Howto Do Things You Want To Do

Many families have members of various ages; they could range from tots to teens. There could be grandparents, aunts and uncles nieces and nephews too. Everyone needs to have fun on a holiday, but with such a diverse age range how can you be sure the activities will suit everyone?

Not every activity will be suitable for all age groups so it is wise to include a variety. You can have high-energy games for the younger members and low-energy games for the oldest. Nan can’t be expected to join in a game of soccer or beach cricket; nor can your toddler. There needs to be simpler games and activities for the very young. Things to do that will absorb their interest without wearing them out too much.

Bring an assortment of easy games. These need not take up a lot of room in the car. You can have board or card games. Some board games come in special travellers packs that are smaller than usual and have a magnetic board. This helps to keep pieces on the board if played whilst travelling. They are ideal for camping too, where pieces can fall off and be lost amongst long grass or sand. Nan or Pop may like the opportunity to teach the younger members some of their card games. This will give them quality time together and make the older members feel more important.

Make sure that grandparents don’t just become baby-sitters for your toddler. Both will need time to rest, so it’s easy to think that they may as well do it together. But each will need some time with you and/or to pursue their own particular activity. Pop might want to spend time fishing; Nan may want to catch up on her reading.

Encourage the children to rest occasionally by adding some coloring books, pencils and reading materials. This will keep them occupied on the trip, as well.

If you do take older members on a camping trip, they may need a comfy chair to rest on. Remember
that old bones can’t get up off the ground like younger ones, so throw in a couple of folding chairs. Get the ones that are firmly upright, or they may still have trouble getting out of them. Bedding is another thing to consider. Can Gran actually get up off the floor? If she cannot, then a camp stretcher may be on your next shopping list.

If your toddler is at that squirming, wriggling age, you might find that a portable high chair is a boon to keep him still during mealtimes. Freedom is a wonderful concept, but you don’t want to get home more tired out than when you left.

That’s it for our Family Camping article series.

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