chairs lately! Check out their website to see all the products they offer!
Our friends at Wenzel Tent & Gear Co. are generously offering one reader their very own Shenanigan 5 Tent! Enter using the Giveaway Tools form below.
Open to the US only, ages 18 and up. Ends 9/20/18 at 11:59 PM EST.
Enter using the Giveaway Tools form below. Good luck!
Disclosure: I received these products from Wenzel Tent & Gear Co. at no cost to discuss why you should try tent camping with kids as well as provide an honest review. As always, all opinions are my own. One winner will be randomly selected using the Giveaway Tools random selector. Winner will be notified via email. Once notified, the winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest or Google. Viva Veltoro and Thrifty Nifty Mommy are not responsible for prize fulfillment. Void where prohibited.
Manda B says
My kids love Camping! Such a great way to connect with each other and nature!
Carolyn says
Our tent sprung some leaks it is an old Army health tent it fits like 12 we have not been able to camp yet this year but we want to so bad it's really the only thing cheap to do for us as a low income family
Miranda says
I think everyone should give tent camping a try because it's really fun! Just go in having a good attitude and it'll be a blast!
Carolyn says
It sonis much better than camper camping!! More enjoyable and it's a lesson learned to how to fish start fire and cook I love camping so much
Courtney Reid says
Taking a break from electronics is definitely my favorite part about camping!
Deborah D says
I love to camp and this tent would really be neat on camping trips.
Alice F. says
When I was a little girl, my family used to go camping all the time! My father was a Marine and camping was second nature to him. I was terrified every time we went. However, now I look back and realize just how much fun we had!
Lauren Jones says
My preschooler loves the idea of camping out in our backyard but refuses to fall asleep out there but our tent is very small for one person so it doesn’t seem to cozy but he enjoys the atmosphere.
Linda Manns Linneman says
This is just the perfect size. My son loves camping with the grandkids and teaching them about nature. The kids really enjoy this. What a great break from the hustle and bustle of life. Thank you so much for sharing this
Tamara N says
This is the cutest tent. The kids will love it. I think that camping allows the entire family to step away from their electronics and get closer to nature.
Lisa Marie says
We absolutely love camping because, like the article stated, kids need time to play without a plan! We are in need of a new tent and this one looks perfect for our needs.
Heather Karow says
We love to go camping with our kids. It's so nice to just take a break and get out in nature. If we aren't able to go somewhere to camp we will camp in our backyard!
Natalie says
I think it is so important for today's kids to get out in nature and avoid electronics!!
Marilyn Nawara says
Our kids loved to go camping when they were growing up. It's a great way for families to spend real time together.
Susan Campbell says
My kids all love camping!!! THis tent would make us the coolest family at the campgrounds!!! 🙂
Brittany says
My kids would love this!
Marnie Bergstrom says
I think it is important to tent camp with your children. They need to learn how to have fun and enjoy nature without electronics. I also remember how fun it was making friends at campgrounds.
Angella says
We too our 5 year-old camping for the first time last month and loved it! It was so fun to see her interact with nature and feel free to be a kid. Definitely something all families should have the opportunity to experience 🙂
Heather Gillmer says
I think it is a great way to connect with your family .
Sarah Hayes says
my daughter has been wanting to go camping for a long time. this tent looks so awesome! wed have a lot of fun in this
Jeannette Stultz says
We are starting our cub scout adventures and we are going to need to invest in a tent, this one looks so special and unique!
Joseph Fleming says
Everyone with kids should take the family camping at east once or twice every year. It is a great experience.
Amber Ratliff says
We LOVE camping in our backyard. It's an easy way to get out in the "elements" without getting too far from home. We have a bonfire in our fire pit, and stay up late telling stories. It'as always a good time!
Robin Sullivan says
Our family loves to go camping. Our boys are in scouts and they really enjoy going in camp puts with thtroop. We have been looking for a new tent and I love the look of this one!
cait T says
my family always took me camping with the girl scouts and it is still an integral part of who i am today!
Ani W says
My kids want to go camping but I’ve never been and I’m intimidated by it. I would love to try it at least once though.
Diane Sallans says
my family took many camping summer vacations - this is a particularly fun looking tent!
Kathy Ross says
I think camping is fun. We used to go camping a lot when I was a kid. That's before cell phones and all, so I didn't miss much. I learned how to fish and cook on a fire. There's plenty to do when you camp. And like you said it gives you a chance to meet new people.
Rosanne says
It is a memory they will never forget and they will want to do that when they have children
Jodi W says
All kids should experience caping and all the fun like, fishing and cooking over a campfire
MaryAnn says
My kids love tent camping. It forces us to really relax as a family and not worry about the everyday things.
SAUNDRA MCKENZIE says
We took our kids tent camping for years. They loved it and now they take their own families also.
Barbara says
We love tent camping. We went even when the kids were babies and only months old.
Brianna Revard says
Tent camping is so character-building! Plus it's a bonus if you can get your kids away from their electronics for a time. Connecting with nature is far more restorative.
P.S. Your children are just cute as bug's ears.
Janice L. says
Kids LOVE camping. If there's fishing with it, that's all the better.
Denise Low says
When our kids was little we all went camping. They loved telling stories over a camp fire.
suzanne rousseau says
We used to camp when I was a child, now I would love to experience it with my granddaughters.
Rita A says
I have been camping with my parents since I was a kid. I have no children but tent camping is still fun!
Sandra Land says
I love that this is a teepee! How fun!
Sandra McFadden says
I would so love this for my grandsons.................what a great way to have a sleepover with Grandma.............
Carrie Kleckner says
This looks like a great tent! So comfy. 4 inches off the ground sounds perfect! Getting in touch with nature has to be my favorite part of camping.
Sandy Bonesteel says
My son loved camping when he was little. I loved that his father and I could give him special memories like that.
Brianna B. says
I would love to try camping with my family in this tent. My sons are big nature lovers and this would definitely be used alot in the summer months. Being close to nature is so relaxing and peaceful for them.
Pat F says
we took our kids camping and loved it, Time to take the grandson camping!
Debra Sluis says
It IS fun to camp with kids. My self, NO way would I do it with very small ones, diapers, camping? Ugh. It can be a bit of a hassle cause you have to lug so much with you.... and oh boy some places you better watch your kids CLOSE. But they LOVE it, and it if very important to instill a love of the natural world in our kids early. SO many cool places to go camping. Our fav was primitive camps out west. Wow. loved it.
Stephanie B says
I used to love tent camping when I was young! Now, we've been spoiled with the RV. I would love to take my kids camping in this tent, think they would get really excited.
Dawn Monzu says
Taking a break from technology is a GREAT idea! I would love to take my granddaughter on a camping trip, or even just in the backyard!
gala says
I think we should give tent camping a try because it’s fun! I also like the size of a tent , because in a usual camp-tent I feel suffocated
Amelia Bayless says
I went camping in Colorado a lot as a kid. I haven't done it for a long time now, but have really been wanting to take my children so that they can have that same experience - because it's such a blast. I too have had concerns about their sleeping, but I think it would all work out alright!
Ivette Chiong says
We ? camping!!
Kathy Scott says
Living in Idaho camping is a weekend event. It is great family time away from the daily grind and electronics. The kids have to talk to us.
Sunnymay says
I went tent camping as a child and in college. Tent camping is time spent with family exploring new experiences. All ages of kids and most adults get a chance to "play without a plan." "Life slows down," when you're "out in nature." I recommend it as you become more resilient and self-reliant camping.
Mia Rose says
It's wonderful to see kids have new experiences and learn all about nature and the world around them. An experience that every family should have.
Ashley Campbell says
I love that my kids can enjoy the outdoors, nature, and meet new people while camping!
Nancy says
As a girl, I enjoyed camping with the Girl Scouts. Camping with the family would be fun too.
Sally Gearhart says
Tent camping is the best, we go often as we can. We have a rv but when we want to go to our favorite park which is close we go with our tents. There is nothing i would trade for that time with my family! I really like your tent, looks extremely nice!
Chasta Howes says
All of those are great reasons to take kids camping. I think the electronic break is my favorite for all of my family
Eva Mack says
Camping gives children a new view of the night and early morning ...life without electricity!
Lauryn R says
I love camping and it is one of my fondest memory as a kid! I love being able to take my littles now and have them enjoy the great outdoors as much as me. 🙂 I know that they will always remember these trips just as I do.
Betsy M. says
Because it would be a new experience and a wholesome one at that.