Camping with Kids Guide

Camping with kids is a different, perhaps more challenging experience than camping without them. Still, it would be unfair to keep your kids from experiencing a vacation that involves marshmallows and dirt. We have some excellent gear to get you on your way.

Kirtsy This | Posted: 24 Jun, 2008 by Melissa Summers

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• LED Bocce Ball

  

  These bocce balls light up, extending your game time even later into summer evenings.

  $100 at Brookstone

  Kirtsy This | Posted 24 Jun, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Play and Freeze Ice Cream Maker

  

  ON SALE All right already, people! I decided against posting this ice cream maker, but then I got a bazillion emails from people suggesting it. As I am a slave to popular opinion, here it is. You put the ingredients in, add ice, and then play with it like a ball. You can toss it, roll it, whatever. Makes a pint of ice cream in about twenty minutes.

  $30 at Amazon

  (Regularly $35.)

  Kirtsy This | Posted 24 Jun, 2008 by Margaret Mason

• Glow Sticks

  

  While camping a few weeks ago with a group of moms and sons, a bunch of more prepared mothers brought glow sticks to pull out after dark.

  You would have thought someone brought a solar powered Wii to the campsite with all the fun the kids had with these things.

  $12 at Oriental Trading Company

  Kirtsy This | Posted 24 Jun, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Keens Roatan

  

  Quick-dry, slip-on shoes for everything from canoing to hiking.

  $30 at Amazon

  Kirtsy This | Posted 24 Jun, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Explorer Belt

  

  My kid would use this set to seek out a television in the woods.

  $9 at Amazon

  Kirtsy This | Posted 24 Jun, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Portable Hammock

  

  $25 at The Hammock Company

  Kirtsy This | Posted 23 Jun, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• First Aid Kit

  

  If this kit doesn’t have everything you need to deal with accidents on your camping trip, it’s time to go home.

  $40 at Dick's Sporting Goods

  (For a 171 piece kit.)

  Kirtsy This | Posted 23 Jun, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Sunscreen Wipes

  

  Easy to transport sunscreen for all sorts of summer fun.

  $26 at MD Moms

  Kirtsy This | Posted 20 Jun, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Light My Fire Spork

  

  The name of this product is deceptive, it’s also a knife. But “Spknork” just didn’t cut it with the focus group.

  $10 at REI

  (For a set of four.)

  Kirtsy This | Posted 20 Jun, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Melamine Cafeteria Tray

  

  $16 at Target

  Kirtsy This | Posted 20 Jun, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Kid’s Firefly Lantern

  

  Bug hunt! If you convince them this is the only light you’ll have at your campsite, you might be able to read magazines for a couple hours.

  $8 at Camping Comfortably

  Kirtsy This | Posted 19 Jun, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Wrist Compass

  

  $20 at MOMA Store

  Kirtsy This | Posted 19 Jun, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Kid’s Headlamp

  

  My husband wears his headlamp to grill in the dark, and I can’t help but laugh at him. Now I can laugh at my kids too, as I trip and sprain my ankle in the dark.

  $13 at Ors Snowshoes

  Kirtsy This | Posted 19 Jun, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Bob All-Terrain Stroller

  

  $389 at Ella Bella Kids

  Kirtsy This | Posted 18 Jun, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Citronella Bug Repellent Spray

  

  Keeps the bugs away from your kid’s absolutely delicious flesh.

  $11 at Baby Center

  Kirtsy This | Posted 18 Jun, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Squishy Bowl and Cup Set

  

  These great squishy bowls and cups can be squashed and shoved into your bags. When you’re done eating, just turn them inside out and lick clean. Mommy’s standards are different in the woods.

  $16 at Guyot Designs

  Kirtsy This | Posted 18 Jun, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Butane Burner

  

  I know technically you should cook everything on the fire, but you know one of the kids is going to start crying for macaroni and cheese. In the wild, you have to pick your battles.

  $18 at Amazon

  Kirtsy This | Posted 18 Jun, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Jiffy Pop Popcorn

  

  Making popcorn without a microwave? You just blew their minds.

  $36 at Amazon

  (For 24 packages.)

  Kirtsy This | Posted 18 Jun, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Travel Bar

  

  After assembling the tent, breaking up back seat fights, and paying for gas? Yeah, you’re gonna need this.

  $33 at Target

  Kirtsy This | Posted 17 Jun, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Hardwood Folding Camping Table

  

  Easy-transport table for eating meals and playing Uno. Hundreds and hundreds of games of Uno.

  $113 at Comfort Channel

  Kirtsy This | Posted 17 Jun, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Sigg Water Bottle

  

  The sooner you can be done with sippy cups, the happier you’ll be.

  $15 at Outdoor Kids

  Kirtsy This | Posted 11 May, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Fun Ride Super Z

  

  Every backyard should come with a zipline. Attach 90’ of cable to two support structures (trees, the side of the house, whatever), secure the plastic trolley to the line, and the kids are ready zip through the air. This one supports up to 250 pounds, but they offer less expensive ones built for smaller bodies. I wouldn’t suggest it though; you know Dad would just break it.

  $135 at Back to Basics Toys

  Kirtsy This | Posted 22 Nov, 2005 by Margaret Mason

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