Camping can be a wonderful time to bond with your children and teach them new skills and the wonderment of nature.
Before even leaving for a camping trip, involve them in the planning of the trip itself. They will be more excited about going if they helped make the decision about where to go and or where to stay. Find out what is important to them, like being near a lake or having a large area to play a sport, etc.
Involve them in the list making of what’s needed as well, so they will be sure to bring everything they want and need. You can look over there list and make suggestions, but don’t make them feel bad for forgetting something on the list.
Once at the camping site, involve all the children, even toddlers to help set up camp. This is a great learning experience for them. Let them know ahead of time that if everyone pitches in, it will only take 30 minutes to set up camp and then they can explore and play.
Depending on where you are going, it is best to have 2 adults with you. Leave one at the camp site and send one off to explore the area to check out the surroundings and any potential safety hazards when first arriving.
Explore the wilderness with your kids and teach them about the various plants, flowers and animals. Get whatever pamphlets the campground provides or possible ones from AAA and point out any particular things of interest. Kids like to learn the names of flowers and animals and have very good memories, so they will remember and mention it later on. It’s fun for them. If there is any historical significance to the area you are in, point that out as well. Your child might like learning the history of where he is.
Going fishing can be fun for children, just be sure to have the right size poles for them so it will be easier for them to cast. Depending on their age, explain that it hurts a lot if they get a fishing hook stuck in their hand, so it’s best if you bait the hook for them. Some kids don’t have the patience for fishing, especially if you are not catching anything, so if that’s the case after a few hours, ask what else they would like to do.
Sitting around the campfire singing and eating s’mores is also great fun for kids. Teach them that it doesn’t matter if they can carry a tune or not, but just have fun singing or telling stories. You can teach them the art of how to toast a marshmallow. They’ll love it.
The Fish, The Length, And The Fishing Pole
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have fun with your kids on vacation. Camping is fun, educational and will help you to get to know your children even better. Who knows, they may even have some fun stories to tell their friends.