Camping with kids ?

steverod23

steverod23

Member
Anyone have advice on tent camping with a 5 your old girl and 8 year old boy ?
It's just for the weekend, but I am committed to making it technology free - no phones for me and the wife and no Nintendos for the kids.
 
Been doing it for years. Yogi bear campgrounds have it set up to keep the little ones busy. Be sure to be by water for swimming. Bring balls, Frisbees and bikes. Teach them outdoorsy things on hikes and how to respect mother nature. Point out how some don't too. These things keep them asking and telling which it's all about. Most people I talk to always remember their family camping excursions so it's way cool that you give that to your kids. Have fun 🙂...
 
My son was 15 months and in a travel bed when we first camped with him on Acadia in Maine and Campobello island in Canada and we still camp at least one trip a year. I second everything that MattyB said and suggest you bring a craft box for down time and rainy days. Remember to take crayons, note pads and sketch books.

Never underestimate the usefullness of an empty mayo jar and a flashlight. Make a fishing pole with a stick and some string with a hook tied on. Use bread or corn for bait. Send them on a scavenger hunt, identify plants, birds, mushrooms and bugs. Cook potatoes, onions or ears of corn wrapped in foil and tossed in the coals of a campfire. Cool and add butter.
And always leave your spot cleaner than when you found it.

I can guarantee you'll never run out of things to do and your kids won't get a chance to be bored.

PS air mattresses are a gift from god. Don't go without them.
 
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Any of the state parks in NJ or NY are great choices. You can look on the NJ State Park website and they have a list of free activites going on as well. For example, Jenny Jump has an observatory where you can go look at the stars on Saturday night, but there are other activities as well. Plus kids generally just like to roam free, walking or riding their bikes around a safe place.

My kids are picky eaters, so often we camp by a place where we can run out to grab something to eat. But snack food around the campfire is what makes the trip, think smores, marshmellows and Jiffy pop (the kids will be amazed that the popcorn didn't come from the microwave). In the tent, bring a glow stick and crack it open as a night light, provides enough light for them to feel comfortable sleeping, but not enough to keep you awake. Have fun and don't stress.
 
I've been to Otter Lake in Marshalls Creek, PA a number of times and will be there next weekend as well. Very family oriented with a lake for boating, fishing, swimming; kid friendly activities, and several swimming pools w/ life guards. Sites are very well laid out and clean. Most importantly, the security there is very tight which adds additonal comfort letting the little ones (7+ years old) wander around to the various playgrounds on thier own. Gives them that sence of freedom without having the parents constantly checking on them.

http://www.otterlake.com
 
Slack line! That looks cool. I will be checking that idea out further.

As far as camping, to the OP, try it! You might be surprised how time just kind of takes care of itself. The whole family will have to work as a team just to gather sticks and have a meal...kids really get into it.

Camping is also great if you were thinking of visiting an area but are loathe to pay for a hotel. Wildwood State Park or Hither Hills on Long Island come to mind. Both are sites with mtb trails, ocean/sound front access in an area that is overpriced. But still fun to visit. Enjoy! Heidi
 
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