Hiking is the easiest outdoor activity and doesn't require a lot of expensive equipment. You can pick up pocket-sized guides to help identify plants and insects. You may also consider fishing, canoeing, and bike riding. These are activities that most children really enjoy.

There are plenty of activities to do when you are at your campsite. Kids can learn how to set up the tent and build a campfire. For the younger kids, you can make a game out of who can collect the most kindling. Around the campfire, older children can learn to cook. No campout would be complete if you don't include s'mores. Make sure that you have plenty of graham crackers, Hershey bars, and marsh mellows because children and adults love s'mores. You can even save the s'mores for when it gets dark. Stories and s'mores by the campfire light is a treat that your children will talk about for a long time.

I'm a firm believer that a child is never too young to learn good manners. And that applies to the great outdoors. For all activities, the rule to remembers is, "Take only pictures. Leave only footprints." This means that you should leave your camping and hiking areas just as clean or cleaner than when you found it. Allow the next person to enjoy the same beauty as you did. Teach your children to be observers, not intruders. This is a good lesson-respect for the environment carries over to self-respect and respect for others.