Family Fun Around the Campfire: 5 Easy Projects to Try!

5 EASY PROJECTS TO KEEP THE WHOLE FAMILY BUSY ON ANY CAMPING TRIP 

“Answer the Call of Nature and Relive the Days of Old”

By far, one of the most popular types of vacations, especially among families, is a beloved American pastime known as the camping trip.

One of my favorite books is “Camp-Lore and Woodcraft” by Daniel Beard. He covers just about everything needed for a successful camping trip that was available—back then. He also wrote it expressing his hope to rekindle the love for camping and the skills that went along with it, especially in youngsters who he felt were straying away from the outdoors. This book was published in 1920.

Whether you want to simply roast s’mores, day hike, or gaze at the stars, making your adventure with your family special is the ultimate goal. Use these tips to create a list of fun, safe things for family camping.

TOOLS NEEDED

Assuming the obvious essentials like sleeping bags, proper clothing, first-aid/survival kits, bug spray, rope (cordage), medication, food, and a tent are taken care of, make sure to pack necessary food preparation items, namely knives and a cutting board. Kitchen knives are the obvious choice, but to transport them safely, they need to be in a sheath. This is why so many good camp sheath knives are available. If you don’t have one, however, you can transport kitchen knives in a hard plastic container.

As for cooking, keep it simple. A cast iron skillet, kettle, and boiling pot will suffice for a weekend in the woods. Don’t forget silverware or you’ll really be getting back to primal roots. Plastic bags will be your friend. They have hundreds of uses and will keep camp a little more organized and offer safe haven for keeping things dry.

Tools will be important. Sheath knives, folding knives (such as Swiss Army knives), a hatchet for splitting firewood, and small folding shovel will do you right. I’d omit large saws for established camps because most campgrounds sell pre-cut wood and don’t allow cutting trees. If your family is a bit more into primitive campsites and backcountry camping, bring a folding saw.

Bring whistles for everyone young and old—something they can wear around their necks. This is a must in a car camp or backcountry camp. A whistle will carry farther and longer than the human voice. Just remember “three” is the universal distress signal.

Last, yet most important, is your sense of humor. Things may not go according to plan or come out right the first time—that’s perfectly fine. This is when you’ll have to laugh at yourself (or someone else) to get through the situation. Most likely you’ll all find it funny years later. It’s all part of the experience.

KIDS AND KNIVES

Safety is first when it comes to sharp tools. I’d suggest parents/grandparents/guardians take the lead in deciding who gets a knife and for what. Also, make sure you are knowledgeable in advance. There are many tutorials, articles, and videos on this matter—use them.

Nothing will change the tone of a trip like an injury. Make sure nobody cuts toward themselves or uses their leg or shoe as a cutting platform. Practice keeping a fist (forward) grip with thumbs off the spine. This gives uneven pressure and is especially unsafe when using a non-locking folding knife. Watch out for anyone cutting inside the blood triangle, in between legs and near arteries, or anywhere on top of their legs.

Safety with folders and fixed blades is something to be aware of at all times. Swiss Army-type knives have a moving part at the blade joint. Both opening and closing them create opportunity for potential cuts. It should be done slowly. Fixed blades have no moving parts. So, in a way they can seem safer. Folding knives with a lock need some practice. There is still the chance of cutting yourself when disengaging the lock mechanism. Parents: Consider the skill and attention levels of every minor handling potentially dangerous tools. Choose wisely and practice slowly.

5 EASY FAMILY CAMP PROJECTS

1. Roasting Sticks

For hot dogs and marshmallows, a fun easy way to make something useful and get some knife skills practice is to make a roasting stick. Putting a point on a stick is about as basic as it gets. Simply cut into the end of a stick at an angle while rotating the stick. When cutting, keep the forward grip, using short cuts rather than hard, long slices until the desired sharpness is achieved. Get everyone involved in making their own, putting their own signature on it. This is a great family activity.

2. Stakes

Having a couple extra stakes is always good idea. They are easy to make with a pocketknife or fixed blade. Locate a relatively straight stick, about thumb-thickness, and about 7-12 inches long. Dry hardwood or green wood can be used. Establish the top portion: Look for knots and natural offshoots you can use to form a notch around. Save the smoothest end to go in the ground.

Either make a sharp point like for a roasting stick or just a chisel end for really hard ground. The top part will need a 7-notch made by pushing a 90-degree cut in the stick just about thumb width from the top. This will be your stop-cut. Either tap the spine of the blade nearly halfway in with the help of a baton stick, or just roll the stick against the blade to create the desired depth.

Next, gently carve towards the stop cut until there is ample room to attach cord. Last, chamfer (bevel) the top enough to aid in preventing the top from splitting or mushrooming too much when pounded in the ground.

3. Throwing Stick

Often called a rabbit stick for throwing at small game, it’s a Native American hunting tool as well as a fun pastime when aimed at cans. This type of stick is easily made with a piece of dead wood about arm length or a little shorter and about wrist thick. It should have a slight curve as well. One end should have a flat chisel end and the other should be chamfered as rounded as possible. You now have a throwing stick and digging stick, two in one. Simply throw the stick low to the ground, in a whipping, side motion. You’d be surprised how easy it is to become good at hitting a target. You can make it family contest with a prize.

4. Grill

For hot dogs and marshmallows, a fun easy way to make something useful and get some knife skills practice is to make a roasting stick. Putting a point on a stick is about as basic as it gets. Simply cut into the end of a stick at an angle while rotating the stick. When cutting, keep the forward grip, using short cuts rather than hard, long slices until the desired sharpness is achieved. Get everyone involved in making their own, putting their own signature on it. This is a great family activity.

5. Whittling

The key to many fun camp crafts is whittling. The easiest way to start whittling wood is to find a stick or piece of wood and start slicing away. Taking all necessary precautions, practice making kindling for a fire and going a step further making tinder, which should be thinner and curlier. Find the straightest stick or split of wood possible. A piece with a slight curve will work as well.

While holding the knife in a fist grip, start making a slice using the part of the blade closest to the handle. Lock your arm straight or in a slightly bent position and when you feel the blade barely slicing into the wood, draw forward, and steadily. Definitely a learning curve with this technique and well worth the time.

UNPLUG

Want to practice survival skills or roast marshmallows over an open fire? You’ll get your chance when you go camping. Whether you want to go fishing, swimming, or simply look up at the stars at night, or sleep under them, there are ample opportunities to learn, explore, and make amazing memories. Family bonding will happen naturally, there’s no doubt about it, during this type of vacation. Unplug, get out there, and enjoy the fresh air.