10 Simple Indoor Camping Ideas for Families in Friday’s Fast Five 18th Edition

Building a stronger, happier family is at the top of most parents’ list. However, we are busy! These weekly Fast Five ideas and tips are a quick way to brainstorm, check-in, and create the family relationships you really want. This week’s Fast Five includes fun but simple indoor camping ideas for families, a lesson about the real meaning of Christmas for kids, and more. Happy Friday!

* These ideas are NOT meant to be a checklist or guilt trip of things we “should do.” Rather, they are intended to inspire you to find what works for YOUR family to learn, laugh, and love together. Remember to stick to the Simple Side of Parenting.

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What is Friday’s Fast Five?

Each Friday, we share five quick and simple ideas for families under the following categories:

• Something fun
• A Little Lesson
• A Service Idea
• Something Random
• A Quick Tip

As I try to simplify my own parenting journey and help others do the same, these help us think about what I feel is a simple version of good parenting…learn, laugh, love.

Subscribers also receive exclusive tips and downloads to simplify parenting life.

With that, here is the eighteenth edition of Friday’s Fast Five. (You can find other editions HERE.)

1. Something Fun: Indoor Camping Ideas for Families

Whether the weather doesn’t cooperate, you have babies that don’t campout yet, or you just want to mix things up, these indoor camping ideas for families are a fun way to bond!

Here are ten simple ideas to make your indoor camping adventure a hit.

1. Set-up your tent.
2. String white lights around the room for stars.
3. Eat hot dogs and lemonade for dinner. (Is that a common camping meal for everyone or just us?)
4. Cook S’mores over the stove-top or in the oven.
   • You can roast your marshmallows over the stove just like you would over an open fire.
   • You can also make S’mores in the oven: place the graham crackers on a cookie sheet. Put marshmallows on half the graham crackers and chocolate squares on the other half. Bake at 400 degrees until they reach your ideal level of golden, puffy goodness (usually about 3-5 minutes). Smoosh the two halves together, and enjoy!
5. Sing campfire songs.
   • Some of our favorite campfire songs are Oh a Lay Lay, Boom Chicka Boom, We’re Going on a Lion Hunt, I’m a Nut, and Down By the Bay.
6. Read campfire books.
   • Whether your crew likes scary stories, mysteries, or nature stories, there’s a book for every occasion. We recommend The Berenstain Bears and the Ghost of the Forest (kid-friendly spooks), Our Great Big Backyard (visit National Parks), and Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping. (There are plenty of funny phrases to take literally when it comes to camping!)
7. Go fishing.
   • Play the Magnetic Fishing Game, the classic Go Fish Card Game, or make your own fish and pole.
8. Play charades with a nature theme. (You can find some more fun camping games here.)
9. Use flashlights to make shadow puppets.
10. Snuggle up in sleeping bags and share camping or family memories.

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Special Christmas Indoor Campout

Once a year when I was growing up, we had a sleepover around the Christmas tree. We’d read Christmas stories, sing along to the radio playing 24/7 Christmas songs, and chat late into the night. These are special memories with my family and might make a fun idea for your Littles during their winter break.

2. A Little Lesson: About Giving at Christmas

The sweet story of the Christmas Oranges is a great lesson about giving something special to help another feel joy. It’s a beautiful reminder about the joy of giving at Christmas.

If you’re not familiar with it, you can find a version of the story of the Christmas Oranges here. Share an orange or a chocolate orange while you listen to the story and then talk about what we can give that is special to us in order to help others feel joy.

Related: 11 Ways to Teach Kids the Real Meaning of Christmas

Wondering how to fit Little Lessons (Like this Lesson about Not Judging for Kids) into your busy family schedule?

The two main ways to fit important lessons into your busy family schedule are to find spontaneous teaching moments throughout the day and to schedule family learning time each week. These two posts go into detail about these two ways and tips for making it happen with your family.

How Busy Parents Can Teach Important Life Lessons

6 Tips for Family Time that Teaches Life’s Most Important Lessons

3. A Service Idea: Donate Change

Even pennies matter.

Have kids gather a few coins and donate to a cause that’s important to your family. You can find a Salvation Army Bell Ringer near you (or volunteer as one!) or donate to any cause. Help your kids learn that every bit of help makes a difference.

Service is a great way to build a stronger, happier family. If you want more service ideas, request Raising Compassionate Children in a Conceited World, which includes 101 Service Ideas for Families.

4. Something Random: Wishes for Santa

Good luck Santa.

Merry Christmas!

5. A Quick Tip: Peace

I love sharing the message that we can have peace in any circumstance because peace has very little to do with what’s going on around us…

As we near the end of what has been a turbulent year, I hope you are able to find inner peace.

It happens best as we focus on loving those around us and letting ourselves feel their love and the love of the Divine.

I was able to share some inspiration for finding peace in parenting and during the holidays in Episode 72 of The 29-Minute Mom Podcast. Listen in while you finish up your holiday prep!

However, if you’re ready for more, ready for some transformative action that will result in greater peace, I invite you to read my book Peace amidst the Mayhem.

I wish you a truly peaceful rest of your holiday season.

And that is Friday’s Fast Five!

You can also see Friday’s Fast Five on Instagram or other editions HERE.

Building a Stronger, Happier Family

It takes time and intention to build a stronger, happier family. I hope Friday’s Fast Five helps you find the ways that work for YOUR family to learn, laugh, and love together.

We will never regret the time we devote to our families and relationships with our kids.

Have a great weekend with your family, know that you’re loved, and keep on lovin’!

Do you have a great idea for a future Friday’s Fast Five? Have a question or parenting struggle you want help with? Share in the comments, shoot me an Email, or schedule a call.

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