Kids Activities at State Parks

My kids would say the same thing. And it's OK to say no.

My 25 year old will camp with us occasionally when he is home on leave but he much prefers the comforts of home (and video games). My 21 year old still goes camping with us several times a year as his job allows.

When we traveled as kids, I never remember my folks bringing anything special for us. We went out and explored and played and had a great time.

I know that as parents of "busy" kids - you'd like to just sit and relax for a few moments :-) But your time to be invited to play, is very short. Pretty soon, the oldest would rather be with other kids her age - and God Forbid her parents would be hanging around....LOL! Once they get Driver's Licenses - their at-home social lives become critical and camping will be a dread subject. Actually - once they start driving, they tend to get summer jobs and all of a sudden they CAN'T go camping. Now you have a choice: leave them behind, or don't go camping?

So what I'm gently suggesting is to get up and go do what they want. The fact that they want you along is testimony to your being a fun parent :-) You're making great memories - stuff they will cherish. There will be a gap in their attendance, as they get into high school and maybe on to college.... but once they are hooked on camping, the bug will bite them again. And again, they will want to camp with you - and bring along their own families!

Trust me, when your grandchild wants to go find lightning bugs - you will HAPPILY take him/her by the hand and chase bugs!

It's the Camping Circle of Life. Of course, now, when I go to make reservations at a State Park, I have to reserve 4 or 5 sites at a time....LOL!

PSU1999 wrote:
. This past weekend we were run ragged with keeping up with what they continuously were asking to do. I don't mean to sound like we don't want to participate with them but does anyone have any suggestions for entertainment that their kids can do on their own?

I went back and grabbed this part of the OP, to make one point...

NO

You did some things with them, you had the family time, you are busy chasing a 2 & 4 year old, cooking dinner, trying to enjoy your weekend as well.

Mommy can we...NO

Daddy we want to....NO.

Please, I am not suggesting you be one of those "negative" parents. I am only suggesting that YOU set the limits.

By the way, have you been up to Pymatuning Lake? Every go over to Linesville, feed the fish? Love that place as a kid---still do, but haven't been there in several years.

Plus---typically in PA the Corp Of Engineer camp sites tend to be pretty basic...a site, not much more. The State parks will have more to do---Western PA is full of private CG. Most have weekly scheduled events..ie...hay rides, scavenger hunts, Christmas in July, BINGO, rec rooms, etc...

Campfire Time wrote:


And yes, you will be run ragged. That's what having kids is all about. When they leave home, that's when you get to relax and take it easy. Until then, it's non-stop.

Then they come back.

YOU give them advice, but keep your space, and hope they travel in the right direction, make the right choices.

They DEMAND their space, but quietly acknowledge that they need your help---while insisting they can't wait to move on :R

HAVE I APOLOGISED TO MY OWN DAD RECENTLY :h The circle of life.

cbshoestring wrote:

Four would definately be harder then our two...Especially with the age difference. The 11 & 8 can probably be allowed to roam, as long as one eye could locate them every once in a while. Problems is, they gonna need both eyes to keep track of the 2 & 4, who will surely be going in different directions. :R

I still say...if you can do it at home, you can do it at the CG. The 8 & 11 should be able to take care of themselves, which leaves one big mud puddle for the 2 & 4 to sit in...keep them occupied for hours :B

Oops, to clarify that's two 4 year olds (twins).

I agree that it can be done. I think the walkie talkies for the older two is a great idea and will allow them a bit more freedom.

toedtoes wrote:

I agree, but I will point out that the OP has 4 kids (11, 8, and 2- 4yr olds per their signature). What I'd let an 8 or 11 year old do is different than what I'd let a 4 year old do. I also wouldn't want to put the pressure of "watching out for" the 4 year olds on the older kids. That puts the OP in a slightly different situation than having one kid or a couple at older ages.

Four would definately be harder then our two...Especially with the age difference. The 11 & 8 can probably be allowed to roam, as long as one eye could locate them every once in a while. Problems is, they gonna need both eyes to keep track of the 2 & 4, who will surely be going in different directions. :R

I still say...if you can do it at home, you can do it at the CG. The 8 & 11 should be able to take care of themselves, which leaves one big mud puddle for the 2 & 4 to sit in...keep them occupied for hours :B

toedtoes wrote:
davosfam - I was mentioning that more for the comments about boys not liking sidewalk chalk or playgrounds.

Gotcha! I guess by age 11 they are starting to outgrown that stuff. Girls probably faster than boys. :(

davosfam - I was mentioning that more for the comments about boys not liking sidewalk chalk or playgrounds.

toedtoes wrote:
The OP has four daughters.

My advice is the same for sons or daughters. ;)