| Having been in the vacation industry for years I | | | | put inside graham crackers, a favorite for everyone. |
| frequently heard comments like we would like to camp | | | | - Glow lights - Young kids love to play with them after |
| but our children are too young, teenagers, or whatever | | | | dark. They are available in most discount stores. |
| the excuse for not taking children camping. Normally | | | | - Fire - Keep a fire going at night or even during the |
| what they were really saying was they didn't know | | | | day. |
| how they were going to keep their children happy | | | | - Location - Pick a camping site where there are local |
| while camping. | | | | points of interest. Make camping with children a history |
| This article gives ideas about what you can do to | | | | or nature lesson as well. Keep in mind the stage your |
| make your family camping trip enjoyable. Not | | | | children are going through. When my boys were young |
| everything will apply to everyone but there are some | | | | a place to play ball was a requirement. |
| ideas that anyone who goes camping with children will | | | | - Sports - Encourage children to bring their sports |
| benefit from. | | | | equipment along. Family camping is more enjoyable for |
| Camping tent | | | | all when activities are done together, especially ones |
| A cabin style tent that has room dividers is great for | | | | the kids already know and enjoy. Remember you don't |
| privacy. The room divider may not be necessary | | | | have to be good to benefit from sports. |
| when the children are real young but both the adults | | | | - Other games - One reason people like camping is it |
| and children will appreciate it as they get older. The | | | | gives them a chance to play outdoors all day. |
| other option is having two tents. The drawback to two | | | | Discourage electronic games that are played indoors |
| tents is not every campground will allow you to pitch | | | | at home. This is not always possible, but outdoor |
| two tents at one site. | | | | active games are better so make the effort to |
| A screen tent | | | | encourage them. |
| A screen tent will make you more comfortable in a | | | | - Water sports - A campsite on a lake or river means |
| couple of ways. It will keep the insects away from | | | | people want to be in the water. Don't forget life |
| your toddlers and of course the rest of you as well. It | | | | jackets if using water craft. An inflatable boat can be |
| will also keep small animals out of the food and dishes | | | | easy to take along as it takes up less space. It will add |
| so they can be left on the table between meals. | | | | hours of fun to the trip. |
| Never leave anything out overnight, though. A bear in | | | | - Food - Camp food like hot dogs can be fun but don't |
| your campsite is a scary experience. Those brief rain | | | | allow camping to upset good nutrition. Many foods with |
| drops that tend to fall at meal time won't be a problem | | | | a small variation make great camp food. Keep food |
| when you are in a screen tent. | | | | available for small lunches and don't plan on cooking at |
| Fun things to do | | | | every meal. Don't allow soft drinks to destroy good |
| - Bicycles - Children and adults enjoy biking around a | | | | nutrition. |
| campsite and on roads/bike trails that lead to and from | | | | - Clothes - It is hot in the city and the forecast is hot |
| the campsite. Biking is great for exercise and doing | | | | where you go camping. However, don't forget cool |
| things as a family. Another benefit is you will | | | | weather clothes as the weather gets cool at night. In |
| appreciate the local area better when viewed from a | | | | addition longer clothes give some protection from |
| bike. Camping with children turns into biking with children | | | | insects. |
| when bikes come along. | | | | - Sun and insect protection - A must in most areas. |
| - Hiking - A great way to learn about nature and | | | | Camping as a driving vacation - You can save money |
| wildlife around the camp ground is hiking, especially if | | | | staying at campgrounds instead of motels while on a |
| you take advantage of the information the | | | | touring vacation. Consider staying two nights at one |
| campground owners or hosts provide. Teach your | | | | location and then making the driving day longer. This |
| children how to keep from getting lost by paying | | | | reduces the amount of time making and breaking |
| attention to their surroundings, knowing where they are | | | | camp while still allowing you to travel a significant |
| going and where they came from and using a | | | | distance. Family camping works better when people |
| compass. | | | | have a chance to have fun while seeing the country. |
| - Smores - Toast marshmallows, add chocolate and | | | | |