List of ideas for unplugging and reconnecting with nature while camping

Ah, camping! Are you ready to reconnect with nature and rest your mental space away from screens? Oh yes, and we can’t wait!

When you go camping, you change your scenery, but… you don’t always change your pace or state of mind instantly.

Planning, packing, making sure you don't forget anything, putting together meals, camping has this funny nature: it's easy to fall into the trap of doing more in order to do less. That's why, in our case, the watchword is simplicity. We might be afraid of getting bored while camping and dragging everything around with us, but in our experience, it's better to strip it down to make room for what camping has to offer: space, time, peace and nature galore.

Experience has taught us that unplugging is a random process that can take from a few hours to a few days. In our case, it is really in contact with nature that the magic happens. Both with the little ones and the parents.

And when we try to disconnect, it's possible that the children's energy doesn't match ours at all times . Between babies who want to be breastfed and keep us away from the heat of the moment or older energetic ones who prevent us from reading quietly in the hammock, we've developed a few tricks to soothe our mental space and reconnect with nature .

As with many parenting situations, sometimes it's enough to lead by example rather than trying to control.

So if you want your kids to "stop whining and enjoy the nature around them," maybe all you have to do is take the first step...

Making the most of early mornings

6:30 at the campsite: it seems like the whole campsite is sleeping in, except for our family, of course (and maybe the 4th neighbour whose baby is crying a lot - and you can imagine his dismay). The solution: outside! There is nothing I enjoy more when camping than the early mornings, when we have nature to ourselves. Often, I go for a walk with my children (or whoever is awake). The slow movement and observation of nature give us a gentle wake-up call and get us away from the campsites, thus silencing my fear of waking everyone up. We often take the opportunity to pick a bouquet of wildflowers to decorate the picnic table, collect treasures, play on the beach, watch for insects. Often, I just sit and let them explore the natural playground. It is the very definition of clearing our minds.

Playing and making art with nature

We've already talked about picking a bunch of wildflowers to decorate your campsite, but hunting for rocks, leaves, flowers, branches, and other natural elements can keep my kids busy for a long time . They build roads and garages for their toy cars, construction sites, witches' soup, and even abstract figures and works of art. Sometimes the idea comes from them, but sometimes the idea comes from me. Instead of giving them the idea, I start my own montage or creation, it's a little trick I have to keep me from just thinking about the next meal or activity and immerse myself in the moment.

Meditation in action

During our hikes, we practice mindfulness of the nature around us. Listen. Look. Feel. Breathe. And we draw everyone's attention to the little micro-details. We become aware, sometimes in silence, sometimes by discussing our discoveries, of the details of the nature around us and what effect it has on us. So, instead of slumping on a beach chair with my book, I often prefer to follow my children on the beach with my camera, looking for bugs and frogs, beautiful textures and colors to contemplate and photograph. They are absorbed in their games and I am absorbed in the landscape and memories of my own childhood hunting crayfish.

The photo rally

Speaking of cameras, although I always put my phone in airplane mode when camping, I take lots and lots of photos. Of nature. Of our activities. Of our rituals. And above all, above all, of my moments of satisfaction.

You can also change your point of view by offering your children the chance to take some pictures of what they find interesting in nature, or what they like about camping!

There are no better memories of our vacations than these photos of the details taken in the calm, or even in a hurry, in the heat of the action.

Doodle, write, escape, sleep

One of our golden rules when camping is the mandatory rest period for everyone. Nap in the hammock or in the caravan, reading, board games, quiet games or writing in the journal: it's up to each person, but it's a must to really change the pace and cultivate the feeling of a truly vibrant vacation.

A cheat sheet for disconnecting and reconnecting with nature while camping

• Making the most of early mornings
• Playing and making art with nature
• Meditation in action
• Do a photo rally
• Take time to do nothing and rest

This blog post is part of our special “Camping” feature. To see all the content in this feature, which offers tips and advice to make your next nature getaway easier, check out this article !