10 Fun Things for Kids To Do On A Camping Trip

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Camping: 10 Fun Things To Do When Camping


10 Fun Things for Kids To Do On A Camping Trip
No doubt about it, camping trips are fun. A vacation in the wild outdoors, fresh air, roughing it can be such a fun break from the hectic routine of city life. There are great places to visit like the Wisconsin National Forest or go to North Carolina camping. You are only limited by your imagination.

Here's a great recipe I found:

Ham & Sweet Potato Foil Packets
Ingredients:

* Cubed Ham
* Cubed Sweet Potato
* Cubed 1/2 Apple

How to Prepare:
Cube all ingredients.Place in a foil pack, make sure that it is sealed tightly. Cook on hot coals for approx. 1/2 hour turning every 15 min.(APPLES GIVE MOISTURE TO THE RECIPE INSTEAD OF BUTTER AND MAKES A GOOD DESSERT)



A lot of people think they cannot enjoy or even survive a camping trip because of kids. There are a lot of things to do while camping with the kids. Children can indeed add enjoyment to anybody's life, but to be honest, it is really hard to bring kids along on a camping trip.

Imagine having no television or computers to keep them busy (and quiet). For the average parent, that could spell disaster. Not to mention the sleeping arrangements. Having a good, inflatable Aerobed for Kids will help. But even without out it, you can use sleeping bags and still have a lot of fun. But you should not despair, there are many activities in the outdoors that can keep kids entertained during a camping trip. Invest in a book that covers all of the basics of surviving outdoors like the SAS Survival Handbook: How to Survive in the Wild, in Any Climate, on Land or at Sea and then go have some fun. Here are ten of them.

Having good recipes for cooking good camping food is a must. I found a great recipe book with 76 Good Camping Recipes that are quick, easy and something even a beginner can make. Click here for more information.








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Your Opinion Counts!

What's The One Thing That Get's On Your Nerves When Camping With The Kids? 

Inquiring Minds Want To Know?

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  • Reply
    World-Wanderer World-Wanderer Nov 6, 2009 @ 5:53 pm
    Great lens. but might want to mention how to identify hypothermia in children (as it is harder to do than in adults) in your splashing about bit :)

    Although I hate the idea of taking a portable DVD player. Why not teach the kids to carve, or play games that teach them about their surroundings.

    The one thing that gets on my nerves with kids and the outdoors, is the ones that ignore their surroundings and play on their phone.
  • Reply
    lisasboutique lisasboutique Jan 31, 2009 @ 4:37 am
    Camping with five boys is not my ideal holiday!! But camping in style I could handle. Does staying in a hotel count as camping!! Not sure how I would camp with five boys and one husband but we will try it soon as we are slowly building up all our camping gear to hit the great out doors. Thanks for this lens
  • Reply
    heehaw heehaw Dec 2, 2008 @ 6:13 am
    insect bites i believe , but no worries , there are ways to avoid and protect from being stung or bitten by those tiny insects. i have a squidoo lense which you may read, its call "Treatment For Insect Bites And Stings" do a search. Camping trip with kids is a great idea. this is a wonderful and nice lense.
  • Reply
    PaulaFarris PaulaFarris Nov 28, 2008 @ 8:21 pm
    Great lens!

    You obviously have had much better camping experiences than I have. :-) Read about my adventures here: http://www.squidoo.com/CampingWithoutCrampingYourStyle. Enjoy!

    Paula Farris
    "The Recovering Nonachiever"
  • Reply
    EditorDave EditorDave Oct 7, 2008 @ 9:02 pm
    Ants, flies, and mosquitos. Otherwise, it's fun.
    Especially when you camp in style -- near a lake or river where you can fish for your meal. Camping and fishing with kids is a hoot!
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1. Fun things to do while camping: Get wet and go splashing. 

More likely, you would be able to find a nice swimming spot. Whether a big lake or a small brook, you are bound to locate a nice body of water to splash around and have wet fun. Swimming amidst nature can be so much more enjoyable than swimming in a man-made pool. Just be sure that the swimming hole you find is safe for people, normally camping parks would tell you which ones are good for dips and which ones are not. You will also want to do things safely and might want to spring for a book like, Teaching Swimming and Water Safety That way you can teach your children to be careful about swimming and diving. Of course, the basic rule is to never leave your kids swimming alone.

What's The Most Important Thing To Remember When Camping With The Kids?

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2. Bike Together 

Most camping sites have great bike trails. Riding bicycles is very fun when the view is great. It is faster and cooler than just traveling on foot. Make sure to bring a map and plan your trip so that you would not easily get lost. For young children, here is an excellent book that covers bike safety geared to their level, I'm Safe on My Bike (I'm Safe Series) For older children, you want to advise not to ride too fast, or you might leave each other behind, anyway, you would not be able to enjoy the scenery if you speed so much.

Lets Go Biking 

Soul Cycles Titan by SoulRider.222

Soul Cycles Titan

Jules <3 Bike by Iain Farrell

Jules <3 Bike

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Grab Some Camping Gear 

Find stuff cheaper at eBay

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3. Watch for birds and animals. 

Most camping sites and forest parks have primers and leaflets about the various animals thriving in their area. You may also bring books like I'm Safe on My Bike (I'm Safe Series) for birds or if you want to learn more about wild animals bring a guide that is geared to your area. That way you'll know what you're looking at if you could spot something. Another great bird book that's very comprehensive is, Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America. For animals, try Exotic Animal Field Guide: Nonnative Hoofed Mammals in the United States or HarperCollins Complete North American Wildlife: A Photo Field Guide.

Try having a contest - the one who spots most kinds of animals wins. See the different animals that come out during the night compare them to those that come out during the day. Just keep your children from a safe distance so that they would not disturb the animals.

4. Play games in the outdoors. 

It may be the classic sac race, tug-o-war, or just plain tag. Nothing beats the time-tested games when done in the woods. Just be sure to play games in a clear area to avoid accidents. Also, avoid creating so much noise so that you would not disturb the wildlife. There are some good books on games you can play while on your trip like 101 Family Vacation Games: Have Fun While Traveling, Camping, or Celebrating at Home.

5. Organize a scavenger hunt. 

Kids love to go on quests and adventures. Scavenger hunts can be a great alternative to the role playing games kids play these days, not to mention that it is more physical, allowing your kids to exercise rather than just sit in front of the computer screen all day. Just be warn your kids about the many prickly plants that could be lurking in the woods, such as poison ivy, oak and sumac.

Map Reading 101: Campfire Games Pathfinders 

Information You Can Use

Moon California Camping: The Complete Guide to More Than 1,400 Tent and RV Campgrounds (Moon Outdoors)

Amazon Price: $16.29 (as of 11/25/2009)Buy Now

Knowing how to read a map and a compass when in the woods is an invaluable skill that can get you home in one piece.

6. Learn how to read maps and compasses. 

The great outdoors is a nice way to teach your children about navigation. Take out your map and compass while exploring the forest. Show your kids where you are in the map and show them where you are heading. This can also be done in conjunction with the scavenger hunt.

Here are some links to books on map reading:

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7. Light a campfire. 

Perhaps this is among the most awaited activities during camping. This can be the best way to end the day. Gather around the campfire to sing songs and tell stories (scary ones if you would like). Roast marshmallows and hotdogs. Play riddles and other word games.

Some Helpful Hints For Your Campfire

If you're going to use your campfire for cooking, bear in mind that embers produce steadier and more intense heat than flames. Cooking on open flame will only lead to a burned dinner. Let your fire burn down to hot embers before starting to cook your meal, and only add enough wood to the fire periodically to maintain your base of embers.

Hardwood (roughly, wood from deciduous trees) burns much cleaner, faster, brighter and hotter than softwood (roughly, wood from coniferous trees). Softwood also tends to hiss, spit and spark more than hardwood. Many campgrounds tend to sell softwood. Be aware of what you're using and plan your fire maintenance and cooking accordingly.

Keep your matches in a dry, waterproof container at all times.

Firelighters are darn handy things. These are items that will generally ignite even when soaking wet. You can purchase high-quality firelighters in camping supply stores, or make your own.

To make your own firelighters, you will need paraffin wax (available in any store that sells canning supplies), a cardboard egg carton, and sawdust or tiny, thin wood shavings.

Spooky Campfire Stories 

Books to read around the campfire....

Campfire Stories (Take Along Series)
Spooky stories to read around the campfire. What camping trip would be complete without one or two of these.
Campfire Stories, Vol. 1: Things That Go Bump in the Night
Stories to make you shutter and shiver. This book was designed for the adult who needs a good, scary story to tell to youngsters in the 11 to 15 age group.

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"What's Your Favorite Campfire Story. Tell Us Below!"

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8. Watch the stars & Make Popcorn: Silly Outdoor Things to do with Kids 

This is another night activity that can be both fun and educational. You may just simply lie on the grand and appreciate the free light show in the sky, or you may bring out a star chart and look for famous constellations and other heavenly bodies. Be sure to make and eat popcorn. Look for shooting stars and make your wish. Get your kids involved and informed with Janice VanCleave's Astronomy for Every Kid: 101 Easy Experiments that Really Work (Science for Every Kid Series)

9. Bathe in the rain. 

The weather can be unpredictable in many places, you cannot expect to have clear and sunny skies all the time. But do not pout if the rain does pour. You can have fun playing in the rain and enjoy mother earth's natural shower. Just be careful not to go out when there is thunder and lightning.

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10. Just relax and simply enjoy the moment. 

You are in the outdoors for only a few times in a year (or even in a lifetime). Enjoy what nature has to offer. Avoid bringing any electronic gadget and simply bask in the quiet of the forest. This is the time to bond and enjoy each other's company.

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What to do on a Camping Trip with the Family 

There are hundreds of other activities to do out doors, these ten are just a fraction of the many activities you can do with your kids on a camping trip. The point of it all is to enjoy spending the time together as a family.

Summer Camp Activities 

The group can enjoy with games such as scavenger hunt or any adventure game. Parents also can organize easy games especially when kids are joining the camping activity.
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Seeing, tasting, smelling, hearing and experiencing something new in a camping activity will surely make every camper miss the excitement and thrill of camping. A simple addition or revision to the usual set-up can create a remarkable increase in the team member's enthusiasm in joining the camping activities.

The Most Important Thing To Remember Is To Bring Something In Case It Rains

What are you going to do with the kids if it rains? Remember to bring stuff to keep them occupied until it stops.

Things Kids Can Do While Camping If It Rains 

Rent A Movie and Watch It

If you have a portable DVD player, and it rains, bring along a new video or two to keep the kids entertained while you're waiting for the skys to clear.

001- Night at the Museum

Chaos reigns at the natural history museum when night watchman Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) accidentall...
002- The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe

When four London children (Georgie Henley, William Moseley, Skandar Keynes and Anna Popplewell) are...
003- WALL-E

In a futuristic world, human beings have destroyed Earth and evacuated the planet, leaving the clean...
004- Ratatouille

Brad Bird (The Incredibles) co-directs this Oscar-winning Pixar offering about a passionate rat name...
005- Cars

Prepare to peel out with this revved-up animated adventure featuring classic automobiles, plenty of...
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Camping Blog Posts from Google 

Sleeping Bags | VideoWaypoint - An Outdoor Blog and Podcast
While the average user may find the mummy bag uncomfortable to sleep in because of the restriction, they are the best choice for cold weather camping and long hikes because of their warmth and small size. Which Temperature Rating? ...
Camping Is A Great Hobby And Terrific Fun | ArticleGlide.com
Sleeping bags with air mattresses or pads, along with blankets ? First aid kits ? Flashlights or lanterns or solar lamps ? Axe or hatchet for cutting firewood, if you plan to have campfire ? Hiking boots, insect repellants, sunscreens, ...
Hiking shops – why there are hiking shops | The Shot Sports
As well, there are shoes, sticks, compass, camping tents and sleeping bags available at these shops you can buy complete camping gear from these shops. You will find various types and varieties of binoculars at hiking shops and you can ...
Make Your Hiking Tour More Comfortable | Hiking Help
Keep a jacket with you if it is cold season. Do not forget appropriate sleeping bag and sleeping pads before leaving for camping journey. Mats Lundkvist. Trekking is my lifes calling. Camping and Hiking Gear. Share and Enjoy: ...

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