3 Tips For Making Your Kids Feel Safe In The Dark When Camping

Mark Wilcox
3 min readApr 4, 2022

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Scary forest with a dark red background

Camping can be a little daunting for kids, especially when they have to sleep in the dark. However, your kids will feel safe and comfortable in the great outdoors with a few tips.

Here are three tips to help your kids feel safe in the dark when camping.

Avoid Scary Stories Before The Trip Or At The Campfire

Scary stories are a staple of camping trips and campfires, but they can also be a source of anxiety for some kids. If your child is scared of camping in the dark, it’s best to avoid scary stories before the trip or around the campfire.

While these stories can be entertaining for older kids and adults, they can cause younger children to feel scared and alone in the dark.

Instead, try telling fun and exciting stories, or focus on the positive aspects of camping in the dark.

You can help your child enjoy a safe and fun camping trip with a bit of preparation.

Add More Lights To Your Tent

Many kids are scared of camping in the dark, but there are a few things you can do to help them feel more comfortable.

Flashlights and string lights can help to illuminate the campsite, and glow sticks can provide additional light without being too bright.

You can also reassure them by staying close by and keeping a watchful eye on the area.

Finally, it’s essential to keep calm and have fun — after all, camping is all about!

With a few simple precautions, you can help your kids enjoy the experience of camping in the great outdoors.

Keep Them Occupied

As soon as the sun starts to set, some kids become scared of camping in the dark.

Being in nature is new to them and all the new sounds can be overwhelming. Keeping them occupied, so they are not focused on the darkness is vital.

Try playing flashlight tag or telling funny stories around the campfire. For more mellow activities, look at the stars or do some constellation searching. Point out any shooting stars.

It will distract them from their fears, and before they know it, they will be asleep.

In addition, being exhausted will help them sleep through the night without waking up due to irrational fears. Nature can be scary but it is also exciting.

Help your kids see the beauty in the darkness by keeping them occupied with fun activities. It will make the trip more enjoyable for everyone.

About Mark:

I once backpacked 100 miles in 90 days. After 25 years in IT, I wanted more adventure in my life. I want to inspire you to add more adventure too.

Thank you for subscribing to my content. I share content about camping, backpacking, and outdoor survival.

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Mark Wilcox
Mark Wilcox

Written by Mark Wilcox

I once backpacked 100 miles in 90 days. After 25 years in IT, I wanted more adventure in my life. I want to inspire you to add more adventure too.

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