For those of you kids, what do you take or do with them.
My boys are now 9 and 11 and things they do and rules for them have changed. They love to explore the campgrounds we go to and always meet new friends. We always take their bikes and they always must have a walkies-talkie when leaving the campsite so we can get a hold of them. And just like growing up if the street lights come on they better be back our site. We always make fun snacks for the boys at night whether it is smores, mountain pies, pizza to name a few (of course mom and dad love them as well).
Mine are grown now. But we usually took a board game or two. Penny Ante Poker (mom supplied the pennies) or Uno and mostly let them ride and explore the campgrounds.
Grandkids get to use the GPSr's and go geocaching for the caches I hid each night around the campground.
BTW what is a mountain pie - pies with the pie iron?
My son is 3 and DW packs a ton of trucks, books, puzzles and other toys. He usually plays with the 1 big tonka dump truck I pack for him, dirt and sticks.
As much as I don't like to admit it, we always bring the DVD player and DVD's. It is great to put one on to put him to bed and when he first wakes up.
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
Our kids are 7,4 and 3. We have toys that stay in the camper all the time. They are not to be played with at home and we allow one none camper toys each when packing up. "Camper Toys" include Barbies, small trucks, small sand buckets and shovels, bubbles and jump ropes to name a few. These toys always seem like new toys being how these particular toys are always stored in camper. We also have playing cards and a board game or two. Portable DVD players are used for long trips in the TV and at bed time or rain days.
Our camper also has toys that stay in there. Some new toys each trip go as well depending on our destination. More beach toys for a campground near a beach for example.
We normally go hiking, geo-caching, bike riding, visit local attractions.
We also like to visit a local "U-pick" place for fresh vegetables. Fun to do and we get fresh foods while supporting a local farm.
[quote author=Lone Lock link=topic=2428.msg23311#msg23311 date=1367455574]
As much as I don't like to admit it, we always bring the DVD player and DVD's. It is great to put one on to put him to bed and when he first wakes up.
Why would you hate to admit it?
If it is something that makes camping more enjoyable for you and your family, do what you want without worrying what others think.
We have a tv/DVD in our camper that gets used for the same reasons and I love having it. 😉
At some point someone put A/C in their camper and other campers must have thought that they weren't really camping anymore.
We also let the kids play on iPads. 😛
Wiz, I understand Lone Lock's comment. We allow them to take ipods for the traveling portion of the trip, but once we get to camp, they have to stay off (and preferably locked up in the TV). We camp to get away from technology and to let our kids learn more about how great nature can be without having to be entertained by a device.
That being said, I see that you guys have different camping routines than we do. When we camp there's usually an objective activity like climbing Stone Mountain, Kayaking a certain lake or river or hiking a certain trail. I like the ideas that you all seem to be enjoying just being at the campground, but I think I'm the only one in my family. While I'm still cleaning up the breakfast stuff, they're all asking "what are we going to do next". I really need to teach them to be more self entertaining........
Oh, and to the OP. We have a deck of cards and we usually take our ball-gloves. I also supervise them at whittling and try to teach them things like building a fire. We will be taking kayaks with us for the first time this season; we haven't tried bikes yet. One likes to read and the other likes small cars and lego figures. He could play like that by himself for two months solid if I let him.
I understand people camp differently.
Although we generall do not specify prior to a trip where to hike, bike, or kayak, just about every trip (except for rallies it seems) involves plenty of hiking and biking. We will be bringing kayaks starting in a couple weeks as soon as I build a rack for the truck.
Our kids are generally occupied most of the time and do not get much down time to play games (electronics).
We do use the DVD player when putting the little one down for a nap and at night while she goes to sleep. Also if weather keeps us inside.
The kids use the iPads while we are traveling, preparing meals, the little one is napping, before bed, etc.
Oh yeah, the main reason for this second reply. Lol
The reason for my initial quoting of Lone Locks comment was to address his mentioning of "don't like to admit it."
That is what works for him and keeps the family happy while camping.
I am proud to admit we enjoy certain luxuries while camping to keep the family happy.
I don't like to admit to the DVD player because I have a Class C RV and I don't want to become one of those people who think that we park and sit inside the whole time watching TV and not socializing with other campers. And I really want my son to play outside....which he does. One trip he spent a good hour playing on and around a log that was about 6 inches up in the air
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
Like others, we have toys, games, etc that stay in the camper. That's the only place that we play those things. Now that the kids have gotten a bit older, my daughter has started to really like art, so we get various art stuff for her to do on long trips. Both kids love to read, so books always go along.
We allow electronics in the TV but they get put away for the actual camping. But if it's nasty out we allow them to play with them at camp.
With the Roo, we have a TV and DVD player/stereo. So far we have only camped 1 time and it was kind of nasty. So we used it that trip. But most of our trips are dry, so the TV won't get much use. I can see myself playing some music on the stereo, though.
Oh yeah, forgot about the stereo.
I always put it on but my wife gets on to me about it being too low.
I want to be able to hear it at the site but the neighbors NOT be able to hear it at their site.
Perfect as background music while relaxing.
Music is played in sites that are in busier campgrounds. If we are in a site away from other campers or during the week and have the campground to ourselves, the music is normally off so I can hopefully view wildlife.
I have had deer and turkey wander through our site on a few occasions. Simply awesome.
It is great listening to everyone's comments. The comments bring back memories of when the kids were smaller. It is amazing how a few years change everything. I remember having a bin of toys under the seats and taking a DVD player for the boys to watch their movies. Or having to try and find room to fit the pack and play in somewhere. Thanks for the posts.
[quote author=BelchFire link=topic=2428.msg23315#msg23315 date=1367488162]
We camp to get away from technology and to let our kids learn more about how great nature can be without having to be entertained by a device.
That being said, I see that you guys have different camping routines than we do. When we camp there's usually an objective activity like climbing Stone Mountain, Kayaking a certain lake or river or hiking a certain trail. I like the ideas that you all seem to be enjoying just being at the campground, but I think I'm the only one in my family. While I'm still cleaning up the breakfast stuff, they're all asking "what are we going to do next". I really need to teach them to be more self entertaining........
Oh, and to the OP. We have a deck of cards and we usually take our ball-gloves. I also supervise them at whittling and try to teach them things like building a fire. We will be taking kayaks with us for the first time this season; we haven't tried bikes yet. One likes to read and the other likes small cars and lego figures. He could play like that by himself for two months solid if I let him.
Bless your heart. While I firmly believe that camping should be FUN, I also firmly believe that it's a great way for a family to bond and to TEACH things to the kids. What things? There are so many: responsibility, civility, manners, the satisfaction of completing tasks, respect for people and Nature, how to be a good winner and a good loser..... Not just stuff about camping (being organized and neat, how to build a fire, knot-tying...), but stuff about LIFE. The cool thing is to teach without making it seem like you're teaching.
There's another thing, and you mentioned it: teaching the kids to be able to amuse themselves. Far too many kids, today, do not know how to have fun without being spoon fed; amusement must COME TO THEM, not from within them. I feel really sad for kids like that; they're generally so one-dimensional.
And -- as a former teacher of English, and a life-long lover of books and reading -- reading in camp is a good thing. Certainly, if it's raining and activity is limited, reading is a great thing, but even taking a bit of time before bed, when the day is winding down and it's quiet and peaceful. People who read well and who like to read can learn darned near anything. (And, they communicate better!)
It's never too early to start. Let 'em help to pack their clothing. Let 'em help pack equipment. Let 'em help set up camp (start giving them small jobs to do help; they'll love "being an important part" of the process. Starting early ingrains the values and develops good habits.
It's sort of like training dogs (but you don't have to follow them around with small plastic bags to pick up after them.......!)
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