Category: Human Interest

Are you planning to take your family on a camping vacation in nature? Going camping with your loved ones is one of the best outdoor activities that you can opt for. However, do you know what to pack to have a safe trip and family happy?

Here is the gear that I recommend for you.

Family camping checklist

Safety and well-being are first to consider when going outdoors. Which gear should you take along if you want to have a peaceful and satisfying journey? Kids can be hard to please but you can make happy faces even without bringing a bunch of their favorite toys and games to a camp.

The whole point of camping is to have fun and reconnect with nature. Fun activities include hiking and exploring the trails, bicycling, animal watching, reading, learning survival skills, cooking the family’s favorite meals over a campfire, and many more. To make the activities possible you will need to bring the next items to a trip.

Camping sleeping equipment

When it comes to sleeping stuff you need to consider bedding that will be comfortable for family members because the level of comfort will show the next morning. As you will be active through the day you need to have a bed like at home to have a proper rest.

Tent for spending the night

The camping tent you choose must be big enough for all of you; this is the first feature to consider. Ask yourself what kind of tent you want. Do you need a tent that will be appropriate for hot days or need a waterproof tent for camping in the rain?

Also pay attention to the tent’s hydrostatic head, breathability, brand, and other features that will determine the success of your trip.

Sleeping bed and accessories

When having a roof over your head is taken care of you need to think on/in what you will sleep. If you will choose a rainy and cold season I recommend using sleeping bags that are insulated or sleeping beds with blankets.

Sleeping pads, mats, or camping cots are also an option but for setting up the cots you will have to have enough space. Opt for an inflatable pillow and take pajamas for the kids to increase sleeping comfort.

Clothing and footwear

Clothes are one of the most important family camping essentials, or should I say a specific type of clothes. When packing clothes for each member make sure you pack enough to keep everybody satisfied. Pack extra underpants, T-shirts, and socks.

I recommend using cotton, fleece, or wool clothes under the waterproof ones while you hike and explore and when staying inside a tent. What you wear under the jacket is not so important as wearing a waterproof jacket or a coat when it rains and you are out there exploring with children.

If you will be dressed in cotton and rain will start to fall you won’t be protected and can get a cold or get sick as the water can soak you to the skin. Don’t let it happen as you might be canceling the journey due to unpreparedness.

Pack some gloves, scarfs, warm boots, and hats if you will be camping in wintertime. Regarding footwear, you should walk in comfortable shoes or boots that are waterproof. Break in the shoes at least a week before heading to the camp.

Cooking stuff and food

Keeping your party fed is also one of the things that should be taken care of. Where will you cook and what fuel will you use? As a camper, you can opt for a camping stove that runs on propane. These stoves are very practical to cook a meal or a cup of tea. The stove will need a small propane tank to function.

In what will you cook? The best thing is to buy a cookware set for outdoors that has foldable units. Make sure the set has all the items you need to prepare a meal and a hot drink. Don’t forget about eating utensils, a cutting board, knives, matches or a lighter, cups, and paper towels.

If you have time and will you can cook some make-ahead meals so you won’t need to spend much time cooking at a campsite. My girlfriend cooks rice, pasta and prepares meat at home, and packs the food in containers or plastic bags. Surprise your kids by hanging out over a campfire while making s’mores as this is an evergreen classic that makes everyone happy.

Additional Items for Camping

What about other stuff that is recommendable for a family camping?

A tent heater

If you are not camping on your summer vacation, it may get cool at night in the spring or fall.  Did you know that you can use a small and safe heater inside a tent? Outdoor companies make heaters on propane or electricity that will make the tent’s interior warmer and cozier. When getting yours make sure it is safe to use in a tent.

A tarp

Having a tarp with you can be a lifesaver. You can put it above the shelter to make your tent even more waterproof or put it under the tent so the rainwater won’t find its way to the tent.

This piece of outdoor gear is perfect for building a covered place for storing the gear you don’t want inside the tent, to cook, and dry clothes. It is a versatile item to use that I warmly recommend taking along.

Entertainment games

It is clever to take some fun and learning games that you all can play when you are bored or when rain is soaking the campground. Make sure that you take those that are meant for more players and leave the Game Boy at home as you want all of you to have fun together.

Flashlight

Without proper lighting, you won’t see at night and won’t be able to find things that you need. Take a flashlight or a headlamp with extra batteries so your kids won’t be scared when the dark comes and that you will be able to function in the dark.

You can also pack a lantern and candles along; just make sure the candles are placed on a tray so the wax won’t burn the tent’s floor.

Pack smart and enjoy your family time!

Camping packing things must include safety equipment and those that will make your outdoor stay fun and worthwhile. Consider my family camping list and also include your favorite items to have one of the most exciting vacations in nature with the people you love the most.

Children today are not as fascinated by things we older generations once enjoyed so much. Back when we were kids, we loved drawing with color pencils and crayons. Coloring books were common and we would also scribble or color anywhere we could express our imagination. But all is not lost!

Today, free coloring pages for kids make it easy for anyone of any age to find printable drawings of anything imaginable. It’s true children today are not as fascinated by things older generations once enjoyed so much. It’s unfortunate that many kids now don’t find coloring books enjoyable.

There are some good reasons for this—and yes, I am talking about the internet, smartphones, and tablets. These fantastic inventions have robbed today’s kids of some of the simple pleasures in life. They are often more interested in playing video games on a computer or smartphone, instead of drawing or coloring something using markers or crayons.

However, just because kids like their smartphones and tablets doesn’t mean they wouldn’t love to draw or color. They simply need to be introduced to how fun it can be. For example, if you likes coloring animals, there are hundreds of animal coloring pages to choose from. It may be on a long car trip or at home when parents want to limit screen time. Instead of just saying “no more time on the computer”, why not provide them a fun activity as an alternative?

Online Coloring Pages

Thanks to the internet, children today have a whole new world to explore that will evoke their passion for coloring and drawing. This is something kids a generation ago were not able to experience. Professional artists are now drawing and coloring cartoons, animals, game characters, animations, and much more using highly-sophisticated computer software.

These artists also are sharing their creations on websites for everyone to enjoy. The tools and formats used by them are only available for adults with full-fledged careers. But, there are ‘kids versions’ for these tools, and children can use them to draw and color objects.

When searching for tech-free fun things to do for kids to reduce screen time, there are plenty of websites for kids to draw online with and easy-to-follow instructions to animate their drawings. Simply Google “online coloring pages” and you’ll find websites that are designed for kids to color digitally on the screen. Still, these interactive coloring pages where kids can create using the site’s tools are not the same as finding an image and printing it to color with real crayons.

Coloring Page Communities

Whether the artwork is online for virtual coloring using software or you access printable drawings, many of these coloring pages are created by the artistic community. It’s a way for them to share their art and provide fun for kids without having to publish a coloring book. The great thing about this is that parents and teachers only need to print the specific drawings that kids want to color. It’s a great way for them to explore their artist skills and decide if they some day want to join the artistic community as they grow older.

Simply introducing all the coloring page ideas of what to color could inspire someone to try coloring. Discover drawings such as Athletes, Birds, Cars, Color by number, Dinosaurs, Disney, Educational, Flags of countries and LEGO. Or try Motorcycles, My Little Pony, Princesses, Spider-Man, Star Wars, Superman, Vegetables and Winnie the Pooh. The sky is the limit for what kids can color.

Coloring as also been known to be very therapeutic for kids and adults alike to help with anxiety or stress. Or just to have fun doing something they haven’t experienced since childhood. There are printable drawings available that have been created just for adults or teens. These coloring pages require a finer attention to detail. What a great reactivity to do together as a family.

Inspiring Artistic Creativity

While old-school coloring books may be a thing of the past for most children of our generation, they are one of the best ways to inspire kids and reignite their inner passion for drawing and coloring.

Introducing kids to free coloring pages can have a profound effect on children to encourage them in highlighting their creative side. It may inspire them create their own drawings to color.

It will allow them the freedom to make mistakes and improve their motor skills, thanks to the ability to reprint images and color them a second time. And it’s super easy pin their creations on a fridge without having to rip each page out of a coloring book.

Author Bio

Paul B. Wright has over five years of experience in the field of drawing. He specializes in drawing coloring pages that are printable for kids. It’s is Paul’s desire that children of all ages will will discover and grow in their true creative talents.

Share this article on free printable coloring pages with your friends and family!

Blogging can be a child’s play if we look at it from a different perspective. There are many children that have started successful blogs around the world. Blogging is also a wonderful hobby that helps bring out the creativity of kids in a field they love.

In this article, we will discuss 21 blog post ideas for kids and adults interested in creating and learning to start a blog.

21 Top Ideas for Kids to Create a Blog

Regardless whether you’re a parent that wishes to encourage your kid to create a blog or the child, you might find these ideas interesting.

Your Experiences

Nothing attracts people than reading your experiences. As a child, you can start a wonderful blog by writing about your own experiences in growing up.

Stamps Collection

Maybe you’re unaware but collecting postage stamps is one of the greatest hobbies worldwide. Start a blog that showcases your collection of postage stamps and speaks about how you got them.

Coins Collection

Numismatics might sound a bit foreign to you. All it means is collecting coins from your own country and abroad. Collecting coins is also a superb way to gain general knowledge. Start a blog about coins collection.

Helping Mom Around

Do you help your Mom around the house? Then surely you can help other kids to learn from your experiences. Write these as a personal experience by creating a wonderful blog.

Dad’s World

All kids have some thoughts about their Dad. Why not write about these. It could prove to be an amazing blog for kids around the world. After all, Dad deserves some appreciation too.

School Experiences

Not all experiences we have at school are happy. Nor are they sad. But that’s exactly how you could help other kids to know the ups and downs of school life while helping them to cope up.

Toys

Getting away from toys can prove hard as we grow up. Buzz Lightyear and those Toy Stores, superheroes, all continue to be an integral part of my life till today. Create a blog that speaks about your favorite toys.

Bullying

Now this is something serious. And I wish and pray you never have been bullied by other kids. Give a voice to injustice you’re facing by writing about bullying. Take some assistance from law enforcement officials in your place to know more about this disease that affects countless kids worldwide.

Volunteering

Encourage other kids of your age to do good for someone else. It could be an elderly in your place or someone you care about. Seniors always love kids. And your blog could possibly help bring a cheer on their faces.

Your Brother or Sister

This might sound funny to you. But if you’re fortunate to have a brother or sister, write interesting articles about them. We love and sometimes hate our brothers and sisters but mean no harm. Write funny things about your brother or sister that would help kids of your age. But remember, never to hurt them.

Pets

Having pets is one of the best parts of childhood. Innocent as we are, dogs and cats never stop fascinating us. Write about your pets and how you handle them.

Cooking

Cooking brings to my mind a Scottish teenager called Fraser Doherty. He began making jams from his grandma’s recipes and eventually became famous as the ‘Jam Boy’ in the UK. If you’ve some ideas about food we all enjoy, write about this.

DIYs

As a child I would love doing stuff myself. Juts for the thrill of seeing something I create works or doesn’t. I’m no engineer but just these simple things like building a small radio or repairing a blender would thrill me.

Toothaches

All of us kids undergo toothache at some time. And if you’ve ever been through one, you’ll know it knocks our senses out. Going to a dentist is scary. Write about own experiences when you have one. Not when you’re down but your personal experiences with a dentist and toothaches.

Birds

We often watch birds around. Some of these birds are seen rarely because they migrate. Should you be the one loving birds, write about the. Also, include some pictures if you can take them.

School Lessons

Good at any subject in your school. Help other students to learn more about subjects they lag. Teach them with you experiences and simple words on how to help learn something the way you cope with.

Music

Music is a universal language everyone can relate to.  What is your favorite type of music?  Who are your favorite singers and bands?  A music blog is a great way to connect with other fans that like the same music as you do.

Shopping

Kids are often curious about what their parents buy at stores. Write about your funny experiences in trying out new and interesting products that your parents buy and you try out.

Video Games

I’ve rarely come across a kid that doesn’t love video games. Create superb posts about video games you’re playing. You might find a lot of kids who share your hobby and would love learning more from you.

Picnics

Personal experiences about picnics are almost popular around the world. Other kids also want to have similar experiences and would identity with you. Create a blog with your own experiences or that of your friends.

Make Money as Kid

American labor laws are strict about kids working. Yet, there are some online jobs you could take as a child where possible. Help other children learn this important skill of making money during holidays.

In Conclusion

Before concluding I’ll add that being a kid isn’t any reason why you can’t start your own blog. Try it out and you could definitely create something that helps the world. Personally, I have amazing hobbies that I write about often. Blogging as a kid helps you earn some income. If you’re successful, it’s possible to create a brand image for yourself too. And this can be an asset all your life.

A little extra effort as a kid can help shape your future too. There are great online resources that can help you set up a website, even for a kid.  The younger you start, the higher your chances of success. Never let age define whom you wish to be and what you could become. Remember, successful adults often start small as kids.

As a parent, you want each and every birthday party you throw for your child to be as unique and memorable as the last.  Unfortunately, each year that passes by makes it more challenging to think of a different idea. Thankfully, we have 5 truly unique kids birthday party ideas for you, and these work for kids of any age!

Let’s dive in and find your next big birthday party hit. A party your kids never forget.

Have a real fire truck at your next party!

Every child, boy or girl, is fascinated by the roaring engine and blaring sirens of a big red fire truck! So, why not have one at your next event?

Yes, this is indeed possible.

Fantastic Fire Department is an example of a company that brings a kid friendly fire truck to any kid’s birthday party.

This is perfect for parents who want to make a big impression and love going all out with decorations.

Imagine your children wearing firefighter outfits complete with hats and boots as they pretend to put out fires with a giant fire hose.

Pair this with inexpensive water balloons, and you have yourself the perfect outdoor water day.

Interactive foam parties for kids!

One of the biggest struggles during summer is finding something cool and refreshing to do outdoors.

Combine that with the already difficult task of finding an entertainment option that gets everyone involved while throwing birthday party at home, and your choices become pretty limited.

Or so they seem.

A fantastic new kids birthday party idea for large summer events is foam parties for kids!

What is a foam party?

It’s like a dance party but inside a giant pile of refreshing foam!

This is possible thanks to a giant foam cannon that fills any outdoor area up to 6 feet in foam in minutes.

A definite picture-worthy moment.

A mini golf course … that comes to you!

Everyone loves mini golf!

Unfortunately, mini golf is such a popular birthday party choice it is tough to find a course that isn’t already filled with other families.

So – instead of going out to a course, why not bring the course to you?

At Safe Search Kids we are all about keeping creativity alive and encourage you to experiment with creating your own mini golf course at home. This can become a great family DIY project and then turn into the ultimate kids birthday party idea.

Not the DIY type? A company like Mini Golf On The Go specializes in bringing a full mini golf course to your event location.

Looking for high-quality golf equipment? Sunday Golf has it all with all their great golf bags and other golf equipment such as golf valuables pouches that you can get and worth investing for.

Sleepover TeePee parties

There is nothing more exciting to a child than when they have their first sleepover with all their friends.

A sleepover party is an inexpensive yet engaging birthday party option.

You can take this option up a notch by adding teepees to the mix!

You can purchase or build your own and let the kids decorate and organize their own teepees to match any theme they like.

From there, you can let the kids’ imagination go wild as they enjoy the party in their own little teepee hut.

Build your own escape room in your home!

Now, this birthday party idea is for the busy mom who loves to DIY and enjoys creativity.

Spend an evening planning out different puzzles and games throughout your home.

When the DIY escape room is ready, split the party guests up into different teams and see who can figure it all out first!

Have some prizes handy for the winning teams and watch as the party turns into a friendly competition that gets everyone involved.

And that is a wrap! There are a few truly unique birthday party ideas that can hold you over for the next 5 years.

Each idea is memorable, inclusive, and works great for any age, and will make you look like the rockstar parent you are!