Camping with kids
Backyard Camping with Kids: Easing Fears of Night Noises
This is the third post in the series Backyard Camping with Children.
It is natural for a child to have questions and misunderstandings about the night. This creates fear that can be overwhelming to a child. But alas, help is here. Night sounds can be especially scary for little ears. My daughter’s first experience hearing an owl while we were camping in the backyard affected her for a long time. I had previously taught her about owls and how they sound. We even read the book Owl Moon
. But I never took the time to prepare her for what she would hear while camping in our backyard. When she first heard the “hoot” of a Barred Owl in our woods, she covered her ears, burst into tears, screamed at the top of her lungs, and ran into the house at top speed. Needless to say, our campout came to an abrupt end.
. But I never took the time to prepare her for what she would hear while camping in our backyard. When she first heard the “hoot” of a Barred Owl in our woods, she covered her ears, burst into tears, screamed at the top of her lungs, and ran into the house at top speed. Needless to say, our campout came to an abrupt end.
I was totally unprepared for that reaction and for the fallout. It took several months to convince her to try camping again and to come to terms with owls and their “hoots.” To help parents avoid this mishap, I developed the following tips for helping children overcome fears of the night while camping. Following these tips will go a long way in preparing your child for the first “hoot.”
Essential Guide for Easing Childrens’ Fear of the Night While Camping
- Discuss what they will hear (crickets, frogs, owls, coyotes, etc.), see (moths, raccoons, skunks, opossums, bats, etc.) or feel at night (insects, spider webs, etc.).
- Explain why creatures are out and about at night (nocturnal vs. diurnal, finding food, mating, etc.)
- Explain why they make sounds at night (calling to one another, guarding territory, etc.)
- Read books about night creatures. Borrow books from the local library about camping in general, nocturnal creatures, or any animal in which they show a special interest.
- While camping, focus less on the “dark” and more on how beautiful night time can be. Observe the stars and the moon. Talk about the “music” of the night.
- Do not expect children to sleep outside all night. Take small steps by allowing them to sleep inside in their own beds when bedtime arrives. Another option is to allow them to fall asleep in the tent and then transfer them to their beds.
- Practice for night time camping outside by camping inside first. Set up tents in the family room complete with sleeping bags, pillows, books, and flashlights and encourage them to sleep there for the night.
- Hearing night time sounds can be fun if you make it a game. Ask children to identify what sounds they hear.
- Allow children to fall asleep with their flashlights.