Camp Out, Cincy!
Spend a night around a campfire telling stories and making s’mores. Look up at the sky and do some stargazing. Take a hike, literally.
It’s time to plan a quick little overnight adventure and pop the tent for a little camp out with the fam. Get ready for some core memory-making, friends, ’cause this is what summer living feels like, y’all!
Kentucky camping spots:
AJ JOLLY PARK AND CAMPGROUND
1501 Race Track Road, Alexandria, KY | (859) 635-4423
Rental Site: $27-43 + $9 Daily Pass Admittance
BIG BONE LICK STATE HISTORIC SITE
3380 Beaver Road, Union, KY | (859) 384-3495
Rental Site: $35-45
KINCAID LAKE STATE PARK
749 Kincaid Park Road, Falmouth, KY | (859) 654-3531
Rental Site: $20-38
Great Parks Camping Spots:
LAKE ISABELLA CAMPGROUND
10174 Loveland-Madeira Road, Loveland, OH | (513) 851-2267
Rental Site: $86.50/night
MIAMI WHITEWATER FOREST CAMPGROUND
9001 Mt. Hope Road, Harrison, OH | (513) 851-2267
Rental Site: $38-47.75/night
WINTON WOODS CAMPGROUND
651 Lakeview Dr., Cincinnati, OH | (513) 851-2267
Rental Site: $47.75-74.50
Ohio State Parks Camping Spots:
EAST FORK STATE PARK CAMPGROUND
2837 Old State Route 32, Batavia, OH | (513) 724-6521
Rental Site: $33-49 +$3 visitor pass
HUESTON WOODS
6301 Park Office Road, College Corner, OH | (513) 523-1060
Rental Site: $22-47
Tips on Camping with Kids
WHAT TO PACK
In short, the house. Don’t be afraid of over-packing and follow the Boy Scout motto of “Be Prepared.”
– Tent, sleeping bags and pillows
– An air mattress is a great base for tents
– First aid kit
– Flashlights/lantern
– Fans
– Extra batteries
– Clothes, swim suits, sturdy shoes and some flip flips, too
– Extra clothes and clothes for varying weather (imagine a toddler falling in icky mud and demanding new shorts, and you don’t have them… be. prepared.)
– Wet wipes
– Grocery store bags (great to use as trash bags)
– Food! Hot dogs, buns, condiments, chips, dips, s’mores gear, etc.
– Cooler filled with lots of drinks! Remember to stay hydrated
– Bug spray
– Sun block
– Toiletries
– Fold out chairs/Camping chairs
– Binoculars
– Random junk you may need like scissors, a hammer or mallet, rope, zip ties, duct tape
WHAT TO DO
As an adult, it is easy to sit back, relax and just… be. But when you’re little, that sounds BORING! Camping with kids means staying active. Every camp site is unique, and some even offer fun nature programming like guided hikes or even family focused activities like games and crafts. Some ideas on what to do with kids while camping include:
– Fishing
– Hiking
– Swimming
– Creeking
– Boating/kayaking
– Scavenger hunts
– Playing I-spy
– Board games and card games (pack accordingly)
– Reading
– Storytelling
– Geocaching
– Playing Pokemon Go!
– Crafting (bead bracelets, rock painting)
– Building a campfire
– Stargazing (download a constellation app!)
Cincinnati Family Magazine hopes you have a wonderful time camping with your crew this summer! Have fun, be safe and make those memories.
