"What toys should you bring?" - Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation

campermom · 11-27-2006, 11:29 PM

While preparing for a trip with cub scouts, a first-timer mom asked what toys should she bring. Another mom and I told her not to bring any sticks, rocks, dirt or trees from home because they had plenty at the park. :rolleyes: Silly mom, toys are for kids who don't play outdoors.

Turn Key · 11-28-2006, 07:26 AM

!

Happy Camping!

PaulR · 11-28-2006, 07:14 PM

I tell you what, toys can be a godsend for a younger kid. The Deigo figure I bought him as a surprise during the trip may not have helped that much, but the DVD player was a godsend to keep him occupied while I set the tent up!

Of course, it went back into the car for the rest of the trip, but for younger kids, some toys and more important familiarities can make all the difference.

campermom · 11-28-2006, 09:15 PM

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."

riverrat · 11-28-2006, 09:21 PM

My kids are older teens now but when they were younger I brought special craft supplies for just that trip. (corn husk dolls for thanksgiving, pinecones and glitter for winter time, etc). Coloring books, word search and the like kept mine occupied. A football is good, too. In the day, Game Boy was a must for the long trip but was pretty much forgoten once we arrived.
In the long run, a pile of rocks and a stream to skip them on is all you really need.

Shannon · 11-29-2006, 03:53 PM

Keep 'em coming, gang -- Justin and I are taking notes!

sharon6165 · 11-29-2006, 09:13 PM

Find the children's book "Roxaboxen" by Barbara Cooney and read it with your kids. My kids spent a couple of days building their own Roxaboxen town when we visited Big Bend five years ago. Then you don't need any toys!

CyberCelt · 12-07-2006, 12:13 AM

Audio books. Activity books with coloring, puzzles, find the difference. There are a million board games and you can find like a book of games that has all the boards and instructions and pieces in one place.

Remember, there are many on the road games the kids can play. Give them a map of 50 states and let them color in the state when they see a license plate from there. Or the alphabet game, where you find the letters of the alphabets on objects outside the car.

Give the kids and map and let them plot the course. Ask them how far it is from * to *. Teach them the compass Rose and how it helps people navigate. Explain about navigating by the placement of the sun and lenght of shadows.

Once you are at the campground, a bike to get around and a pouch for all discoveries. Walkie talkies are good if they kids go off by themselves.

SunshineSnuz · 01-09-2007, 02:14 PM

Ditto on coloring books, games, and craft projects. We also have a bug catching 'kit' that we bring along that includes a small wire cage, magnifying glass, tweezers, and a net.

We also always bring some kind of outdoor toys... a ball and mitt, bocce balls, and bubbles.

And since it seems to want to rain just about every trip we take... yes, I am one of those 'bad' moms that bring along the portable DVD player for bedtime.

Oh, the other thing we could not leave home without, is a sketch book and pencils. My DD loves to sit down and scketch the scenery when we're busy fishing. She can stay occupied for hours that way.

aggiehiker92 · 01-11-2007, 11:47 AM

MY wife and I are expecting our seventh. Yeah, we're nuts. Anyway, a pre-requisite for campsite selection is a direct line-of-site of the playground. Most State Parks have them, and ALL KOAs and the like have them. Especially after a long day of driving, there is NOTHING better the a simple swingset or playground to allow the kids to burn off the excess energy from being cooped up. If no playground, then a good pile of rocks to climb or a pond to throw stones into. Even a short (within earshot) excursion in the woods is not bad, depending on the youngster.

Happy camping.