Hammock camping with kids, if adequately planned, is FUN.
Hammock camping is where you choose to sleep using a hammock instead of a tent in outdoor camping.
Won’t you agree it would be fantastic to sleep out in the open where your kids can stargaze? But for your family to enjoy what the outdoors offer, read on and learn as we take you through its benefits and fabulous tips that will help create memories.
This post is part of our camping and outdoor adventure series
Benefits For Hammock Camping
Hammock camping is not talked up for no reason. Firstly it’s an easy form of self-care, thanks to the back-and-forth rocking. This gentle motion helps create a relaxing sensation for you and your kids, helping reduce anxiety.
We all know that our kids love rocking to sleep, and a child’s hammock will help them relieve their childhood fav motion. A hammock will also help reinforce sleep rhythms that create a calm feeling which is great for sleep.
But the benefits of hammock camping go far beyond this! Other benefits of hammock camping include:
A comfortable night’s sleep
If you have already been camping, you can no doubt attest to the uncomfortable situations of sleeping on rocks, mud, uneven ground, and roots; the list is endless.
Here comes in the hammock. It will allow you and your kids to rise above all the uncomfortable situations for a good night’s sleep.
And before you worry about how you will be comfortable in a hammock and protected against the elements, remember your camping hammocks are far more robust than casual kids hammocks you may use in the house or garden.
Hammock camping can, in fact, be warmer and dryer than traditional tent camping.
Hammocks from Onewind, for example, come with:
- Extra-wide panels and a built-in bug net; keeping the nasties out while you sleep but still letting the breeze flow through.
- Unlike your ordinary day hammocks, Onewind camping hammocks are made with durable ripstop nylon fabric and are ultra-lightweight – just 2.1lbs!
- The abrasion-resistant fabric is not only durable and long-lasting but soft and comfortable against your skin.
- Onewind hammocks are also stitch-free, which means you won’t get those scratchy and stiff seam ridges found in some hammocks.
If you’re still concerned about comfort and protection while you sleep, it’s important to note:
- You can add a quilted underlayer to your hammock; these are made with water-resistant, moisture-wicking nylon and filled with a synthetic down with great loft, providing extra warmth.
- Alternatively, go with a double-layered hammock where an inflatable sleeping pad can be inserted between the layers for a firmer base to sleep on.
- For additional protection from the elements, you can add a rain tarp over the hammock and an ultra-lightweight ripstop nylon under quilt protector to block water vapors for ultimate protection against wind and rain.
Ease of Setup
While camping with kids, the last thing you need is the struggle with poles and stakes. With a hammock, this will be a thing of the past as it’s easy to pitch regardless of the ground.
You simply need to find two suitable trees or points to hang your tent between and use an adjustable ridgeline to determine the amount of “sag” you’re comfortable with in your hammock.
Lightweight and Space Saving
We are no rocket scientists, but it’s clear to see hammocks use fewer fabrics than a traditional tent; ripstop nylon is incredibly lightweight and packs down small, so it takes up very little room in your hiking backpack.
What about the accessories, you may ask? Your Onewind camping hammock comes with a lightweight whoopie sling – this is how you attach your hammock to the tree and a cinch buckle that fits to the hammock itself. The buckle is made from lightweight metal, so it adds very little to your hammock pack.
The best part about hammock camping is that you can decide to break up the accessories into individual components, and you only have to carry what you require; if you know there’s absolutely no chance of rain and want to stargaze at night – leave out the rain tarp.
All up, your hammock and attaching kit can come in under 3lbs!
Practicality
Hammock camping for beginners is a practical purchase. How you might wonder? You can take your kid’s hiking and other outdoor activities with a hammock.
What we mean is this; a hammock is more practical as when you are not camping, you can bring it to the beach, park, or woods and still hang out. Cool, right? Wait till your kids learn this.
Great Versatility
With your hammock up your sleeve, you do not need to worry about where to set it up. With the freedom of location, a hammock comes with; you will be the one to decide where you want to lay your head and that of your kids at night. Its versatility is just incredible.
Don’t forget that a hammock can serve you and your kids in more ways than one. That is, apart from helping you as a bed for sleeping at night, it can also double up as a chair and lounger during the day.
Leave No Trace
When camping in a hammock with your kids, it will be much easier for you to practice the Leave No Trace (LNT) rule.
Leave no trace is where you are supposed to leave the campsite the way you found it or better than you found it. And teaching your kids these number one rules will ensure they camp for many more years.
Top Tips For Hammock Camping With Kids
While hammock camping is a unique style that can take some time for you and your kiddos to get used to, there is no need to worry.
With these hammock camping tips that are great for beginners, you will be a pro in no time.
Safety
Even out in the woods, the first instinct we always have as parents is to ensure that our little ones are safe. Hammock camping is no exemption. Here are a few safety considerations:
- You will want to ensure that you hang your hammock low to the ground (no higher than about six inches). This way, you will ward off any tumbles and make your young one feel more secure.
- With the hammock hanging low on the ground, your kid can also independently climb in and out of it.
- Use hammocks with sturdy material as this help eliminate the possibility of failure if the pitching is wrong. Onewind hammocks come in a child’s size too, so they won’t feel lost in a larger adult hammock.
- When dealing with cooler weather, a sleeping bag for your kids is a perfect idea to keep them warm compared to blankets or quilts. Don’t forget to set up your tarp or rain fly over your hammock should the weather change overnight; you can still hammock camp in the rain!
- Setting up the rules will also help ensure that your hammock camping with kids is enjoyable. The first golden rule should be that no one should leave their hammock at night without an adult.
Familiarize Your Kids With The Hammock Prior
Before you set out for hammock camping with kids, it’s essential that you first familiarize them with the hammock beforehand. You can do this by setting up the hammock in your backyard and allowing them to play and explore in it.
With the “backyard camping,” your kiddo will get the hang of being in a hammock, emerging a pro when the “real” hammock camping happens.
You can also take naps in the hammock with your kids. This will help them view the hammock as a safe and secure place to drool and dream upon, which is what we want, right?
Involve your Kids
Teaching your kid how to set up their hammock, or allowing them to help set it up if they are young, is an excellent way of making them feel safe and in control while using it.
We want comfort for our little ones in their hammocks. Then let them help as much as they can with the process.
Ensure That Your Kid is Ready for Hammock Camping
As much as we want to make hammock camping for our kids an extraordinary trip they will never forget, we should not overlook the fact that they might not be ready. At least not yet.
The last thing we want is for our kids to develop a fear of camping by simply ignoring their fear of the dark or being alone.
This is why it is essential and crucial to have a trial at home with the hammock. You can even decide to spend the night in the hammock and observe how your child behaves. If your kid finds it unbearable to sleep the whole night, they are not yet ready for hammock camping. Give them time.
Helpful? Bookmark this page or save it to Pinterest for later
This post has been written in cooperation with Onewind Outdoors, specialists in creating high-quality camping products and outdoor gear to help you make a home where you are. You can find our full disclosures here.
© Our Globetrotters | Feature Images CanvaPro & Supplied by Onewind