Camping - Riverside,CA

Last year was my daughter's first time camp (she had just turned 3 years old) and it rained the whole weekend BUT still loved camping that she talks about it all the time and is always asking to go. So in the end it is how much you enjoy it and share that with him.

Fun things that we did:
-- Swimming & beach toys
-- Fishing
-- Cook over a campfire
-- Smores
-- easy out door "games" like frisbee, kicking a ball
-- there was an old playground but it gave something different to do
-- sleeping in the tent
-- Just being outdoors, I would sit and watch her explore the campsite pointing out the different leaves, bugs, and so on
-- other things I brought: books, crayons, paper, medium size play truck to play with outside, did a scavanger hunt

We bought our kids Explorer Kits when we went camping. They come in a campers bag with a bug box, magnifying glass, compass, shovel, nets etc. It was a big hit with my 3 year old.

My kids love collecting rocks, leaves, and sticks. I bring a play table for them and bring crafts like glue and large paper. They have fun making art with all the leaves and sticks they find.

Ride-on toys/cars are good too.

Have fun!

I've found that most 3 year olds find the most intriguing things to do while camping....and the most wildest things to play with.........Sticks are a biggie.....did you know you can make roads for ants with sticks.........Yep, seen it done!

Take come shoveling toys and a couple of his favorites, but my guess is that he will find all kinds of great things to play with on his own..........a book to read to him might be good too at night.....whatever your normal bedtime routine is..........

I just used Google and came up with some great sites by putting in this........
Riverside CA campsites

Check it out and have an awesome time.....be sure to take sun block, something for stings.....(toothpaste works to help relieve the pain) and something for scrapes......

Staying at a campground with a lake is always a good idea, one with a little beach area. In addition to swimming, bring along a pail and shovel and some containers and he can have fun for hours. Bring along an extra pail for collecting special treasures on nature walks. You may also want to consider bringing along some type of ride on toy depending on the layout of the campground.