10 Kids Camping Gear

I take my kids camping so they'll know the Big Dipper6. Water Bottles
really exists. I take them camping so they can hearI get the simple unbreakable Nalgene bottles for my
real birds sing, not just cuckoos. But once I get outkids. However, these days, you can get kid-sized
there, I realize I am no professional entertainer, Ihydration packs which can hold 4-6 cups of water. It
need these camping "toys" to help me. All of them fitallows hand-free drinking, which is useful when you
into a kid's backpack.hands are occupied bicycling or carrying hiking poles.
1. Camping Lantern7. Binoculars
Kids just love carrying lanterns. For walking to theBinoculars are handy for camping, hiking, bird watching
bathroom, finding the perfect marshmallow stick orand general nature study. For kids, make sure the
just to get around camp after dark. Go witheye-cups are flexible and comfortable and that it has
battery-operated lanterns because gas lanterns area 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 ait. You can pick one up in the camping section of
tent.Target or Walmart.
2. Flashlight or, even better, Headlamps8. 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 thethe wilderness. Find whistles that are light but
flashlight. My advice: get one for each kid. They'reextremely loud. Make sure its around your kids neck
not expensive, usually less than $10, and you sparewhen 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 cave9. Sunglasses
explorers and Indiana Jones.Children may not be as interested as adults are in the
3. Bug Jar or Kitfashion aspect of sunglasses. However, they actually
Open a child's eyes and curiosity to the crittersneed it even more because
around him. Coleman even has a tall, cylindrical bug kit1) they spend more time outdoors in direct sunlight
designed to safely hold fireflies. At night the firefliesand
turn it into a twinkling lantern. How magical is that?2) they are more vulnerable to solar radiation since
4. Compasstheir eyes' protective pigments are not fully
Compass for kids should be rugged, with cleardeveloped.
markings. Show a kid how to use a compass with aFor kids sunglasses, look for polycarbonate lenses.
map and he will learn a skill that's handy not just forThey are strong, durable and impact-resistant. Look
camping, but when he goes backpacking in Europe, orfor 98 percent or 100 percent protection against
when he hikes up the Himalayans. You can get aboth UVA and UVB rays.
basic camping compass for $10 to $15.There are glasses designed just for toddlers. They
5. Star Finderhave reversible frames - upside-down, downside-up
Stargazing is cooler than any video game. Due to thedoesn't matter; built-in adjustable straps; and short,
orbital motion of the earth, the sky appears toflexible sides for comfort. My favorite place for kids
rotate, so to be successful recognizing theand toddlers technical gear like this is
constellations, you need to know which stars are10. Backpack
above the horizon at that time.Finally, a backpack to tote all these fun gear. You
A rotating star finder helps kids recognize thedon't want them to keep bugging you, 'Dad, where is
constellations for any given time of the year. Justmy ... Mom, where is my..." Get a light fabric or nylon
turn the dial to match the day of the year. Makebackpack with a simple zipper and a pocket or two.
sure you get the star finder for your specific regionStay away from those heavy-duty canvas
in the world. For example, the star finder you use inbackpacks with 12 pockets and all kinds of straps
the New York won't help you in Spain. If you areand contraptions. They are too cumbersome for
new to stargazing, check out a couple sites on thejunior adventurous campers.
web by googling 'star gazing"