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LC
I'd like to take my family of six camping this summer but we have no equipment whatsoever, does anyone know where I could find some reasonably priced, even used camping equipment online or in the detroit metro area?
Answer
I have to agree with all the "yard sale" suggestions, you can get some great buys at them.
If you do decide to purchase a used tent, insist that it be set up before paying for it! Be certain that all of the poles, stakes,and rain fly are there. Check it over very carefully for rips, tears and any defective zippers.
If you go with a new tent, please stay away from "store brands" it at all possible. Most are not bad for the occasional camper but, if you plan on camping quite often, buy a well know brand even if you have to buy a discontinued model. (Older models mean markdowns which mean bargin for the shopper!)
I would never consider buying a used sleeping bag! Store brand sleeping bags start around the $15 mark and are adequate for summer camping on a budget.
Used propane stoves can be found at yard sales, at times. Have the owner show you how it works and that it does indeed work properly. To save a few $$, you could consider cooking over a campfire or hot coals. It is a romantic and rustic notion but it is dirty, time consuming and frustrating at times. Better to stick with a stove for your first camping trip with the family so that all goes smoothly and they will want to do it again!
Coolers can also be located at yard sales, just check to be certain the drain plug is not missing or broken, along with handles and hinges.
Cookware can be simply your older pots and pans from how. Same goes with flashlights for night time trips to the bathhouse.
If you are not positive your family will enjoy camping, have you considered renting some of the gear instead of purchasing? There are two REI stores in the Detroit area that rent tents, stoves, sleeping bags and pads. No idea of the cost but may be something you would want to consider and check into.
I have to agree with all the "yard sale" suggestions, you can get some great buys at them.
If you do decide to purchase a used tent, insist that it be set up before paying for it! Be certain that all of the poles, stakes,and rain fly are there. Check it over very carefully for rips, tears and any defective zippers.
If you go with a new tent, please stay away from "store brands" it at all possible. Most are not bad for the occasional camper but, if you plan on camping quite often, buy a well know brand even if you have to buy a discontinued model. (Older models mean markdowns which mean bargin for the shopper!)
I would never consider buying a used sleeping bag! Store brand sleeping bags start around the $15 mark and are adequate for summer camping on a budget.
Used propane stoves can be found at yard sales, at times. Have the owner show you how it works and that it does indeed work properly. To save a few $$, you could consider cooking over a campfire or hot coals. It is a romantic and rustic notion but it is dirty, time consuming and frustrating at times. Better to stick with a stove for your first camping trip with the family so that all goes smoothly and they will want to do it again!
Coolers can also be located at yard sales, just check to be certain the drain plug is not missing or broken, along with handles and hinges.
Cookware can be simply your older pots and pans from how. Same goes with flashlights for night time trips to the bathhouse.
If you are not positive your family will enjoy camping, have you considered renting some of the gear instead of purchasing? There are two REI stores in the Detroit area that rent tents, stoves, sleeping bags and pads. No idea of the cost but may be something you would want to consider and check into.
What kinds of activities do you do with 6 and 9 years old boys on a Rainy Saturday without spending any money?
stayhomemo
I don't want them to play video games and watch TV all day. I don't want them to run around the house like wild monkeys either. They are not into quiet activities like crafts and drawing any more especially on Saturday. I don't want to spend a lot of money taking them to Museums or Aquarium where we have already been before. We could play Domino for an hour but they'll get bored after that.
Answer
If you are willing to go out, take them to the library and/or bookstore and let them select some books. They could get books to read, or books with science experiments, or books that will teach them a new craft/hobby such as how to make paper airplanes, etc.
We have several video game systems (Nintendo, Super Nintendo and Nintendo Wii). The only one hooked up is the Wii, and we save it for rainy days or family night. The Wii Sports offers a workout, and my children love it when their father and I play with them. Just put a time limit on it.
Let them use blankets and bedsheets and make a tent/fort using your dining table and/or chairs.
Have a picnic lunch on the floor. Spread out a blanket and eat. You can find some fun food ideas on the internet.
Speaking of the internet, let them explore Google Earth. It is free to download, and my children love it. You can explore the Sun, Moon, etc. and you can explore Earth. We have zoomed in from space and found our home, the homes of friends and relatives and we have virtually visited the Eifel Tower, Statue of Liberty, Grand Canyon, White House, Niagara Falls, Disney World, etc. It is really interesting.
World Book Encyclopedia is a good website they could explore-they could learn more about the places they visit on Google Earth, or they could learn all about their favorite animal, what happened on their birthdate throughout history, etc.
If you have flour, salt, water and some cookie cutters, you could make some ornaments. We add a little cinnamon applesauce to ours to make them smell good, too. Do not forget to use a toothpick or coffee sstraw or a drinking straw to make a hole for the ribbon. After they are cool, they can paint them or color them with markers. You can hang these on the wall, Christmas tree, from your rear view mirror in your car-my children have even made some that they play with (delicately). They make excellent gifts!
You could get them to clean their room(s), and help them rearrange the furniture-let them choose where the bed(s) go, etc. Perhaps they could find some toys to donate to charity or some things that they could sell at a yard sale (when it is not raining) and use the proceeds to buy some new things for their rooms.
If you are thinking about going out, stop at the Pet Store if you think they can handle the responsibility of a pet. My 11 and 9 year olds have a turtle, hermit crabs and betta fish. The betta fish would be the least expensive, and they are very resiliant. Hermit crabs are very interesting to watch!
I hope this helps, and I hope they have fun!
If you are willing to go out, take them to the library and/or bookstore and let them select some books. They could get books to read, or books with science experiments, or books that will teach them a new craft/hobby such as how to make paper airplanes, etc.
We have several video game systems (Nintendo, Super Nintendo and Nintendo Wii). The only one hooked up is the Wii, and we save it for rainy days or family night. The Wii Sports offers a workout, and my children love it when their father and I play with them. Just put a time limit on it.
Let them use blankets and bedsheets and make a tent/fort using your dining table and/or chairs.
Have a picnic lunch on the floor. Spread out a blanket and eat. You can find some fun food ideas on the internet.
Speaking of the internet, let them explore Google Earth. It is free to download, and my children love it. You can explore the Sun, Moon, etc. and you can explore Earth. We have zoomed in from space and found our home, the homes of friends and relatives and we have virtually visited the Eifel Tower, Statue of Liberty, Grand Canyon, White House, Niagara Falls, Disney World, etc. It is really interesting.
World Book Encyclopedia is a good website they could explore-they could learn more about the places they visit on Google Earth, or they could learn all about their favorite animal, what happened on their birthdate throughout history, etc.
If you have flour, salt, water and some cookie cutters, you could make some ornaments. We add a little cinnamon applesauce to ours to make them smell good, too. Do not forget to use a toothpick or coffee sstraw or a drinking straw to make a hole for the ribbon. After they are cool, they can paint them or color them with markers. You can hang these on the wall, Christmas tree, from your rear view mirror in your car-my children have even made some that they play with (delicately). They make excellent gifts!
You could get them to clean their room(s), and help them rearrange the furniture-let them choose where the bed(s) go, etc. Perhaps they could find some toys to donate to charity or some things that they could sell at a yard sale (when it is not raining) and use the proceeds to buy some new things for their rooms.
If you are thinking about going out, stop at the Pet Store if you think they can handle the responsibility of a pet. My 11 and 9 year olds have a turtle, hermit crabs and betta fish. The betta fish would be the least expensive, and they are very resiliant. Hermit crabs are very interesting to watch!
I hope this helps, and I hope they have fun!
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