Suggestions for family games while RVing/Camping

Your kids are very young so I would suggest something simple like having a walk in nature and playing words games such as "can you sport anything with a E?" and end each game with a small reward

We have found that Squeeze Rockets and Stomp Rockets are a big hit across all ages.

We also play Farkle, Doodle Dice and Rory's Story Cubes for an indoor time.

Try rock painting! My kids both loved it. You need: any smooth rock you collect, acrylic paints from Walmart (they usually come in sets with little pots of different colors), some paintbrushes, craft glue, googly eyes, and clear spray gloss in a can (we used matte, but glossy works as well). Also glitter if you want.

Wash the rocks and dry well. Paint a background color and let dry (usually an hour). Paint designs or whatever on the rock and let dry. Spray with clear spray paint. When dry, glue on googly eyes if you want. Do this on a plastic tablecloth, NOT just the picnic table.

We made ladybugs, frogs, bees, spiders, etc. Larger rocks can be paperweighs or even door stops.

With the age difference between the kids, I think it's good to find things that can be shared but provide different levels of skill, etc.

Guide books that they can check off as they ID various birds, butterflies, trees, etc. The older one can read the descriptions, the 3 year old can help identify features (yellow legs, long thin beak, etc.), and the 1 year old can look at the pictures.

How about photography? You could get the 9 year old and 3 year old inexpensive used digital cameras and let them have at it. The 9 year old can explore a bit further (maybe take a hike with one parent while the other stays at camp with the little ones). The 3 year old will just enjoy running around the campsite taking photos. The older one can find lizards, bugs, etc. and take photos of them for the little ones to see. You can also give the older one "assignments" with the camera. Things like take a photo of wood. It lets the kid use his/her imagination as to what "wood" is - maybe a tree, bench, sign, fence, twig, etc.

Bringing a friend for the 9 year old could be nice also. Sometimes the hardest thing about the age difference between the kids is that the oldest one can be restricted to playing alone or playing "baby games" - a friend along can provide some age-appropriate fun.

There is always something to do at a CG. But we always gave cards, board games, and even the xbox doubles as a cd player and game, for those rainy days. To me, sitting around the fire and making smoars and enjoying the time with the family is perfect.

For us we planned based on the type of trip, some trips were for the area and some were for the campground. We took advantage of what the campground had to offer, playground, pool etc. We took walks, played cards and board games, read books. Sat around the fire at night and have some great family memories. When the kids were little and went to bed early, I would head off and get a banana split or something for my wife and I as we sat around the fire, good times.

Your oldest is certainly ready, and your middle is getting close. I learned chess from my father when I was 4. Its served me well since then.

Cycling / swimming / canoe & kayaking / snorkeling ? Keep them and yourself moving and having fun! Not what others did 50 years ago to have fun, but things you and they want to do!

Can't say for the 1 one old. S/he would probably be happy with an empty storage box for hours on end, LOL.
The 3 to 9 y/o (some games more for one age than the other):

Twister

Uno

Go Fish and Old Maid w/ a deck of cards

Water guns or spray bottles from the dollar store

Bubbles for all. I make my own w/ dishwashing liquid.

Sidewalk chalk (sorry Murphsmom; don't worry it'll rain eventually)which is great for giant self expression and hopscotch.

Finger paints for all age groups. Michael's sells a really extensive artist's kit for about 5 bucks. Has water paints,a pair of safety scissors, brushes, glue stick, coloured pencils and crayons amongst other stuff. Get a big pad of newsprint paper for another 3 odd dollars and you're in business. Splurge on construction paper if you're in the mood.

Plastic binoculars. Not the teeny ones that have plastic lens. Large adjustable lens version sold at various museum shops for 30-35 bucks. One of the best purchases I ever made.

Camping at a state park? They often have nature programs geared toward children.

Up until recently the only battery operated toy I brought was Simon since I felt the eye-hand coordination development was useful and who doesn't like blinking lights and silly noises around the campfire?

I added Kindle to the list this year because I didn't feel like keeping up with 18 books for one kiddo and 16 for the other over a 2-1/2 week trip.

Double post. Apologies.