Kids and Camping Can be Fun, Really

Taking the children along on a camping trip where the adults plan to be busy with their own activities presents several challenges. We've come to some conclusions we'd like to share with you, some ideas on planning a trip that has kids happy and safe while adults are hard at work. We hope these ideas are helpful.

Since we'll guess you would never leave an infant unattended and have the very young with you - hopefully in one of these hands free baby carriers - we'll start off with what you can do to plan ahead for the toddlers.

Toddlers need supervision, even if it is one or two of the older children directing their day. A folding play-pen gives them a safe place as long as there's someone to keep an eye on them. Set it up in a shady spot to avoid sunburn, and bring along their favorite comfort toys. Depending on their ages, toddlers enjoy putting things together and taking them apart. Nothing real small because toddlers want to taste things, they are likely to put small things in their mouths. They enjoy squeezable things and outdoors is a great place for colorful sponge toys.

Children in this age group still need some supervision, they are in a learning and exploring stage. They can enjoy group activities that are not so much competitive as team related. Puzzles and board games are great at this age, but might not be the best outdoor fun they could have.

A little blackboard and chalk can keep them entertained. It's easy to make your own with pieces of masonite or even poster board and chalkboard contact paper and scissors. Making their own blackboard can be part of the fun.

At this age, they may enjoy supervising the toddlers, so long as it doesn't include diaper duty. Kids at this age are inventive and often creative, so with a few ideas, they'll concoct their own games where prizes might be part of the goal. Prizes can be a ticket for "dessert on demand" or "an extra half hour until bedtime" and don't need to be an extra cost.

This group is often physically active so you'll need to set a limit as to how far they can go from camp without an adult. You should be aware of any surrounding hazards and the limits should be discussed before they are needed. That can help avoid disappointing a planned trek to the next hilltop - across the river.

Organized games or sports might be good for this group, depending on the number of kids in camp. If it's 4 brothers, do something else. A kids treasure hunt is great at this age. It takes a little do-ahead, but can keep them busy for hours.

This is the group that you can direct - they're old enough to be quite helpful whether there's panning or fishing or metal detecting happening at camp. These are the legs that run back and forth to camp. Their endless energy is at your disposal. You know your kids and which are good at what. These are your helpers, so long as they feel like it's part of the big picture and they aren't being kept away from what they enjoy for long.

At the end of the day, remember to be grateful around the campfire for all the help they gave. Everyone loves recognition, and it can make up for someone's disappointment during the day. It happens, be gracious about it. You're the adult.

Even Adults - Comfort. Choose the clothing for your camping adventure for fit, comfort and care. For the kids, colorful cotton is the best choice. Whenever possible, let children choose their own favorites. Kids don't get a lot of choices every day and this is one that helps them feel good about wearing shirts that they picked out. Parents get the last word as usual, but when you choose the ones you want to buy, let them select the ones they like from those shirts. "Any 3 shirts, you pick!" is good for the kids and good for you.

Kids are fascinated by nature and animals. Any brightly colored design is going to be the shirt they reach for first when it's time for a weekend full of fun and adventure. Children can be rough on their clothes, especially active youngsters playing outdoors. Camping can bring anything from grass stains to mud so cotton is the natural fabric you'll choose first. It washes clean and only gets softer the more it gets washed. Cotton is the fabric of choice for comfort as well, since it can absorb more than 24 times its own weight in water, it keeps an active kid drier than synthetic fibers can.

This link takes you to our own favorite place to find great and inexpensive - made in USA - cotton T-shirts and hoodies for all ages when you're ready to Buy Cool Shirts.