Clothes are not just about the fashion and the way we look. When it comes to your kids, the clothes you put on them can help protect them and keep them comfortable and healthy. When the summer heat begins to treat us, a lot of parents can make the mistake of thinking the less clothes, the better! But since running around naked is often not the wisest option (sunburn!) or the most socially acceptable (hello, fellow restaurant goers!), you might want to succeed with your summer clothes shopping with these simple tips. Here are the five best summer clothes to get for your kids!

A proper sunhat

Your shopping trip should definitely start with a good sunhat. If your kids are older, you might opt for a cap or a cotton sunhat. Perhaps your boys and girls have a favourite sports team and you can pick their branded caps from the store. If your kids are still toddlers and babies, you want a soft cotton hat that can be strapped gently.

The key to picking the summer hat is about protection. You want the hat to cover the face, and especially the eyes, from the harmful UV-rays. You also need to ensure the hat fits well – isn’t too loose or too tight – to ensure it stays put when the child runs around.

Stylish sunglasses

Sunrays can be quite damaging to the eyes and you should teach your kids to wear sunglasses as soon as possible. This shouldn’t be hard as brands like Gucci make cute sunglasses for babies as well as us adults. Sunglasses are especially important if your child refuses to wear a hat.

When shopping for sunglasses, you need to focus on a few essential tips. First, ensure the sunglasses have a certificate that says they come with a 99% to 100% UVA and UVB protection. So, avoid shopping from non-certified brands and retailers that aren’t specialised in glasses. In addition, pick sunglasses that fit the child’s lifestyle. Don’t opt for something too expensive and add a strap to prevent the sunglasses from falling on the ground. Finally, it’s best to test the glasses before buying – avoid shopping for sunglasses online, unless you’ve first tested them in store.

Cotton clothing

When it comes to clothing, your material of choice for the summer should be cotton. This is the coolest fabric around and will keep your child comfortable even during a heat wave. 100% cotton clothes are available from matalan.co.uk, which has plenty of offers available to help you save with the shopping costs.

What types of clothes to buy? Your summer clothes should cover up as much skin as possible, especially if the children spend a lot of time outdoors. This is to limit the exposure to the UV-rays. Shorts, t-shirts and sleeveless dresses can be nice too; you just need to remember to add a layer of sun protection if the kids spend a lot of time outdoors.

If you opt for long-sleeved cotton shirts and trousers, keep the clothing loose. This can help the child to avoid feeling too restricted and hot. Interestingly, dark coloured clothing can actually be better for the summer.

You can also buy a product to increase the sun protection of your kids’ clothing. SunGuard, for example, is a chemical product you can add to your laundry and it adds a sun protection to your items for up to 20 washes.

Swimwear on the go

Children love spending time in puddles, pools and other such watery places. In the summer, there’s nothing better than a relaxing dip in the pool. You should definitely consider buying kids swimwear for the summer and carrying it with you wherever you go. In fact, if you pick something nice like the Zoggs, your kids could wear the swimsuits under their normal clothing. This would ensure they could dip in the water as soon as the opportunity arises!

Comfortable sneakers – with socks!

While it can be tempting to kick off the shoes, you don’t want your kids running around without shoes too often. In public places, such as parks, you can’t ever tell what’s on the ground and you don’t want your child to hurt their feet. Instead, invest in a good pair of sneakers or sandals. You want a material that breathes and protects – again, cotton sneakers are a great choice.

Make sure your child also wears socks with the shoes. Short, sandal socks in white or other light colour will look nice and the socks can prevent blisters from forming. Furthermore, if you’re using sandals, the socks are great for keeping ticks at bay.

The above clothing tips and suggestions will ensure your kids can have an active yet protected summer. When picking the items, allow the kids to pick the colours and the designs – just keep those fabric and other suggestions from above in mind.

In the US alone, it’s estimated that over 1,260,000 people move to a different country each year – that’s a lot of families! Moving abroad is associated with a variety of benefits including meeting new people, experiencing an entirely different culture and even learning a new language but, when the entire family are involved, there can be complications.

Moving abroad can be daunting for adults but, from a child’s perspective, the thought of leaving their school and friends to move to a completely new country can be very scary. Helping your children adjust to the process of a major move can be challenging and may require a lot of time and reassurance.

If you’re thinking of moving abroad or perhaps have already moved, and your children are struggling to cope, below you’ll find some top tips on how to effectively deal with this and help your children adjust to their new home and school.

Discuss the move before you leave

When moving to another country, it’s essential you keep your children updated and ‘in the loop’ whilst planning to leave. If you’re vague about the move then suddenly put your children on a plane with all their possessions without much warning, they won’t understand what’s going on and will find the adjustment much harder to cope with.

To best prepare them for what they’re about to face, teach them about the country they’ll soon be calling home and consistently show photographs of where they’re going to be moving. Consistency is key as is ensuring your children know exactly what’s happening before you even leave is the best way to prepare and reassure them that everything will be fine.

Spain is often a popular destination for movers and, as mentioned, it’s important to show your children where their new home will be. If Spain is on the cards for you and your family, be sure to show them Place 2 Live Spain which has a variety of stunning properties your children can look at and, if old enough, read about to give them more of an insight into what they can expect when you arrive.

Go through their first day of school with them in preparation

Attending a new school can be a daunting prospect for a child, especially when in another country where they don’t know anyone. They will naturally feel anxious, and providing much-needed reassurance is essential.

A great way of doing this is to go through their first day ahead of time so they’ll know what to expect. Do a trial run of their school journey with them – take the bus if you have to. It’s also a good idea to contact their teacher before the first day and arrange a meeting at the school. Then, your child will be able to see their new school first-hand and meet their teacher without being surrounded by other children. Their questions can be answered and they’ll be able to see their classroom in a much more relaxed environment – guaranteed to make their first day less scary!

Learn the language

If you’re moving to a country that natively speaks a different language, it’s essential you’re open to the idea of learning it – especially for your children’s sake. Often, young children are able to learn a second language relatively easily, and this will help them significantly when adjusting to their new school life.

Language barriers are tough as it is but, for a child trying to make friends and fit in at a brand-new school, if they’re unable to properly communicate things will be much more difficult. So, if your children are surrounded by their new language at home with you trying to learn too, it will give them much more motivation and is likely to help them learn even quicker.

Reach out to your local community

Make the effort to speak with your neighbors and encourage your children to bring their new classmates home after school to play. The more integrated you get with your new community, the easier it will become for both yourself and your children. They’ll feel less daunted by their surroundings and will find the transition much easier the more comfortable they get.

Moving abroad is never going to be easy, especially if you have children with an imminent start at a new school. But, things don’t have to be too complicated as long as you prepare properly, and provide the reassurance your children need both before and during their first day of school.

Karina Karlsen originally moved to Spain from Denmark 27 years ago where she worked as an interior designer for high-end furniture stores on the Costa del Sol. In 1999 Karina was offered a job in real estate by Engel and Volkers in Marbella. In 2005 Karina left Engel and Volkers to start Place 2 Live Spain, a real estate company specialising in new developments on the Costa del Sol.

It is always difficult when you are a parent who has to spend a lot of time away from your kids as a result of work commitments, but there are some good ways to keep in touch with them.

You will always want the chance to be able to catch up with news of their day and say goodnight before they go to bed, and there are some great apps that allow you to do that.

Here is a look at some useful apps to help parents stay in touch with their kids, including an overview of why kids need to know your plans to travel, together with ideas and tips on how to stay connected with them while you are apart.

Keep your kids informed

There aren’t likely to be many parents who have not experienced a few feelings of guilt as they pack for another trip away without the kids, and this could make you think it is better to tell them exactly how long you are away for.

It is often the case that children fare much better with their parents being away from them if they know exactly how long you will be away and when you are leaving.

Always tell your kids about your travel plans. It helps them to adjust and will normally make them less stressed about your absence if they know exactly what is going on.

Make promises you can keep about staying in contact with them and set a schedule for when you are going to get in touch while you are away.

Control over texting

Virtually every teenager uses texting as their preferred method of communication and younger kids are also likely to be using text messaging on a frequent basis.

It is a great way to keep in touch with a few quick messages to your kids, but you also might worry about what they are getting up to on their phone while you are away from them.

Get yourself up to speed with how to keep them safe and encourage the use password-protected messaging apps like WhatsApp so that you have some control over who joins the chat.

Facebook friend

Despite the fact that there are a huge amount of social media sites and apps now available, Facebook is still a popular choice for children who want to chat and communicate via social media.

A good way of seeing what your kids are getting up to and who they are talking to is to “friend” your kids on Facebook.

Ask them to accept your friend request on Facebook and this will then let you stay in the loop and share some pictures and comment on any posts.

Share a digital game

It is always fun to share some downtime with your kids and play a game with them, and thanks to technology you can do this even while you are away from them.

If your child has a smartphone or device like an iPad, you can download games that allow multiple users. All you then have to do is arrange a time to connect up together and enjoy some great family fun when you share a digital game.

You might also want to download a call recorder app on your smartphone. It automatically records every call that comes in if you want it to, so even when you are working, you won’t miss a call from your kids and it lets you listen to their voice and their message about hooking up with to play a game with you later on in the day.

It is always difficult when you have to spend time away from your kids but with some useful apps on your smartphone, you should still be able to share some great family moments.

Poppy Woodward is a Mom living in Texas with family in New York and California, as well as the other side of the world in Australia! She shares her top tips on how to combat isolation and keep in touch with loved ones.

Having kids is stressful enough when they’re little. There’s always a problem at school, a sudden fever, or a temper tantrum to deal with. In time, many of these problems go away–only to be replaced by other worries.

Eventually, your child will hit the age at which your state says it’s legal for them to drive, and you’ll let them get a license, and then you’ll worry even more.

Calm down. While teen drivers do make a lot of mistakes and have accidents at a disproportionate rate, there are things you can do to help mitigate the risks to your teen driver.

Insure Them Well

Most people already have car insurance when their teen begins to drive, so they usually just add the new driver to the policy. This isn’t always best. When that time comes, you should visit acceptanceinsurance.com and see if you can improve on your rates. This can help in two ways. You could simply end up paying less for the same coverage, or you could save enough to upgrade coverage, allowing for a lower deductible or for adding collision coverage.

Don’t assume that the company and the policy that works for Mom and Dad will still be best when it’s time to insure a teen. Do your research and get peace of mind with the ideal coverage for your new driver.

Set And Enforce Ground Rules

Some of the biggest threats to your teen driver’s safety are the driver’s own decisions. You need to start them on the right path by showing good driving habits yourself. That means putting down the phone, wearing seat belts, observing speed limits, and all the other safety practices you know you’ll eventually nag them to do.

Enforcement is considerably easier these days. You can do a lot to hold your child accountable on the road with very little effort. There are teen driver apps that track vehicle speeds, that disable calls while the car is in motion, and that even reward good driving behaviors. Getting them installed and properly configured might take some time, but from that point, it will be hands-off for you even as it works to save your child’s life.

Get Roadside Protection

Many kids start driving in a hand-me-down car. Mom and Dad go to the dealer and buy something new for themselves, and the old car goes to the teen driver. It’s a great money saver in many ways, but depending on the car’s age, it could expose your child to a roadside breakdown.

Dealing with this requires that you properly teach your young driver how to react in case of a flat tire, broken belt, or dead battery. And while many of these problems can be easily resolved by the driver himself or herself, others will end up requiring skilled work or even a tow. And besides, what teen wants to get out on prom night and change a flat tire in a tux or dress?

Invest in roadside assistance coverage. There will always be a reputable company that can go to your child no matter how far away his or her travels–or your own–have taken you from each other. And with cell phones so much more available and reliable today, it should always be easy to get into contact with the service.

Getting a license and a car is a necessity in our busy, far-flung lifestyle today. From there, a certain amount of worry is inescapable. But proper planning and a system of accountability can go a long way toward easing your concerns.

If you own an Android device, you have access to a huge range of apps on the Google Play store. Sometimes when you find an app and start using it, you wonder how you possibly survived without it in the past.

Here are some of the most popular apps in 2016 that you might want to try, and you may find that some of these become essential apps on your device.

Netflix

Netflix has gone from strength to strength in 2016. Its latest feature allows users to download TV shows and movies to their devices so they can watch them offline. This has just made an already excellent app almost essential for anyone who wants access to the best TV shows and movies wherever they are.

LastPass

LastPass was already a strong password management app, but in 2016 it became even better when it provided its services for free across multiple devices. It is an excellent tool for personal users and business users, and it will help you to stay secure in the cloud by securely storing all of your passwords and even generating passwords for you so you don’t have to remember them.

Weather Live Free

A good weather app is essential, and this is one of the best you can get on Android devices. Using the app, which you can learn more about here, you can get accurate forecasts all over the world. The stylish widget also provides you with quick access to the weather forecast so you can stay informed during the day.

Google Drive

Google Drive is not new, but it just keeps on getting better. Google’s cloud storage solution also comes with a full suite of office tools so you can create, edit, and collaborate on documents, spreadsheets, and more. It’s fantastic for both personal and business use, and it is fast becoming an essential app for millions of people.

Evernote

Evernote has also seen some useful updates during 2016, and it remains the best note-taking tool around. Use it to take simple notes or to manage your entire life, and it can be as simple or as powerful as you want it to be.

Spotify

Spotify is the best music-streaming service you can get on your Android phone or tablet, and it is another one of the most popular apps of the year. Search for almost any tune in the huge library, and then listen to your favorite music wherever you are.

SwiftKey Keyboard

Most people type a lot on their phones, but the default keyboard is nothing to shout about. SwiftKey, however, makes typing easier and faster. You can customize your keyboard, take advantage of better text prediction, and overall it makes the experience of typing on a small screen a lot better.

Try Out the Best Apps of the Year

These apps are some of the most popular apps for 2016, providing a range of features that many people find essential. If you have an Android device and you want to get even more out of it, try out some of these apps today.

Molly Mills is a tech loving Mom who would be lost without her smartphone and all her must-have apps. She writes about tech and the best apps she uses for work, managing daily life and for fun.

The expenses keep on coming when you have a baby, which makes it tempting to consider buying a few used items to keep the cost down. You might argue that babies don’t stay in things for long so you might be tempted to buy something that is almost like new. And with social media making second hand baby items more affordable than ever, it is no wonder why so many young parents are making the switch. However, there are reasons to stop and think about before you decide to get some used items.

Here is a look at what is fine to use second time around and what items should be new out the box. We also find out why some clothes and toys might be ok to reuse, and get the lowdown on why cribs and car seats are a far riskier the second time around.

They grow so quickly

It is worth bearing in mind that your baby will grow so quickly that any item of clothing you buy them probably won’t even fit them a few months later.

The average baby grows by about an inch each month and they are putting on weight at an equally impressive rate, which is why it makes sense to consider the idea of used clothes.

Reusing clothes makes a lot of sense. As the clothes won’t have been worn much and you will be saving money by reusing items you get from a trusted source.

Take the usual precautions and check the labels to be sure that any sleepwear used is flame-resistant.

Safety first with car seats

It is not common knowledge that car seats have expiration dates. This reason alone should persuade you it is not a good idea to put your child in a used car seat.

The average life of each car seat is often a maximum of six years. If the used seat is close to that date or has already had a fair amount of wear and tear, it might not perform to the same crash-safety standards you would expect from a new one. Like bicycle helmets, baby car seats should never be reused after any crash or impact. The problem with a second hand car seat is that you can never be sure if it was ever involved in a collision.

There is no point fussing over the safety features of modern vehicles only to use substandard child seating. Many modern cars like the Jeep Compass have plenty of safety features that come as standard, such as anti skid brakes and multiple airbags. Don’t compromise on that safety by putting your child in a car seat you are not 100% sure about. Get a new one, and if it does its job only once, you will be glad for the investment.

Toys that pass the test

You might have already discovered that it is hard to predict what toys your child will like and want to play with. That is why it is worth thinking about saving some money and giving them some selected reused toys.

Not all toys are going to be suitable. Check for any loose parts or chipped paint. Be sure to give toys and books a wipe over to get rid of any potential bacteria. Simple toys with no loose parts are a reasonable choice. Give them a yank and apply more pressure than a child is capable of applying. If they past this test then used toys are worth considering and they can keep your costs down.

Keep away from old cribs

You need to be aware that drop-side rail cribs were banned a few years ago due to safety concerns. Federal safety standards have been updated to reflect the problems with these older style cribs. New cribs are now subjected to more stringent safety requirements, including stronger crib slats and mattress support.

The best advice would be to steer clear of borrowing or buying any secondhand crib, car seat or other protective equipment. It is not worth taking the risk with your child’s safety.

Mary Gold is a mother of two pre-schoolers. She also runs her own online business, Mary enjoys sharing her ideas online through blogging.

It’s estimated that parents drive a colossal 27,000 miles just giving their children lifts. Often, to save time and fuel, many parents with kids attending the same school/club will often share lifts, meaning many children and teenagers are often receiving lifts off adults who aren’t their parents.

No matter what the vehicle and no matter who’s driving, there are still vital safety precautions to be aware of when taking a ride in a vehicle. Many kids these days will opt for rides over cycling or walking, simply because it’s quicker, and will find themselves getting into a vehicle at least once a day. So, if riding the school bus or jumping in your mom’s car is something you do on a daily basis, check out the tips below to make sure you’re as safe and secure as possible!

Wear a seatbelt at all times

Whilst it’s often considered common sense to wear a seatbelt in a vehicle, you’d be surprised to know how many people don’t bother. In fact, 1 in 7 people still don’t buckle up their seatbelt – a shocking figure when over 90 people are killed in car crashes every single day.

So, to keep you strapped in and as safe as possible in the unlikely event of an accident, make sure securing your seatbelt is the first thing you do when you get into any vehicle (not just your mom’s!). If you have younger sibling who are unable to sort their own seatbelt, make sure you help them too after you’ve secured yours.

Sit in the back  

Even if the front seat is available, always sit in the back as it’s statistically proven to be the safer than the front. It’s illegal for children under 12 to be sat in the front seat anyway but, if you’re older and free to choose, still opt for the back as it will significantly reduce your chance of hitting something hard if an accident occurs.

If you’re lucky enough to be riding in a spacious vehicle like a Chrysler 200, riding in the back will be roomy and comfortable. However, if you’re faced with a smaller vehicle, it’s important to prioritize and realize that safety should always come above comfort.

Follow instructions

If you ride the bus to school every day, it’s likely your bus will have rules and regulations you need to follow. Whilst you may want to have fun during the ride and sit with your friends, it’s important to listen to the driver at all times – even if they tell you to sit somewhere or do something you don’t particularly want to! Rules are there for your protection and safety, so it’s vital you take them seriously.

Getting rides is becoming increasingly common over walking or cycling, meaning you need to take safety precautions into account whilst in a moving vehicle. The above tips are so simple they’ll soon become habit the more often you do them, increasing safety without you even realizing!

Josh Brady is a work from home dad. He enjoys sharing his parenting tips an ideas online and his articles mainly appear on family and lifestyle sites.

Regardless of whether it’s a long-haul drive or a quick drive to school, kids have the potential to misbehave and create mayhem in virtually any vehicle. Especially for younger children, the prospect of being strapped in to an uncomfortable car seat is certainly not appealing, and they will often do everything in their power to make the journey as disruptive as possible no matter the length.

From your family car to a public school bus, here are a few tips specific to both younger and older children that will help you easily teach them how and why they should behave when on the road.

Experiment with different car seats

Clearly aimed at infants, this tip is a great one to try if you have a very young child who acts up every time you place them in the car. Generally, babies begin to become aware of their surroundings between 4 and 6 months of age, meaning this is often the time for the tantrums to happen.

Many parents assume that car seats are standardized and all relatively similar, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Adjustable and even rear facing car seats are available nowadays, which will give your child a different view and more space if they’re uncomfortable.

If you have a large car such as the Dodge Durango, you’ll certainly be able to try out a variety of different car seats to encourage your child to behave without the worry of running out of room.

Enforce rules and reward good behavior

Whilst crying fits are very common during infancy, as your infant grows into a fully-fledged young child, this is where the real car tantrums will start. One of the best ways to combat this from the outset it to establish non-negotiable rules before your child even gets in to the car. This way, they will know what is and isn’t acceptable meaning that, if you become angry when they break a rule, they won’t be surprised at your reaction.

However, it’s also important to reward good behavior when your child obeys rules and is well behaved, especially on long journeys. Research has consistently shown that reinforcing good behavior is extremely important, and is likely to encourage and teach your child the principles of behaving both in and out of the car.

This tip also applies to the milestone of the school bus. Before riding on the school bus, it’s unlikely that your child will have taken a ride in a vehicle on their own before. So, unless you stress to them the general rules of bus etiquette before they take their first journey (i.e. remaining seated until it’s time to get off, arriving on time, keeping their belongings to themselves), how else will they know?

No matter what the circumstance, vehicle journeys have the power to illicit noise and tantrums in children of almost any age. But with the right preparation, the above tips are sure to restore good behavior for virtually all journeys your child has!

Nina Williams works form home, which gives her a lot of time to be around her growing family. She is mother of two. She enjoys sharing her parenting tips online.

Some topics are awkward, especially when you need to discuss them with someone outside of your circle of family and friends.  However, your general practitioner is usually the best place to start when you want to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases.  It’s understood that you’re nervous and apprehensive, yet the worst-case scenario involves denying yourself treatment due to paralysis.  Here’s how to take charge of your body and talk to your doctor about STD testing.

Don’t Assume

Some assume that STD screening is part of an annual physical.  In some cases, a family doctor or private practice may do so (Though it’s unlikely.)  You’ll need to be direct in addressing the issue with your doctor.  Moreover, don’t assume any STD test will screen for all diseases.  Specificity may warrant homework on your part.  You may use an Internet search engine to list the symptoms and see what disease is related.  Alternatively, you may look at pictures to see if you have any matching visible symptoms.

Maintain Integrity

Many are reluctant to get tested because they’re embarrassed, not wanting their doctor to know their personal business.  You don’t have to share details with your doctor; simply ask to be tested for certain STDs because “you’re starting a new relationship” or want the “peace of mind.”  Don’t make the situation more difficult.  It’s perfectly normal to get regular health screenings when one is sexually active.

Understand Tests

STD screening is not laborious yet it’s not as simple as sticking a thermometer under your tongue.  Tests vary depending on the disease.  For example, gonorrhea is detected via a saliva swab or urine test.  Alternatively, syphilis is detected via a blood test.  If you’re squeamish about having blood drawn then you’ll need to prepare; don’t look for excuses to put off your STD screening.  Moreover, in the case of some diseases, you may need to wait several weeks before a test can detect its existence.

Some doctors make suggestions based on sex and behavior.  For example, men who have sex with other males benefit from getting tested for syphilis since such high rates of the disease exist among the gay male community.  Alternatively, all women should get pap smears on an annual basis.  Lastly, one’s city or immediate community can dictate their preference for screening.

Act Now

As mentioned, some are reluctant to get tested or seek subsequent treatment due to the taboo nature of having an STD.  However, a damaged ego is the least of one’s worries in some cases.  For example, some STDs can cause organ damage, blindness, infertility, etc.  A neglected sexually transmitted disease can lead to an STI (sexually transmitted infection).

Be ready for the doctor’s visit or seek other methods of help.  Visit a Planned Parenthood destination in your area or find a local clinic.  Alternatively, some test themselves with home kits found at drugstores.  In some cases, your chosen method may be inspired by price and your type of insurance.  Walk-in clinics are relatively cheap and usually offer a wider range of tests found in private doctor practices.  On the other hand, some people feel safest dealing with their family practitioner regardless of price.  Use online tools to find STD testing in the area.

Distinguish Diseases

A question everyone has is whether an ailment is curable.  In some cases, such as gonorrhea and syphilis, one can be entirely cured.  Conversely, herpes, genital warts, and HIV are currently incurable.  Doctors may prescribe medicine to hide or curb symptoms, such as breakouts, yet a person will need to address the issue intermittently to maintain optimal health.

Change Behavior

Some are in denial regarding sexual behavior.  Having unprotected sex with multiple partners greatly increases the likelihood of contracting an STD.  Some find themselves repeatedly infected with sexually transmitted diseases and wonder why they have such horrible luck.  For some, an STD warrants medicine and calls for a change in behavior.  Furthermore, some find peace in speaking with a counselor who may help illuminate underlying issues or a pattern of self-destructive behavior.

Control Conversation

Whether you get a screening from your family doctor or elsewhere, remember you control the conversation.  Don’t let others’ questions or beliefs get in the way of your good health.  You have a variety of options.  Take charge of your body and control of the conversation.  Make sure your physician or chosen body of health provides you care and options that benefit you and make you feel most comfortable.

Natalie Martin is a freelance writer, and when she is not working on her next article she can usually be found in her garden. She attended the University of Cincinnati before turning to writing, and now spends much of her time drawing attention to some of the major health problems that are plaguing the country today. Natalie resides along the Gulf Coast with her 6 year old Labrador Retriever.

Are you always on the lookout for family friendly vacations? Do you want a holiday that can educate your children as well as entertain? It may seem an unlikely choice, but a camping vacation could be the perfect thing. Camping can teach your children many life skills they wouldn’t learn otherwise. It’s a holiday with a difference that promises to be one to remember. Unlike a regular vacation, where they’ll play in the pool, time camping will be time well spent. The skills your children learn while you’re away are skills they’ll pass to their kids! Not convinced? Here are the things your kids stand to learn during their stay in nature.

Image from Flickr

LEARN TO PUT UP A TENT

Tent building is a skill that too many people fail to master. Why? Because most of us never take the time to learn! Make sure that’s not the case with your children by getting in there early on. Pop up tents may seem like an easier option, but they ruin the fun! Not to mention that they won’t teach your children. When stocking up on camping supplies, opt instead for a standard tent they can help build. Make sure the tent comes with the poles and pieces you need. If using an old tent, do a stock take before you set off. There’s nothing worse than reaching your destination and realizing you don’t have everything. Make the building of the tent a fun activity by getting the whole family involved. The more hands on deck, the easier it’ll be to bring your tent to life. We all know tent building can be stressful, but it’s important to keep things light hearted. Getting stressed will dissuade your kids from learning. It’ll also make the event an ordeal. No matter what happens, keep a smile on your face!

Image from Pexels

EXPERIENCE NATURE

Ensuring your children experience nature is essential at all times. No other vacation offers them the chance to explore like camping does. The campsite you pick will decide how much nature your kids experience. Take a look at your option and choose a site that offers the best chances. Sites based in forested areas are your best bet. Your children might even get the opportunity to witness some wildlife while you’re away! Get them involved in nature by sending them to collect logs. The benefit of a campsite is that you know they won’t come to any harm while they’re away. If you’re worried about them going into the forest, there’s no reason you can’t go with them! If you’re arranging activities during your stay, try to keep nature in mind. The more experiences outside their everyday lives your children get, the better. It may even be worth making a rule that bans electronics while you’re away. Impose that rule on yourself, too, to keep things fair! Your children may moan about this at first. After a few days in the wild, they’ll have forgotten all about it! Take the opportunity to teach them how to keep themselves amused without modern aids!

Image from Flickr

SEE THE STARS

City living is fantastic, but it doesn’t give much opportunity to study stars! Your camping holiday is the perfect time to teach your children a bit more about the magic in the sky! If you don’t know much about astrology, do your research before you go. You can pass that knowledge on to your children. Sleeping under the stars is an opportunity few of us get. It can be an amazing experience. Make sure to take plenty of time to look at what’s up above you. Children are curious, and learning about the night sky is sure to appeal to them! Teaching them during your camping trip may lead to a long-term hobby you never expected. Make the most of those clear night skies!

Image from Free Stock Photos

LEARN HOW TO BUILD A FIRE

Learning how to create a fire is another skill that many of us fail to grasp. With aids such as lighters, or electric heaters, there’s rarely need for such knowledge. Even so, how to build a fire is a good skill to have. Your kids may never need to use it for practical purposes, but it’s knowledge they’ll be glad to have! Again, this is something they’ll pass on to their children when the time comes. Some campsites don’t allow fires, so you’ll have to do your research before you go. If your campsite is one that doesn’t mind fires, you’re set to go. Make sure you know everything possible about building a fire before you go. You don’t want to end up unable to do it yourself! What kind of impression would that give? There are plenty of online tutorials that can help you out. Know what you need, and make sure you’ve got it with you. Bear in mind that fire can be dangerous. Keep a bucket of water or an extinguisher to hand. Take a flame source along, too, in case you need it. You may even want to practice the skill before you go. Do everything you can to ensure you’re aware how to teach your kids what they need to know!

Image from Pixabay

LEARNING TO COOK OUTSIDE

Camping also has the benefit that it can teach your children to cook outside. There’s something satisfying about cooking on an open fire or a wood burning camping stove.  Children enjoy cooking at the best of times, but they’ll enjoy it even more on an open fire! Make sure to teach them about safety from the off. Open flames can be dangerous, and you don’t want to be dealing with injuries! Stock up on supplies, like cooking pots or camping ovens. Stock up, too, on Dutch oven accessories so you know you’ve got everything you need!

As well as being educational, a camping trip should be fun. Remember that your children don’t have to be learning for the whole trip. Take plenty of time to make things fun for them. Too much learning could overwhelm them and put them off camping again in the future!