Camping with kids should be much fun with some education.
Are you thinking of going camping with your kids?
What are your worries and how will you make them entertained?
In this article, we will show you how to have a successful and active vacation in nature and camping with children.
The purpose of camping with them is to teach them some new stuff and to have fun. Now let’s jump to the main part where I will state some of the tips and tricks that will help your kids to have a wonderful time while camping outdoors.
Have an active outdoor adventure
Kids can be very demanding when you take them outdoors so you must have a plan that will make them happy and entertained to avoid boredom and grumpiness.
Think about the fun activities and games that they can do with you and make a plan for each day. Maybe you won’t be able to follow the plan exactly but you will be prepared.
Bring the right games
If you have younger kids I presume that you will go on the trip in your car and not on foot. This way you can bring some toys and games along to keep the kids active.
I recommend that you leave the games that don’t encourage thinking and activity at home. With these, I mean arcade games that can be played on Game Boy.
Activity games
So, what types of games are recommendable for you to take? Instead of bringing these types of games think of the ones that encourage thinking and playing with others. This way, your child will developmental and social skills that he will need in life.
The next games are great and many families use them to banish boredom:
- Squirt gun races
- Nature scavenger hunt
- Glow stick ring toss
- Red light, green light
- Hiking stick limbo
- Air pong
- Sleeping bag races, etc.
I like all of them but my favorite is the nature scavenger hunt that I played as a kid. The game was challenging and I never felt bored playing it.
Tent games
When you will be inside the tent you don’t need to be bored. The tent games are great before sleep or to play in the middle of the day when you want to relax a bit. These are some of the ideas:
- Shadow hand puppets
- Thumb wrestling tournament
- Telling a story
Board and card games
Board games are also a great way to stay entertained and your mind active. These are the games that will make your camping fun:
- Perudo
- Hanabi
- Connect four
- Azul
- Backgammon
- Quarto
- Yahtzee
- Trekking the national parks
- UNO
- Qwirkle, etc.
Best kid activities for the outdoors
Games are a wonderful way to bond with other family members but you should always think of outdoor activities.
Kids need activities that stimulate their movement, especially in these times when they are glued to computer games, phones, and play stations.
Do you remember how it was simple to play with other kids in your childhood?
I remember how we gathered on the street and play different ball games and laugh. No matter that technologies and gadgets offer easy entertainment for children, you can still show them the true meaning of spending some quality time outdoors.
Consider next activities that will make the whole family happy:
- Hiking and exploring
- Birdwatching
- Picking the leaves and stones
- Painting
- Lawn Twister
- Water balloon challenge
- Lawn Darts
- Bowling
- Ball Games
- Giant Jenga
- Slippery tug of war
- Slide and Toss
- Drip, drip dunk, etc.
Prepare healthy snacks to refill the lost energy
As your kids will be active all the time you will have to keep their energy levels high. Healthy and nutritious food are important to provide them the nutrients they need.
Forget junk food as it won’t satisfy the body’s needs, it will just provide temporary satisfaction. However, you can still make some s’mores or kid’s favorite dishes to make them happy.
What foods, meals, and snacks are okay to serve them after exhausting activities? Take a look at the next suggestions:
- Cereals
- Nuts
- Fresh fruit and vegetables
- Peanut butter
- Scrambled eggs
- Yogurt (without extra added sugar)
- Trail mix
- Cottage cheese
- Oatmeal
- Hummus
You can also make Pre-ahead meals at home. Pick different kinds of vegetables and some meat and cook the delicious sauce for pasta.
Slice veggies and fruits at home and pack them in plastic bags so they will be ready as snacks.
I like to bake some whole-grain tortillas at home and then add tuna, cheese, veggies, and other ingredients to them. Tortillas and burritos are fast snacks that will make their tummies pleased.
Before they go to sleep
When you are out there with children ask them what they would like to do the next day. Children need attention so go ahead and listen to their wishes. Adjust the plan for tomorrow and include their wish in the activity plan.
Read them a bedtime story or tell them about your camping journeys. I am sure they will listen to you with curiosity.
Make a fun and exciting camping adventure!
When you take your children camping, make sure that you will have fun all the time. I recommend activities that will make them active and their minds stimulated but don’t forget about the entertainment.
Motivate them to help you around the tasks as picking the firewood to start a campfire, set up a tent, and other camp duties that must be done to have a pleasant outdoor time. Listen to your kids and their wishes and try to please them.
Also, consider my tips of activities and games that will make them entertained and prepare simple meals and snacks so they will keep their tummies full. I wish you a wonderful camping trip.
About The Author:
Tadej Kožar: I am the founder of Camping Valley. The site is an extension of my lifestyle and passion for the outdoors. Everything that I learn, experience, and find valuable are on the site for you. We live in a technological era but nature is reminding us more and more that we should go to the places where our heart and soul feel like home.
