Dad daughter camping trip

[Customweld]

Just thought of something that friends have done at weddings - disposable film cameras. Get a few and let them take pictures of stuff THEY think is interesting. They learn a little about delayed gratification, you and they get to re-live the trip when you get them developed, and if there are some fun pics they can stick them up in their room or on the fridge etc.

That’s a really good idea!

 

[SonnyDay]

As others have said... spoil them with good food and junk food. No death marches. Let them lead. Let them play with fire.

Depending on the weather, bring binos, a rifle scope, or an actual telescope if you have access to one. Letting kids see the moons of Jupiter, the rings of Saturn, or just the surface of the moon through optics makes a big impression.

I always worked in an orienteering activity (involving candy, toys, etc.).

Have fun! Priceless times.

 

[The_Jim]

My daughters top camping things are
-hot chocolate by the fire in the morning
-s’mores in the evening
-if we’re within a reasonable drive to get ice cream one day it’s always a highlight


Definitely keep hikes short, we usually bring a baseball and gloves to play catch around camp. @ODB has a great suggestion with the camera. My daughter can play with one for hours.

 

[Carr5vols]

If you got any distance you can see pick them up a pair of really cheap binos..so when dad is glassing they can be too...

 

[def90]

Listen to them and know when they are getting bored with whatever and move on. Make it about fun, as in what's fun for them and not for you.

 

[GSPHUNTER]

Lot's of wood for the camp fire. everyone loves a good campfire.

 

[Marble]

When I went shopping for a camping trip, I would let my girls choose some food they wanted that they wouldn't normally have. I would also get input on what they wanted on the menu each day.

It was always really important to make sure they were comfortable the entire time. So proper clothes, bug spray, nice chairs, and extra blankets if needed.

Blue tooth speaker to let them play their favorite music.

Maybe some special lights in the tent that bling it up a bit.

If you plan on shooting, let them choose a gun to bring.

Take lots of pictures...

Maybe set a trail camera up to go and check. They could go run in front of it and get their picture taken.



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[Telford29]

If you’re going up Marble, not knowing if you are familiar with. Stop and walk through the tunnel. Best access is right before the 3 mile marker. Take the kids on the walking trail down to the steam donkey. Lots of history up Marble. Pic of my daughter, have taken her winter camping up there with a tracked ATV. Your daughters will never forget these trips. Kudos to you.

 

[wowzers]

I try to do this a couple times a year with my son then with my daughter on their own trips. One of the highlights for them is going grocery shopping with me as we leave and letting them help pick out some of the foods and their own snacks.

I think you are on to the right idea having different activities. Honestly these trips are some of my favorite of the year.

 

[insanelupus]

A bucket, a spade, and a gold pan, fun for all ages.

Teach them to use a Swedish fire steel to start a fire. Bonus points if they get to break sticks doing it.

Glow sticks, painters tape, and a phone with dance music. My kids loved taping the joined up glow sticks to their arms and legs and dancing in the dark. Looked like glowing skeleton at a rave. Lol.

Catching frogs, always fun.

Fishing, also a good time.

Smores.

Frisbee/ flying ring, also fun.

Card games or other games for chill times or bad weather inside.

Tablet, blue tooth, and a few downloaded movies as a backup.

Ask them what they want to do. Then ask them to tell you what that looks like. Most speak in words but think in pictures and that can help provide clarity on their expectations and then let you help reset them if necessary.

 

[280Ackley]

Thanks everyone!! I got glow sticks, water shoes, fire color packs, bug nets, string lights and little lanterns coming for our trip.

 

[CorbLand]

When I was younger, my mom brought those electric bug zap things that look like tennis rackets. Ran around for hours zapping as many bugs as I could.

If you throw glow sticks on the edge of the coals, they will heat up and explode. The next night your entire camp area will have a whole bunch of spots glowing. Not saying its a safe option but its an option.

 

[dave2288]

Let them pick a dinner each so they feel like theyre part of the planning too

 

[BravoNovember]

Just got in from a night of “camping” with my daughter (4). We do a couple nights a year in the back yard in hopes to build up excitement for a real camp site. It seems to be working.

Also, we have and have been trying a few of the activities from the book “catch a crayfish, count the stars”. It gives her the opportunity to pick and have something tangible that is hers.

I’ll be reading this post again for more ideas for sure!

 

[kfili]

Camera! Great idea for them.
Fishing- bring a change of clothes and low expectations- let em go crazy.
Let them build (or help) build the fire for smores. Lots of snack foods! I do a few camping trips with my kids every year, we love exploring creeks and making their own fire. Also we barley eat meals, and basically snack the whole time.

 

[Elkbelch]

we always did camping trips in NPs for vacations when our girls were young. Fast forward 20 years and my youngest and I head out on a camping trip For a week in the mountains Friday. She is now 23 and a teacher so she gets the summer off. Her husband can’t take off the kind of time I can so he is staying home. It just might be a lifelong commitment.

 

[FranklinBluth]

Lots of good suggestions here. My 2 cents: have more activities planned than you have time. You never know for sure what activity will be one to catch their interest.

One other thing my kids really enjoyed at that age is geocaching. They're basically outdoor puzzles with small prizes that kids find rewarding. If you're on any kind of established trail or hiking area there will be several geocaches.

 

[ODB]

The train tunnels are cool!

Did them yesterday. That was fun as hell! With the shuttle back up and going through the 1.5 mile tunnel twice it took a bit longer than we expected, it was really cool.

We took it easy through the long tunnel but most who went fast had mud all up their backs. Pretty funny.

 

[Jeff_Gibbons]

My kids are 22 and 19. They don’t remember the fun and easy stuff. They do look back and laugh about the hard gritty uncomfortable and new stuff we did outdoors. Keep it safe and don’t be afraid to expose them to real nature. Enjoy the ride

 

[Bama67]

It always gets me when we have the most amazing camping trip possible and I'll ask my kids "What was your favorite part?" and its always something to do with food like making smores or hobo pies.