First time camping advice

Big camper here! From south Jersey. Did you wanna jump right into tech camping or did you wanna start out by staying in a small cabin at a campground?

Yay!! Car camping is so much fun! By car camping I mean you drive up to your spot and set up your tent and have option for a fire. The inexpensive 10 person tent from wal mart is the way to go. Also, a nice cooler, like a yeti or comparable is really a good thing to have! Since you’re starting out, you don’t necessarily need to get all the reusable plates and things (unless you want to). Look up online, I like using Pinterest, for make ahead camp meals! Pre made burritos wrapped in foil are really easy. So to start out, tent, cooler, plates and utensils, cards or games of choice! You’re good to go!! Can do sleeping bags or blankets with air mattress. So many options! Message me if you want more tips or have any questions!! I’ve car camped, camped in the back country, beach camped etc.

Definitely car camp, make smores, bring bikes to campground. I have fond memories of biking around a KOA campground as a kid and we never really camped not at a car camping spot in my childhood but it started a love for it and now I’ve backpack camped all over CO.

Thank you ladies so much. This is so helpful. Honestly, I haven’t done any research on camping yet, just the thought sometimes seemed impossible. But ya’ll make it sound so easy! Car camping sounds so doable. Any advice on what I should be looking for at a car camp site and where can I look for these camp sites?

@Kim I’m open to both.

@Fatima look for a place that has bathroom with showers and fire pit at each site. KOA campgrounds are all over US and usually have kid activities pool/ arcade etc. so that’s a start or look At your state park or national parks also have spots you can reserve that are for car camping

I think it really depends on the kid. Most of the kids love it! They especially like playing by the water, digging holes in the sand and filling in with water and tadpoles then dig a bigger hole and dunk themselves in it. You can bring a bucket and sand toys. Bring bathing suits. If you are worried, you can bring life jackets for them but my kids always listens to me and not go deep. You can bring a big umbrella the block the sun in the sand to watch the kids play in the lake. Bring snacks and food that your kids like. Bring flashlights! Lots of them! Try to find a campsite near the bathroom. Bring insect repellent and sun block for you and the kids. Bring towels. Some camps you might need to bring soap. I go every year. My kids enjoys it. There was one time, a family bought a baby to camp in a trailer and I could hear him crying into the morning every night. Sometimes, it’s just the kid, not you. Don’t sweat it. Just enjoy the nature!

I appreciate this post so much. Thank you for all the advice everyone!

@Rachel thank you! I’ve started looking at KOA’s near me. Such a great place to start! Thank you!

We did camping in our backyard a few times last fall before it got cold. We put up our tent, had our sleeping bags / blankets...did smores...kids played outside. We had a portable potty for the kids peeing at night. It was a lot of fun! We thought it was a great first taste of camping.

@Mechell this is a great idea. Thank you!