Keeping adults warm on camp is hard enough (even during the summer). But kids can struggle even more. That's because kids are just so much smaller than their adult counterparts. It's much easier for them to lose heat while camping because their bodies have lower volume than their surface area. It's much easier for them to lose heat to the environment.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways to keep your kids warm, even on the most grueling of camping trips. You can still have fun as a family even if temperatures drop well below freezing at night. Here's what you need to do:
Get Them To Run Around More
Just standing around when the weather is cold outside, trying to pass the time isn't a good idea, particularly if you can't go indoors and be in the warmth. Because of this, you want to get kids moving as much as possible. Exercise, particularly in heavy clothing, will warm them up quickly and keep them warm for a long time.
Try to organise games for them or get them to go on a treasure hunt. If you have older kids, you could also arrange orienteering for them.
Dress Kids For The Weather
You'll also want to make sure that you have appropriate clothing for the weather and activities that you will do. You need to prepare this in advance.
For instance, if you plan on spending the entire day on the lake with them, you'll need fishing clothing. Heavy-duty apparel will keep them warm, even if they are just sitting on a boat. You'll also want some emergency rain ponchos if you get caught in a downpour and some decent waterproof jackets for general rain. Waterproof hiking shoes are also a must, particularly for children who aren't as good at avoiding freezing cold puddles as adults.
Invest In Some High-Quality Sleeping Bags
Keeping kids warm at night is also a challenge. Temperatures in northern areas can drop well below freezing, particularly early in the year.
Make sure you pack all-season sleeping bags and check the temperatures they go down to. You want sleeping bags that will keep kids warm without the need for additional clothing to around 10°F.
Eat Plenty Of Warm Food
You can also keep kids warm from the inside out by feeding them hot food. Give them plenty of mugs of soup, warm drinks, and campfire-cooked meals. Choose foods with a high water content that will retain their heat for longer in warm weather. Meat is great, but it tends to get cold quickly.
Kids are at risk of getting cold while they eat. Therefore, you'll all want to huddle around the fire and put warm, dry blankets over your laps.
Make Sure That They Wear Multiple Layers
Lastly, you'll want to make sure that your kids wear multiple layers during the camping trip. It's better for them to be too hot than too cold.
Start them off with a sweat-wicking base layer. Then add a fleece and finally an outer coat or shell. If the weather is particularly cold, you may want to add another interior layer, mittens and double socks.
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