Tips To Make Camping Fun For Your Youngsters
Aus Salespoint
Author:Rusty Pritchard
Obesity in the United States is a major problem. TV, computers, and video games are all major culprits in keeping children glued to their seats at home instead of getting fit while playing outside. Technology has made it too inviting for kids to skip going outside. To get your kids to connect with nature, you should think about planning a camping trip.
When planning a camping trip, try to be as practical as possible. The activities and location of your trip should be suitable for your children's ages and capabilities. For example, taking a toddler white water rafting is not the wisest decision you could make.
What you choose to do should depend on what your children will have fun with. For example, if your children are afraid of horses, they are not likely to enjoy an eight-hour trail ride. Similary, a child that is a couch potato will likely not enjoy a vigorous family hike, so start small.
To prepare for your children's first camping trip, you may want to have a trial run. Spend a day and night roughing it in the yard so that they can get accustomed to being outdoors. Start unplugging your kids and improving their fitness by going on short walks or bicycling to a local park or mall. Do these things with your kids, rather than sending them out on their own to get fit while you fill the recently vacated position on the couch. Practicing in this way is going to get the entire family ready for the real adventure to come.
Camping is also the perfect opportunity to show them how to value nature. They should not trample plants and protected areas. Explain to them about the hidden dangers of non-suspicious looking plants such as poison ivy or poison sumac. They should also know to stay away from any animals they encounter while interacting with nature.
If you want to have a great time camping with your kids, you must plan ahead. Make a list of all the supplies you think you and your kids are going to use when camping. There are certain supplies that you must not forget. These include insect repellent, sunblock, a well-stocked first aid kit, and clothing for any kind of weather you might encounter. You’ll also need a reasonable supply of dry clothes, especially if you’re going camping in regions close to water and mud. Don’t forget to pack a comfy pillow and air mattress for those who aren't too keen on roughing it.
Bring along any special belongings that are important to your children. This will go a long way in keeping your children from being bored if weather calls a halt to your outdoor adventures for a time. For instance a great family read-aloud may prove enjoyable during a quiet evening or a rainy afternoon. Card games and board games can always be relied on to keep the entire family entertained. A disposable camera for each child will go a long way in helping you create and preserve cherished memories.
Camping, though a potentially relaxing adventure, should not be taken too lightly. Safety regulations should be discussed and kept very seriously. Be on the lookout for any potential hazards. Wild animals, drowning, and fires are hazards that accompany camping if you are not too careful. Instruct the kids to stick together to avoid getting lost.
Make sure that you schedule breaks during the camping trip. Do not be too rigid in your schedule, as this will ruin the experience for the kids.
Instead of doing all the work for them as they sit bored, let them have a chance to be involved in the trip. They can help prepare food or help put up the tent. This will make them feel like they are an important part of the family team, which, in fact, they are.
At the end of the day, camping is the perfect activity to spend some quality time together as a family. By taking the time to plan your camping trip carefully, you will ensure that your family will reap the rewards of a great outdoor experience. Plan it well and you and your family are definitely going to have a great time. Don't be surprised to hear your children pleading to extend their camping trip or looking forward to taking more trips in the future, after the success of their first trip.
