Hey guys! Camping season is once again upon us and today I have teamed up with some of my Canadian blogging friends to bring you some awesome camping ideas. Whether you are a hardcore camper or lean more towards “glamping”, these camping projects are sure to bring some fun to your next camping experience!
While there are many things that I love about camping, the one thing that I don’t like is all of the packing! We are often just able to get away for a long weekend and it always seems like so much work to pack all four of us up for just a couple of days away. This year, I am recruiting the kids to help and created this printable kids camping checklist to help keep them organized and on track.
{You can download your own copy here}
When we went to Hawaii a couple of years ago, I asked my then eight year old son to pack a small backpack with whatever toys he wanted to bring along for the trip. With all of the packing chaos, I didn’t get a chance to check what he packed until we actually arrived at the hotel. So what did he think he needed? A giant zamboni piggy bank {with no money in it}, one of those huge multi-colored suckers {that was leftover from a birthday party months previous}, and a flag. Needless to say, it was one very long plane ride. 🙂
Obviously, I have now learned that my kids do much better with a specific list when I ask them to do something! Just download and print out the printable, write in the number of how many items they need, and let your kids do the rest! This can be used for weekend getaways, vacations, and visits to Grandma’s house as well and is definitely a time {and sanity} saver for me!
The one thing that the kids never forget to pack when we are going camping is the s’mores box…
Just mix and match your favorite cookies with a variety of chocolates for custom s’mores. The Keebler fudge stripe cookies are my favorite but we have also used chocolate chip cookies, chocolate wafers, and, of course, plain old graham crackers. Peanut Butter cups are Connor’s chocolate choice and Matthew usually goes for a Caramilk bar. It’s kind of fun to try something new with each camping trip!
Looking for more camping or glamping inspiration?
Get inspired for your next “glamping trip” with these amazing projects from my friends.
From left to right, they are:
“Life is Better Around the Campfire” Bumper Sticker by Fynes Designs
Camping Party Invitations by Northstory
15 Easy and Delicious Camping Recipes by A Pretty Life in the Suburbs
Skillet S’more Brownies by Satori Design for Living
Paper Bag Luminaries by Suburble
How to set up a “Glamping Kitchen” by Echoes of Laughter
DIY Painted Walking Sticks by The DIY Dreamer
Fire Starter Kit in a Jar by Craftberry Bush
Happy Camping!
What a great idea for younger kids Jenn! My kids pack for themselves now, but you are so right….when they were younger, it was a lot more work for me to pack them. Now I even have them doing their own laundry! Happy Friday! Angie xo
Can’t wait for the day that they do their own laundry!! lol!
Great checklist Jenn – I’m going to make my kids pack for themselves for camping this year – it’s so good for them to know how to do it! And I love your s’more container – we do that too and it just makes s’more making so easy!
Thanks Jo-Anna! It’s always a good plan when it means you can cut something off of your packing list! 🙂
I think we all could use one of these. I guess that’s what I dislike most about going away! Such a funny story about your son (make me chuckle pretty good this morning)! Enjoy your weekend 🙂
Dave and I still joke about that. It was the funniest thing! Hope you have a great weekend too and Happy Summer!
My girls could definitely use one of these! They can’t read yet, but I could call it all out and they could gather their packing stuff. These lists are so handy on those days that you’re scrambling to get everything organized (which is always me right before we camp!)
Also… the s’more box is genius, lady! 😉
LOVE the checklist!! It will come in handy for sure!! Love that you have a S’mores Box!! I’ve never seen that before, great idea!
I love this s’mores kit and cannot wait to do that for our camping trip. Some great ideas here, thanks!
Thanks Keri! Happy camping! 🙂
AWESOME idea, I’m totally going to use this, even if I’m the one doing the checking…we ALWAYS forget something. Last year it was shoes, who forgets their kids shoes. Where we went had NO stores and we had to carry her around all weekend. Bad mother award this year!
Lol! Sometimes it is always the most obvious things that you forget! Happy Summer!
This is so helpful for a camping rookie like me…thank you for putting it together…I love it! xo
Jenn, this is a great list and perfect lesson for the kiddos! I just created this easy DIY camping bathroom roll for Grandma camp that the kids are using – http://www.satsumadesigns.com/naturalmakermom/kids-sleepover-camp-bathroom-roll/. Thanks for checking it out! best, jen