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Tips for Toddler’s bedtime when camping

The first time you camp with a toddler make it a practice run. Remember, most of camping, but especially sleeping outside in a tent, under the stars, away from the familiar, is a new and, for some, scary. Pick a place close to home, such as a nearby campground or, perhaps, your backyard. And be Read More >>

Yellowstone NP with Grandchildren

It’s a little over one hour drive from our grandchildren’s house to the west gate of Yellowstone National Park. (Gallatin, Beaverhead and Deerlodge national forests are about 15 minutes away.) But like many, visiting a local tourist attraction is something seldom done. So, Grandma and Grandpa decided a day trip was in order. It took Read More >>

Entertaining children

Last summer my daughter and her family took a trip from western Montana to eastern Minnesota. A long trip with two 9 year-old girls and a teenager. To everyone have a good time, Grandma (that’s me!) put together an assortment of “Goody Bags”. Each bag had surprise that might help move the miles a little Read More >>

Clothespin Crafts

When the weather is miserable and winter never-ending, I bring out my crafts box. A personal favorite is being creative with clothes pins I’ve long been a fan of clothes line driers and those clip-style clothespins. (Here in Arizona, it is so dry, it seems a shame to use an electric clothes drier but that’s Read More >>

Winter activities for children

The luster of the children’s Christmas gifts has worn off. Here are a few ideas for activities from one Grandma to help parents get through the next few weeks of winter until Spring arrives. These ideas are for elementary school age children who live where there is snow. Sand toys – A bucket and shovel Read More >>

Affordable Family Vacations – Alternatives to National Parks

Every January, I start planning for the upcoming camping season. In the beginning, camping was a break from my life of a 9-to-5 job, bills, and the same-old, same-old. Then came a husband and children. Camping became an affordable family vacation. Today, people are still looking for an affordable family vacation and many are discovering Read More >>

Colorful Acorn Caps

The best crafts for entertaining children (whether camping or dealing with yucky weather) are really easy, take a little more effort than a quick run to the closest, and allow for some creativity once the basic skill is learned. This Colorful Acorn Caps craft has all these elements! FYI: Oak trees do not produce all Read More >>

Campfire songs to help the drive

There are many great things about Texas but driving an Interstate highway through west Texas is not one of them. I have to work at finding something to hold my interest as we motor through this area. When driving through west Texas, I call upon just about every campfire song I can recall. Since my Read More >>

Travel Activity Notebook

Have an Activity Binder for each child. You’ll need: Get a 3-ring binder, a package of plastic sleeves, and at least one pencil “pocket.” You might also want: – some paper clips or clothes pins (used to hold paper to binder’s cover; – some paper towels or a cloth to wipe plastic sleeves clean; – Read More >>

Game for home, campground, and car

Here’s a twist on the old “I Spy” game (the reliable long trip traveling in the car game) that is good for a rainy camping afternoon or a yucky winter’s day adapted from the No Time for Flash Cards blog. Take a glass or plastic jar and full about 3/4 full with uncooked rice. Now Read More >>