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  1. #1

    Default Making camping fun for kids.

    Hey, I'm about to go on a canoe camping trip with my brother and his three kids (10, 7, and 3). Originally, it was just supposed to be me and my brother. But he ended up getting stuck bringing all the kids along. And I'd like to make sure they have a good experience (or at least aren't miserable). Any tips from the parents out there on how to make camping fun for kids? Thanks!

  2. #2
    Registered User One Half's Avatar
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    Fire building
    Smores
    Games
    Knives

    Float down the river - don't rush.
    https://tinyurl.com/MyFDresults

    A vigorous five-mile walk will do more good for an unhappy but otherwise healthy adult than all the medicine and psychology in the world. ~Paul Dudley White

  3. #3
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    A flashlight for everyone and extra batteries.

  4. #4
    Registered User JNI64's Avatar
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    Identifying wildlife
    How to make Bannock bread
    How to prepare food with fire
    Crayfish catching
    Helga mite catching
    Salamander finding

  5. #5
    Registered User JNI64's Avatar
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    Identifying wildlife
    How to make Bannock bread
    How to prepare food with fire
    Crayfish catching
    Helga mite catching
    Salamander finding

  6. #6
    Registered User JNI64's Avatar
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    You can explain how the Indians would make Bannock bread while they're making it. Make it really cool and show them how to skin a stick and wrap the Bannock bread around the stick barber pole style and rest over a fire until golden brown.

  7. #7
    Registered User JNI64's Avatar
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    Buy the flat bread ,pizza sauce, cheese, pepperoni and can each make their own fire baked pizza. And who doesn't love jiffy pop popcorn

  8. #8

    Default

    Be perpared for them. They will get wet and wet again by accident or on purpose. Let the 7 and 10 year old bild thier own fires (safely)it make take hours but they will remember what they learn. Let them make the mistakes that don't get them hurt and go with thier idea of fun.

  9. #9
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    Lightbulb I'm not a parent, but let me give some ideas

    Give all of them a whistle to keep around their necks. Tell them that, if they get lost or scared, to blow the whistle REALLY loud and then sit still. Maybe practice this at a city park. That way, if they wander off, you can find them in a matter of minutes.

    Talk to them ahead of time, and find out if there's anything they're afraid of. Whether the fear is silly (sharks) or justified (drowning), be the adult, and reassure them -- "No sharks in this river" "That's why all of us ALWAYS wear a PFD when we're in a canoe."

  10. #10
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    When my boys were 9 and 6, I took them canoe camping on the Ogeechee River in southeast Georgia. Two things they most remember: (1) the older boy and my father-in-law flipped their canoe; (2) all of us standing at riverside near nightfall, brushing our teeth, when the younger boy blurted out, "It's fun being a man."

    It seemed like we were pushing the envelope taking a six-year-old on a wild, remote river. I can't imagine taking a three-year-old on anything similar, but we did do trips when they were younger on rivers like the Itchetucknee in Florida. Now they're in their later 20s and doing all kinds of stout, fun outdoors things.

  11. #11

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    Getting the right size PFD would be my priority. Then making sure I had enough junk food like Oreos, PopTarts, popcorn, candy etc would be my next. The quickest way to a kids heart is thru their stomach. Set your expectations low and you won’t be surprised. Your mileage may vary and don’t expect to get lots of paddling done. Bring everything you want because you don’t have to carry it. Your attitude is the difference between an ordeal and an adventure, kids can smell fear. If it’s their first time camping? Food, food, and more food.

  12. #12
    Registered User JNI64's Avatar
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    Since your on the water squirt guns,super soakers, and glow sticks are fun at night especially when tied to a string so they can swing them around in circles.
    And it's hellgrammites correct spelling cause that's what it looks like they come from.

  13. #13

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    These are awesome suggestions! Thanks everyone!!

  14. #14

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    Teach them how to canoe, set up camp and cook

  15. #15
    Registered User russb's Avatar
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    Poop hike! Take a walk through the woods looking for, and possibly identifying animal poop.

  16. #16
    Registered User JNI64's Avatar
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    Speaking of pooping teach them how to dig a cat hole and poop in the woods.
    There's a app on your phone for plant indefication that could be fun.
    And let them throw a spark on a fire starter and start their own fire.
    Sorry I'm kinda bored home with covid!

  17. #17
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    There's always a snipe hunt.

  18. #18

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    Take some sunscreen. You can get really burned on the water, and that can make things miserable.

  19. #19
    Some days, it's not worth chewing through the restraints.
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    To the extent possible, let them set the pace/agenda. I took my kid peak-bagging, and quickly learned that frogs in the stream were more important to him than getting to the top, so I adjusted my expectations closer to his. Be flexible, and get to see the world from a kid's perspective again.

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    Quote Originally Posted by JNI64 View Post
    Speaking of pooping... plant indefication
    Hmm... not quite sure that is something people want to do, but...

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