Keeping kids fed will certainly save you the trouble of dealing with crankiness throughout the trip, but what about their comfort?! Well, the truth is that staying comfortable and warm is as important as keeping their tummies full. Staying warm when camping with them is essential not only for their comfort and safety, but for the overall enjoyment.
When cold, children can start complaining about everything and can be difficult to manage. And they are right, by all means, because who in the world can stay in the cold and be happy?! That’s why prioritizing warmth is essential for preventing discomfort and any potential health issues. Luckily, there are many ways to stay warm, so learning about them would be great for having a good camping experience.
Ways to Stay Warm When Camping in a Tent
Get the Right Tent
Choosing a spacious, durable, water-resistant and protective camping tent is one of the first things you can do to stay warm and comfortable. Even though you cannot expect it to be like having a heater, still, it can get 3 – 6°C warmer than outside, which is amazing. And since you’ll be several people inside the tent, expect the warmth to increase by a few degrees as well.
While this can be great in winter, it won’t be when the weather is warmer, which is why you should look for tents for sale for camping with a decent ventilation feature. Ideally, look for one that has several meshes that allow for being covered with a rain fly in colder weather. Choosing a tent that comes with a rain fly is paramount since it’s windproof and waterproof, making it ideal when camping during colder and rainy/snowy conditions.
Generally speaking, you can choose from a:
- Breathable tent that is ideal for summer.
- A three-season camping tent that comes with an inner tent with lots of mesh. and a rain fly to protect you from the elements.
- A four-season tent designed for winter with fewer mesh panels, built to withstand the harsh cold weather.
If you aren’t a regular camper and don’t like camping in freezing temperatures, then you should certainly choose three-season camping tents as they’re more flexible and versatile.
Ensure Proper Ventilation
As already mentioned, ventilation is key when camping in a tent, regardless of the weather conditions. This goes especially in winter when all we care for is getting warm; in those times when it’s super warm and once your gear gets wet, there’s no going back. Avoiding this is possible by preventing condensation from the warm gear and cold air with proper ventilation.
Even if the nights are super cold, never ever zip up every door or window mesh in the tent, because as a result of condensation, moisture will occur, which will certainly lead to further tent damage. Ideally, you should leave all ventilation flaps open to allow airflow and avoid condensation and moisture from happening.
The Tent Should Have Floor Insulation
Regardless of the place you are camping, tent floor insulation is essential in improving your comfort when sleeping and preventing you getting chilled to the bone literally. Ideally, you should invest in a sleeping pad insulation with a higher R-value when camping in winter, as they offer varied insulation depending on your needs.
But aside from this, you can also use thermal foam pads or thermal bodies that can keep you warm, comfortable and dry all the time. One thing is certain, by staying warm and reducing heat loss, you’ll basically improve your sleep quality and have a more restful sleep.
Invest in Sleeping Bags
The first thing you should know is that sleeping bags are different from sleeping pads, and having both of them is necessary, especially in winter when the temperatures are quite low. Buying camping gear of this kind is paramount for providing thermal insulation and protecting your body from cold in order to provide you with a restful sleep.
Aside from offering shielding you from the elements, these bags also seem great for improving hygiene, as they will keep your body away from the dirty ground. Not to mention, there’s also the great protection they offer from insects, especially from ants, spiders, mosquitoes and even ticks.
Tent Chair
Since a camping tent isn’t about lying down only, you can invest in a chair that will keep you off the ground during the day, while not compromising comfort. And in case you don’t plan on rolling up the sleeping bags in order to place the chair/s, you can invest in an air mattress that can turn into a chair.
The truth is that these mattresses are as comfy and protective as any other insulating pad. The only downside is that over time these mattresses are prone to punctures, and they may need to be reinflated each day to maintain the needed comfort. Unfortunately, many of them require an external pump for inflating, which can be a problem for some of you.
