How to Make Offroading Fun for the Kids

For the off roader in all of us half way through the day can become a sort of witching hour for the kids. What I have found that will make the escape just as fun for the kids is including them in part of your day. It can take as little as a half hour, to an hour out of your adult play time to just include them in the festivities.

What you will need:

A nice reliable off road machine

A tent big enough for the family

Toys for the water i.e. squirt guns, floaters, water balloons

Sand toys

Sleeping bags for the family

Cap guns

Bag full of hot wheels

Small portable barbeque and fixins to grill

1) During summer months plan your trip around a natural creek or lake. When the kids start to get whiney you can stop off for some water fun. This is where the water toys come into play. If you can't find any local water bring along bottles of water and water balloons, the water balloons fit onto the top of the bottle just like a hose.

2) There will always be some sort of clearing to be found. Make this one of your pit stops. With your bag hot wheels in hand you and the kids can make your own off road track in the dirt for the kiddies to enjoy. You can also use the water you brought along for those balloons to make some mud bogs.

3) During your stay at the race track you can also break out your mini barbeque and have some lunch. The kids will love it because it will give them a little extra leg stretchin time in between rock gardens, and you can fill your belly at the same time. You can find very affordable charcoal barbeques that close up tight so no ashes even end up in your pride and joy when you leave.

4) While you are still on the trail you can always let the little guys have some target practice. Now days most off roaders have some sort of removable tops on their rig. Take advantage of it. While the trail is mellow and easy going let the kids shoot the bushes and things out the windows. The cap guns and squirt guns come in great for this. It also gives you the chance to mess with your buddies along the way. It is always great fun to pull up along side your trail partner and let the kids get a few good shots at him.

5) There is always the camping option. If you have the extra time to spend and know the trail you are venturing you can always set up camp around sun set. The best part of the fun too is taking the kids and showing them that you don't need a ranger and a picnic table to have a good camping trip. Whenever you can manage to find one, take advantage of the real camping spots. The kids will love it too. They get to go out and find wood in the forest and make a fire ring. As long as there isn't any laws against doing an open camp fire that is.

All of these things can make the trip a whole lot more fun for the kids all around. Whenever you head out for a day of trail blazin' just think for a few minutes about the kiddies and include them in the plan. These tips can make the day less stressful for mom and dad and more fun for those little trailers we are growing in the back seat.