Nighttime Safety Is Important When Camping With Kids
Glow sticks are easy to find and work great for kids to string together and wear as a necklace, anklet or bracelet so you can keep track of them when it gets dark. Throw glow sticks into water bottles for more illumination or if you have a handful of water bottles, this could be a a fun game of night bowling before bedtime.
Headlamps are fairly inexpensive and worth the cost to make sure everyone has their own. Another neat little trick is to put a headlamp around a a jug of water for a homemade glowing lantern on tables and inside your tent.
I have a few attachable / hanging rechargeable camping lights to put inside the tent and around our camping spot to keep things illuminated for the kids. They work pretty well and are really helpful when it gets dark outside or youre looking for something in the tent.
One of our favorite camping hacks is to bring along glow in the dark ropeand glow in the dark tent stakes so that no one tripes over these parts of the tent that stick out when it gets dark and especially during the middle of the night bathroom trips when youre half asleep and wondering in the woods.
Best Camping Hacks For Families Traveling With Kids
These are just a few of the camping tips that we have scoured the Internet for, and incorporated into our camping routine.
Whether for your next trip you are headed to a National Park or a campsite just down the road or your own backyard, these ideas will have you camping like a Park Ranger: relaxed, having lots of fun and enjoying the beautiful scenery instead of being stressed out.
Fun Things To Do While Camping
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Looking for fun things to do while camping? Weve compiled a list of 50 fun things to do while camping with kids, camping as a couple, and even solo camping!
I love everything about camping. Being away from buildings, freeways and the hustle and bustle is just good for the soul. Being outside in the wild gives an opportunity to experience the beauty and simplicity that is the wilderness.
When I talk to most non-campers about camping, they just envision camping as sitting in the dirt with bugs. Sure, thats part of the adventure, but there is so much more you can do while camping. I could just simply go camping to enjoy nature and get away from the hustle and bustle, but there is so much more.
Some of my favorite memories growing up include fishing with my family for the first time , seeing a bear for the first time, and sitting around a campfire with my cousins.
As soon as my little girl was old enough to go camping , I took her out to the great outdoors. She goes with me a few times a year, so now she might be the only person who loves camping more than me!
If youve never been camping, or havent been in ages, you might be worried about finding things to do while camping. This list of fun things to do while camping will give you plenty of ideas to stay entertained outdoors!
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Create A Treasure Hunt
This is one of the greatest camping activities for kids of all ages. It can be throughout the campground or just on the campsite.
The list for the older kids can include more specifics like a red sock, a penny or a baseball cap. Lists for the younger ones can be much more abstract.
Color or print out a list with colors and shapes on it and toddlers can search for one item that matches each color or shape.
Easing Bug Bite Discomfort When Out In Nature
Stop the itching bug bites With chloraseptic spray! Just spray it on the red bumps, and the itching will stop . This all-natural set is another great option for getting the itch to stop fast, without chemicals! There are a variety of solutions you may want to plan before leaving for your campout.
If you want a really good bug spray to prevent bug bites, try a wipe instead. My favorite is the all natural insect repellent made with essential oils that is incredibly effective in my experience.
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Fishing For Kids At Camp
For many adults, camping activities automatically include fishing, so why would it be any different for the kids?
It is especially fun with the right gear!
This Kids Fishing Pole with Travel Bag is designed especially for kids with a telescopic fishing rod, reel combos, fishing line, tackle and it fits neatly into the travel bag.
It is one of the most popular camping yard games that can be played with just kids, just adults or as an entire family.
Bring A Bouncer As A Fun Activity To Do Around Camp With Babies
Sometimes it helps to have the comforts of home brought to the campground when it comes to babies!
For us, having bouncers really helped keep the babies busy around camp!
Not only were they contained, but they had toys to play with and an area we could put snacks on to keep them even more occupied!
camping baby bouncersFresh Food Feeders
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Camping With Kids Hacks
These hacks, tips, and ideas for camping activities are going to make your next family camp-out a walk in the park! Or a walk in the woods Either way! So check out these things to do while camping that will make your time memorable and fun. Kids camping doesnt have to be a disaster. So use these camping with kids hacks!
See A Performance At The Richmond Hill Centre For The Performing Arts
The Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts is where youll find all the live shows and performances.
I watched shows here back in elementary school, and I even volunteered here for Rogers TV once in high school.
Whether youre looking for concerts or stage performances, heres where youll find it in Richmond Hill!
Its located right along Yonge Street, which is sort of the downtown of Richmond Hill!
LOCATION:10268 Yonge St, Richmond Hill, ON
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Learn The Art Of Skipping Stones
From a very early age, children discover the joy of tossing rocks into the water. Little rocks make small plops and big rocks make mighty splashes! Learning how to skip stones takes your childs natural interest in tossing stones to the next level. To skip a stone, start by finding a flat round rock and throw it in parallel with the water. Skipping stones takes practice but its worth the effort to see a stone skimming across the water as if it had wings.
Art And Writing Supplies
Time spent in nature is sure to ignite anyones creative spark and inspire you to channel your inner artist. Bringing along some art supplies such as paper and pencils will allow you to enjoy sketching or drawing.
For those with a knack for painting, pack your paint brushes and paper or canvas along and get inspired by the beauty all around. You could also set up an easel next to your tent and recreate a sunrise or sunset as the mood strikes.
Prefer writing to drawing? Bring along a notepad and some pens and start working on that novel youve been putting off. Or just journal your thoughts and ideas as they float through your head while youre hiking.
Another way to be creative is to bring along a coloring book and some markers or colored pencils. Drawing in a book or creating mandalas can be quite meditative and relaxing too.
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Packing Ideas For Camping Activities With Kids
Do you ever get the feeling that youve forgotten something as soon as you head out on the road for a big trip? There are so many things to do while camping, you need to be organized and prepared so you can actually enjoy it! Dont worry, these ideas will help make sure youve got everything you need to make your camping activities and adventures a success!
The Best Camping Activities For Kids
Going camping with kids is a classic childhood activity. We had taken my older two camping, but my younger daughter had never been so it has been on our family to do list for a while.
When KOA asked if we wanted to try out one of their Kampgrounds this summer we jumped at the chance. It was a ton of fun discovering What is behind the yellow sign and we came up with a list of must-do camping activities for kids!
We stayed at the Naples/Marco Island KOA campground in FL which is considered a KOA Holiday campground. They say Holiday campgrounds make great base camps for discovering a new area and I would have to agreeit was the perfect spot to experience all of the fun of camping while also exploring the beaches of Marco Island.
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Ideas 9 16 Of Fun Camping Activities For Kids
Bug And Critter Catching Activities
For help capturing and inspecting the critters, kids love using gadgets like butterfly nets and bug vacuums.
So far, I have been unable to understand why a kid will WANT to vacuum a bug from the ground around the campsite but WONT vacuum dirt from the carpet around the house!
Oh well, that mystery is waiting to be solved some other day! LOL
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Ideas 1 8 Of Hacks For Camping With Kids
Music Is Always A Good Option
If all else fails, host a dance party. I dont know if anyone elses kids are like ours, but our kids LOVE music. So bring a portable speaker and play some tunes. Its a good way to keep your kids busy while youre cooking or doing other camp chores. You can take it a step further by letting them pick the music. Or by making it a glow in the dark dance party complete with glow sticks.
Air mattress dance party for the win
Camping with young kids can be a great way to get your kids outdoors and excited about nature . The key is stay flexible and go with the flow. Have some of these activities ready, but if they arent into it, move on to another from the list. We let our kids lead for the most part and just had a lot of options available to them.
Have you been camping with kids? If so, what are your favorite camp activities? Comment below!
You can also see our full video experience over on our Family on Standby Youtube Channel
For more camping with kids tips check out this article we wrote on our family travel site: tent camping with toddlers for the first time.
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Camping Activities For Tweens
Tweens are at a stage in their life where they are discovering technology. They like to binge-watch movies, play games on their laptops, and discover social media. Getting activities that can keep them entertained without technology can be difficult.
At first, tweens can be opposed to the idea of camping and or activities you plan. This is all part of breaking the addiction between them and technology. But once they get it out of their system, they can actually enjoy camping a lot. We have a complete ban on technology for our children simply because it distracts them from actually having fun outdoors. Here are some camping activities for tweens:
1. Hiking and trail runs.
Hiking is great for tweens because they have a lot of energy that is not short-lived, as compared to toddlers and preschoolers. Hiking is an opportunity to exercise, sightsee, and learn about nature. Trail runs offer the same benefits as hiking, but a lot of care is needed to prevent accidental trips and falls. Also, make sure that the group does not get separated in the wild.
2. Scavenger hunts.
Tween scavenger hunts need to be more than just ordinary scavenger hunts where the kids hunt for a rock or flower. I find that leaving clues at specific points that guide the kids to the treasure is more interesting to tweens. Reward them with age-appropriate rewards to keep them enthusiastic.
3. Cooking camp style.
4. Narrating scary stories.
5. Fishing Is Fun For The Whole Family
Fun Camping Activities Kids Love
There are soooooo many fun camping games and activities for kids they might even learn something without knowing it! LOL
Plan Daytime And Nighttime Camping Activities
Think about kids activities around the campsite. Its good to have daytime fun planned as well as nighttime entertainment.
Consider this: If you are camping in the middle of summer you will have shorter periods of darkness camping during the winter-ish months means less daylight.
Here are a few ideas for daytime and nighttime activities for the kids around camp.
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Camp In Cabin Comfort
Camp in a Cabin Save your energy for the days activities, instead of the drama of a tent. This becomes even cheaper if you camp off-season, or share with family, or friends! So many of the campgrounds across the United States also have cabin camping available and that is an affordable way to avoid the complete roughing it of camping with kids in sleeping bags.
Bring A Jogging Stroller For Naps On The Go When Camping With Your Baby
I didnt bring our Chariot the first couple of times, and I really regretted it!
Heres why most babies fall asleep in their stroller. It is relaxing, comforting, and most importantly, a place they know!
If you dont camp too often, your baby might be having fun, but could also get overstimulated by all the fun stuff going on and have a really difficult time being put down somewhere new.
Thats why you should just skip the 30 minutes it would take to put them down for a nap, and just walk them to sleep!
If your lucky, your babies might not even need to actually go anywhere and just be fine being pushed back and forth right in camp!
The more enclosed the better, so as to remove all the distractions of camp.
We really really love our Thule Chariot Stroller!
I dont mean to go on about it, but it can be pulled behind your bike, be a jogging stroller, regular stroller, and even attach to skis! And the cherry on top, when it comes to off roading in campsites with it, is that it even has a custom shock system that you adjust based on the weight of your children!
Thule Chariot Stroller Thule Chariot Stroller
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