Backyard Family Campout
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SETTING UP THE CAMPSITE
Even if you don't spend the entire night in the backyard, setting up a tent helps prepare the little ones for the real event. And, it makes a great backdrop for all of the "camping" activities to come!
WHAT YOU NEED
- Tent
- Sleeping bags or blankets
- Campfire Nightlight (See instructions below)
HOW TO DO IT
- Pitch a tent while it is still daylight. Have your child help clear a level spot of any sticks, rocks, or roots that might be uncomfortable to lie on.
- Lay sleeping bags or blankets inside to make it cozy.
Campfire Nightlight
WHAT YOU NEED
- Sticks
- Twine
- Battery-powered candle or a few flashlights
- Red cellophane paper
- Newspaper
- Paper lunch sacks
HOW TO DO IT
- Set up a battery-powered candle or a few flashlights where you would like your "campfire."
- Make a tepee of sticks around the light source, and tie the sticks together at the top with twine.
- Stuff red cellophane paper between the sticks.
- Surround your campfire with a circle of fake rocks made from newspaper-stuffed paper lunch sacks.
CAMPOUT ACTIVITIES
Nature Bracelets
The Great Outdoors offers a variety of natural treasures that look superb on a handmade bracelet that kids can make themselves.
HOW TO DO IT
- Wrap a strip of masking tape, sticky side out, around your child's wrist.
- Invite your child to roam around the backyard to find special treasures, such as flower petals, leaves and seeds to decorate the bracelet.
Flashlight Walk
There is something magical about flashlights and children. They love the light in the dark. Help children feel comfortable in the dark by giving them their own flashlight to carry on a family outdoor evening nature walk.
WHAT YOU NEED
- 1 flashlight for each "walker"
- NESTLÉ GOOBERS Trail Mix (See recipe below)
HOW TO DO IT
- Give each "walker" a flashlight and a small bag of GOOBERS Trail Mix.
- Slowly walk through the neighborhood. Have children focus on details in the natural surroundings they may have missed before.
- Touch the bark of trees, look for spider webs, listen for the sound of crickets, an owl, or the wind.
- After you have walked for a while, stop walking, turn off the flashlights, munch on some trail mix, and listen to the sounds of the night.
- If you live in a busy neighborhood, you may see and hear more man-made creations, but you can still help your child focus on the nature around him.
GOOBERS Trail Mix (Makes about 10 cups)
- INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups NESTLÉ GOOBERS Milk Chocolate-Covered Peanuts
- 2 cups small pretzel twists
- 2 cups miniature marshmallows
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 cup coarsely chopped dried apricots
- 1 cup coarsely chopped dried apples
- COMBINE GOOBERS, pretzels, marshmallows, raisins, apricots and apples in large bowl.
AROUND THE CAMPFIRE
Hand Shadows Campfire Stories
At nightfall, gather around the "Nightlight Campfire' to tell campfire stories.
WHAT YOU NEED
- Flashlight
- S'Mores that CRUNCH! (recipe below)
- Thermos of hot NESTLÉ NESQUIK
- Insulated cups
HOW TO DO IT
- Have one person aim a flashlight against the side of the tent.
- Have everyone take turns making hand shadows in front of the flashlight. Moving your hands closer to the light will make bigger shadows.
- Encourage them to tell a story based on the shadows they are making. For example: if they make a fist and stick up their first and second fingers, they will make a rabbit. Suggest that they think of a story about the Rabbit Family on a Camping Trip!
- After sharing the campfire stories, reward all of the campers with the traditional campfire treat, S'Mores! And a mug of hot NESQUIK.
- The recipe below calls for melting the marshmallows in the microwave. You can do this and bring the warm finished treats out to the campers.
- Or, if you have a barbeque and a willing adult, fire up the grill, give each camper a stick and marshmallow and supervise a marshmallow roast.
- You can then help the children place the roasted marshmallow and 1/2 of one NESTLÉ CRUNCH (1.55 oz.) Candy Bar between two graham cracker squares.
- Give the marshmallow a few seconds to melt the chocolate and your S'mores will be ready to eat and enjoy.
S'Mores That CRUNCH! (Makes 2 Servings)
- INGREDIENTS:
- 4 graham cracker squares
- 2 large marshmallows
- 1 (1.55 oz.) NESTLÉ CRUNCH Candy Bar, cut in half
- PLACE 2 graham cracker squares on microwave-safe plate. Top each square with 1 marshmallow.
- MICROWAVE on HIGH (100%) power for 10 to 15 seconds or until marshmallows expand. Top each marshmallow with 1 CRUNCH square and remaining graham cracker square.
TIPS
- If you are roasting the marshmallows over the barbeque, make sure to let them cool slightly before the children bite into them. They can get very hot!
FOLLOW UP FUN
- After enjoying the Backyard Campout, plan the real thing!
- Check out books on national parks from the library or visit a travel store and choose pamphlets and maps.
- Have a family camping trip planning session to get everyone involved.
- When it's cold outside, have an indoor campout in the living room. No beds allowed!