Isabella Adams shares the fun and adventures to be enjoyed when hammock camping with kids.
Being outside in the elements is always a rejuvenating, replenishing, and fun-filled time. The fresh air and rugged, rustic surroundings tap into something instinctual in all of us, offering a boost of energy and enthusiasm.
Moreover, time spent in the wilderness is notably healthy for parent/guardian-children relationships, helping parents/guardians relax, refocus, and be more attentive.
Hammock camping–setting up and sleeping in a hammock instead of a tent–is a camping style that’s gaining popularity amongst families.
The primary benefit of hammock camping is a better, more comfortable night’s sleep than trying to get shuteye on the typically jagged and uneven tent floor.
Below, we’ll explore how to make the most out of your hammock camping trip with your children:
Contents
Planning And Preparing
Adult-only camping trips are much different from planning trips with kids.
Sure, some grownups love an action-packed outdoor adventure. Yet, a group of adult friends often only require each other’s company, a campfire, and some good eats and tasty cocktails for a fabulous getaway.
Conversely, it’s best to keep things activity-oriented with children. Look for a campground that offers canoeing, paddle boarding, kayaking, biking, beaches, and interpretive trails.
Safety considerations and precautions are another essential part of preparing for a hammock camping trip.
Hammocks, in particular, present a safety challenge for children since your young ones will be swinging and overturning their hammocks the moment you’ve set them up.
Preparedness for your children getting overly exuberant and playful with the hammocks is essential. Such shenanigans will be particularly unavoidable with the younger ones. Thus, finding a clear area over which to pitch the hammock is wise. Based on your child’s size, ensure the hammock is suspended at the safest possible height for entering and exiting.
Sturdy materials are best for hammocks (e.g., parachute nylon) to ensure reliability and safety.
Essential Gear For Hammock Camping with Kids
Make setup easier by using no-nonsense suspension. Avoid complicated options like toggles, bucks, whoopie slings, etc., and stick with something child friendly that prevents errors if done wrong.
Daisy-chained webbing straps and climbing carabiners are ideal for suspending a child’s hammock since these devices don’t call for safety notches and cinching.
Ensure your young ones have child-friendly sleeping bags with reliable insulation.
Avoid backless top quilts. Instead, use regular sleeping bags that can entirely enclose your young one. Synthetic material won’t compress as easily, keeping things insulated for your children even if they roll under a quilt or off a pad.
Depending on where you camp, horse flies and mosquitoes can throw a wrench in everyone’s plans for a good night’s sleep. You and your children won’t have the enclosed walls of a tent to protect you from such buzzing, biting, and blood-sucking menaces. So, ensure the sleeping bags have built-in bug nets and extra-wide panels to let the breeze blow through while keeping the creepy crawlies out.
Add a rain tarp over the hammocks as well. This way, an ill-timed rainstorm won’t disrupt your sleep, safety, and comfort.
Don’t forget camp chairs so you can all sit comfortably by the fire and roast weenies and marshmallows.
Packing Healthy Food And Drinks
Camping is best enjoyed when healthy clean food is being eaten. Nourishing meals and snacks keep everyone fueled for outdoor adventures and exercise.
While healthy clean food is a priority, so is portability and convenience. Dried fruit (e.g., apricots, cranberries, figs, and dates) ticks both of these boxes.
Whole grain crackers, nuts, and dried cereals are also always appreciated. Grapes, blueberries, melons, oranges, plums, and watermelons are as easy to pack as they are to enjoy.
Pre-preparing veggies and dip (e.g., hummus) will prove beneficial. Carrots, celery, cauliflower, snow peaks, and cherry tomatoes travel well when pre-chopped.
If your children like hard-boiled eggs, those are another healthy option you can pre-make. They’re great for breakfast and lunch!
Safety And Hygiene Considerations
A crackling fire is probably the best part of camping–but it does present a safety concern for your children.
Follow these helpful tips to ensure your children have a sound grasp of fire safety:
- Be very clear in explaining to your child how hot the fire is.
- Don’t allow playing and running while the fire is burning.
- Ensure chairs aren’t positioned too close to the flames.
- Your children should always walk around the back of the chair’s circle (make this a rule).
- Keep an eye out for flying embers.
Establish general campsite safety rules too. For instance, shoes should be kept on at all times, and adult supervision should be required to play by the water. Hydration with clean and filtered water is also crucial.
Ensure your children follow these waste-disposal rules:
- Follow the right principle regarding waste disposal. Specifically, you want to leave as little impact on the outdoor environment as possible.
- Pack out all litter, leftover food, and trash.
- Don’t burn trash.
- Solid human waste should be deposited into 6-8 inch deep catholes 200-plus feet from camp, trails, and water.
You’ll also want to set personal hygiene and cleanliness rules with your kids.
Fun Activities And Games For Kids In A Hammock Campsite
The possibilities are vast for activities at a hammock campsite. You can go hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and general adventuring. You can be more relaxed with picnics or telling campfire stories at nighttime.
Additionally, reading and quiet time in hammocks will maximize the tentless style of camping adventure you’re on. Plus, you can carry the campfire stories over to your hammocks.
Prepare a scavenger hunt by choosing easy-to-find items at your campsite or placing items throughout the site beforehand. Your young ones will get to be intrepid explorers as they venture the rugged terrains (with your sure-handed supervision) searching for these “hidden treasures.”
Play camping-friendly games like camping charades, where everyone acts out camping activities like pitching a tent, fishing, or roasting marshmallows.
Lastly, campfire cooking is a great way to encourage family bonding while you work together to create delicious outdoor dishes.
Conclusion
This blog will help ensure optimal comfort, safety, cleanliness/hygiene, and fun for your children on your hammock camping trip.
Until it’s time to hit the road, daydream about the clear, starry nights, the pureness of the fresh air, and the magic of the outdoors. The anticipation makes it all the more worth it.
Your thoughts?
Have you tried hammock camping with kids? How did this go and what things did you do while enjoying this type of family adventure? Perhaps you haven’t tried it yet but have heard of other experiences hammock camping with kids or other like activities. Please share in the comments below.
Isabella is an experienced nutritionist and a passionate freelance writer. She uses her knowledge and experience to write about trending nutrition topics and develop a healthy and joyous relationship with food and the body. Her tips help to make healthier lifestyle choices.
- Isabella Adamshttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/isabella-adams/
- Isabella Adamshttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/isabella-adams/
I have never heard of Hammock camping, I don’t think it’s something that is popular in the UK, but it sounds like a lot of fun, especially for the kids. I am not sure I would want to try it in a place with a lot of mosquitos and maybe it’s best on a day with no rain as it does sound like a lot to set up!! I think on a dry night it does sound like a lot of fun for the kids and something different to try with them.
Travelling with kids is always challenging especially if it involves camping and hammock camping at that! But with a little bit of extra planning, it should be okay. For sure, your tips on packing healthy food and drinks are important. But sometimes we just go for camping foods when we are too tired to food prep.
This is such an amazing post on hammock camping with kids, encouraging the love for the outdoors and soaking in the fresh air for replenishment of the spirit. Hammock camping is definitely something the kids along with the adults will enjoy and this can be a rejuvenating experience. Ensuring proper gear for hammocks for children safety and using sleeping bags with metal and rain tarps above the hammocks are essential. Also healthy food choices like granola bars, driy fruits, and veggies are important.Fun activities like camping charades, campfire stories and scavenger hunts are excellent ways to keep the kids engaged during hammock camping.
That’s so true about keeping kids busy while camping! Although letting them explore nature is always fun. I think it would be fun to try hammock camping, although I’ve never done it — I do have a hammock, though!
I love your blog post! I love hammocks too. Yes, it is important to have nets to prevent bugs and creepy crawlies out. The netting has to be fine to prevent mosquitoes too. It’s true that adults/ parents are more relaxed in a camping trip than at home and can spend some good time with the kids playing board games, or reading or even kayaking or paddling. I like how you have stressed on how the hammocks should be suspended with webbing straps that are strong and do not require special skills. I am going to buy some hammocks for my grand kids now!:-)
I have never tried hammock camping before, but I did sleep in one overnight, whilst visiting a friend in Mexico. I think it would take me a while to get used to it. I agree that if you are taking your child with you, their hammock must be easy to install, without any elements that might endanger them. A hammock with a mosquito net is definitely a great idea, especially that you are exposed to the elements when you sleep in a hammock overnight.
I had not heard of hammock camping before. But when I read your post I can understand why this might require more careful planning with kids. Your safety issues are good reminders for many outdoor activities you do with kids. And great to teach them early about how to properly get rid of all waste.
Your advice and ideas are invaluable, and they have certainly helped us plan for a wonderful journey with the kids! Our bodies need to be nourished as we enjoy the great outdoors, and your meal suggestions are ideal for that. Your ideas for fun activities and games for kids at a hammock campsite are nothing short of fantastic. It’s clear that you put thought into making our camping trip pleasurable not only for us adults but also for the kids.
We have never done hammock camping, but we did set up a hammock several times during our camping trip. Basically, it’s for our son to hang out or read while waiting for supper. He had good times, though. I noticed almost every campsite with children had their hammocks set up, but I didn’t know whether they slept there or in tents.
Camping with kids can be so demanding sometimes. The guide provided is absolutely helpful for this.
You have done a great job of explaining the benefits and challenges of hammock camping, as well as the essential gear and accessories you need to make it a success. The kids look so happy and adventurous in the hammocks! You have made me curious and excited to try hammock camping with my kids in the future!
Navigating hammock camping with kids seems like a fantastic outdoor adventure! It’s true, planning trips with children requires a different approach, focusing on activities that keep them engaged and safe. Finding a campground with a range of kid-friendly activities like canoeing, biking, and interpretive trails sounds like a smart choice. Thanks for sharing this essential guide for a fun and family-friendly hammock camping trip!
This is a great guide for families going camping with kids. I didn’t know there was a difference with hammock camping but it makes sense. Knowing about fire safety and good hygiene is important for a safe and fun experience for the kids.
It’s so important to teach kids about camping safety, especially around the fire as you said. And those loose embers can really cause some damage!
Now that certainly is something new to me. I haven’t heard of hammock camping before. It does sound like something my children would really want to try. Any excuse for a short holiday.
I’ve never tried sleeping in a hammock. Sounds like a great option! It is nice to have camping hammocks for a variety of things.
This is a really great and very informative post! My family are planning to go on a camping trip and the hammock option explained here is really helpful
It’s not so easy to hammock camp with kids but these great tips and things mentioned are going to help parents. Thank you for sharin!
Hhhhmmm….thank you for these ideas, Isabella! My mind, actually, has never thought of kids loving camping in hammocks. Let’s give it a try soon.
I have never tried hammock camping before. I am intrigued now. I am certain my kids would love it.
Wow, what a comprehensive guide! Your tips for hammock camping with kids are a game-changer. From safety to entertainment, you’ve covered it all. I appreciate your friendly writing style and the detailed insights. Time for some adventurous family bonding in nature! 🏕️🌳
I have never tried this, but sleeping on a hammock certainly sounds much better than sleeping in a sleeping bag on the floor of a tent! My only issue with hammock camping would be protection from the outside elements.
Great tips on hammock camping. I’ve never tried it, but you give great tips on setting up and sleeping in a hammock instead of a tent. I’m inspired to give it a try!
Lots of great info and tips for camping with kids. I love the idea of using hammocks since they keep them off the ground and are typically comfortable.
You know I wish I would have been given the opportunity to hammock camp as a kid. I think camping in a hammock is soo cool. Thank you for the guide. I would love to take my whole family! I wanna start them young and instill the rules of safety early on.
We always bring a hammock when we go camping, but I’ve never slept in one before. We camp with the Cub Scouts so policy states we must be in tents for privacy reasons. But you are so right about how the kids play with the hammocks, we’ve had a few kids fall out of them as they are swinging each other around.
Oh hammock camping – now this is new and interesting! I’ve never heard of hammock camping before. Thank you very much for sharing this and for also taking the time to talk over safety – it’s big part often missed.
All great tips for going out into the wild. I’ve done a lot of hikes and trips, and everyone should review this article before heading out.