re: Thinking of taking me 3 and 5 yr old sons tent camping this weekend

I took my then 5 and 3 yr old girls last year. Camped out on a sandbar on the river. Here's what I figured out.

My girls will survive an EMP attack. They can entertain themselves with sticks and sand.

Bring plenty of bug repellant (thermacells and plenty refills)

Leave the caffeine at home. They'll drink water.

Teach them how to play battle (cards). The big one should be old enough.

Bring more pillows and blankets than you think you need. They'll get stuff spilled on them and mud tracked on them.

Bring something to start a fire quickly. Kids are impatient and at that age teaching about fire building is difficult. It's better to just spray an accelerant and have fire quickly.

Bring medicine for allergies. They'll get into something that can be fixed with Benadryl.

Don't, I repeat DO NOT, bring a puppy and the children. That was a mistake I'll never make again.

Wake them up early the morning of campout to make sure they get tired early. You don't want them calling for mom at 10:00 pm.

Don't expect to catch or kill anything to eat, or get anything whatsoever productive done. Plan on just keeping them happy and safe. Save serious trips for when they are bigger.