Hammock camping with my 7yo daughter

**Bammacker** · 02-21-2017, 14:41

I started hammock camping with my son when he was 11. My daughter wants to hit the woods. Any advise on a type of hammock to use for her, to sleep in one hammock, or to do bunk style are the questions I'm pondering. Any help on the subject would be appreciated. She is 7.

**TrailSlug** · 02-21-2017, 15:04

Kirk,
Any hammock will suffice for a 7 year old but I would try to fashion one that can be used with a spreader bar so that you can keep her close for a couple of years. The last think you want to do is have a scared little girl that doesn't want to go back. Also do not push her. To keep a kids interest let it be about them for the first couple of hikes. Once they are hooked then you can challenge them more and more. I hang with my now 23 year old daughter and it's special but we no longer have to be tethered

**Eidson** · 02-21-2017, 15:44

TrailSlug has great advice above. My daughter just turned 8 and I debated many of the same things over the past few years she has camped and/or hung with me.
She originally had an 8' basic diy or 9' ENO hammock that was used around the house. I've since made her a much nicer 10' hammock and even with her small size, she does fine in it. We started her hanging in the backyard, first just relaxing in the hammock and then sleeping out overnight. She's handled it just fine and sleeps like a rock in her hammock.
I try to hang her as close as possible, which is easy as her ventures are backyard or car camping primarily, and I'm able to setup my Hammeck stand very close and hang right by to give her peace of mind. Eventually I'll probably pick up a spreader bar and use it to keep our hammocks close without the need for the stand. I have a large tarp, so we're able to share the space underneath. There are a number of options with suspensions to accomodate a spreader bar to be used.
I'd just take it slow and try to gear things in the experience towards her likes. If you're out in summer, make sure she has a good bug net.
Best of luck in the memorable experience.

**Caminante** · 02-21-2017, 16:05

I'd get a "regular" hammock, 10-11', which is what I did for my 7 and 10-yo daughters. They're just more versatile and then all of your tarps and quilts will be interchangeable with your hammocks.

When we car camp, they still want to sleep in the tent with mom. I've only taken my 10-yo backpacking, and that was only after she spent the night in the backyard with me as a proof of concept. We hung on separate trees with our own tarps in the backyard and backpacking, but I was sitting near here until she went to sleep which in all seriousness takes her about 2 minutes. But she's up like a rooster in the morning.

**jellyfish** · 02-21-2017, 18:21

I'm planning a camp with my 7yo niece and I plan to bunk her above me on the same trees. Sharing a tarp cuts down on the weight too (and my sewing projects).

**Bammacker** · 02-21-2017, 19:08

Originally Posted by TrailSlug

Kirk,
Any hammock will suffice for a 7 year old but I would try to fashion one that can be used with a spreader bar so that you can keep her close for a couple of years. The last think you want to do is have a scared little girl that doesn't want to go back. Also do not push her. To keep a kids interest let it be about them for the first couple of hikes. Once they are hooked then you can challenge them more and more. I hang with my now 23 year old daughter and it's special but we no longer have to be tethered

Thanks, see you at the Sipsey Hang.

Originally Posted by Eidson

TrailSlug has great advice above. My daughter just turned 8 and I debated many of the same things over the past few years she has camped and/or hung with me.
She originally had an 8' basic diy or 9' ENO hammock that was used around the house. I've since made her a much nicer 10' hammock and even with her small size, she does fine in it. We started her hanging in the backyard, first just relaxing in the hammock and then sleeping out overnight. She's handled it just fine and sleeps like a rock in her hammock.
I try to hang her as close as possible, which is easy as her ventures are backyard or car camping primarily, and I'm able to setup my Hammeck stand very close and hang right by to give her peace of mind. Eventually I'll probably pick up a spreader bar and use it to keep our hammocks close without the need for the stand. I have a large tarp, so we're able to share the space underneath. There are a number of options with suspensions to accomodate a spreader bar to be used.
I'd just take it slow and try to gear things in the experience towards her likes. If you're out in summer, make sure she has a good bug net.
Best of luck in the memorable experience.

Thanks for the advice.

Originally Posted by Caminante

I'd get a "regular" hammock, 10-11', which is what I did for my 7 and 10-yo daughters. They're just more versatile and then all of your tarps and quilts will be interchangeable with your hammocks.

When we car camp, they still want to sleep in the tent with mom. I've only taken my 10-yo backpacking, and that was only after she spent the night in the backyard with me as a proof of concept. We hung on separate trees with our own tarps in the backyard and backpacking, but I was sitting near here until she went to sleep which in all seriousness takes her about 2 minutes. But she's up like a rooster in the morning.

I hope she doesn't cry for momma out there.

Originally Posted by jellyfish

I'm planning a camp with my 7yo niece and I plan to bunk her above me on the same trees. Sharing a tarp cuts down on the weight too (and my sewing projects).

Thats what I really want to try, bunk style. I like your videos by the way.

**canoebie** · 02-21-2017, 19:12

I have been taking kids, now grandkids out in the woods for 30+ years. Two things that are really important. Warmth and food. Not just regular food, treats, special things make a big difference. Make sure they are warm in bed and at camp and the rest will take care of itself.

**pgibson** · 02-21-2017, 19:32

I would also say it depends on the kid where you should hang them. My first trip with my now 12 y.o. Then 5 y.o. Had him wanting his own space to set his gear. He did not want to be on the same trees. Most of the time our kids want to be reasonably close but have their own room...of course the boys are different than our daughter. She wants to be a little closer and likes to have a light on so we hang a lucie light on her suspension as a night light. But otherwise I would say to talk about it a good bit before the trip and see how comfortable she is feeling about the different options for how to set up.

**Bammacker** · 02-21-2017, 19:38

Originally Posted by canoebie

I have been taking kids, now grandkids out in the woods for 30+ years. Two things that are really important. Warmth and food. Not just regular food, treats, special things make a big difference. Make sure they are warm in bed and at camp and the rest will take care of itself.

Good advice, I thought about that. I want to make sure she has stuff she really likes to eat.

**Bammacker** · 02-21-2017, 19:40

Originally Posted by pgibson

I would also say it depends on the kid where you should hang them. My first trip with my now 12 y.o. Then 5 y.o. Had him wanting his own space to set his gear. He did not want to be on the same trees. Most of the time our kids want to be reasonably close but have their own room...of course the boys are different than our daughter. She wants to be a little closer and likes to have a light on so we hang a lucie light on her suspension as a night light. But otherwise I would say to talk about it a good bit before the trip and see how comfortable she is feeling about the different options for how to set up.

Good stuff, the night light will be in her pack.