Tag Archives: camping with kids

Six Games I Want to Take Camping This Year

Another day with temperatures below 0 degrees Fahrenheit has me dreaming of six games I want to take camping this season. While I enjoy camping, another hobby I have is board gaming. What is a better way to pass the time than playing a board game, and why can’t we enjoy board games outside? Well, I have news for you, there are games you can bring camping with you!

Check out this video here for games we have taken with us. Small games are great to bring with you camping, and most small games are inexpensive. The six games I want to take camping this year all come in at under $20! That makes them great to give as a gift for the camping gamer in your life.

1. Point Salad

This is an entertaining card game for 2-4 players, where you will draft cards. These cards will represent different vegetables and scoring scenarios, and as you go you create your “point salad.” This is a quick game, made up of a deck of cards, making it a good choice for camping.

2. Bang the Dice Game

A dice chucking western game, the plays in under 30 minutes. You’re just rolling dice, trying to be the last one standing.  This is another quick game and the components are dice and a few cards making this game portable and compact for travel.

3. Shards of Infinity

This is a head-to-head deck builder for the competitive ones out there.  Very portable, thanks to being a deck of cards, you build your deck and battle your opponent for the victory. The art on these cards is amazing and adds to the theme, making this a game I hope to get lost in.

4. Kingdomino Duel

This is a roll-and-write strategy game, where you roll four dice and use them to fill in your kingdom. Certain dice rolls will earn you special abilities, possibly leading you to victory. While the game consists of dice, a writing utensil, and a pad; you could laminate the sheets off the pad and lighten your load further.

5. Taco VS Burrito

Taco VS Burrito looks like a super funny game, that would be a great way to pass the time. You take turns picking cards with gross foods to make your taco or burrito with, there are also cards that help score more points. It just looks like a fun way to pass the time.

6. Age of War

Another dice chucking game on the list, because they are portable, fast-paced, and fun. In Age of Wart, you and your opponent are batling to conquer each other’s castle. This game plays in under 30 minutes.

 

I am so looking forward to picking up these six games that I want to take camping this year! Have you played any of these or brought them camping with you? What games do you love to bring camping? Let me know in the comments below!

Planning a Camping Trip

If you’re reading this chances are you love camping, and would like to go on as many camping trips as possible. Life is busy, so to fit in a camping trip it helps to plan! As much as I love the idea of an impromptu trip to the forest, I know that for me it wouldn’t end up happening. Here are a few tips on how I plan out camping trips.

Pick your days in advance!

Pick a block of days about 4-6 weeks in advance for the camping trip. I pick which days we are going BEFORE  narrowing down where we’re headed. Knowing just how much time helps me pick somewhere within a reasonable distance, and not one that is going to put us on a time constraint and stress us out. We planned on 3 days and 2 nights for our George H. Crosby Manitou trip, the furthest trip we’ve taken. We were able to account for stopping to see some of the touristy sites and grabbing some food, while not feeling rushed.

Small cascade at George H. Crosby Manitou State Park

Where will the camping trip be?

Picking where you are going to go camping gets narrowed down quite a bit when you know just how many days you have for your camping trip. If you only have time for a quick overnighter, pick a new spot or even a favorite one within an hour of home. This ensures time for stress-free setup and tear down. If you have half a week? Travel to the other side of the state and take in those sites. When picking a campsite and we have more time on our side I like to pick places with things we have never seen. Two examples would be Itasca State Park has the headwaters of the Mississippi, while George H. Crosby Manitou has a secluded and gorgeous waterfall.

Itasca State Park, Mckay Lake

Pick Your Gear!

You’ve decided where? Great! When you are going to a hike-in site, you’re going to need lighter gear and to fit it all in your pack. If car camping with the whole family, you can bring all the entertainment and the big luxury tent. Bringing your dog? here are three things that will make the trip even better. Another thing to think of when picking your gear is the forecast. Take a look as you get closer, but also remember that weather changes and to be prepared. Our store has tons of gear ideas for beginners and experts!

Mora at Itasca State Park

All in all, camping is a great way to enjoy the outdoors by yourself or with those you love. The best way to do that is to plan and be prepared!! Let me know in the comments below your tips for planning a camping trip!

 

kids playing

Kids Camping – Tips and Tricks

When you are camping with kids there are some things that make it much easier. Here are some tips and tricks to help keep everyone comfortable and safe in the woods.

  1. Bring Water Guns – Having water guns not only are a form of the game tag or many other games.  It also helps in keeping everyone entertained and cool as well. The hot sun can be uncomfortable sometimes and the evaporative cooling that comes with a good old-fashioned water fight can help that.kids playing
  2. Bring Small Snacks – Having fun is so easy to do when you are out in nature. Running and playing can build an appetite but who has time to sit and eat? Small ziplock bags of healthy snacks can keep kids energized without stopping any of the fun.
  3. Bring a small Tarp or Rug – Small toys seem to be every kid’s favorite thing to bring.  Make sure nothing gets lost or stepped on, by bringing a tarp or rug that all small toys must be kept on at all times. Not only does this contain the mess but it makes clean up that much quicker.
  4. Camp Toys – Toys that replicate camp activities not only allow your kid to learn camp basics but also allows them to be a part of what’s going on.  Having Their own camp stove and tools will teach them so much. (See Video Below)
  5. Glow Sticks – Using glow stick necklaces at night are not only fun but can help in locating and identify everyone. My sons favorite color is green so every night he puts on his green glow stick. Not only can we find him but we know it’s him from the green glowing neck.

camping list

6. Teddy Bear – always make sure your camping list has your kids comfort items from home. That security blanket or teddy bear could make the difference in how everyone sleeps that night, and how crabby everyone is the next morning!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_H7dgWquUBY