| When heading to the great outdoors on a camping | | | | have to move them from one side of the campsite |
| trip with your children, you need to keep in mind that | | | | to the other and it is like a whole new world for |
| camping with kids is a whole different experience | | | | them. |
| then just packing some clothes and food. Depending | | | | Pre-Schoolers through kindergarten age kids are a |
| on your children's ages, you will need to consider | | | | little easier to take camping. They are better able to |
| packing some extra items to help make their | | | | amuse themselves and are more inquisitive about |
| vacation and your vacation a positive experience. | | | | things that they see. You should take along games |
| If you are traveling with small babies or infants, you | | | | for them. Books about the outdoors are a great |
| should make a list of everything that you use at | | | | thing to have at this age. You can explore your |
| home on a daily basis with them and plan to pack a | | | | surroundings and learn about the vegetation, birds |
| majority of those things for the trip. You can't just | | | | and animals together. Take crayons and paper so |
| go with a diaper bag. You will need a port-a-crib or | | | | they can draw pictures about what they see. Have |
| pack-n-play for naps and nighttime. If they love to | | | | them tell you a story about what they did that day |
| hang out in a bouncy seat or their swing, that should | | | | or make up a story about a squirrel family that you |
| go in the car too. Pack a bag full of different types | | | | see. |
| of toys from chew toys to books to squeaky | | | | All kids should have some sort of identification with |
| hand-held toys. Take things you know they love and | | | | them in case they get lost. Include your name, |
| that give them comfort. If they use a pacifier, pack | | | | address and cell and home telephone numbers. You |
| 2-3 extra pacifiers. You don't want to be in the | | | | should also include an emergency number of |
| middle of nowhere only to discover that you can find | | | | someone who is not camping with you since cell |
| it. If they have a favorite snuggly or blanket, pack | | | | phones don't always work in remote areas. First aid |
| that as well. | | | | kits should include child friendly supplies. Each child |
| There will be a lot of new things to look at in the | | | | should have their own flashlight. They make great |
| environment, but you know your baby's needs. If | | | | toys and are good for night walks. Reflective clothing |
| they are content to just sit and look around, great. If | | | | for nighttime is important as well. Take extra clothing |
| they aren't, then you need plenty to fill there time. | | | | and plenty of warm clothing for children as children |
| Don't forget a baby backpack or frontpack so that | | | | tend to get their clothes dirtier than adults and they |
| you can carry your child on hikes and remain hands | | | | tend to get colder quicker. |
| free. | | | | If your children are not close in age, consider taking |
| If you are traveling with toddlers in the 1-3 year | | | | along a friend for each of them or traveling with |
| stage, you still need to consider what they do in a | | | | another family that has children. This will keep them |
| typical day and what you should take with you. Take | | | | from being bored and they will have someone else to |
| some of their favorite toys, but also buy a couple | | | | share in their exploring and fun. |
| new things to introduce when you get to the | | | | It is well worth planning ahead when going camping |
| destination. Stacking cups, alphabet blocks, stacking | | | | with children. It helps them to have a fun time filled |
| blocks and books are all good, new toys that will | | | | with new and exciting things and the things that they |
| keep them occupied. Take activity toys that they | | | | love and give them comfort. By helping them to |
| can use to explore their environment. Shovels and | | | | enjoy their camping trip to the fullest, you will also |
| buckets for rocks, sand, dirt and water can literally | | | | help yourself to have an enjoyable camping trip as |
| occupy a small child for hours. Sometimes you just | | | | well. |