| When camping with kids, what activities are best? | | | | one of the four directions. Then the kids must |
| There are the old standbys of hiking, fishing, | | | | race to the object that is in that particular |
| swimming, and kayaking. For parents, these | | | | direction. The child who last touches the object is |
| activities can be as useful as Badge Clips. But | | | | eliminated from the game. After a few rounds of |
| what about the times between those activities? | | | | the game, you can add the intercardinal points |
| There are the times when your child is waiting for | | | | (Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and |
| a meal to be served. There are the times after | | | | Southwest). Then add a new object in each of |
| dinner when there is not enough time or daylight | | | | those four locations, to make it more challenging. |
| to go on a major camping activity. And there are | | | | 4. Making an impression. Drawing and coloring |
| times when your kids just need a break from | | | | make excellent activities for kids, and this activity |
| "regular" camping activities. Regardless of when | | | | allows them to nurture their artistic skills. Along |
| they are used, these activities will ensure that | | | | with your Clear Vinyl Badge Clips, make sure to |
| there is never a dull moment for your kids, during | | | | pack some blank sheets of paper; and colored |
| the next family camping trip: | | | | pencils or a pack of crayons. At the campground, |
| 1. Making skits a hit. Kids love to be in the limelight, | | | | have your child collect objects with textures, such |
| so camping skits give them the opportunity to do | | | | as leaves, tree bark, and stones. The kids should |
| their best Shakespearean impersonation around | | | | gently rub the pencil or crayon over the image, |
| the campfire. You can find several camp skit | | | | allowing an image to magically appear on the |
| scripts on the Internet. Make sure that you | | | | paper. Put a label on each picture, to remember |
| rehearse the skits with your kids. One child can | | | | what it is, who made it, and where he or she |
| even serve as a narrator, to make the skit more | | | | made it. |
| dramatic. When your kids perform the skit for | | | | 5. Beyond marshmallows. With this activity, |
| you, make sure that each of them is ready for | | | | children do not cook using a campfire. They can |
| his or her part. Also, the older kids can help the | | | | eat the campfire itself! Gather a paper plate, fork, |
| younger kids, and particularly with lines. | | | | spoon, and a cup of clear water for each kid. The |
| 2. Mother Nature up close and personal. A | | | | ingredients should include coconut (shredded), |
| Coleman for Kids Nature Viewfinder makes an | | | | licorice, pretzel sticks, raisins, and red hots candies. |
| excellent tool to allow your little ones to explore | | | | The plate is the campfire site, the spoon is a |
| their world. Within the campground, they can | | | | shovel, the fork is a rake, and the cup is a water |
| examine the soil, plants, sticks, rocks, and insects | | | | bucket. Meanwhile, raisins form the fire ring, |
| in the area. Also, they can investigate the grain in | | | | coconut is the tinder (for starting the fire), kindling |
| the picnic table, and count the knotholes it | | | | should be represented by pretzel sticks, and a |
| contains. You can then teach your kid about how | | | | sprinkle of red hots signify the campfire's coals. |
| knotholes can help to estimate a tree's age. | | | | Family camping trips can be about more than |
| 3. North by northeast. First, all the children must | | | | hiking. Using some fun activities can make camping |
| learn where North is on the compass. Have them | | | | as effective as practical Mylar Badge Clips. Happy |
| choose one object that is directly north, south, | | | | family camping! |
| east, and west. A chosen leader then shouts out | | | | |