Benefits of Camping for Families + Free Planner
I’m so excited to share today’s post and a free camping planner + bucket list printable with you! Camping is such a fun way to spend time as a family, and there are so many great benefits. It can seem overwhelming if you are new to camping, as far as what you need and everything you need to know about camping, so I hope to do a series as a Camping 101, so today we’re starting with all of the benefits and some free printables you can download.
The Camping Bucket List is a fun little list you can use to see how many you can check off together. Then, the Camping Planner sheet is a great way to plan your camping trip including a list of supplies, activities to do, and meals to eat while you are out. You can sign up for my email list below to download these fun printables.
There are so many great benefits for your family when it comes to camping and spending time outdoors. Here are just a few.
Benefits of Family Camping
1. Bonding – Camping is such a great way to bond as a family. You get to spend uninterrupted time together learning new things and having new experiences. Plus, schedules based around camping are usually different, including later nights and earlier mornings than what we usually experience at home. This means so much time to spend talking and getting to know your spouse and your kids better than ever.
2. Time In Nature – There are so many benefits to spending time in nature. For starters, being out in nature can increase endorphins and dopamine, which means increased happiness for everyone. Time in nature has been linked to lower stress levels, as well. The American Psychological Association says that spending time in nature is linked to cognitive benefits as well as improvements in mood, mental health, and emotional well being. What better way to relax or spend time on a vacation than literally recharging yourself.
3. Unplugging – I don’t know about you, but most campgrounds and state parks I’ve been to have terrible cell phone service and no wifi to be found. This is the perfect way to get the whole family to unplug and disconnect from devices for a bit. Disconnecting from electronics allows you to be more present, and it also shown to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety- just double that on top of the reduced stress from nature! When we unplug from technology we think less about what everyone else is doing and more about what we are doing, what our family is doing. This is perfect when it comes to reconnecting with your family outdoors.
4. Making Memories – Some of my best memories as a kid was going camping. The change of scenery and routine, boosted by the increased serotonin and endorphins means stronger memories for your whole family. These memories you will cherish forever. Not all vacations give you quite the same opportunity to make these memories as camping does.
5. Learning Opportunities- Visiting camp grounds and state and national parks are great ways to learn new things. Most state and national parks have an educational component with attractions you can visit while you are there. There are so many ways to learn about nature and animals when you are out at these places. Your family can also learn new skills out camping, as this is a great way to teach your children about how to do different things outdoors.
6. Cheaper Travel- Every time I book a hotel somewhere I tell my husband we should just get a small camper that we can take around with us and save so much money on places to stay. If you enjoy tent camping on long trips, that’s even easier and even better. Camp ground fees are minimal compared to hotel costs, and can save you a ton of money when it comes to traveling.
7. Physical Activity- Leading a more active lifestyle is something that can benefit the entire family, and a great way to do that is by getting outdoors. There is so much beneficial physical activity involved with camping. Whether it is setting up camp, walking the campground or riding bikes, to hiking or swimming. Just about everything you do out camping involves physical activity that we just don’t do the same way at home. Small changes can lead your family to be more active and getting outdoors, and camping, are a great way to add more activity into your lives.
There you have it, 7 fantastic reasons to book your next camping trip. Be sure to download your camping planner & bucket list by signing up for my email list below, and be sure and tell us YOUR favorite places to camp!
You might also like these printable Road Trip Games!
