There are two simples rules聽to follow to get your kids to enjoy camping. The first:聽leave the iPad聽at home. The second: encourage them to get out and explore. To find out what essentials聽should absolutely be in your backpack if you're camping with kids, I spoke with my聽friend , a river guide and father extraordinaire, who has successfully adventured with his children for years. Here are his top six gear picks.聽
National Geographic Bird Guide of North America ($12)聽
鈥 have offered our girls hours of entertainment,鈥 Allred says. He suggests turning observation into a game. See how many different species your kids聽can find聽or see which ones they can spot the most frequently.聽
Bushnell 8X21mm PowerView Binoculars ($16)聽
will help with the observation game. And they鈥檙e inexpensive enough that you can buy two鈥攐r not worry聽if the first聽gets destroyed. When your kids lose interest, throw them in your own pack for day hikes.聽
The North Face Sprout Backpack ($35)聽
Your child probably has a school backpack, but tell her聽 is intended just for聽hiking. That will help her聽get excited for the trail. Allred likes the Sprout because it鈥檚 small, but still lets his daughters carry their own water and some extra clothes. When his kids aren鈥檛 hiking, Allred sends them out with the bags on scavenger hunts.
Disc Craft Beginner Disc Golf Set ($25)
is less about the discs, and more about the course, which you should have your kids set up using natural features.聽
Princeton Tec Amp 3.5 ($30)聽
Every kid loves a flashlight. See if yours聽can spot wildlife at night聽with this inexpensive model from Princeton. We like the聽聽because it聽has a聽long battery life, sturdy build, and a 100-lumen output. An included nylon lanyard helps ensure it doesn't get lost.
NRS Jester ($715)聽
This is a big investment, but one that鈥檚 given Allred鈥檚 kids hours of enjoyment out on a lake. is small enough for his first- and third-grader聽to maneuver, and if they get tired of paddling, it doubles as a floaty.