Places with no cell reception. Views and vistas uninterrupted by power lines and skyscrapers.

Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns got it right when he christened the national parks ‘America’s Best Idea.’

You don’t have to be a hardcore hiker or committed camper. Young or old, DINK or MWK, a trip to one of America’s national parks is the perfect way to unplug, unwind, and restore your spirit.

The rewards are immeasurable, but here are five reasons to consider a national park for your next vacation.

1. Accessible

With 59 national parks, you don’t have to venture far from your backyard. Leave your passport at home and take advantage of the best America has to offer.

Hopscotch down the East Coast, starting in Maine’s Acadia and ending in the Florida Keys’ Dry Tortugas. Venture from Washington to Oregon to California for hiking, fishing, and surfing. Explore unparalleled parks and spectacular terrains in between.

Or, cash in those frequent flier miles and hit bucket-list parks in Hawaii, Alaska, and the Virgin Islands.

2. Affordable

Compared to the major clams you’ll shell out for admission to the Happiest Place on Earth, entrance fees to national parks range from $20-$25 for a seven-day pass for the entire family.

Some parks, like the Great Smoky Mountains, don’t charge an entrance fee. You can also take advantage of fee-free weekends and events throughout the year.

With gas prices and airfare on the rise, a long weekend or mini-vacation to a park is the perfect way to escape the grid without breaking the bank.

3. Choose Your Own Adventure 

Whether you journey into the backcountry for quiet nights under the stars or contentedly view the panoramas from the passenger seat, there’s a park to fit your adventure.

Parks cater to children of all ages, with demonstrations, guided hikes, and programs to encourage budding naturalists.

Adrenaline junkies get their fix on technical climbs, subterranean treks, roaring rapids, and more. Solitude seekers venture off the beaten path and feel like they’re the last people on the planet.

For the more laid-back, a drive along Going to the Sun Road in Glacier or Skyline Drive in Shenandoah will take your breath away.

4. Untouched Splendor

National parks were created to preserve and protect America’s most beautiful natural treasures.

Magnificent views wait around every bend in the road or twist in the trail.

Rocky coastlines. Soaring peaks. Unfathomable canyons. Slumbering volcanoes. Punctual geysers.

Nowhere in the world will you find a collection of such diversity and beauty, largely untouched by man and staunchly safeguarded for future generations.

5. Treasured Time Together

There’s nothing like a challenging hike, s’mores by the campfire, or a wildlife sighting to bring family together.

Couples share tender moments on the trail. Little ones squeal as they dip their toes in icy waters. Even the moodiest teens feel inspired when they scale a peak and look back to see how far they’ve come.

Ditch the distractions, turn off the devices, and embark on an adventure you’ll remember for years to come.

Nature has a way of recharging our batteries. We leave the rat race behind and forget our never-ending to-do list. We slow down, soak up the scenery, and open our hearts and minds to new adventures and possibilities.

America’s National Parks provide the stunning backdrop to this transformation. Open year round, they’re waiting for you.

ABOUT NICOLE: Nicole Goodman is a full-time working mother of two. She is the caffeine-driven mind behind Work in Sweats Mama and a contributor to The Mother of All Meltdowns. After business hours, you’ll find her chasing her fearless two-year-old, verbally sparring with her precocious four-year-old, avoiding housework, seeking an endorphin high on long runs, and slurping down gigantic fountain Cokes.

Follow Nicole on Facebook | Twitter |Google+

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photo credit: Witness of Light Photography via photopin cc

The post 5 Reasons National Parks Really Are America’s Best Idea first appeared on BonBon Break.

No one knows the national parks better than National Geographic. Drawing millions of tourists each year, our national parks capture a special place in our hearts — and in the history of how the planet came to be the shape it is now. National Geographic offers a beautifully illustrated 36 half-hour lecture series that takes you to more than a hundred spectacular sites guided by geologist and former college professor Ford Cochran; exploring the geology, history, and grandeur of our national parks.

As a National Geographic KIDS Ambassador, we had the privilege of chatting with Ford Cochran, geologist and Program Director for National Geographic, and we asked him if he had a chance to do three road trips, where would he go? I won’t lie, we had a hard time nailing him down to just three, but here are his DREAM National Park Road Trip Loops:

The intros to each of the parks are provided from their National Park Service or Forest Service website homepages since we haven’t visited all of them — yet.

Best National Park Road Trips

#1 Pacific Northwest Circuit

Olympic National Park

With nearly one million acres, Olympic encompasses several distinctly different ecosystems and protects a rich mosaic of natural and cultural history. Untamed rivers flow from glacier-capped peaks through valleys of old-growth forests, waves crash against a shoreline rich with life, and only trails traverse the vast interior of this internationally recognized wilderness.

Mt Rainier National Park

Ascending to 14,410 feet above sea level, Mount Rainier stands as an icon in the Washington landscape. An active volcano, Mount Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.A., spawning six major rivers. Subalpine wildflower meadows ring the icy volcano while ancient forest cloaks Mount Rainier’s lower slopes. Wildlife abounds in the park’s ecosystems. A lifetime of discovery awaits.

Mt. St. Helen’s

Located in Southwest Washington State, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest encompasses 1,368,300 acres of forests, mountains, river valleys, waterfalls, wildernesses, and the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.  The Gifford Pinchot National Forest has something for everyone.

— If you want more, add in:

Fort Clatsop – Louis & Clark National Park

Explore the timeless rainforests and majestic coastal vistas. Discover the rich heritage of the Native people. Unfold the dramatic stories of America’s most famous explorers.

The park encompasses sites along the Columbia River and the Pacific Coast. Follow in the footsteps of the explorers and have an adventure in history.

Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake has inspired people for thousands of years. No place else on earth combines a deep, pure lake, so blue in color; sheer surrounding cliffs, almost two thousand feet high; two picturesque islands; and a violent volcanic past. It is a place of immeasurable beauty, and an outstanding outdoor laboratory and classroom.

Mt. Hood National Forest

Located twenty miles east of the city of Portland, Oregon, and the northern Willamette River valley, the Mt. Hood National Forest extends south from the strikingly beautiful Columbia River Gorge across more than sixty miles of forested mountains, lakes and streams to Olallie Scenic Area, a high lake basin under the slopes of Mt. Jefferson. –

According to Mr. Cochran, the Timberline Lodge is a must!

#2 Colorado Plateau Circuit

Grand Canyon National Park – a national treasure

Unique combinations of geologic color and erosional forms decorate a canyon that is 277 river miles (446km) long, up to 18 miles (29km) wide, and a mile (1.6km) deep. Grand Canyon overwhelms our senses through its immense size.

Bryce Canyon National Park

There is no place like Bryce Canyon. Hoodoos (odd-shaped pillars of rock left standing from the forces of erosion) can be found on every continent, but here is the largest collection of hoodoos in the world! Descriptions fail. Cave without a roof? Forest of stone? Photographs do not do it justice. An imagination an wonder will serve you when visiting Bryce Canyon National Park.

Zion National Park

Follow the paths where ancient native people and pioneers walked. Gaze up at massive sandstone cliffs of cream, pink, and red that soar into a brilliant blue sky. Experience wilderness in a narrow slot canyon. Zion’s unique array of plants and animals will enchant you as you absorb the rich history of the past and enjoy the excitement of present day adventures.—If you want more, add in:

Arches National Park

Visit Arches and discover a landscape of contrasting colors, landforms and textures unlike any other in the world. The park has over 2,000 natural stone arches, in addition to hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive fins and giant balanced rocks. This red rock wonderland will amaze you with its formations, refresh you with its trails, and inspire you with its sunsets.

Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands invites you to explore a wilderness of countless canyons and fantastically formed buttes carved by the Colorado River and its tributaries. Rivers divide the park into four districts: the Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze, and the rivers themselves. These areas share a primitive desert atmosphere, but each offers different opportunities for sightseeing and adventure.

Mesa Verde National Park

On June 29, 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt established Mesa Verde National Park to “preserve the works of man,” the first national park of its kind. Today, the continued preservation of both cultural and natural resources is the focus of the park’s research and resource management staff.

Cliff Palace, the largest cliff dwelling in the park, inspires visitors to imagine what life was like over seven hundred years ago. But the task of preserving this nearly eight century old site has its challenges as well as its rewards. Learn about the current conservation and stabilization project of this magnificent ancient structure.

#3 US – Canada

Glacier National Park

Come and experience Glacier’s pristine forests, alpine meadows, rugged mountains, and spectacular lakes. With over 700 miles of trails, Glacier is a hiker’s paradise for adventurous visitors seeking wilderness and solitude. Relive the days of old through historic chalets, lodges, transportation, and stories of Native Americans.

Developed when the Park Service felt it was their job to provide accessibility and they created a road that climbs over a major pass “Going to the Sun Road” which has been called the “Most Beautiful Drive in the United States”.

Waterton Lakes National Park (Canadian)

The prairies of Alberta meet the peaks of the Rocky Mountains in Waterton Lakes National Park. Clear lakes, thundering waterfalls, rainbow-coloured streams, colourful rocks and mountain vistas await hikers and sightseers. With an exceptional diversity of wildlife and wildflowers and a cozy little waterfront town to serve as a home base, Waterton packs a big natural punch into a relatively small and accessible area.Bampf

Banff National Park (Canadian)

In the fall of 1883, three Canadian Pacific Railway construction workers stumbled across a cave containing hot springs on the eastern slopes of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains. From that humble beginning was born Banff National Park, Canada’s first national park and the world’s third. Spanning 6,641 square kilometres (2,564 square miles) of valleys, mountains, glaciers, forests, meadows and rivers, Banff National Park is one of the world’s premier destination spots. Do not miss Lake Louise and The Icefields Parkway (Canada’s most spectacular drive!).

—add in these two National Treasures with this incredible group.

Yellowstone National Park

Visit Yellowstone and experience the world’s first national park. Marvel at a volcano’s hidden power rising up in colorful hot springs, mudpots, and geysers. Explore mountains, forests, and lakes to watch wildlife and witness the drama of the natural world unfold. Discover the history that led to the conservation of our national treasures “for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.”

Grand Tetons National Park

Rising above a scene rich with extraordinary wildlife, pristine lakes, and alpine terrain, the Teton Range stands monument to the people who fought to protect it. These are mountains of the imagination. Mountains that led to the creation of Grand Teton National Park where you can explore over two hundred miles of trails, float the Snake River or enjoy the serenity of this remarkable place.

National Geographic National Park Book Store

Click to purchase using our Amazon affiliate links

As always, our friends at  National Geographic Kids have provided us with some FANTASTIC books to accompany your research and your adventure!

This is a fun, kid-friendly guide with a cute story about Buddy the Bison and a brother and sister team as they explore the park.

The next three books should be on EVERY road trip this summer. Seriously, these are fantastic resources with fun activities, puzzles, games, facts and more! They will keep your kids entertained for hours and help them (and you!) learn about our national treasures, the National Parks.

When you go to a National Park, seek out the Visitor’s Center and get a stamp for your passport book. We just started ours this year and my kids are already plotting for more!

Buy your National Park Passports and get started!

FINALLY, I couldn’t write this post without including a plug for Ken Burns’ Documentary on the National Parks. It is absolutely stunning and will fill you with awe.

So — where are you going to go?

If you head out, tag your photos with #BonBonBreakIRL

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The post Expert Picks: The 3 Best National Park Road Trips first appeared on BonBon Break.

Are you missing something on the list? We have hyperlinked the entries to Amazon so you can get your MUST HAVE camping supplies before you hit the road.

If you don’t have EVERYTHING on this list, don’t panic. We filled out our list over the years and upgraded here and there. There are still quite a few items we don’t have (kayaks!) and they are on the top of our wishlists.

Are you ready to go and you just need the list? Download a printable version HERE.

Basic Camping List

Sleeping and Shelter:

• Tent – (We adore this tent. It’s up in 2 minutes, no lie.)
• Ground tarp or tent footprint
• Extra stakes
• Dust pan/brush
• Sleeping bag  HOT TIP: We tried out Coleman’s memory foam sleeping bag and it is a game changer!!
• Sleeping pad (love this one! And here is the cot)
• Pillow

Around Camp:

• Camp chairs
• Hammock
• Lantern
• Matches/lighter
• Axe or hammer
• Charcoal
• Firewood
• Fire starters/newspaper
• Small Shovel

Camp Kitchen:

• FOOD
• Cookware: Pots and pans – or go for a Dutch oven
•  Cutting board
• Stove with fuel/propane
• Cooking oil
• Condiments & Spices
• Coolers & Ice Blocks
• Tablecloth
• Mugs
• Reusable Plates & Silverware
• Heavy-duty aluminum foil
• Coffee Press
• Food Storage Plastic Bins
• Freezer and Sandwich bags
• Can Opener/Bottle Opener

Cooking Utensils:

• Knives (this is a GREAT Father’s Day gift)
• Spatulas
• Slatted Spoon
• Measuring Cups

Washing & Cleaning Station:

• Biodegradable Dish soap
• Washing Tub
• Sponge/Scrub Pad
• Paper towels
• Drying Towel
• Trash bags

Clothing & Outerwear:

• Jacket
• Fleece Sweater
• T-shirts: Short & Long Sleeves
• Camp Pants
• Sweats
• Shorts
• Underwear
• Sleep clothes
• Laundry bag

Footwear:

• Hiking Boots
• Athletic Shoes
• Sandals
• Wicking Socks

Accessories:

• Gloves or mittens
• Hat
• Bandana
• Beanie
• Sunglasses

Swimming & Rain Gear:

• Rain Jacket or Poncho
• Swimsuit
• Towel

Personal Hygiene

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Comb/brush
• Deodorant
• Feminine products
• Toilet paper
• Personal medications
• Contact Lens Solution
• Contact Lens Case
• Hand-sanitizer
• Lip Balm

Safety & Navigation

• Headlamps or Flashlights
• Sunscreen
• Bug repellant
• First Aid Kit
• Extra batteries
• Compass
• Park & Campground Map
• Permits or Camp Reservation
• Whistle
• Water (If not available)
• Water filter or purification
• Water bottle
• Pocket knife or Multi-Tool
• Rope

Miscellaneous

• Camera
• Cash & Coins
• Notepad & pen
• Rubberbands

For Families…

• Camp Toys & Games
• Bubbles
• Child Carrier
• Ball
• Frisbee

For Outdoor Activities…

• BinocularsCar Camping List
• Trekking Poles
• Day Pack
• Hydration Pack
• Canoe/Kayak/SUP
• Bike & Helmets
• Fishing Gear

For A Little Glamping…

• Air Mattress & Pump
• Sheets & Blankets
• Wine Glasses
• Candles
• Decorative Lights

Again, here is the free printable list.

One last mention, Coleman sent us this bad boy:

and we were THRILLED! We took it camping, to the beach, on the dock and sailing. When we had a backyard BBQ, we wheeled it over next to our large BBQ and threw on 10 m0re burgers! Coleman has DEFINITELY upped their game with this portable outdoor cooking DREAM! Get your own here.

 What would YOU add to this list?

Click here for more of our camping tips

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The post Basic Camping List {Printable} first appeared on BonBon Break.

The other considerable benefit to camping with kids (aside from the simple fact that it’s a blast), is that camping gets children unplugged from the screen-filled world of digital devices that are turning their grey matter to oatmeal. Camping gets the kids—and you—unplugged, connects kids to nature, and facilitates family bonding. It’s all worth the effort. Here are a series of tips from my book, The Down & Dirty Guide to Camping with Kids, for making the packing and planning of a family camping trip go smooth as peanut butter (the creamy kind, that is).

Prep Kids Ahead of Time

My kids have always loved camping without reservation. But some children will require some pre-trip preparation.

• Read camp-themed picture books before you go.
• Camp in the backyard.
• Take a night walk in the neighborhood to get kids used to the sounds of the night.
• If your kids are afraid of the dark, bring portable nightlights and headlamps.
• Pack disposable glowsticks and tuck them into the tent’s mesh pockets just before bedtime.

Use Checklists

Kids require a surprising amount of gear. We’ve skipped the checklist in the past and arrived at the campsite without diapers. Not good! Now I have checklists for my checklists.

• Print out a complete family camping checklist.
• Use the checklist as you pack!
• Double-check the list before you pull out of the driveway.
• Revise the list during your trip if you realize something’s missing.

Organize Your Camping Pantry

Even if you’re car camping, try not to over-pack. It makes it hard to find anything.

• Simplify by getting rid of extra cardboard and plastic packaging on food.
• Portion out the food you need rather than bringing that industrial size carton of Goldfish.
• Put spices and ingredients in small plastic containers or little baggies.
• Label everything.
• Crack eggs into a Nalgene bottle for scrambled eggs so you don’t have to worry about eggs cracking in the cooler.

Pack a Portable Crib

When our kids were babies and toddlers we always brought along one of those handy fold-up cribs. They fit nicely in a tent as long as you have a giant manor-like family tent. Sure, a pack-and-play is a big-ticket gear item in an already full car, but it can keep babies and toddlers contained and help them sleep at night. When you’re setting up camp, you can pop your little cherub in the crib. At night and for naps, the familiarity of a pack-and-play will help them get to sleep.

Bring The Kid Potty

Of course, if your child is in the middle of potty training, you’ll think to pack the little potty. But even for kids who are recently potty-trained, you might consider bringing along a small kid toilet and stowing it in the atrium of the tent. It’ll save you trips to the campground’s bathroom and will make nighttime potty breaks a simple affair.

Start a Nature Journal

For hikes or even just around the campground, bring along a nature journal and a small box of pencils, colored pencils, crayons, and markers as well as a field guide (print or online) to identify flora and fauna. My kids love knowing the scientific names of plants and animals. Here are some other journaling ideas:

• Create beautiful pages with leaf prints by coloring the backside of a leaf with kid markers then pressing the leaf on the paper.
• Use the side of a crayon to make a rubbing of tree bark or a trail sign.

Prepare to Play

When we camp as a family, our kids find entertainment with sticks, rocks, and pine cones. They can spend hours playing in a stream. However, it’s wise to pack balls, a pack of cards, and travel-sized board games just in case they announce that they are bored—right when you’re making dinner. And if you need to retreat to the tent during a rainstorm, small toys and games can help pass the time. Here are some game time ideas:

• Playing cards (for Go Fish, Crazy Eights, Hearts, War)
• Card games (Snap, Wig Out, Spot It, Rat-a-Tat Cat)
• Travel-sized games (dominoes, chess, checkers, Scrabble, Boggle, Blokus, Apples to Apples)
• Lengths of rope for knot tying
• Frisbees, hackey sacks, Nerf football, Whiffle ball and bat
• Small trucks and cars
• Polly Pockets
• Bubbles
• Sand toys
• Camp-themed kid books

Go with Friends

We love to camp with just our family, but we also enjoy group camping with other families. It’s a different vibe for sure. Most kids have more fun and whine less when they’re with their peers. Adults can enjoy chatting with other adults. Group camping also means you can divide up meal responsibilities. Another upside: If you forgot something important (like marshmallows), your friends probably have it.

Remember the First-Aid Kit

Always bring a well-stocked first aid kit with bug-bite remedies, children’s ibuprofen, Band-Aids and about 26 other things. I always include a pair of tweezers and a magnifying glass. Kids are forever getting little splinters and prickers.

HOT TIP: We tried out Coleman’s memory foam sleeping bag and it is a game changer!! There is NO reason that mom shouldn’t be comfortable and warm as well.

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If your heart holds warm childhood memories of sipping hot cocoa on cold days, it’s time to indulge in a very adult version of this cool weather treat: the Hot Cocoa Martini.

Anita of A Cocktail Life shares her fantastic cocktail recipe that hearkens back to childhood days. She says that it brings back, “Happy memories of simpler times. I miss that big pot of cocoa, but my version, in less simple times, is kinda fun, too. Cheers!”

A Hot Cocoa Martini would go down nicely at home by the fire in a fancy glass or around the campfire in a mug. Wherever you sip, just make sure you don’t mix up your cocoa with your kid’s. Enjoy.

OTHER ENTICING COCKTAILS:

• Espresso Vodka Martini
• Apple Cider Mimosas
• Ginger Whiskey Cocktail

ABOUT ANITA SCHECTER: Anita is the voice behind A Cocktail Life and Hungry Couple.  She is a writer, photographer, recipe developer, cook, bottle washer, shaker of creative cocktails, recovering Madison Avenue wiz-bang, occasional news junkie, avid reader, and doggie mama. Anita loves delicious nutrition, occasional indulgence, and a life lived in good balance.

Keep in touch with Anita via Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Google+ | Instagram 

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A yurt is a circular domed tent. Portable yurts do exist, but the yurt where we stayed was a permanent structure. The yurt has a wooden frame and a super-sturdy tent to protect inhabitants from the elements. Our yurt had four screened and zippered windows for circulation. The inside was also surprisingly aesthetic with angled beams making diamond shapes on the walls and beautiful beams circling the dome at the top.

State parks across America are seeing the benefit of building yurts for state park visitors who may not be ready to camp in tents but don’t want hotel rooms or cabins, either. Staying in a yurt is an outdoor experience, but I call it “diet” camping, which is perfect for staying outdoors with kids.

Because we have three young children (ages 8, 4, and 2), we are just now getting to the camp-as-a-whole-family stage. We don’t have a lot of camping equipment, and we weren’t sure how the five of us (plus our ever-present 70lb golden retriever) would work in a tent. Enter, the yurt.

Here are a few things that made the yurt perfect for us:

• A large space. Tents are tiny, and when there are five of us (and our dog and all our gear) in one tent, sanity and tempers deteriorate quickly. The yurt was approximately 200 sq. ft., which is positively a mansion compared to a tent. We had room for all our stuff and more, plus a nice wood floor!
• Electricity (thus, fans). Leave your electronics at home, y’all, but by all means, bring every electric fan you can get your hands on AND extension cords to make sure they can reach your bed. It doesn’t matter if your smart phone is fully charged or if the kids want to play games for hours on the iPad while you’re out in nature (just say “no” to electronics and camping!)…but bring the fans because in the summer, it would be hotter than three hells to try to sleep in a yurt without it. You can thank me later.
• Bunk beds. If your kids are like mine, they firmly believe that sleeping on bunk beds is what angels must do in heaven. They love bunk beds. Climbing a ladder to your bed is just magical when you’re a kid, and mine felt like they had won the yurt lottery. Our yurt slept six (three sets of bunk beds). Even better? A sleeping bag on a bunk bed. It’s the simple things, right?
• A door. Though I know that no one camping is really there to steal stuff or be scary to fellow campers, it was nice to be able to leave our stuff in the yurt, lock the door, and drive off to hike and swim. It was also nice to lock ourselves in at night (our boys sometimes like to escape…I know, UGH.)
• We “pimped our yurt.” I saw online pictures where people brought rope lights or Christmas lights to decorate their yurts inside and out, and of course, we had to bring our lights, too. If you thought bunk beds were magical, wait until you see them in the soft glow of Christmas lights. It was a move that made our little 2-night-stay extra special.

Staying in a yurt is a fun, economical family vacation that we will take again. The most important element was, of course, the quality time we spent with each other, but the setting was just different and fun and unlike anything we had ever done before. Our kids believed we had the most amazing digs in the whole park, and we had to agree.

Check back for future posts regarding “The Essential Yurt Camping Must-Have List.”

If you’d like to check out the exact place where we stayed, it is Petit Jean State Park in Morrilton, Arkansas. Please note that all state parks don’t include the same amenities as Petit Jean, but I have to mention how amazing they were at PJSP. Our yurt included one electric fan, a canoe with paddles and four life vests, a lantern, a beautiful deck overlooking the lake, a picnic table, a grill, and a propane stove. All for $55/night. Yes, I couldn’t believe it either.

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The post Yurt So Good: Camping For Families Who Don’t Camp first appeared on BonBon Break.

When I say the words “camping with kids” what images come to mind?

Inconsolable babies? Thunderstorms? Full diapers, mysterious rashes, tick bites? Mosquitoes, bats, burned food, no food, rustic latrines with no toilet paper, snakes, mountains of laundry . . . shall I go on? Would you rather not talk about it?

For parents, camping with kids can be one of the most pointless, frustrating and miserable things you may ever do in your lifetime. Why would you take your entire family out of their normal schedule and air-conditioned environment and purposely put them in a situation where they are cold, wet, dirty, hungry and as uncomfortable as possible?

Camping with kids is not for the faint of heart, but it can be a great way for your family to experience some “controlled” challenges. Often the difference between a great camping trip and a miserable one is simply having the right expectations.

READ THESE NEXT:

• The Truth About Family Camping
• Top Tips for Family Camping
• 14 Easy Camping Recipes by Campfire Chic
• 5 Reasons National Parks Really Are America’s Best Idea

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I want to impart my “Family Camping Truths” to parents because if you know these truths, then you know what you are getting into. Camping becomes more enjoyable and most importantly builds great family memories! From sleepless nights, forgetting diapers, not bringing enough baby wipes and falling into lakes, you name it this family has experienced it. Cheers to my camping “sufferings” because without them I couldn’t help more families get outdoors and enjoy the wonders of camping!

Read this next:

• How to Teach Kids to Love Nature
• 7 Lessons My 10 Year Old Son Taught Me About Running
• 4 Ways for Kids to Go Green
• I Wanna Hold Your Hand

HOT TIP: We tried out Coleman’s memory foam sleeping bag and it is a game changer!! 

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We relaunched in January and introduced you to our incredibly talented team, we launched BonBon Break LIVE via YouTube and podcasts.

Our content soared and we are enthusiastically bringing you new and inspiring writers, home chefs, crafters, explorers and more to help you simplify your days and to let you know you are NOT alone in this crazy parenting experience!

We appreciate your continued support on the site and via Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram.

Some of our content really hit the mark with you this year and we are proud to share BonBon Break’s TOP 10 POSTS of 2014.

Did you miss any of these? Pin them or share them on your Facebook wall so you can easily access them later!

BonBon Break’s Top 10 Posts for 2014

Click on the titles to go to the post.

1. Dear White Moms: by Keesha Beckford of Mom’s New Stage (and BonBon Break’s Submissions Editor)

2. 20 Ways to Wear Boots by Stylishly Me

3. 11 Ways To Raise A Grateful Child by Ellie C of Musing Momma

4. 10 Reasons Why NOT to Do Elf on the Shelf by Elaine Alguire of The Miss-Elaineous Life

5. 50+ Fall Soup Recipes to Warm Your Soul by Suzanne Cowden of Flour Arrangements (and BonBon Break)

6. 14 Easy Camping Recipes by Campfire Chic

7. Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower Gratin {Grain-Free; Gluten-Free} by An Edible Mosaic

8. Seam Finishes without a Serger by The Seasoned Homemaker

9. 6 Easy Steps to Sleep Through the Night by Michelle Lewsen of They Call Me Mummy

10. 10 Social Apps Every Parent Should Know About by Megan Maas

And because we can’t stop there… here are 6 honorable mentions:

• Anger Management for Parents: Effective Discipline When You’re Mad by Kim Sorgius of Not Consumed
• 20 Mommy-Daughter Dates: Older Daughter Edition by Hilljean
• Why I Am Furious with Robin Williams by Chris Dean of Pixie CD
• 9 Ways Preschoolers and Peri-menopausal Women Are Alike by Anna Whiston-Donaldson of An Inch of Gray
• Teaching Kids What To Do If They Get Lost by Amanda Reuter of Dirt & Boogers (and BonBon Break)
• They Break, You Know by Liz Curtis Faria of A Mothership Down

Pin this collection for later:

The post Top 10 Posts for 2014 first appeared on BonBon Break.

This Saturday (June 28th), families across the nation will be pitching their tents, rolling out their sleeping bags (or blow up mattresses), lighting a fire and joining thousands of people in the 10th annual Great American Backyard Campout.

“Great American Backyard Campout® is a part of National Wildlife Federation’s efforts to help inspire Americans to protect wildlife, including a three-year campaign to get 10 million kids to spend regular outdoor time in nature.”

Since I am a strong advocate of getting kids and families outside in any way possible, I happily spread the word about this event every year.  Not able to camp Saturday night? No worries and no excuses to not partake.  You can still camp another night, just be sure to head on over and sign the pledge before the 28th so you are counted for this year’s tally. Just by pledging and camping, you can help earn $2 (for each person, up to $400,000) to support NWF’s wildlife conservation work.

Camp in your yard, help make a difference for wildlife.

The “rules” for the GABC are really very loose.  You can literally camp out in your own yard, in your friend’s yard or join other families meeting together for a public event in your state.  You can find a local event in your state here.

If you have never camped before (or secretly loathe the idea of camping), this is your chance to get out there and make some memories with your children.  Here’s some quick tips to make the night go a little more smoothly:

1. Make your sleeping area as comfortable or primitive as you need.  Be creative! Use hammocks, trampolines, or tents.  Sleep on the ground, on a blow-up mattress, on a futon, or haul your bed outside.  Prepare for the possibility of bugs, colder night temperatures, and the dark.
2. Talk it up.  Big time.  As long as you are excited, they will be too.  Make it more fun by inviting another family to join your backyard campsite.
3. Hang up some white lights on a string, hand out glow sticks and be sure everyone has their own flashlight.
4. Be ok with a later bedtime.  Falling asleep while camping when it is still light out is tough – especially for little ones.
5. Barring any city regulations, build a campfire and roast some treats.
6. Don’t plan anything for the next morning.
7. Check out our “Best Tips for Family Camping” post with tons of links to great camping tidbits – the recipe section may help you plan dinner!

We hope you’ll throw inhibitions aside and join us tonight.  Let’s get kids outside and experiencing nature regularly together!

ABOUT AMELIA: Tales of a Mountain Mama (Family) aims to help inspire families to get outdoors and adventure, even with young children. We share our stories from out on the trails and in the mountains, provide tips and tricks, and welcome feedback from our readers!

We also happen to be big believers in the fact that sometimes an investment in great gear is a worthwhile step in helping getting the entire family out. Watch for a diverse make-up of honest gear reviews and giveaways.

Follow Amelia on Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest |  Google+ | YouTube

CONTINUE READING IN THE BACKYARD

The post Get Ready for the Great American Backyard Campout! first appeared on BonBon Break.

It’s the time to make memories as a family, to laugh, love, adventure, learn, explore and eat plenty of S’Mores (of course!)  And let’s be honest – camping in general can be a bit intimidating, especially if it’s new for your family, you have young children, or you are daunted by the planning and packing that goes into getting ready.  While it’s all definitely worth it, we wanted to make it just a little bit easier.

We’re linking up to our favorite camping posts from around the web just for you!

Why do it:

• 5 Reasons to Go Camping for your Next Family Vacation by Mommy Loves Trees 
• Week-Long Camping Trips (in a Tent) are Easier than you Think by Tales of a Mountain Mama
• 3 Budget-Friendly Ideas for Camping by Go Explore Nature
• Camping: It’s Hard Work! Why We Love it and Would Even Extend our Trips by Wild Tales Of
• Exploring the Outdoors with Urban Teens by Adventurous Moms

Get Ready to Go!

• 5 Space Saving Tips for Family Car Camping by Mommy Loves Trees 
• Camping Checklists by Mommy Hiker
• Camping Etiquette – the Unspoken Rules of Campground Camping by A Little Campy

Our Best Tips and Tricks:

• 5 Tips for Camping as a Single Parent by The Kid Project
• 9 Tips for Camping with Kids by Mad Dog Mom
• Family Camping Made Easy – Warm Sleepers are Happy Sleepers by Family Adventures in the Canadian Rockies
• Hammock Backpacking by Bring the Kids
• First Time Camping with Kids? 5 Tips! By Chronicles of a Suburban Nature Mom

Camping with Babies and Toddlers:

• 10 Tips for Camping with a Baby by The Adventures in Parenthood Project 
• Keeping Toddlers Safe around Campfires by Wild Tales Of
• When Potty Training Invades a Campsite by The Kid Project
• Confronting Bedtime Intimidations while Camping by Adventure Tykes
• Tips for Camping with an Infant by Bring the Kids
• Keeping a Young Kid IN Their Sleeping Bag by The Kid Project

Camping Recipes:

• Cooking Around the Campfire with Cast Iron by Tales of a Mountain Mama
• 14 Easy Camping Recipes by Campfire Chic
• S’More Cones by Suitcases and Sippy Cups
• 25 Delicious Camping Recipes by Six Sisters Stuff
• 4 Ways to Make Pizza While Camping by Outsidemom.com
• No-Bake Camping Cookies by Expect Adventure
• Make-Ahead Camping Meal Guide (more than the basics!) by Mommy Hiker

Coleman sent us this bad boy:

and we were THRILLED! We took it camping, to the beach, on the dock and sailing. When we had a backyard BBQ, we wheeled it over next to our large BBQ and threw on 10 m0re burgers! Coleman has DEFINITELY upped their game with this portable outdoor cooking DREAM! Get your own here.

Fun Camping Extras:

• Make Your Own Hammock by Outsidemom.com
• Make the Perfect Transportable Rope Swing by Outsidemom.com
• Tent Camping with Foam Floor Tiles by A Little Campy
• Preschool Games While Camping by Family Adventures in the Canadian Rockies
• Camping Themed Story Stones by Playdough to Plato

We want to know – what’s the most intimidating/challenging part of camping for you and your family?

HOT TIP: We tried out Coleman’s memory foam sleeping bag and it is a game changer!! 

ABOUT AMELIA: Tales of a Mountain Mama (Family) aims to help inspire families to get outdoors and adventure, even with young children. We share our stories from out on the trails and in the mountains, provide tips and tricks, and welcome feedback from our readers!

We also happen to be big believers in the fact that sometimes an investment in great gear is a worthwhile step in helping getting the entire family out. Watch for a diverse make-up of honest gear reviews and giveaways.

Follow Amelia on Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest |  Google+ | YouTube

CONTINUE READING IN THE BACKYARD

The post Top Tips for Family Camping first appeared on BonBon Break.

Summer is here and it won’t be long before the kids are telling you just how bored they are. You can plan your own day camp for practically free, and you will get loads of mommy time.

There really is no downside here!

When school is out, the first thing my kids want to do is absolutely nothing. That lasts all of about a week, then they’re “soooooo bored.” But summer camps can be expensive. Even the day camps around my house cost a lot of money, and you usually have to book them early because they fill up so fast!

Which is why I love the idea of coming up with a neighborhood summer day camp! It doesn’t matter if you have all sorts of age ranges either. Just remember that older kids love to help out with the younger ones, and they can even be junior counselors.

The best part of this plan is, you don’t have to come up with an entire week’s worth of ideas. All you have to do is come up with one day of activities for the kids. (And there is the amazing added bonus of getting some extra mommy time while the kids are having camp at the other houses!

It’s so brilliant, but so simple that you won’t believe you didn’t think of it first!

This idea could be a SERIOUS game changer for us this summer! It’s always a great idea to play to your strengths and this is an absolutely perfect way to do just that. ~Val

ABOUT KIDS ACTIVITIES BLOG: Kids Activities Blog is all about fun things to do with kids!  Playful learning, crafting and activities are featured along with resources for parents.  Be sure to pick up 101 Kids Activities: That Are the Bestest, Funnest Ever! in a bookstore starting June 10.

Follow Kids Activities Blog on Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest |Google+ | Instagram

 Click to see more from Kids Activities Blog or the Playroom

The post Plan Your Own Summer Day Camp first appeared on BonBon Break.