March 2011
6 posts
5 tags
Too Big for the Pack-N-Play, Too Small for the Air...
The trickiest part of the camping experience always seems to be the sleeping arrangements. It is especially hard when the camping child has reached the age of 18-30 months. Too big for the Pack-n-Play, too small for the air mattress, causing major questioning in regards to what kind of sleeper to get for the little explorer.
In the past, I have found that the best sleeping arrangements for ...
5 tags
Great Blog Having a Great Giveaway!
GoodHiker.com is another great blog for the outdoor kids! They are also having a fun giveaway in honor of the start of Spring! Be one of the first one hundred to enter and get your free Certified Good Hiker Kit~
Go here to view the details: http://www.goodhiker.com/2011/03/20/hello-spring/
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10 tags
Hiking: Lose a Mile, Gain Some Memories
Over the years the joy of hiking has evolved for me: going from a three hour eight miler up Conundrum (in my most fit of days) to a leisurely stroll near Horsetooth at 41 weeks pregnant. (Pictured)
Rediscovering hiking with small children has been an adventure in and of itself. For those with children under five, hiking can still be an adventure, you may just not make it up to the tippy top of...
3 tags
Socks: A Commentary
For those of you who have experienced the joys of camping over 10,000 feet you know how necessary it is to pack a good sock. Keeping those tootsies warm in the evening and overnight is highly underrated.
For the adults I have to recommend the SmartWool socks- not only are they fun but they are comfortable, warm and odor free! The other benefit? Wool naturally manages moisture which is helpful if...
5 tags
Gear Pick of the Day!
It has been a while since the last update but I am finally back on track here at The Happy Campers. January and February are the outdoor downtime in our household…but now that Spring has sprung I am going to get some more helpful tips out there before camping season begins~
The gear pick of the day today is:The Cocoon by phil&teds (www.philandteds.com)
For those of you who have...
January 2011
5 posts
3 tags
Gear Pick of the Day: Handcrank Flashlight
A great item to have with you while camping is this (or any) Handcrank LED Flashlight. Coming with its own internal rechargeable batteries, this flashlight is manually charged through the crank winding system.
What is fun about this light is that you can see its innards and how it works which is always fascinating for the kids.
You will never again be left in the dark due to dead batteries!
4 tags
A Day in the Life of a Happy Camper
Recently I was chosen to do a guest blog for CampingBlogger.com.
Here is the article that was published:
http://www.campingblogger.net/kids-camping/a-day-in-the-life-of-the-happy-camper.html
4 tags
Family Camping: Another Great Resource -...
I recently stumbled upon another Blog that I particularly like whose focus is also about family camping. I highly recommend taking a peak and reading some good articles!
Find it here:
CampingBlogger
I really like the article called: Finding Family Friendly Campgrounds It is helpful and informative and is a good resource for this time of year as people are starting to make reservations.
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Family Camping Essentials: Don't Forget Your...
There is nothing in the world like waking up after a night of camping and having a great cup of coffee. This can be achieved by bringing a french press~
An easy and portable option, the french press offers campers their regular wake-up brew. It is also nice to have for the making of larger batches of hot chocolate. Seemingly an obvious item to bring, I have talked to more campers than not that...
3 tags
Family Camping Essentials: The Adult Beverage
Happy New Year Campers! As we ring in 2011, I sit here at home and cannot help but think: “We are getting closer to summer”! However, since we still have several months to go and six inches of snow currently on the ground here at 8,000 feet and those up above 11,000 feet have over 20 inches of new snow in the last week, I thought I might venture off the path for a moment and talk...
December 2010
22 posts
7 tags
Gear Pick of the Day: Lego City Lights Minifigure...
Play Visions LEGO City Lights Minifigure LED Headlamp
This is by far the best and most clever headlamp I have seen for kids! At $15 you cannot beat the novelty and fun of this efficient and effective headlamp. I guarantee the kids will love it and actually wear it while camping!
8 tags
Family Camping - Don't forget the Lanterns and...
One of the keys to a successful camping trip is the ability to see! Gone are the days of clunky flashlights! Battery operated lanterns and headlamps are easy ways to light up your campground. Also in kids sizes, these illuminators make for convenient and fun lighting.
Lantern: I highly recommend the Coleman Classic XPS LED Lantern affordable and durable it illuminates nicely both at Low and...
5 tags
Camping and Cooking: Cookware - Money Saving Tip!
As I have said before (and will say again) gear is expensive! One way to save a bunch of money is to buy your camping cookware from a second hand store. Sauce pans, fry pans, utensils, tableware, plates, cups, bowls, etc. can all be found for a few dollars each at your local second hand shops. This is a great way to save money on items that can be used only for camping and replaced as needed.
...
4 tags
Essential Family Camping Basics: The Tent Whisk...
If there is one thing that is always a bit tricky when camping with kids it is keeping the tent somewhat clean. Dirt is always a factor while camping and I highly recommend getting yourself a Tent Whisk and Dust Pan. This handy little tool will help in a quick sweep to keep the dirt from getting out of hand (and into your sleeping bags!) in the tent.
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Gear Pick of the Day: Walkie Talkies
Don’t depend on your phone to have service in the camping areas around the United States! (Especially if you have a certain smart phone and a certain carrier that goes with that phone!) instead take some walkie talkies! A super easy way to have communication between parents, parents and kids, base camp and hikers the walkie talkies will ensure that every one can take care and get in touch no...
worshipiskey asked: I love camping <3 I've been doing it since I was in diapers. <3 Winter camping is the ultimate best form of camping in my opinion <3
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Winter Camping: The Log Cabin Experience
For those who missed it, yesterday was the Winter Solstice and thus the turning point to which the days will start to become longer! In honor of this Wintery good news I thought I would write about winter “camping” aka the log cabin experience!
A good family alternative for breaking up the winter months and getting “outside” is a lodge stay that offers a log cabin...
4 tags
Calling All Campers!
Faithful readers-
I am looking to hear about some of your favorite camp spots so that I might compile a list and let others know about some great places! Whatever the region, I want to hear about it!
Comment here or on Facebook and I will put a post together with all of your fabulous information!
Thanks!
via
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Camping and Cooking: The Hot Dog Never Tasted So...
picture via
Crosshatch Hotdogs - Sure to be a new kid favorite, these hot dogs are fun for the whole family!
Crosshatch Hotdogs
Ingredients
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon honey
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon sherry vinegar
6 cups finely shredded green cabbage (from 1/2 small head)
3 fresh red chiles such as Fresno, seeded and thinly sliced
Salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter,...
4 tags
Gear Pick of the Day: The Bumbo
Not normally thought of as a “camping” essential, The Bumbo is a great addition to any campsite, especially for those with children aged 3-14 months of age. It is a great alternative to the child carrier and adds a nice alternative for baby to sit rather than lie on a blanket. Portable and fun, The Bumbo makes life easier for the kiddos who are not yet able to sit on their own or who...
3 tags
Family Camping Essentials: The First Aid Kit
Rule of Thumb: Small children will get a cut or two on camping trips. Scrapes, cuts and bruises are easily cured with a band-aid or three.
One of the most important (and easily forgotten) items is the first aid kit. Relatively inexpensive, first aid kits supply the family that camps with everything from band-aids to tick removers. There are many types of first aid kits out there ranging from...
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The Coleman Tent: A Cheaper Alternative
Let’s just say it: Gear is expensive!
When on a budget a good alternative to the more expensive options are the Coleman products…especially tents.
As I said in the “Camping Basics: Tent Living is a Very Personal Thing” post, tents are your home away from home and it is good to try and replicate your home as closely as possible. That being said, spending upwards of $500...
5 tags
Sesame Street and National Forests!
Look What I Found by Michaela Muntean, Illustrated by John Costanza is a terrific tale of the Sesame Street Muppets going hiking. A flash back from 1983 you can still purchase this book on Amazon.com.
My oldest loves it and when we go on a walk in the woods we like to take it along to see if we can find all the things named within the story!
4 tags
Cooking and Camping: A New Take On a Classic...
Banana Nutella S’Mores
On every family camping trip S’Mores are a must! It is a great time to spend sitting around the fire and, more importantly, seeing who will be the the best “Marshmallow Cooker”! This recipe adds some flair to the classic dessert (they recommend marshmallow fluff but I say still cook the marshmallows over the fire before grilling up the whole...
5 tags
Gear Pick of the Day
Patagonia Baby Capilene 3 Set
First, let me just say I love Patagonia. They have the largest selection of kids items that I have found so far and even though they get the “Pata-Gucci” nickname I have to say the clothes are worth the price. Helpful hint: Up-size. Especially with their winter jackets. A lot of people I know have bought their 3 month old a size 12 month jacket and were...
6 tags
Camping Basics: Tent Living Is A Very Personal...
When my husband and I started camping with the kids one thing we found out pretty quickly was that our 2 person backpacking tent no longer would suffice! We both agreed: the bigger the better!
That being said, everyone is different and tent living (just like home ownership) is a very personal thing. Think about when you bought/rented your first house. What was important to you? What...
3 tags
Gear Pick of the Day: REI Camp Kitchen
The REI Camp Kitchen is a solid addition to any campsite. It adds both organization and storage. The “pantry” un-clips for easy nighttime removal to stow in your car. Gone are the days of having to cook on the picnic table leaving more room for condiments and people!
6 tags
Camping Basics: A Warm (and Dry!) Camper is a...
When camping, especially with small children, one must remember the rule of three: Layers, Long Pants and Performance Polyester!
Even before I had children I was always guilty of forgetting at least one of the rule of three or even screwing up the layer factor by having a base layer of cotton instead of performance polyester. All things that one may think “really, is that a big deal while...
4 tags
Colorado's Top 50 Campsites and The Top 100...
Here is an article from GreatOutdoors.com highlighting their pics for Colorado’s top 50 campsites.
And for all of you out-of-staters here is a link from tripleblaze.com highlighting the Top 100 Campgrounds in the USA!
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9 tags
Family Camping Basics: Organize, Organize,...
One of the hardest lessons to learn while camping with small children is the forgetting of essential items that you did not even know existed or you realize you need right as you are going to sleep! Making an itemized list and creating a breakfast, lunch and dinner menu will help to ensure that nothing is overlooked and everyone is fed!
However, before we get to the packing portion of this topic...
November 2010
4 posts
Camping With Kids: Five Things to Keep In Mind to...
Here are five things to keep in mind while camping with kids, especially those of the toddler variety!
1. Your child will get VERY dirty! - It seems obvious, right? What is not obvious is how hard it might be to let him/her stay dirty! Just keep in mind - waiting until the end of the day to do a thorough clean up is key, otherwise, you will go mad trying to help him/her stay clean throughout the...
4 tags
Start With The Basics
In a society where electronics, television and cell phones have begun to dominate our existence it has become doubly important to ensure that we are still getting our kids outside. My guess is that many of you were once avid campers prior to having children but somehow after the arrival of the wee ones the thought of sleeping (or not sleeping) in a tent in the great outdoors seemed less than...
1 tag
A Blog For The Familial Outdoor Enthusiasts
The Happy Campers is a blog that will be dedicated to reviewing gear and campgrounds and will include the giving out of helpful advice to familes who enjoy the great outdoors.
I am a wife, mother of two small children (by small I mean one is 3 and the other is 2 months) and a tent car camping enthusiast living in Colorado.
Due to a lack of information out there for the non-backpacking or...