Having Fun with Camping

20 fun things to do while camping:

1. Sing folk songs while setting up camp.

2. See who can collect the most firewood in fifteen minutes.

3. Play frisbee [away from the camp fire of course]

4. Find a body of water to splash in

5. Fish and cook your catch

6. Hold a nature themed scavenger hunt

7. Tell ghost stories around the camp fire

8. Take a long hike on a new trail

9. Look for wild berries

10. Pick flowers

11. Identify animal prints

12. Catch up on your reading

13. Play tug of war

14. Start a camp of catch with bean bags

15. Look for fireflies when nightfall comes

16. Find your way using a compass

17. Look up at the stars

18. Try to start a fire by rubbing sticks together, or using the sun

19. Roast s'mores

20. Sit back, and relax
   
Camping should be enjoyable. It's not a time for planning, but a time of relaxing and appreciating what nature has to offer. Let your family enjoy simple games like catch or tag if they get bored, and encourage a lot of exploration.

Many families fret that they will get caught up in the rain if they go on a longer camping trip, and to that I say this...who cares? Hating the rain is a learned trait, and during the summer months a cool shower can be just what the doctor ordered.

Do a rain dance, go puddle stomping, or simply “swimming” in the mud while looking for frogs can be a blast for kids. If you are against getting wet, bring board games to be played in your tent, or RV.

We also used rainy or hot days, when you feel like being lazy, for simply sitting around with a cool glass of lemonade and a good book.