campermom

If we are camping, just the two of us, I will bring crayons, paper, and a couple small figures or animals like what we'll find in the park we're staying in. We have an assortment of bobcats, armadillos, deer, snakes, alligators, etc. The happy meal toy from dinner on the way usually occupies him long enough for tent set up.

This tactic is helpful in avoiding those purchases in the gift store. "But son, you already have an alligator."