Each year, millions of Americans head out to their local campgrounds. Camping in the great outdoors is any camper’s dream; however, not everyone is able to camp at a campground or state park.  If you find it difficult or impossible to go camping, you may want to consider backyard camping.  You may very well find that it is the perfect backyard activity, especially in the evening.

Although camping in your backyard may not seem glamorous, it can be a fun and exciting adventure.  In fact, it is an adventure that thousands of families enjoy each year.  Backyard camping is popular for a wide variety of different reasons. One of those reasons includes the ease of camping. If you are an avid camper, it is likely that you may know alto well how hard to can be to make it to your campsite.  Not only do you have to worry about getting yourself to the campsite, but all of your supplies as well. And, imagine if you forgot anything!  In most cases, backyard camping cuts down on the hassle of most camping trips.

Backyard camping is also popular because it allows campers to camp is a safe area.  Unfortunately most campers, while camping on public grounds, are unfamiliar with their surroundings. Not only may they be unfamiliar with the land, but they may also be unfamiliar with other campers.  Unfortunately, in today’s society it is just too much of a risk for some individuals. If physical safety is a concern of yours, that concern can almost completely be eliminated with backyard camping. Not only will you know the area, but you also know who or what should be in your neighborhood.

As previously mentioned, backyard campouts are popular among those with children, especially young children.  When it comes to camping, there are many children who are not at the right age to go.   Whether it is due to unfamiliar territory, uncomfortable sleeping spaces, or being away from what they know, there are many children that are unable to handle a camping trip.  However, as a parent, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be able to enjoy camping. With backyard camping, everything should workout for everybody.  Not only will be camping in the outdoors, but you will also be near your home, in case you need anything for your children.

While backyard campouts are ideal for those with small children, campouts are also fun for everyone else.  Many individuals, including adults without children, enjoy backyard camping because it is convenient, safe, and free.  Most public campgrounds, in the United States, charge a fee for campers.  While this fee will vary from location to location, it can get quite expensive. That is why backyard camping is so popular in the United States.

If you are interested in having a backyard campout, you will have to decide which supplies you will need.  Depending on your preference, you may be able to sleep in a tent or underneath the stars.  In addition to sleeping equipment, you may want to think about backyard toys, food, drinks, and snacks.

By preparing for your backyard campout, you should have everything that you need. Proper planning will also prevent you from having to go inside your home. Avoiding your home as much as possible, even though you are in the backyard, is a great way to make the most out of your backyard camping adventure.

If your family is interesting in travelling to go camping, backyard camping is a great way to “try it out” first. Check your local classifieds and camper blue book for information on purchasing a camper for your family to enjoy for years to come.

This time of year, families are planning time away, whether it’s quick weekend getaways or a much longer or father away vacations. If you have children, especially small ones, you’ll be looking for kid friendly vacations so everyone is happy! There are several locations that you can choose that both you and your children can enjoy. Read on to discover the top vacation destinations for families with children.

Cruises – Cruises can be a fun family adventure that both you and your children will enjoy. They’re also great spring break vacation ideas. Disney offers a cruise that gives the kids all the fun and excitement that they crave, while giving you a relaxing time aboard the ship. With daily activities planned just for the kids, you will find yourself soaking in the sun and enjoying peace and quiet. You may be surprised at the time that you will get to yourself. A cruise is the perfect kid friendly vacation!

Kid oriented resorts – There are many resorts available that are geared toward children. You may be sacrificing top of the line luxury for waterslides and wave pools, but you will still get the time to yourself that you are looking for. Many of these resorts offer babysitting services and have countless activities planned throughout the day for children of all ages. There are also things available for grown-ups to do while at the resorts. Spend time with your children enjoying the many resort attractions or relax by yourself near the pool. Nickelodeon Resorts are a great example of kid oriented resorts that you and your family can visit. The Spongebob Room awaits you and your kids!

Camping – Consider going on a camping trip to a Yogi Bear Jellystone Park. Located throughout the U.S., these parks offer a family friendly atmosphere for children of all ages as well. If you do not have an R.V. to pull to one of these parks, there are cabin rentals available. Other campgrounds in the U.S. that are kid friendly are KOA Campgrounds. Many are complete with arcades, mini-golf, and swimming pools. Camping is a wonderful vacation for you and your family when you can find a resort that caters to the little ones.

Disney – This is the ultimate kid friendly vacation! This will be an experience that both you and your kids will never forget. Centered entirely on children, there will never be a dull moment on this vacation. This vacation is perfect for even the youngest traveler. Disney is one of the most popular family vacations in the U.S. If you know of someone who has been, ask for information on how you can make the vacation easier on your family. People who have been often provide valuable tips to families who want to enjoy the Disney experience.

Traveling with the kids does not have to be a grueling experience. There are many vacation spot that cater to families. Do a general search of the internet, to find family friendly cruises, resorts, and campgrounds. There are companies out there who have tailored every detail to your children. Take advantage of what they have to offer and enjoy your vacation!

So, just around the corner is spring break. Considering that the economic times are not the best we have seen, a lot of families are seeking inexpensive ways to celebrate the week with each other and not having to break the bank. How about instead of a vacation, try a staycation! Families are in luck, because whether you live in Florida, like we do, or somewhere else there are plenty of fun things to do that will not require an expensive hotel stay or a long drive.

Whether your families interests are outdoors or indoors, by seeking out some local resources you are sure to find something that fits your likes and budget. Here are some great staycation ideas!

For the families who are searching for outdoor fun, start at your county, city, and state websites. These websites typically have a slew of information about local events, parks, and trails. Perhaps have a picnic at a local state park then enjoy a walk or hike through trails allowing your children to investigate the local wildlife. If your family enjoys biking, or kayaking, or boating, find a local state park that has trails or a local lake that will allow your boat. Most of the state parks have nominal or no fees to enjoy them and have great wildlife to enjoy. For those of you that enjoy camping and have tents or an R.V., consider camping at a local campground for a couple days. They are most likely inexpensive, and some may offer a discount for local people that are staying. Camping fees are out of budget, why not set up camp right in your own backyard? Younger kids typically find this a lot of fun, and it can be relaxing for mom and dad too. Stay up late and grill out, enjoy outdoor games such as flashlight tag or naming constellations.

Perhaps you live in a city that has many tourist attractions, as we do living in Florida, if this is the case, staycations are convenient because you can scope out local attractions that fit in the budget and visit a different one each day, or visit two or three. Perhaps allow each family member to pick one place so that everyone gets to enjoy something they are interested in. If you have many to choose from and are having trouble agreeing, write them down on individual pieces of paper and place in a hat. Allow for someone to pull out of the hat, and that will be the destination. Always call ahead as some of these places might give discounts to local residents.

Your staycation could also be focused on volunteering for others in the community. This is free and a valuable experience, especially if you have teenagers that can actually participate in the activities. Check your local phonebook or do a search on the internet to find local organizations that your family is interested in helping, then call and ask if they need volunteers for the days you are available. Your family could help a different charitable organization every day, and then have a special day to discuss with your children the importance of the week, and what they enjoyed the most. I believe you might be quite surprised by the answers you will hear. Some places that are great to try are not-for-profit animal shelters, food pantries, habitat for humanity, boys and girls clubs, litter clean-up in local parks, or operation shoebox.

Some indoor activities that can also be free or inexpensive are visiting your local library. Spend an afternoon getting reacquainted with your library and the various free activities that they have to offer for patrons of all ages. Take a tour of a local university; this is especially fun for older children who are going to be off to college in a couple of years. Speak to professors, tour the library, eat lunch in the cafeteria, and talk to college students. Visit local museums, go to the local roller-skating rink, or spend a day at the bowling alley. However, if you are set on having to stay at home, that can be lots of fun too. Perhaps dig out some old craft books and let your younger children’s imaginations run. Have a movie and pizza day. Let each member of your family choose their favorite movie and watch all of them in a row. Order in everyone’s favorite pizzas and just crash in the living room. Spend the next day cleaning up as a family and discussing all the movies that you watched, why your children liked or disliked certain ones, and what did they learn or enjoy the most about the movie day.

I hope this list of ideas allows your family to spend spring break having fun and getting to know each other a little bit better. Have a happy staycation! You may find it was the best vacation ever.

As spring approaches, families prepare for beautiful days filled with sunshine and fun. It is a favorite time of year as families often try to reconnect and spend much needed time together in the great outdoors. With the previous winter only a memory, they take advantage of what the “outside” offers. Warmer temperatures, picturesque views, nature, and more are at the fingertips of families who are willing to get out there and explore. Spring time offers many advantages and opportunities for families to get outside and enjoy themselves. The following are examples of fun outdoor spring time activities that you and your family can enjoy this spring.

Spring can bring a refreshing for families and serves as a time for bonding. Opportunities for enjoyment outdoors are endless. Whether your family enjoys camping, taking a stroll in the woods, gardening, or getting in shape, spring time has something for you. Get busy planning the spring for your family. A new spring brings new adventures. Spring awaits you!

Camping – A popular spring time activity for families is camping. Whether in a tent or in a camper, camping promises loads of fun for those who are interested. Many families choose to travel to local rivers and lakes for their spring time camping trips while others opt for the mountains. Kids especially enjoy camping. Consider popping a tent in your backyard for the kids to enjoy or visiting a local KOA Campground. Regardless of the location, camping is a great outdoor spring activity.

Parks – Spring time picnics at the park can make lasting memories for families. Parks are often a hit with children as being in the fresh spring air and playing on the play ground arouses their senses. Spring time makes for more energy in parents and in children. Playing at the park is a great way to expend the extra energy!

Barbecues – As the warmer weather comes with spring, so does the change in the food families enjoy. Barbecues are a popular spring time activity and families will choose this time to fire up the pit. Barbecues are great for family reunions, get together with friends, or a casual family dinner in the backyard. These get-togethers are a great time to enjoy family oriented games such as hide and seek, tag, or football. Fun at barbecues will be left up to you and your family! What games will you play?

Nature Walks – Children and parents alike enjoy going on nature walks. The spring brings new blooms and movement in the forest. Choose a nature trail near you and explore what it has to offer. Children are intrigued by nature. Nature walks can be a time for bonding and learning.

Exercising- With the push for a healthier family engulfing society, many families take advantage of spring to shed unwanted pounds that the winter has packed on. Exercising can be a fun family activity. Consider training together for a local 5K event. Running/walking as a family is fun and each member of the family serves as motivation. Find a local 5K event and sign your family up. Most children are able to run/walk the 5K. Remember, an active family is a healthy family!

Gardening – Gardening is a great family outdoor activity during the spring. Young children especially enjoy this activity as it gives them the opportunity to get dirty. They will also enjoy planting plants and watching them grow over time. Planting flowers and watching them bloom gives children the feeling of accomplishment. Visit your local garden store to purchase flowers and the gardening tools that you and your family will need.

Lastly, don’t forget to bring out the sprinklers for the children to play in. While spring time is not yet warm enough for swimming, the sprinkler can be equally as fun for children.

Hiking with your friends or family is a great chance to get outdoors, breathe some fresh air, and get active. It’s easy to get started. Just look for a trail in a national park near you!

For your first day hike (hiking for a day or less without camping overnight), choose a safe, well-marked trail that doesn’t have too many steep climbs. Otherwise, you’ll get tired too early and won’t make it as far as you want to go. Each time you go hiking, try going a little farther and take a slightly steeper trail. Before you know it you’ll be hiking the Appalachian Trail — a 2,167-mile trail that goes all the way from Maine to Georgia!

First, you’ll need a good pair of shoes and thick socks designed for this type of activity. You can start with some sturdy sneakers with thick bottoms. When you begin to take on more difficult trails, try a pair of hiking boots, and make sure they fit! Make sure they fit! Also, get a backpack or fanny pack to carry all of your hiking supplies. Dress in layers and bring along a waterproof jacket with a hood in case you get caught in the rain. And don’t forget a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses because the higher you hike, the more dangerous the sun’s rays become. Want to read more on protecting yourself from the sun?

To keep hiking fun, you always need to be prepared to beat problems that could happen while you’re out, like finding the trail if you get lost or stuck in bad weather. Make sure you bring a map of the area you’ll be hiking in and a sturdy compass. Don’t know how to use a compass? Check this out to learn how. You’ll also need to bring plenty of water and extra food, like sports bars or trail mix, in case you have to stay out late and get hungry. The adults on your hike should bring a box of waterproof matches and an Army-style knife. A flashlight and extra batteries will help you find your way if you end up out after dark. Finally, you’ll need to bring a first aid kit, in case someone gets hurt during your hike.

Prep. Get in shape before you head out on your hike. Try walking around your neighborhood with your pack loaded with five pounds more gear than you’ll actually carry on your hike. If that goes well, plan a short hike to test your abilities on the trail.

Buddies. Take a friend and an adult along on your hike. That way you can look out for each other and you’ll have people to talk to! Also, be sure to let someone who’s not going know where you’ll be hiking and what time you’ll be back.

H2O. Carry lots of water even if you are only planning a short hike. For warm-weather hikes, bring six to eight quarts of water per day. In the cold weather or higher elevations, you can be safe with half that amount. Whenever you are near water, make sure you wet yourself down. Dampen a bandana and wipe your face, neck, and arms or wrap it around your head while you hike. Want to read more about keeping your cool?

Blisters and more. To prevent blisters, try spraying your feet with an anti-perspirant before heading out. Bring extra pairs of socks that you can change into if your feet get wet or sweaty — if they aren’t made of cotton, they’ll keep your feet drier. Once you’re on the trail, stop as soon as you feel a “hot spot” on your feet and apply special type of bandage called “moleskin” to the sore area. Also, try using a hiking stick to keep some pressure off of your legs and knees.

Buzz. Don’t get bugged by bugs. Protect yourself from bites and stings by using a bug repellant that includes DEET. Repellents that contain DEET are the most effective, but make sure you rub them on according to the directions. A good rule of thumb from the experts is that kids should use repellents with less than 10% DEET. Get your parents to help you put it on your face so you don’t get it in your mouth or eyes. And wash your hands after you apply it. Remember that stuff that smells good to you smells good to bugs too, so don’t use scented shampoos or lotions before hiking.

Weather watcher. When it’s hot, pick trails that are shaded and run near streams. If you need to hike uphill in the sun, first soak yourself down to stay cool. You can also try wearing a wet bandana around your head or neck. Also, try to stay out of cotton clothes. Keep yourself out of bad weather by checking forecasts before you hike and watching the skies once you’re out on the trail. During lightening storms, head downhill and away from the direction of the storm, and then squat down and keep your head low.

Keep it yummy. To stay healthy on your hike, you’ll need to know how to keep your food and water safe. Remember the four C’s: contain, clean, cook, and chill.

Fun Facts:

In the year 2000, 67 million people went hiking.

America’s National Parks have more that 12,000 miles of trails.

The Appalachian Trail starts in northern Georgia and continues through South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and ends in Maine at Mt. Katahdin, Baxter Peak, Baxter State Park.