Camping these days is more than just camp fires, tents and sleeping bags. It’s chock-full of gear and gizmos to make kids excited more than ever to enjoy the great outdoors.
Below are 10 camping gear and gadgets perfect for kids, surely to enhance any camping experience!
1. Long Range Walkie-Talkies
Whether it’s coordinating a water balloon ambush or just keeping in touch with base camp, walkie-talkies are the perfect tech while camping.
With a range of up to 5 kilometers (3 miles), parents and guardians can keep close tabs on kids while still letting them adventure in the wilderness independently. Use it on the road to coordinate between cars in a caravan, or in the forest between a cootie elimination strike force.
2. A Versatile Multi-tool
Opening bottles, tightening screws, cutting rope, and wood whittling are common camping tasks most kids can tackle all on their own. A versatile multi-tool can make handling these task fun and easy.
Some multi-tools have a gizmo for every job under the sun, but the essentials include a sharp blade, pliers, a bottle opener and a screw driver. That’s pretty much all you need to answer 95% of camping related issues.
3. Portable Hand-Crank Charger and Pop-up Lantern Combo
Nowadays, kids tend to cling on to their portable electronic devices like the Mandalorian to baby Yoda. Eventually though, they will run out of power and you’re left scrambling to find an outlet in the woods.
Fortunately, kids tend to have an endless stream of energy. So, why not harness it, literally into electricity! With a portable hand-crank charger, kids can transfer marshmallow fueled muscle power into raw, electricity to juice up cell phones, tablets or other electronics.
Also, it doubles as a pop-up lantern! It’s the perfect camping gadget for kids.
4. Collapsible Solar Panel
Camping in the backcountry with kids can be lots of fun. However, since you need to pack fairly light, only mandatory equipment and gear should be carried.
If you choose to bring electronics, a collapsible solar panel is the ideal equipment to bring along. That way you won’t need to carry extra batteries and just you can let the sun charge your devices. Kids can manage the solar panel and monitor charging rates without much supervision.
Although you can charge devices directly, I recommend carrying a battery bank so that you always have access to power in case you need it.
5. USB Charging Camping Stove
If muscle and solar power are too boring and basic for your kids, maybe they’ll be interested in having their minds blown by one of the coolest pieces of camping tech on the market.
It’s black magic, Harry Potter wizardry meets cutting-edge engineering and innovation. This USB charging camping stove turns a roaring camp firing into electricity! It’s so cool even Nikola Tesla would give it a sincere thumbs-up.
6. Kid-Friendly Hammock
The hammock is usually the most sought after spot during my camping trips. Whether it’s laying down to read a great book or squeezing in a quick nap after swimming, a comfy hammock really elevates a campsite.
Stringing up a hammock can be a great lesson for kids on how-to properly anchor, manage ropes and tie different knots. And, if they’re exhausted from a long day’s adventures, they can doze off in comfort. They’re portable and compact, making it easy to bring along to all sorts of camping trips.
7. Slackline Kit for Beginners
Finding fun and engaging activities in the outdoors for kids can sometimes be difficult. If your kids are old enough, or have the core strength, let them channel their inner Cirque de Soleil and practice their balancing skills on a slackline!
Slacklines are relatively easy to set-up and take-down which is perfect for camping. The learning curve is just challenging enough so that kids can pick it up quickly but will take time to master. Heck, maybe you’ll discover you have a future Flying Wallendas tribute group in your midst.
8. Magnesium Fire Starter
Building and starting a camp fire is fundamental to camping. It’s also basic life skill all should know and improve upon. However, starting a fire without matches or a lighter can be somewhat challenging.
Well, a great way to teach kids additional survival basics is to have them start a fire with a magnesium fire starter. Like our ancient ancestors did with flint rocks, sparking a flame takes time, skill and patience.
And, when they eventually figure it out and master the skill, you can rest assured they’ll be better able to survive a zombie apocalypse.
9. Rechargeable Headlamp
Night time can reveal a whole other world when camping. Many critters and creatures hidden during the day reveal their nocturnal selves for only keen eyes to catch.
A headlamp is the perfect tool to help you navigate in the night and spot illusive animals. With multiple brightness settings as well as a red light mode to maintain night vision, a headlamp provides hands-free illumination so kids can explore safely.
Plus, the rechargeable batteries mean they can be used all night long without worry and recharged during the day.
10. Adjustable Roasting Rods
Finding the perfect hotdog roasting sticks in some campgrounds can be difficult, especially if campgrounds restrict disturbing fallen flora. However, you can BYOR with these telescoping roasting rods.
Roast picture perfect marshmallows and char delicious hotdogs every time. And, because they are adjustable, kids can sit back safely while their meal sizzles in the fire.
Camping gear and technology should enhance you and your kids camping experience. I hope you’re able to spend more time connecting with each other and nature, building lasting skills and fond memories over a life time.
What camping gear and gadgets do your kids use? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
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