November/December 2007

from www.family-fun-camping.com

Issue # 5
December 2007

In this issue

1. Section 1: fun for the little one (1-7)
2. Section: 2 Funs for the Pre-teens (8-12)
3. Section: 3 Funs for the Teens (13-17)
4. Section: 4 Just plain Family Fun
5. Section: 5 Printable fun

Welcome to the Fith issue of around the campfire we are will be doing more with this monthly feature so please be patient, for now we are trying to get the basics done while providing you some Relevant information!

Please feel free to visit the site and use the contact us forms located on many pages to make a suggestion or comment.

Mom or dad can become part of the action by taking a hike with a back pack carrier explaining the various animals, trees ECT found along the way. Nature walks with a stroller also are a good way to introduce nature to your children and allow them to experience the raw beauty and power that nature has to offer.

Once your kids are old enough to walk and run you can introduce some classic games like tag, hide and seek and even I Spy. These games may be some thing they are familiar with but they can take a more interesting turn when you play them in the woods. I would like to mention quickly a good safety sweep of the play area is an excellent way to avoid accidents and serious injury. Nature itself can provide some family fun time try giving the kids a magnifying glass to get a closer look at the ground, leaves or even rocks. Kids love to explore so a good hike to a lake or natural point of interest can make memories that last for years to come.

A final thought for this age group would be keep it simple and fun, trying to get to complex really is not a good idea.

The Pre-Teen group can be a tough crowd simply because they think their old enough to do everything on their own, know everything and can be stubborn to a fault at times.

I have personally found that this is the perfect age group for arts and crafts and more hands on games and activities. A little investigation on your part ahead of time can help you create some fun they soon won’t forget a scavenger hunt with small prizes for everyone and a special treat for the winner can be a great family game. One idea here is make each item in your scavenger hunt a part to a craft for them to build this will create a feeling of accomplishment for everyone(just make sure each player can only find one piece each).

A little education is never a bad idea so some activates based on learning can provide hours of fun, bring a book of plants, trees ECT and have the kids identify what they see. Please be careful of poison ivy, oak and sumac as running into these and other poisonous plants can ruin any camping trip.

Educational Crafts

A great way to pass a lazy summer afternoon is take a walk and pair a younger camper with a adult and explore the campground or area your in , this lets them feel real important and lets you just hang out with them and enjoy each others company.

This is one of the most difficult age groups to give up the Nintendo’s, Mp3 players and other electronics so be prepared to deal with this ahead of time. The whole point of going camping is to get away from the fast paced life we live daily so I strongly suggest you limit the time spent on these activities.

We now are to what some consider the toughest group of people on the planet to keep interested in any activity longer than two minutes. This is why I am going to suggest a few different approaches for helping keep them active and happy.

Spontaneity is your best defense against boredom with teens, Planning is almost a waste of time since more times than not they won’t want to do what you plan anyway, therefore activities done on the fly like day trips to a favorite theme park or taking them fishing can turn into real memorable times for the whole family.

How and where you have fun has several factors built in as well consider factors like, are there younger siblings to consider? Are your teens old enough for the activity you’re planning? And so on just think ahead a little and you will be fine.

I have had great times riding bikes trails and hiking with some of my nieces and nephews, again make sure they have psychically handle the activity your planning I personally have had to help some one walk their bike back to camp because they couldn’t ride any more. Section: 4 Just Plan family funs

Family fun time can be as simple as playing Uno or sharing a story around a campfire, the whole point of family fun is to be together and enjoy your self so it is tough to give one decisive plan for family fun there fore Lets look at some basics that can be tailored to for your family.

Since we are talking about camping the campfire can provide lots of fun, roasting Marshmallows is a classic way to have some fun. Smores are my family’s favorite ay to end a day when we camp or perhaps you prefer popping popcorn for a snack either way it’s a very relaxing way to have some family fun.

When you are camping in the summer a good water balloon fight is always a hit, we also like to go tubing in Local River’s to cool down and relax some.

Letting the kids help you cook a meal is a great way to have the whole family work together and have some fun, this is also an excellent way to allow some of the younger age groups to get some independence.

The range of outdoor games the family can play is fairly extensive, horse shoes, badminton, tag, hide and seek, I Spy and many others are at your disposal so please do not just stick to sitting around most kids want to be running or moving around so let have at it who know maybe they will go to bed early tonight.

I thought it might be helpful to have some printable sheets to take on vacation so below you will find some ideas for fun most kids will enjoy.

I look forward to talking to you in the next issue of around the campfire which will be ready for the last weekend of February 2008

Scavengers hunt List:

Hunters name:

Items to be found:

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K

Provide by www.family-fun-camping.com

Story Game

The object of this game is to have one person start telling a story and then pass it on to another player who has to continue it and see how long the group can keep it going.

Rules:
The rules are really what ever you choose so be creative, some ideas are time limits, giving each player a piece of paper with a element written on it they have to include in their part or even play it with teams against each other and the other team gets to choose something you have to include or you loose.

Ideas: Theme

Details

Random thoughts

Provide by www.family-fun-camping.com

One more final thought, family fun starts with the right positive attitude from the taller campers( that would be you) so keep things light and fun and you will have a much more enjoyable trip.