By Derek J Hines

As a parent with younger kids (ages 9 & 5), I want them to get the bug for Kinds Camping that I got when I was a kid. Granted I got that bug when I was little older and could go camping with my friends up in the bluffs behind our house in La Crosse, Wisconsin. But it’s never too early to introduce your young ones to the joys of camping in the great outdoors. And besides, if you don’t take them with you, the chances of you going camping are a lot slimmer.

Kids Camp

There are several ideas I’ve come up with to keep my kids entertained during a weekend at the campsite. Here are just a few:

1. Anybody for a Scavenger Hunt?

Doing a scavenger hunt with the whole family can be a great way to spend the day. It can be done around the campsite while the adults are getting dinner ready. Create a list of things for the kids to find around the site. A pinecone, a perfectly circle-shaped rock, a caterpillar, etc. Just make sure that the rules state that the kids must be within sight. You don’t want to add “lost child” to the scavenger hunt. As a modification of the game, play while you’re on a group hike. Again, the rule has to be that they can’t leave the path and they have to let everyone know when they’re stopping to find something on the list.

2. Calling all Ducks

As a boy, my dad would let me try and call in the ducks when we were out on a lake. I’ve taken to doing this with my kids. Each gets a duck call and we take turns seeing if we can call in any ducks. If no ducks are in the area, we play, “name that tune” with our calls. It’s a lot of fun and the kids end up giggling out of control most of the time. You can get cheap duck calls at most hunting shops or even at some Walmarts and Target. Take it step further and get each child their own with a lanyard to wear around their neck. Get them some duck calling tapes and have them practice. They’ll be calling ‘em in in no time.

3. Let There Be Fire! Create a Fire Bow

If you’ve ever seen someone start fire with a fire bow, it’s quite amazing. You feel a little closer to your caveman brethren. The kids will be amazed at the fact that fire can be created out of nothing. It takes some exertion, but they’ll enjoy the process.

To make a fire bow, find a stick or thin branch about 1″ in diameter and anywhere from 2′-3′ feet long. Make a notch in each end and tie a string to both ends. The string should have just a slight slack in it, but not much. Now, find a second stick about 2″ in diameter and sharpen it to a point on one end. The other end can just be flat or slightly rounded. This is called the drill or spindle. This drill will be placed on the inside of the bow, and twisted around the bow-string. Now you will need handhold to hold the pointed stick perpendicular to the bottom board with the notch. I like to use another piece of wood where I’ve dug out an indentation that will accommodate the top of the second stick. Lastly, you’ll need a board with which to place the drill’s pointed end into in order to create the friction needed to produce cinders. Find a 4″-5″ diameter branch. Now cut it with a saw or whittle and snap it into a foot long length. Split in two to create a flat surface. Keep splitting until you have a board about 1″ thick. Simply move the bow back in forth in a sawing motion until you build enough heat to form a cinder.

There’s no reason that kids should be bored while out camping. Next time you’re out give some of these ideas a try.

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