Camping with children can be one of the greatest experiences you can have if you plan the trip properly. One of the most exciting things about camping with children is seeing things through their eyes. Camping with children can be a great way to introduce young ones to the wonders of nature.

By camping with children when they are young, you will set them on the path to a lifetime of camping adventures. Below are some camping tips and advice to help make camping with children enjoyable for every family member.

Easy family outdoor sports

The outdoors is a great natural classroom. It offers unlimited opportunities for learning about every facet of life. Outdoor activities contribute immensely to the mental and physical well being of children. Exercise is invigorating and exposure to nature is relaxing. The outdoors is an escape from the stresses of everyday life; and for the kids, it's just plain fun. Allow plenty of extra time for everything — packing gear, getting up in the morning, cooking, setting up the tent, and hiking. Enjoy the leisure time and avoid rushing to get things done.

Outdoor activities with children

A hike is the easiest sport, and requires little equipment. To keep your family's interest, make the hike a game of constant discovery. Using flower, geology, bird, or insect identification guides, make up a scavenger list of things to find along the way. There are many excellent pocket-sized field guidebooks on almost every facet of nature.

Fishing is lots of fun. It can be exciting — catching a feisty bass from a little country creek, or relaxing — casting for rising trout early in the morning at the edge of a blue river.

There's nothing like a bicycle ride on a warm summer day. Pedaling along a bike trail through the countryside is fun and good exercise. It's a great coordination-builder too. Kids love biking because it's mechanical and they can do it themselves.

Outdoor manners

A child is never too young to learn good outdoor manners. For all activities, remember to "take only pictures, leave only footprints." Always leave your picnic or campsite cleaner than you found it. Allow the next person to enjoy the flowers, wildlife, and scenery as much as you did. Learn to be observers, not intruders, since they are only visitors. It's a good lesson for kids — respect for the environment carries over to self-respect and respect for others.

Clothing

When it's hot, cotton is fine, but when it's cold, dress in layers that you can peel off as you heat up. The first layer next to your skin should provide ventilation, carrying perspiration away from the skin. The last thing you want is to be cold and wet.

Be sure the clothes fit, are comfortable, and don't restrict movement. They should keep the wearer warm and dry in all kinds of weather. From head to foot, what you wear can make a difference between a pleasant trip and a struggle with the elements.

On hot sunny days, a hat with a visor to protect the face and eyes from sunburn are important. When it's cold, a wool or fleece hat will keep you warm, since a large percentage of body heat is lost off the top of your head. Have extra socks too, preferably a synthetic blend such as wool and polypropylene to keep perspiration away from the feet.

A bandanna is a great addition to your outdoor attire. It will keep hair back, can act as a potholder, towel, or short piece of rope in a pinch. In addition, it looks outdoorsy in photos.

Photography Be sure to take a camera and lots of film on all of your trips. Shoot plenty of photos. Pre-teen children are ready to start experimenting with taking their own pictures. Some of the best times are spent looking at photos and recalling that sudden thunderstorm where you played "Go Fish" for three hours in a pup tent, or the time you got up at 5 a.m. to see a spectacular sunrise.

Safety In addition to a basic first aid kit, take along extra flashlight batteries, waterproof matches, toilet paper, a space blanket for each person, water purifying tablets, compass (learn how to use it), high energy food, rip-stop tape (for repairing tent, sleeping bag, and jackets), and a garbage bag (for trash and as an emergency rain coat). Just Go! The best time to start enjoying the outdoors is right now. Try a variety of activities. Eventually you'll find one or more that everyone enjoys doing. Don't worry about not knowing the name of a certain tree or flower, just go out and enjoy. Discover. Nurture the curiosity and enthusiasm that our children already have. Learn with your child. You'll both enjoy the natural world and each other more. The memories of good times spent together in the beauty of the outdoors will be kept and cherished for a lifetime.

(Source: freemanriver.com)