My son’s preschool is doing a unit on camping again this year. Since it’s a co-op, I get to sit in once a week on their fun activities and conversations. Yesterday, we made backpacks out of old paper bags and the kids got to draw all the things they would pack in their bag. I am happy to report that the top on the list of essentials that need to be packed was decidedly – marshmallows! Moms and dads, if you are even considering skipping those marshmallows this year, don’t even think about it.
I learned this the hard way last year when I decided to conveniently “forget” to bring marshmallows on our family camping trip. I know exactly what I was thinking – we need to eat less sugar (actually I do), and I didn’t want to have yet another 7/8′s bag of leftover marshmallows sitting in our pantry for the next year. I had just thrown out a stale nasty half congealed mass that looked more like a spongy white tumor. Well, I think I earned the title of evil mommy as soon as the sun set and dinner was over. Oh the sad sad faces when it was revealed that there would be no marshmallow roasting that night.
Photo by: Flickr/quinn.anna
I should have known better because the year before, we had gone camping with some friends who keep kosher and who’s kids had begged their parents to hunt down kosher marshmallows because they were insistent on not missing out on any marshmallow roasting fun this time round. Low and behold, we arrived at Henry Coe State Park to discover that we couldn’t build an open fire due to high fire danger conditions. It was seriously the saddest camping experience I’ve had to date apart from camping in the jungles of Madagascar (I’ll save that for a different post). But did the kids allow the lack of a bonfire stop them? Oh no! They insisted that by hook or by crook, we would have to roast those kosher marshmallows. So, we fired up the tiny expedition stove and huddled around it, and we roasted those very special kosher marshmellows. They really didn’t taste the same, but nonetheless, we had paid homage to the almighty marshmallow. Mostly importantly, the kids were satisfied.
Reviews of Henry Coe State Park with Kids
So, back to my original point. Here are the other essential items for your camping packing list according the preschoolers at our co-op:
- flashlight
- compass
- swim suit
- sun screen
- trail mix with M&M’s
- (and did I already say) MARSHMALLOWS?
So, really moms and dads, you really can pack quite light for your next family camping trip. Your kids won’t miss a beat as long as you have these essential items.
Here’s a little tip for the best S’mores. Instead of using graham crackers and chocolate bars. Consider chocolate covered graham crackers. They work so much better because the chocolate melts so much quicker.
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Thanks to everyone for sharing all of your awesome game and toy ideas!
We’re planning to pull together an article to share for all the 2010 travel that we’ll be doing with the kids.
Congratulations to all the winners who contributed on the blog, Facebook, and Twitter:
kbcmom (trekaroo talk), RunnerGrrrl, Nikki Wang, Ami, familiarycerz, Carrie, msrigs, Maria Legato (FB), BAT (Trekaroo Talk), and Kim.
Entertaining little kids when traveling is often the most exhausting part of a family “vacation.” We thought it would be fun for all of us to share the tricks we have up our sleeves to create an exhaustive list of boredom busters. Leave a comment here or on twitter/facebook with your FREE or almost free activities or amusements. (Don’t forget to tell us your Trekaroo screenname or blog name so we can give you credit for your genius when we quote you.
The Steal – Win a Kid’s Travel Game 
We’ll be giving away ten fun toys to keep your kids occupied on the road.
Number of Winners: Ten (10)
Prize: 1 Travel Game (We’ve got CandyLand, Hungry, Hungry Hippos, Travel MagnaDoodle, and 7 Wikki Stix sets)
To enter:
Tell us one FREE game or creative activity you use to keep your kids entertained when traveling and why it works so well. Each idea is one entry. You can leave a comment below, tweet your idea to @trekaroo, or leave a comment on Facebook. One entry per idea.
Rules and guidelines:
- 18 years of age or older
- US Residents only
- One entry per person
Deadline to enter: Sunday, January 31, 2010 at 11:59PM PST
Related articles:
- 10 Fun Travel Activities for Kids
- Games on the Go
- Travel Toy Recommendations for Babies and Toddlers
- Top 10 Travel Toys for Elementary School Kids
- Top 5 Travel Toys for Preschoolers
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Esther Lee is a contributing author on Trekaroo – a reviews site dedicated to exploring and traveling with kids.
Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NY | PA | TX | VA | WA
New! Trekaroo Travel Store
The new Trekaroo Travel Store is full of the best travel solutions on the market – clever and easy to tote along. Our travel toys have been road-tested and promise to provide hours of entertainment on the go. Everything has been hand-picked by travel savvy moms and dads.
Our Favorite Travel Gear See all travel gear
Ergo Baby Carrier
The Ergo baby carrier can be used as a front carrier and a back carrier. It folds up small enough to fit in your hand carry and feels comfortable for carry even a toddler for long distances. Love love love our Ergo!
Can’t rave enough about this ultra light travel bed/tent. It’s so much easier to tote around than a travel crib. Throw a sheet over it and you have a dark room. Put it on a bed or a comforter and ditch the air-mattress to reduce weight even more.
Phil and Ted Wriggle Wraper
Turn any chair into a high chair. Maybe not for everyday use, but great for on the go. It sure beats feeding a squirmy baby in your lap.
Our Favorite Toys and Games that Travel Well see all travel games and toys
Magnetic toys are great for travel because it’s much easier to keep track of small pieces. Comes in various themes for boys and girls.
These cubes nest into each other and fit perfectly in a travel bag. Topple free stacking in a moving car or plane.
