Camping with kids [modified]
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With all the moving around (travel and immigrating) we've done in the last year Mikey's not yet experienced true camping. We're setting that right this weekend by taking him to Rainbow Beach[^] or one of the surrounding area's (will decide when we get there, it's not peak tourist season). We've truly grown up and have a "family" tent now :rolleyes:. Any tips for camping with kids? [edit]Oops, forgot to say, Mikey's 14 months old now and running around[/edit] -- modified at 3:32 Friday 11th August, 2006
A mum and loving it!
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With all the moving around (travel and immigrating) we've done in the last year Mikey's not yet experienced true camping. We're setting that right this weekend by taking him to Rainbow Beach[^] or one of the surrounding area's (will decide when we get there, it's not peak tourist season). We've truly grown up and have a "family" tent now :rolleyes:. Any tips for camping with kids? [edit]Oops, forgot to say, Mikey's 14 months old now and running around[/edit] -- modified at 3:32 Friday 11th August, 2006
A mum and loving it!
I just took my 5 year old son camping. Had an absolute blast. All I can say is think like a kid and leave the parent at home. Get as wet, muddy and dirty as possible then top it off by rinsing off in a lake or river. Repeat as often as possible. Build fires (in appropriate pits) and burn things, burn all sorts of things. Bring squirt guns to spray the fire with. Bring lots of graham crackers, chocolate and marsh mallows. Eat like the doctor doesn't care. Grant and I took one night and went flashlight exploring. We walked all over ( a busy public camp ground ) one night after dark with only flashlights. I let him lead wherever he wanted to go and we went. If you are going to be on a cold mountain lake get some toy fish nets so your kids can try to catch minnows. It will kill hours for them and they will love it. If your kids are like mine take a small bucket to put lake water in so they can admire their catch before releasing it later when you leave. Rent a boat and take it across the lake or up the river. Motor or paddle it doesn't matter it's a blast to them. Push your child off the dock and into the water. They'll love it and you'll feel better to. Grab milk shakes, huge milk shakes and have them for dinner while you go on a long scenic drive. Pretend you are hunting bears and a fellow family member is the bear. Mini-marshmallows fired off rubber bands strung between fingers like a sling shot are the weapon of choice. Have lots of ammo, and eat lots of ammo. Take a glass jar, poke holes in the lid. Catch bugs. Catch lots of bugs. Jar them until you leave. Take another jar for frogs and repeat. Bring air mattresses kids love to sleep on air mattresses. Give each child their own survival kit. A small kid-friendly water jug. A flashlight. A yo-yo. A paddle-ball. Just make it fun and be a kid again. Dig up memories and bring them to life. Make sure when you are coming home that you wish you could stay longer and most importantly take a camera and lots of film. - Rex
When I'm joking people take me seriously.
When I'm serious they think I'm joking.
I'm left to conclude my life must be a complete joke. :sigh: :laugh: :cool: -
With all the moving around (travel and immigrating) we've done in the last year Mikey's not yet experienced true camping. We're setting that right this weekend by taking him to Rainbow Beach[^] or one of the surrounding area's (will decide when we get there, it's not peak tourist season). We've truly grown up and have a "family" tent now :rolleyes:. Any tips for camping with kids? [edit]Oops, forgot to say, Mikey's 14 months old now and running around[/edit] -- modified at 3:32 Friday 11th August, 2006
A mum and loving it!
Oh, just saw the 14 months old part. You better save my reply somewhere for about ... 4 years.
When I'm joking people take me seriously.
When I'm serious they think I'm joking.
I'm left to conclude my life must be a complete joke. :sigh: :laugh: :cool: -
I just took my 5 year old son camping. Had an absolute blast. All I can say is think like a kid and leave the parent at home. Get as wet, muddy and dirty as possible then top it off by rinsing off in a lake or river. Repeat as often as possible. Build fires (in appropriate pits) and burn things, burn all sorts of things. Bring squirt guns to spray the fire with. Bring lots of graham crackers, chocolate and marsh mallows. Eat like the doctor doesn't care. Grant and I took one night and went flashlight exploring. We walked all over ( a busy public camp ground ) one night after dark with only flashlights. I let him lead wherever he wanted to go and we went. If you are going to be on a cold mountain lake get some toy fish nets so your kids can try to catch minnows. It will kill hours for them and they will love it. If your kids are like mine take a small bucket to put lake water in so they can admire their catch before releasing it later when you leave. Rent a boat and take it across the lake or up the river. Motor or paddle it doesn't matter it's a blast to them. Push your child off the dock and into the water. They'll love it and you'll feel better to. Grab milk shakes, huge milk shakes and have them for dinner while you go on a long scenic drive. Pretend you are hunting bears and a fellow family member is the bear. Mini-marshmallows fired off rubber bands strung between fingers like a sling shot are the weapon of choice. Have lots of ammo, and eat lots of ammo. Take a glass jar, poke holes in the lid. Catch bugs. Catch lots of bugs. Jar them until you leave. Take another jar for frogs and repeat. Bring air mattresses kids love to sleep on air mattresses. Give each child their own survival kit. A small kid-friendly water jug. A flashlight. A yo-yo. A paddle-ball. Just make it fun and be a kid again. Dig up memories and bring them to life. Make sure when you are coming home that you wish you could stay longer and most importantly take a camera and lots of film. - Rex
When I'm joking people take me seriously.
When I'm serious they think I'm joking.
I'm left to conclude my life must be a complete joke. :sigh: :laugh: :cool:code-frog wrote:
Bring lots of graham crackers, chocolate and marsh mallows. Eat like the doctor doesn't care.
We don't have smores here. I tried them while in the US ( at Disneyworld, no less ) and I have no desire to ever eat them again.
code-frog wrote:
take a camera and lots of film.
You don't use a digital camera ? One thing I love about it is that I just keep taking pictures, I know I can't run out.
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ Metal Musings - Rex and my new metal blog
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With all the moving around (travel and immigrating) we've done in the last year Mikey's not yet experienced true camping. We're setting that right this weekend by taking him to Rainbow Beach[^] or one of the surrounding area's (will decide when we get there, it's not peak tourist season). We've truly grown up and have a "family" tent now :rolleyes:. Any tips for camping with kids? [edit]Oops, forgot to say, Mikey's 14 months old now and running around[/edit] -- modified at 3:32 Friday 11th August, 2006
A mum and loving it!
It depends on how much the child loves routine. If they sleep with a soft toy, or always have the same blanket on their bed - take it. Take lots of things to occupy them in the car. Especially wiggles CDs. Once you get there, one thing I've found with my kids is, when we go on holiday, if we do something 'fun' one day, we need a quiet day the next, take books so you can just sit and read, for example, if he's overwhelmed and needs to do something familiar.
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ Metal Musings - Rex and my new metal blog
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With all the moving around (travel and immigrating) we've done in the last year Mikey's not yet experienced true camping. We're setting that right this weekend by taking him to Rainbow Beach[^] or one of the surrounding area's (will decide when we get there, it's not peak tourist season). We've truly grown up and have a "family" tent now :rolleyes:. Any tips for camping with kids? [edit]Oops, forgot to say, Mikey's 14 months old now and running around[/edit] -- modified at 3:32 Friday 11th August, 2006
A mum and loving it!
I can remember my Dad taking me off camping once, on his own, when I was little (I think the idea was to get me out of my Mum's hair as she'd recently given birth to my brother) I think I spent most of the time asking when we were going to the gift shop (and Dad having to drive for about an hour to the nearest town to have a shop that sold toys) I was 5ish, so I guess a 14 month old would be easier to entertain!
-- Help me! I'm turning into a grapefruit! Buzzwords!
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I just took my 5 year old son camping. Had an absolute blast. All I can say is think like a kid and leave the parent at home. Get as wet, muddy and dirty as possible then top it off by rinsing off in a lake or river. Repeat as often as possible. Build fires (in appropriate pits) and burn things, burn all sorts of things. Bring squirt guns to spray the fire with. Bring lots of graham crackers, chocolate and marsh mallows. Eat like the doctor doesn't care. Grant and I took one night and went flashlight exploring. We walked all over ( a busy public camp ground ) one night after dark with only flashlights. I let him lead wherever he wanted to go and we went. If you are going to be on a cold mountain lake get some toy fish nets so your kids can try to catch minnows. It will kill hours for them and they will love it. If your kids are like mine take a small bucket to put lake water in so they can admire their catch before releasing it later when you leave. Rent a boat and take it across the lake or up the river. Motor or paddle it doesn't matter it's a blast to them. Push your child off the dock and into the water. They'll love it and you'll feel better to. Grab milk shakes, huge milk shakes and have them for dinner while you go on a long scenic drive. Pretend you are hunting bears and a fellow family member is the bear. Mini-marshmallows fired off rubber bands strung between fingers like a sling shot are the weapon of choice. Have lots of ammo, and eat lots of ammo. Take a glass jar, poke holes in the lid. Catch bugs. Catch lots of bugs. Jar them until you leave. Take another jar for frogs and repeat. Bring air mattresses kids love to sleep on air mattresses. Give each child their own survival kit. A small kid-friendly water jug. A flashlight. A yo-yo. A paddle-ball. Just make it fun and be a kid again. Dig up memories and bring them to life. Make sure when you are coming home that you wish you could stay longer and most importantly take a camera and lots of film. - Rex
When I'm joking people take me seriously.
When I'm serious they think I'm joking.
I'm left to conclude my life must be a complete joke. :sigh: :laugh: :cool::cool:
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I just took my 5 year old son camping. Had an absolute blast. All I can say is think like a kid and leave the parent at home. Get as wet, muddy and dirty as possible then top it off by rinsing off in a lake or river. Repeat as often as possible. Build fires (in appropriate pits) and burn things, burn all sorts of things. Bring squirt guns to spray the fire with. Bring lots of graham crackers, chocolate and marsh mallows. Eat like the doctor doesn't care. Grant and I took one night and went flashlight exploring. We walked all over ( a busy public camp ground ) one night after dark with only flashlights. I let him lead wherever he wanted to go and we went. If you are going to be on a cold mountain lake get some toy fish nets so your kids can try to catch minnows. It will kill hours for them and they will love it. If your kids are like mine take a small bucket to put lake water in so they can admire their catch before releasing it later when you leave. Rent a boat and take it across the lake or up the river. Motor or paddle it doesn't matter it's a blast to them. Push your child off the dock and into the water. They'll love it and you'll feel better to. Grab milk shakes, huge milk shakes and have them for dinner while you go on a long scenic drive. Pretend you are hunting bears and a fellow family member is the bear. Mini-marshmallows fired off rubber bands strung between fingers like a sling shot are the weapon of choice. Have lots of ammo, and eat lots of ammo. Take a glass jar, poke holes in the lid. Catch bugs. Catch lots of bugs. Jar them until you leave. Take another jar for frogs and repeat. Bring air mattresses kids love to sleep on air mattresses. Give each child their own survival kit. A small kid-friendly water jug. A flashlight. A yo-yo. A paddle-ball. Just make it fun and be a kid again. Dig up memories and bring them to life. Make sure when you are coming home that you wish you could stay longer and most importantly take a camera and lots of film. - Rex
When I'm joking people take me seriously.
When I'm serious they think I'm joking.
I'm left to conclude my life must be a complete joke. :sigh: :laugh: :cool:I think I read about this a few weeks ago and saw a couple of your photo's - what a lovely trip and memory for both of you :cool:. I'll certainly keep these things in mind for when Mikey's older, thanks. In the meantime the being a kid and getting as dirty as possible will come in handy :laugh:
A mum and loving it!
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It depends on how much the child loves routine. If they sleep with a soft toy, or always have the same blanket on their bed - take it. Take lots of things to occupy them in the car. Especially wiggles CDs. Once you get there, one thing I've found with my kids is, when we go on holiday, if we do something 'fun' one day, we need a quiet day the next, take books so you can just sit and read, for example, if he's overwhelmed and needs to do something familiar.
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ Metal Musings - Rex and my new metal blog
Fortunately with all the travelling we've done Mikey's not easily upset by a change of routine as long as I'm around. I'll pack lots of his favourite stuff though just to make sure he's not thrown. Your second suggestion is definitely one I'll keep in mind for future family holidays, thanks.
A mum and loving it!
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code-frog wrote:
Bring lots of graham crackers, chocolate and marsh mallows. Eat like the doctor doesn't care.
We don't have smores here. I tried them while in the US ( at Disneyworld, no less ) and I have no desire to ever eat them again.
code-frog wrote:
take a camera and lots of film.
You don't use a digital camera ? One thing I love about it is that I just keep taking pictures, I know I can't run out.
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ Metal Musings - Rex and my new metal blog
Christian Graus wrote:
We don't have smores here.
But you have the ingrediants.
Christian Graus wrote:
I tried them while in the US ( at Disneyworld, no less )
I can think of no worse place to try. Did they let you build a camp fire and toast the marshmellows? If it was "store bought" it does not count as real in my book.
Christian Graus wrote:
I have no desire to ever eat them again.
Given your introduction I understand. But I do recommend trying them in the right setting at least once. Being with (or being) the kids is a plus and not minding getting messy is a requirement.
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With all the moving around (travel and immigrating) we've done in the last year Mikey's not yet experienced true camping. We're setting that right this weekend by taking him to Rainbow Beach[^] or one of the surrounding area's (will decide when we get there, it's not peak tourist season). We've truly grown up and have a "family" tent now :rolleyes:. Any tips for camping with kids? [edit]Oops, forgot to say, Mikey's 14 months old now and running around[/edit] -- modified at 3:32 Friday 11th August, 2006
A mum and loving it!
A love for nature need to be reinforced early and often. Most of my tips for camping apply to the older crowd as scouting doesn't often recruit 14 month olds. At the risk of sounding like a hippy liberal pansy perform some token conservation of your campsite while your there and pretend to enjoy it. Your son will learn from your habbits. Also, yeah, digital camera, especially if you have a young child. Don't want to go to jail for years trying to develop pictures of your kids at Walmart.
A man said to the universe: "Sir I exist!" "However," replied the Universe, "The fact has not created in me A sense of obligation." -- Stephen Crane