How to make Camping Fun with Kids

So, how do you make camping fun with kids?

This is how I turned camping with kids into an outdoor adventure they will never forget!

As parents we all know that life with kids is unpredictable. Camping, is no exception. It can be the best of times and the worst of times.

Usually for me it was somewhere in the middle. While I love camping, my children can tire of it fairly quickly even with some of the activities we provide. What I have found is this:

Turning camping into an unforgettable adventure makes all the difference in the world when it comes taming the wiggles out of your children, teaching your children survival skills and creating a passion for the outdoors.

Accomplishing this sounds like a lot of work right? Wrong! Utilize these simple steps to help you along the way

Attitude

The first step on how to making camping fun with kids is making sure you bring your imagination with you.

I cannot stress this enough!!!

It is hard to expect them to have the time of their lives camping if you aren’t jazzed about it either. Show them all of the things you are excited about or enjoyed doing as a child.

Action Plan

Make sure you have all the supplies needed for camping activities and a schedule. By no means do I mean plan every second of your day. What’s the fun in that?

However, have helpful guide or activities to do handy, this will hep you along the way if you get stuck or run into an unexpected delay.

Gathering supplies does not have to break the bank or be an all day task. Find items you can use around your home and shop bargain stores when you have the time. Here are some idea’s to get you started

• Leaf tracing all you need is some crayons and paper
• Build a birdhouse (you can bring materials from home like an old planter, coffee container etc. or build it out of items you find in nature)
• Make a Bird feeder
• Pan for gold
• Hike
• Go Swimming
• Scavenger Hunt
• Jump rope
• Plant something
• Blow Bubbles
• I spy
• Sleeping bag/potato sack race
• Build a hop scotch area out of sticks and rocks
• Practice ABC’s, spelling or math in the dirt
• Play Pictionary in the dirt

Go somewhere off the beaten path

This is one of my favorite things to do! Going somewhere new or outside of a traditional campground helps spark curiosity and a sense of adventure. My family no longer camps in campgrounds at all. For me, nothing is more peaceful than relaxing in the woods without the hustle and bustle of neighboring campers. Those with really little ones, keep in mind you lose conveniences when you do this. You need to plan accordingly.

Survival Skills

Teach important survival skills and safety information. Here are some ideas.

• Fish or Hunt for food
• Create a shelter out of natural materials
• Construct tools like a bow and arrow etc. out of natural materials or things on hand
• Build a camp fire without matches
• Identify helpful and harmful plants
• Look for animal tracks
• Build a sundial
• Use a compass

I hope this has helped inspire you to get out and camp with your kids. You won’t regret it! Don’t forget the s’mores!

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Looking for more activities you can do with your kids? Consider homesteading click here to get started!