DISCOVER NORTHERN CALIFORNIA'S
10 FAMILY CAMPING TIPS

For several years when our boys were growing up, our family spent nearly every weekend tent camping in Northern California. I'd like to share some of the tips for camping with family that my husband and I learned the hard way - through trial and error!

Marshmallow Roasting;
(CC) Nina Hale

2. Don't try to wing a camping trip - a little advance planning can mean the difference between a great experience and a real bummer!
3. But don't just plan for what's going to happen at the campsite - the time it takes to get there needs some planning as well.

   The kidlettes can get incredibly bored, riding in the car with nothing to keep them entertained.

   Use the opportunity to teach them camp songs, or play the License Plate game. The trip will not only seem shorter, but will be more fun. Bring snacks! For some incredible ideas on road trip games for car travel, see my friends over at MomsMinivan.com.

4. Plan for simple meals that won't take a long time to cook. This
   family camping tip took quite a while to sink in with me! Imagine making stew from scratch at 2000 feet - we didn't eat until 11:30 that night!
5. Teach the kidlettes to respect the wildness of wildlife - not only for the sake of the wildlife, but for their own safety! Even the cutest little chipmunk can - and often will - bite!
6. Be sure to bring a First Aid Kit - it's not much fun to get a
   blister on your heel from hiking all day with nary a bandaid in sight!
7. Take what you need, but travel as lightly as possible. The more stuff you have to cart around, the less fun it is for you!
8. Explore the world of nature with your kidlettes - here are a couple of ideas from the types of things we did:
   
   • A Nature Treasure Hunt - make a list of things for your kidlettes to find and have a prize for the one who finds them all first
   • Build a Science Kit - Here's what you need: a magnifying glass, binoculars, crayons and paper for rubbings, a small net, a bug jar, and identification books for wildflowers or birds or rocks or animal tracks - a big favorite with the kidlettes.

9. Discover your Inner Artist - keep a scientist's journal with sketches, notes, measurements, rubbings, etc. - Experiment with different methods and different media. Encourage the kidlettes to do the same.
10. Teach the kidlettes to look out for the things that may make for
    a miserable week after camping: poison oak, poison ivy, nettles.

The best of all family camping tips - have fun with your kidlettes and build those wonderful, lifelong family memories! You'll be glad you did, and so will they!

For more family camping tips that will help you decide where to go camping in Northern California, see the Related Pages links in the Right Hand Column.

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