| Are your kids begging you to take them camping, | | | | from dripping onto your grill. |
| but you just can't find the time to take them on a | | | | Don't have a tent, or even a backyard for that |
| camping trip? Or would you like to introduce your | | | | matter? That's no reason not to camp out. Just |
| kids to the fun of camping for the first time, but | | | | spread out your sleeping bags, or even just some |
| aren't sure if they will enjoy it, or might get scared? | | | | blanket in the living room. Turn off the TV, radio and |
| Either way, camping out in your backyard will be a | | | | video games. If you have a fireplace, build a fire. |
| fun way to spend the evening and night with your | | | | Otherwise, order some pizza and pop some popcorn |
| kids. | | | | and you can even make s'mores in the microwave. |
| Get the kids involved in setting up camp in your | | | | No matter where you decide to have your close to |
| backyard. Have them help you set up the tent. Put | | | | home camping trip, take some time to sit together |
| them in charge of getting their sleeping bags, | | | | and talk. Telling stories, whether a campfire is |
| flashlights and anything else they may need into the | | | | involved or not, is always fun. Your kids' imagination in |
| tent. If it's an option for you, you may even want to | | | | creating new stories may surprise you. Don't forget |
| make a campfire in your backyard. Check with your | | | | to tell some handed down family tales. |
| fire department before hand if this is an option in | | | | Above all, think back about your favorite camping |
| your area. If not, just dig out the charcoal or gas grill. | | | | memories and recreate them with your kids. Do you |
| Grill some hotdogs and make some foil backed | | | | remember any good scary stories? Are there any |
| potatoes for dinner, and of course you'll need some | | | | games you enjoyed playing? What's your favorite |
| s'mores for desert. If you are roasting the | | | | card game? |
| marshmallows over your grill, put some aluminum foil | | | | Have some fun with this, enjoy your kids and create |
| over the grate to keep the melting marshmallow | | | | some memories. |