| I take my kids camping so they'll know the Big Dipper | | | | 6. Water Bottles |
| really exists. I take them camping so they can hear | | | | I get the simple unbreakable Nalgene bottles for my |
| real birds sing, not just cuckoos. But once I get out | | | | kids. However, these days, you can get kid-sized |
| there, I realize I am no professional entertainer, I | | | | hydration packs which can hold 4-6 cups of water. It |
| need these camping "toys" to help me. All of them fit | | | | allows hand-free drinking, which is useful when you |
| into a kid's backpack. | | | | hands are occupied bicycling or carrying hiking poles. |
| 1. Camping Lantern | | | | 7. Binoculars |
| Kids just love carrying lanterns. For walking to the | | | | Binoculars are handy for camping, hiking, bird watching |
| bathroom, finding the perfect marshmallow stick or | | | | and general nature study. For kids, make sure the |
| just to get around camp after dark. Go with | | | | eye-cups are flexible and comfortable and that it has |
| battery-operated lanterns because gas lanterns are | | | | a cord the kid can put over his neck so he won't lose |
| hot, have a risk of fire, and not safe to use inside a | | | | it. You can pick one up in the camping section of |
| tent. | | | | Target or Walmart. |
| 2. Flashlight or, even better, Headlamps | | | | 8. Whistle (a LOUD one) |
| Kids' flashlights come in bright and cheerful colors. | | | | This is a safety gear a kid should have at all times in |
| Many have cords to avoid losing or dropping the | | | | the wilderness. Find whistles that are light but |
| flashlight. My advice: get one for each kid. They're | | | | extremely loud. Make sure its around your kids neck |
| not expensive, usually less than $10, and you spare | | | | when he goes exploring, not stuffed at the bottom |
| yourself a lot of quarrelling. If your budget allows, | | | | of his pack. |
| consider a headlamp. It brings vision of brave cave | | | | 9. Sunglasses |
| explorers and Indiana Jones. | | | | Children may not be as interested as adults are in the |
| 3. Bug Jar or Kit | | | | fashion aspect of sunglasses. However, they actually |
| Open a child's eyes and curiosity to the critters | | | | need it even more because |
| around him. Coleman even has a tall, cylindrical bug kit | | | | 1) they spend more time outdoors in direct sunlight |
| designed to safely hold fireflies. At night the fireflies | | | | and |
| turn it into a twinkling lantern. How magical is that? | | | | 2) they are more vulnerable to solar radiation since |
| 4. Compass | | | | their eyes' protective pigments are not fully |
| Compass for kids should be rugged, with clear | | | | developed. |
| markings. Show a kid how to use a compass with a | | | | For kids sunglasses, look for polycarbonate lenses. |
| map and he will learn a skill that's handy not just for | | | | They are strong, durable and impact-resistant. Look |
| camping, but when he goes backpacking in Europe, or | | | | for 98 percent or 100 percent protection against |
| when he hikes up the Himalayans. You can get a | | | | both UVA and UVB rays. |
| basic camping compass for $10 to $15. | | | | There are glasses designed just for toddlers. They |
| 5. Star Finder | | | | have reversible frames - upside-down, downside-up |
| Stargazing is cooler than any video game. Due to the | | | | doesn't matter; built-in adjustable straps; and short, |
| orbital motion of the earth, the sky appears to | | | | flexible sides for comfort. My favorite place for kids |
| rotate, so to be successful recognizing the | | | | and toddlers technical gear like this is |
| constellations, you need to know which stars are | | | | 10. Backpack |
| above the horizon at that time. | | | | Finally, a backpack to tote all these fun gear. You |
| A rotating star finder helps kids recognize the | | | | don't want them to keep bugging you, 'Dad, where is |
| constellations for any given time of the year. Just | | | | my ... Mom, where is my..." Get a light fabric or nylon |
| turn the dial to match the day of the year. Make | | | | backpack with a simple zipper and a pocket or two. |
| sure you get the star finder for your specific region | | | | Stay away from those heavy-duty canvas |
| in the world. For example, the star finder you use in | | | | backpacks with 12 pockets and all kinds of straps |
| the New York won't help you in Spain. If you are | | | | and contraptions. They are too cumbersome for |
| new to stargazing, check out a couple sites on the | | | | junior adventurous campers. |
| web by googling 'star gazing" | | | | |