Camping

Image by analog_chainsaw via Flickr

. . . Which You Can Play With Kids

 “I still get wildly enthusiastic about little things… I play with leaves, I skip down the street and run against the wind.” -
Leo Buscaglia

Hiking with the family opens up a whole new avenue for kids entertainment. I mean, a growing number of hikers take their iPhones or iPads along with them, even their Laptops, but is that really what you want for your kids on a hiking trip . . . to be playing the same games you brought them hiking to get away from? No, me neither.

There’s been a great collection of travel games around since . . . . ‘ermmm . . . since people started traveling, often mini versions of the family favorites which are in suitably small and compact boxes or cases. This makes many of them suitable even for hiking trips, when size and weight are of the utmost importance. You really don’t want to load up your backpack with heavy games . . . but a few lightweight ones can really add to the enjoyment of the whole family hiking trip.

Well, spit might look very civilized on this clip, but it is fraught with danger . . . . games of spit frequently end up being a bit of a free for all on our hiking trips, but it’s still good fun!

• Hiking Card Games – card games have always been a firm family favorite, even if “Snap” can quickly get heated and out of hand. Why not go one step further and take a long a pack of National Parks Card Game, or Georgraphy of the United States Card Game . . . that should make the whole hiking trip more interesting, topical and you might even teach the kids a thing or two without them even knowing they’re learning (or vice versa of course . . . ) Do you remember much from your old Geography lessons . . . no, me neither.
• Pass The Pigs – you’ve probably been playing this game since you were a child yourself, but do you realize what a great addition to your backpack it would be for a hiking trip with kids. All in all it’s great fun . . . period. If the packaging is a little too bulky for your backpack why not simply pop the pigs into a ziplock bag . . . there, problem solved.
• Yahtzee – another family favorite, but how about a Yahtzee game which goes one step further . . . a National Parks Edition. You can learn some fun facts about the National Parks and environment whilst having great fun. Simply roll binoculars, pine trees, hiker, tent and canoe for a Large Straight . . . the last time I rolled a canoe I almost drowned! If you buy this great game to take in your backpack on your next hiking adventure, some of the proceeds will go directly to the National Park Foundation.

Brilliant . . . even the dog can play!

• Birds Card Games – hikers who are also budding twitchers might like to play this great card game. It has the birds of North America and is a great way to learn about the different birds you might spot on the hiking trail.
• Knot Games – if you’ve got around 3 ounces of backpack weight to spare, why not take a “Why Knot” game with you. It’s a great way to learn how to tie lots of different knots suitable for hiking and camping . . . you can play the game or just sit and learn how to get knotted . . . .

Once the kids are safely tucked up in their sleeping bags, sleeping soundly after their strenuous hike you can always play a quick game of “hide the sausage” . . . if you’re up to!

Camping Games For Kids

Of course, if you’re car camping, or have a base camp set up and are setting out on individual day hikes, then you can take some very different types of camping games with you . . . . ones which won’t easily fit into your backpack but are great fun just the same.

• Rollors is a great camping game which can be enjoyed by kids of all ages (well, from around 4 years anyway). It’s a kind of cross between bocce ball, horseshoes and bowling, but be warned . . . it can bring out the competitive streak in even the most level headed of hikers!
• Dodge Tag is a terrific way to keep the kids entertained whilst you’re trying to cook dinner after a long days hike . . . if they have any energy left that is. It’s a couple of “rip and stick”  bibs and a whole load of soft balls, and the kids are actually allowed to throw them at each other . . . that’s the whole point of the game.

• Bats and balls – have always been a firm favorite, on camping trips, picnics, days in the backyard or trips to the beach. There are even balls which soak up water for a bit of a “splashing time”.