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.
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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
11 tags
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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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...