Families, it’s the season of roasted marshmallows, dome-tents, and mosquito repellent again. It’s time to pack up the family van and set out for the great outdoors. This year, you can make your camping vacation more memorable than ever, by employing some of these fun ways to keep kids having fun, even when it’s time for them to be responsible and clean up. From playing games to building relationships through responsibilities, these activities will have your family laughing and bonding, even when it’s raining.
How to Make Camping More Fun for Everyone
Make Responsibilities Fun and Rewarding
When it comes to the campsite, things can get messy quick. This is especially true when you’re camping with the whole family and the kids aren’t acting as responsible as they should. You’ll need to enforce simple rules, like hanging towels up immediately after use and throwing all garbage away. In order to keep kids from groaning, you’ll want to make these responsibilities rewarding.
Tell your kids if they keep the camp clean during the day, they can learn to build a fire when nightfall comes. This not only teaches them to be patient, but also about fire safety. If they’ve proven they can be responsible with their trash and clothing items, then they’re likely old enough to learn to safely build a fire. The campsite can’t always be fun and games, but even the tough stuff can bring families closer together.
Mealtime
Parents typically handle all the cooking, when traveling. Even at a campsite, where materials are limited, kids should get involved with making food. Whether you’re allowing them to roast their own hot dogs over an open fire or mixing up a batch of macaroni salad, your kids will enjoy helping out and it’s a great time to talk and bond.
Delegate tasks to your kids, once again rewarding them when they don’t complain about the added responsibility and get the job done correctly. Let your kids know you appreciate the help they’re providing and afterwards break out a delicious campfire dessert, like S’mores. Rewarding them with this delicious dessert will have them helping with every meal and possibly even washing the dishes after.
Stay Active Even When it Rains
If you’re camping by water, you can fill your days with water activates. Kids can swim, snorkel, boat, ski, dive, float, canoe, kayak, and so much more. Only when it rains, the beaches are typically closed down and kids are stuck back at camp. At a campsite, there really isn’t much to do that doesn’t involve outdoor activities.
Parents are recommended to bring along some fun games, for those times when it’s not possible to take a splash in the lake or swing from a tire attached to a tree. Play these games under a tarp to stay dry. Bring along Monopoly ( and there are so many different types now), Apples to Apples, or another of your favorite games. There are more suggestions for rainy day activities for camping in this article.
If you forget the board games or there simply isn’t enough room in your suitcases, then why not play some classic family games? Charades is a great way to pass the time, as is Duck Duck Goose. A deck of cards is another popular option for passing the time. A deck of cards can be dealt and played hundreds of different ways and it’s so small there’s really no excuse for not bringing one along.
When it comes to camping with the family, it can’t always be fun and games. Or can it? These simple activities turn the boring stuff into something fun and exciting, an activity that brings a family closer together. Employ these suggestions when you want to see kids be more responsible and enjoy helping out.
