5. Bring Things to Do in the Car
You may find mile after mile of open countryside, mountain ranges or empty deserts a refreshing break from the cubicle farm at your office. Your kids, however, probably won't. So it's important that you have plenty of things to keep them occupied.
More: 9 Entertainment Items to Bring When Traveling with Kids
6. Stay Positive
Always be enthusiastic. The weather may suddenly change. The restroom isn't across the way. And yes, there are a lot of bugs.
But, so what?
Your kids always want to go out and play in the rain at home. So let them enjoy it at the campground (as long as there's no thunder or lightning). They'll probably get muddy, so pack back-up clothes and take plenty of fun photos of the mess. They have to go to the bathroom? Take them on a mini-hike and tell everyone to keep their eyes open for squirrels. And what about the bugs? Hand out flyswatters and offer a reward for the camper who gets the most.
7. Let Your Kids Be Kids
Camping trips seldom follow carefully pre-conceived plans, especially with kids. And those are usually the best. If your son wants to sneak up on a butterfly on a hike, let him. If your daughter gets sidetracked and starts chasing a chipmunk or looking under rocks for worms, let her.
It's often more fun to do things on the spur of the moment rather than stick to a rigid schedule. And instead of trying to control every single activity, step back and see the world through your child's wondering eyes. That's what great camping memories are made of.
More: What Can I Find on ACTIVEkids.com?
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