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Things That Go Bump in the Night - Introducing Kids Night Sounds
Are you taking the kids or grandkids on a camping trip for the first time? Many parts of the campground sleeping experience will be new to your child, from the sleeping bag to the hooting of owls outside. Discussing these things in advance will allay your child's fears and help them understand that these are normal parts of the camping experience.
A number of night noises can be scary for kids when they hear them for the first time. Yipping coyotes, hooting owls, and whirring insects are worrisome noises if you don't know what they're all about. Before you take your trip, spend some time talking about the kinds of animals that live in the area you're visiting. Are there bears, coyotes, raccoons, opossums, or other animals that are active at night? Talk about the kinds of noises these animals might make and explain that this is normal for them - the animals are just out doing what they always do.
When you're talking about night noises, don't forget the smaller critters like frogs and mosquitoes. Talk about the way frogs "sing" and explain that there will be more bugs at the campground than you normally have at home. Mention other night noises that they might hear too, like semi trucks braking on the highway or fog horns blaring in the early morning on coastal inlets.
Test Runs
If you can, let your child test out their sleeping bag at home before the trip. They can use the sleeping bag in their own bed and get used to climbing in and out of it. If you'll be camping in a tent, you can pitch the tent in your back yard and do a test run, sleeping a night or two out in the tent. That will help everything seem more normal—and more fun—when the actual camping trip arrives.
Bathroom Visits
One of the most challenging things about camping is getting up in the middle of the night. There are no lights to turn on, and bathrooms can be far away. Talk in advance about what your child should do if he or she has to go to the bathroom in the night. Is there a flashlight they can have right next to their bed? Should they wake you up? Be sure to take a family trip to the bathroom right before bed, and avoid giving your child a lot of liquids in the hour or two leading up to bed time.
Be sure to follow good hiking ethics when you’re out. Always stay on the trail, and don’t take anything away with you—no flowers, rocks, or sticks. Don’t let your child run on the trail or shout, since this would disturb other hikers and wildlife. And most important of all, no littering. Pack out all of your trash, and your child will learn from your good example.
With a little preparation, your child will know what to expect when it comes to sleeping on your camping trip. Be sure to start slow, with settings that are as comfortable for your child as possible. Before you know it, you'll have worked your way up to sleeping underneath the stars!
Looking for more information and other great articles about camping with kids? KidsCamping.com has a wide variety of articles, activities, games and learning tools to inspire kids of all ages to love camping and the outdoors
Looking for more information and other great articles about camping with kids? KidsCamping.com has a wide variety of articles, activities, games and learning tools to inspire kids of all ages to love camping and the outdoors
- Category: Camp Kids
Introducing Kids to Hiking with Nature Walks
Hiking is one of the easiest ways you and your kids can get out and enjoy the great outdoors. You’ll see trees and flowers, meadows and streams, and maybe even wild animals and birds. Your child will get an early grounding in the fun of walking down a woodland trail, observing the natural world. If your child can walk for twenty minutes, you’re ready to go hiking!
Getting Started
Just pick a trail, throw on your tennis shoes, and go for a short little walk. That’s your first hike, and it’s the way you should hike (in very small doses) until you’re both ready for more. Hikes should be fun, not exhausting, so be sure to take a watch with you and keep an eye on your time, making sure you turn around while you both still have plenty of energy. A fifteen-minute hike is a great way to start (or even shorter, if your child is small).
Be sure to have plenty of time for your hike and be ready to stop often. Kids love to explore the world around them, and this might mean crouching down to check out bugs and leaves or looking for pretty rocks at the beach. If you can, plan hikes in a variety of places—near rivers, prairies, woods, boulder fields, beaches, and lakes. This will give your child a wide variety of experiences. You might bring a camera and take lots of pictures. And be sure to teach your child about leaving the wilderness just the way you found it, only taking away photographs and memories.
Working Your Way Up
Once you’re ready, work your way up to longer walks. When your child is ready for a “serious” hike, get them a pair of sturdy shoes. Wearing two pairs of socks—a thin nylon liner close to the foot and a thicker, heavier pair on the outside—does wonders for preventing blisters. You’ll also want to carry a first aid kit on a serious hike, plus plenty of water, sunscreen, a wind breaker, hat, sunglasses, and snacks or lunch. And if there’s any chance you could wander off the trail, pack a good map in your backpack.
Be sure to follow good hiking ethics when you’re out. Always stay on the trail, and don’t take anything away with you—no flowers, rocks, or sticks. Don’t let your child run on the trail or shout, since this would disturb other hikers and wildlife. And most important of all, no littering. Pack out all of your trash, and your child will learn from your good example.
Fun Hiking Activities
Hikes are a lot of fun, but your child could grow bored if there isn’t anything going on during a long straight stretch. This is a perfect time to sing songs, play games like I Spy and twenty questions, or work on a riddle. See how many plants you can identify, or make up a scavenger hunt.
You might also plan a hike with a specific purpose, like wildflower viewing or bird watching. It’s fun to have your child bring along a sketch pad, so they can draw the flowers they find, or a cheap pair of binoculars for looking at far-away birds. When you see birds, see if you can figure out what the bird is doing (singing, eating, looking for something to eat, resting, etc). Look for bugs or plants that bird might eat. It’s also fun to bring a bug box or other magnifying glass that will help you look at leaves, bugs, and interesting rocks up close.
Looking for more information and other great articles about camping with kids? KidsCamping.com has a wide variety of articles, activities, games and learning tools to inspire kids of all ages to love camping and the outdoors
- Category: Camp Kids
Half the Fun is Getting There – Games for Kids of All Ages
Family camping trips are great for everyone. The kids can burn off their excess energy at the beach, the lake, or on the hiking trails, and parents get the chance to share their love of the wilderness with the kids. But for some families, the driving trip on the way to the campground is the most challenging part of the whole adventure. If you aren’t sure what to do with your kids on your next long drive, pack a few of these travel games in your knapsack and keeping things fun the whole way there.
- Category: Camp Kids
Car Games - Miles of Entertainment on the Road
Are you tired of being asked “are we there yet?” Take the pain out of road trips with these fun, portable kids games. If you want, put a local spin on any of these by using landmarks, cities, and billboard signs you see along the way for inspiration.
My Aunt Alice
You probably played this classic game yourself when you were a kid. This is a memory game that works well in the car and is great for elementary and middle-school aged kids. One kid starts it out by saying, “I went on a trip with my aunt Alice and I took along a ____.” They fill in the blank with something that starts with the letter A, such as an aardvark. The next kid repeats this sentence and adds their own addition to the suitcase, something that starts with the letter B. “I went on a trip with my aunt Alice and I took along an aardvark and a badminton set.” The third adds something that starts with a C. “I went on a trip with my aunt Alice and I took along an aardvark, a badminton set, and a cupcake.” Continue on for as long as you can or until you reach the end of the alphabet.
Word Association
This game is best—and silliest—when you move quickly, spitting out the first thing that comes into your head. The first person starts with a word, something like “river.” The next person says the first thing they think of, say “flow.” And the next “go.” And the next “stop,” and so on.
Who am I?
This is a guessing game for older kids (or adults). One person, the “lead,” starts by thinking of the name of a person, either real or fictional, dead or alive—but with a first and last name, such as Nancy Drew. They announce to the group “my first name starts with N.” The group gets busy thinking of famous people whose last names start with N, like Napoleon Bonaparte, Nora Roberts, Nicholas Cage, Nancy Reagan—but they keep these names to themselves.
The person who thought of Napoleon then comes up with a question that fits Napoleons life, something like “Did you try to conquer Europe?” If the lead can think of the person they have in mind—or any famous person for whom the answer to the question is yes—they can answer “No, I’m not Napoleon.” They’ve managed to defend their person’s identity for the moment and someone else take a turn. If they can’t think of anyone who fits the question, then the person who asked it gets to ask one question about their person (Nancy Drew), something like “are you living?” “Are you fictional?” “Are you a woman,” etc.
If the lead successfully defends themselves, someone else can take a turn. For instance, the person who thought of Nicholas Cage might try to think of the most obscure fact they know about the actor, in order to stump the lead. So instead of asking “Are you a famous actor?” they might say, “Were you in Raising Arizona?” If the lead can’t answer, they get to ask a pointed question about the lead’s name.
Because this game takes a lot of thought and planning, it isn’t necessary that the group go in order. If one person has a lot of questions ready to ask and no one else has any, go ahead and let the person ask, since this keeps the game moving forward. This is a fun game to play with mixed generations, since some will know all about Harry Potter while others are well versed in the lives of Mickey Mantle and Doris Day.
Looking for more information and other great articles about camping with kids? KidsCamping.com has a wide variety of articles, activities, games and learning tools to inspire kids of all ages to love camping and the outdoors
- Category: Camp Kids
Creep Out Your Friends w/ Scary Ghost Stories
Ghost Scary With Friends Your Out Creep
- Category: Camp Kids
Games For Kids to Play at Camp
Games to Play at Games
Wondering what the kids will do with themselves during this month’s camping trip? Not to worry – if you arm yourself with a few good games, you’ll be able to organize hours of fun for the whole family. The kids will love these even more if play with them, so unleash the child within yourself and join in the fun.
Hug-a-tree
This game requires two players and one blindfold or bandana. The players must be old enough to lead one another blindfolded, and you might want to start with some guiding tips—to move slowly, hold the blindfolded person securely by the arm, and use words to guide them over roots and other obstacles.
One player is blindfolded and gently spun around three times until they lose their bearings. The other player then leads the blindfolded player through the woods, taking a wandering route so the blindfolded player is even more confused about where they are. They should stay within sight of the starting place. The leader picks a tree and leads the blindfolded person up to it. They say, “This is your tree,” and put the blindfolded player’s hands on the trunk. The blindfolded player can take as long as they like getting to know their tree, feeling its trunk, learning where the branches are, and checking out the roots or other distinctive features. Once they’re finished, the leader guides them back to the starting place and removes the blindfold. Then the player can try to find their tree!
Artist, Model, Clay.
This game requires three players and some open space. One player is designated as the Artist, one as the Model, and one as the Clay. The artist should close their eyes (or blindfold themselves with a bandana). The Model then strikes a pose, something that puts their body in an unusual shape. The Clay leads the Artist up to the Model, so the Artist can use his/her hands to see what shape the Model is in. Without looking, the Artist must move the Clay’s arms and legs until the Clay is in the same position as the Model. It’s important that the Clay be somewhat limp and flexible, allowing themselves to be molded. Once the Artist is finished, he/she can remove the blindfold and see how they did. Then everyone can change roles and play again.
The Hearing Game.
This is a great campfire game, or a fun thing to do during a day hike break. Everyone finds a comfortable place to sit and closes their eyes. Silently, to themselves, they should count the sounds they hear until they reach ten sounds. Then everyone can open their eyes and share the sounds they heard. You’ll be amazed at how well you can tune out certain sounds once you’ve already counted them, moving on to the faintest sounds of nature. A variation of this game involves counting things in nature that are a particular color, such as orange, purple, or red.
Looking for more information and other great articles about camping with kids? KidsCamping.com has a wide variety of articles, activities, games and learning tools to inspire kids of all ages to love camping and the outdoors
- Category: Camp Kids
Visiting Relatives
Visiting Relatives
At Thanksgiving, some families visit relatives they haven’t seen in a while. If you’re going to visit or camp with Grandma, Grandpa, aunts, uncles, cousins or other relatives this Thanksgiving (or any other time), understand that it’s normal to feel different emotions.You might be really excited about seeing your grandparents! Maybe you can’t wait to play with your cousins. Or perhaps this will be the very first time you meet some of your relatives, and you’re feeling ... well, a little bit scared. That’s OK. It’s perfectly natural to wonder how they look, what they’ll say, and whether or not you have anything in common with them.
Just remember this: Your relatives are not weirdo creatures from outer space! They are part of your family. They may live far away, and you may not see them very often, but they care about you very much. And they’re interested in learning more about who you are and what you think.
So relax, have fun, and try these games to get everyone talking. The best time to play is when people are sitting around – like after they’ve had too much turkey and stuffing. Before you and your family leave for your trip, pack game supplies: writing paper (or index cards), several pencils, and a watch with a second hand.
A Few Of My Favorite Things
Start this game by handing out paper (or index cards) and pencils. Have everybody, including you, write down five of their favorite things, but first pick the categories. For example, ask people to list their favorite animal, song, breakfast food, color, and book. Or, have them write down their favorite sport, pizza topping, amusement park ride, cartoon, and ice cream flavor.
When everyone is done writing, collect the papers. Pick one from the stack and read the answers aloud. For example, you can say something like:
'This person likes soccer, pineapple on pizzas, roller coasters, Scooby Doo, and vanilla ice cream. Who is this person?'
Go around the group and ask everybody, one person at a time, to guess who it is. You can guess, too. Nobody is allowed to say his or her own name – that would make the game too easy! After everybody has had a chance to guess, say, 'Will the person who wrote this please stand up?' The mystery person is finally revealed!
Ask a new volunteer to pick a different paper and read the answers aloud. Then have everyone try to guess who this next mystery person is. The more you play, the more you’ll learn about your relatives, and the more they’ll learn about you, too.
Name That Tune
Ask a volunteer to think of a song. It could be something from the radio, a holiday tune, or even a silly song. Checking your watch, give him or her five seconds to sing any part of the song. Then, ask the group to name that tune. If someone guesses, that person becomes the next volunteer. If nobody guesses, then give your volunteer twenty seconds to sing or hum more of the song. If people still don’t recognize the tune, ask the volunteer to name it – and to choose the next singer.
Have fun! When you add music, games, and laughter to a visit with relatives, the time you spend with them becomes even more special.
Looking for more information and other great articles about camping with kids? KidsCamping.com has a wide variety of articles, activities, games and learning tools to inspire kids of all ages to love camping and the outdoors
- Category: Camp Kids
A Dog's-eye View
I knew something was up the minute Joey got out that old sleeping bag, the one that smells like mosquito repellant and campfire smoke. For a while I watched him dump gear into a heap in the middle of his room—his fishing pole, flashlight, and the boots I chewed on last summer. Clearly this all spelled T-r-a-v-e-l, with a capital T. I tried not to whine, but I was really getting nervous, so nervous I had to get up and pace around a few times, nose Joey in the hand, and lie down on top of the heap.
That’s when Mom came in with my travel bowl and dish, and I knew I was GOING! GOING! GOING! Mom told me to stop barking, and I did. I’m pretty much the luckiest dog on the planet.
We drove for what seemed like a year, only stopping at two rest areas for marking and sniffing. I wasn’t sure where we were headed, but eventually the scene out the window filled up with forests of stiff green trees. Finally, Dad slowed the truck down to a crawl, turned, and rolled down the window so I could take a sniff. Smells of pine needles, wild animals, dens, burrows, and smoke poured in the window. I tried pawing at the door, but that didn’t make us go any faster—I had to content myself with hanging my head out the window, smelling. I’ve never smelled anything so terrific in my life.
At last, the truck stopped. Dad opened my door, and I burst out, landing in soft, bare dirt that was surrounded by trees. Joey explained that this was our campsite, kind of like our home while we were on this camping trip. We had our own picnic table, he pointed out, and a fire pit. Mom and Dad would sleep in the camper, he said, and he and I would sleep in the tent. I listened patiently, but I had important work to do, so it was a relief when he went off to see about pitching the tent. Someone needed to mark this campsite as ours. The job clearly fell to me.
Once my duty was done, I waited for Joey to get my leash, then we headed off. What a wonderland! Every two steps, I found another great smell—a raccoon, a fox, another dog, a squirrel, and something suspiciously cat-ish. We trotted down a trail (I went first, of course) and after a while, we came to a lake with ducks in it. I shooed the ducks off with a few loud barks, so Joey could look for a place to fish. He settled down by the water’s edge, leaving me to mark the place all by myself. It’s all right, though. I’m used to that kind of responsibility.
After a lot of fishing, I was starting to get hungry. I tried to tell Joey about it, but he didn’t seem to understand—not until he finally caught the smell of cooking hot dogs coming from somebody’s campfire. “Ready for dinner, boy?” he asked. I just about bounded out of my skin with joy. He’s really a very smart boy.
Back at the campsite, Mom and Dad had a fire going and dinner was just about ready. They had pasta with tomato sauce. My dinner was beef and cheese flavored—like I said, I’m really lucky. After eating, we all sat down by the fire. Mom and Dad sang some songs, then Joey sang one he learned at school camp last spring. I wanted to sing too, but my head was so full of all the new smells I’d found, I could barely keep my eyes open.
Maybe I did fall asleep, just for a little while, because when I opened my eyes again, Mom was handing out sticks and marshmallows. She had one roasting already and it smelled amazing, which was hard for me because she hadn’t offered me a stick. I guess it would have been too hard for me to hold. I had to sniff the air instead, trying to figure out if the dog I smelled two campsites away was a Great Dane or a German Shepherd.
But then, my good luck struck again! Joey had finished roasting his marshmallow, and he was pulling the brown skin off the outside to eat it, but he didn’t notice the rest of it—the soft, gooey, white part—slipping off his stick. I hoped, I prayed, I help my breath, and down it came! Plop, into the dirt. I sucked it down in two seconds. It was a little hot and very sticky, but ooooh, so good. In fact, I’d say, it was the perfect end to a perfect day for the luckiest dog on the planet.
Looking for more information and other great articles about camping with kids? KidsCamping.com has a wide variety of articles, activities, games and learning tools to inspire kids of all ages to love camping and the outdoors
- Category: Camp Kids
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