Fishing With Kids and Other Valuable Life Lessons

Posted on May 10, 2013 by

Fishing with the kids is the perfect way to get the family together for a fun afternoon or evening.  Taking the kids fishing teaches them valuable skills and life lessons. You also get the opportunity to spend quality time with your kids while creating lasting memories for everyone.

Fishing for Kids

Take your kids fishing and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Here are some tips to remember to make the outing perfect:

  1. Keep it simple – There is no need for fancy equipment or complicated techniques.  A simple pole and some basic spinners or live bait usually does the trick and helps to build confidence.  (Your kids can make their own fishing pole here.)
  2. Keep it short – The younger the child, the faster they get bored.  If you keep them out too long, they’ll lose interest and may not want to fish again.  It’s best to take them out in short increments until they are older.  All-night fishing trips may not be the best way to instill a life-long love of fishing into a 6-year old!
  3. Keep them involved – In order for your kids have a good time, learn something, and fall in love with fishing; you need to keep them engaged the entire time.  So many times, we do all the work for them and then hand them the pole when a fish is on line.  This works when the fish are really biting, however, they will feel much more satisfied if they are involved every step of the way. To start with, let them catch the bait (grasshoppers, worms, night crawlers, etc).  Show them how to tie a hook on the line.  Teach them how to put the bait on the hook.  Show them how to cast properly.  Have them help you to clean their catch, and if you really want to make their day – let them help you cook it!

Not only is fishing fun, but it is also a great opportunity for you to visit with your kids. Sometimes our days and lives are so busy that we don’t take the time to listen.  Just having the time and space to talk without the interruption of cell phones, video games, and television can help us to really engage with our kids.  It gives us the time to listen to them and also the opportunity to teach them some valuable life lessons.

Check out the full line of JM Cremps fishing equipment for kids.  Our best selling kids fishing vest is in stock, along with our most popular kids fishing gear.  If your kids take a liking to fishing, the book Kids Gone Fishing is our most popular kids fishing book.  The tips, techniques, and tricks contained within its pages are valuable for kids and adults too!

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Who Is Your Superhero?

Posted on May 1, 2013 by
Be a Superhero Today

Be a Superhero in your family. It is easier than you think!

Since 1995, April 28th has been celebrated as National Superhero Day.  Although at first, you may picture a popular fictional character, after some thoughtful consideration, you might realize that you are surrounded by real-life “superheroes” everyday.

Everyday Superheros include:

  • A mom who can patch up a boo-boo with a bandage and a kiss in 10 seconds flat.
  • A dad who takes his son camping on his only weekend off from work in months.
  • A librarian who introduces a child to a new series of books that ignites his imagination.
  • A group leader who helps teach honor, responsibility, and character to children and young adults.
  • A teacher who doesn’t give up on a struggling student.

The list goes on and on, and you probably have your own superheros who come to mind.  Don’t forget that superhero powers come in many forms, and what you do today will leave a lasting impression on those who surround you.  So give a big thanks to a superhero in your life, and then pass along that “power” by teaching your kids, friends, and family how they can be a superhero in their own way.

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Dogfights, Secret Codes, and Other Inspiring War Stories

Posted on April 22, 2013 by

Kids have been playing army for as long as there have been armies! Sometimes, play is just play, but the next time your army kids are in full battle mode, why not use it as an excuse to teach them a little history? Even a sentence or two about a brave soldier trapped behind enemy lines could spark a curiosity that may lead to a long conversation about the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.  Imagine what would happen if you told them this:

“Did you know that pilots in World War I would often very briefly turn OFF their engines during a battle so that the engine would not stall when they turned quickly? When the pilot then restarted the engine in midair, it sounded like a dog barking. That’s why airplane battles are called dog fights!”

(Beware though. This kind of inspiration may lead to the next great air battle occurring in your living room.)

Secret Carrier Pigeon found with Coded WWII letter.

This secret coded WWII letter from Sgt. Stott to agent XO2 was found attached to a carrier pigeon’s skeleton in a chimney in England.

The next time your adventurous troop is battling it out, try this one on them:

“Hey guys, did you know that in 2012, in a chimney in England, an older couple found the skeleton of a World War II spy pigeon with a red cylinder still attached to its leg? When they opened up the cylinder, there was a secret, coded message inside.“

That kind of teaser could provide their imaginations with hours of fun and my lead to a lifetime of interest in history. Be prepared, however, because they may ask you to show them the coded letter.

JM Cremps has many resources to inspire your child’s imagination and encourage a love of learning. One of our favorite resources for World War I and World War II history is the Usborne Book, War Stories – True Stories from the First and Second World Wars. This 432-page book is full of photographs, drawings, maps and diagrams. The short stories cover enemy raids, traitorous spies, secret plots, epic battles, and heroic missions. It is recommended for kids ages 8 and up.

Army Kids WWII Books War Stories Usborne Books

War Stories, True Stores from the WWI and WWII, is full of inspiring stories and interesting facts.

Whether your kids decide to use the couch to launch the Invasion of Normandy or their favorite toy soldier set to stage an epic battle, the short stories nestled in the pages of this book will provide them with hours of inspired fun.

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Kids Bird Watching Spring Scavenger Hunt Game

Posted on April 8, 2013 by
Bird Watching for Kids - Red Cardinals

See if you can find a male and female pair of birds. The Red Cardinal male is bright red all over, while the female is brown with red tinges.

Spring brings warm weather, green grass, and the sound of kids playing outside.  Along with the warmer weather comes the return of hundreds of species of migrating birds.  This annual spring migration is a perfect time to do some bird watching with the family.   Not only will you learn a bit about the birds that live in your area, you may also find a new family past time!

A fun way to get the whole family involved is to turn bird watching into a game.  Our Kids Bird Watching Spring Scavenger Hunt is the perfect way to do just that.  Simply download and print our list, and see how many things you can find.

For an added challenge, try to identify the name of the birds you see.  The National Audubon Society has a free online bird watcher’s tool that will make it easy for you to identify the birds you see by their colors, size, and even the sounds they make.   For instant help in identifying the birds you see while you are outside, use a bird watcher’s field guide.  At JM Cremps, we carry the gold standard of bird watching books – the Peterson Field Guides.  The Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Eastern and Central North America is for bird watchers who live in the eastern half of the US.  The Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Western North America is for western bird watchers.  For the younger kids, the North American Birds Sticker Book is a fun and exciting way to keep young bird watchers engaged while they are learning.

Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America

The Peterson Field Guides to Birds of North America is perfect for bird watchers of all ages.

Bird Watcher’s Spring Scavenger Hunt

Take this list outside and see how many of the “bird” items on this list you can find.  You’ll have to look high, look low, and listen closely!

_______ Bird tracks (hint:  look in muddy areas)

_______ 1 bird nest

_______ 1 bird feather

_______ 1 brown bird

_______ A bird that is flying

_______ A bird that is perched in a tree

_______ A bird that is singing

_______ A bird that is building a nest

_______ A bird that is carrying something in its beak

_______ A bird that is swimming

_______ A bird with yellow on it

_______ A bird that is screeching or calling

_______ A bird with blue on it

_______ A bird with white on it

_______ A large bird

_______ A small bird

_______ A hummingbird

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Make Your Own Kids Fishing Pole – Huck Finn Style!

Posted on April 1, 2013 by
Huck Finn Homemade Kids Fishing Pole

Huck Finn would have made his own fishing pole too!

Mark Twain’s character, Huck Finn, was the ultimate adventure seeker. Huck knew how to make the most of every day, and every opportunity. You can bet that when spring rolled around, ole Huck would be outside on the riverbank. You may not be as free to roam as Huck, but you can spend a day lazing on the riverbank just like he did. If Huck were around today, he wouldn’t buy his fishing pole at the store – he’d make his own. He’d whittle a tree branch, attach some line, dig up a worm, and catch some dinner!

Here’s how to make your own kids fishing pole – Huck Finn Style:

Step 1: Find a tree branch that is approximately the same height as the person who will be fishing with the fishing pole. Using a pocketknife, remove all of the protruding branches and twigs so your pole is straight and smooth.

STEP 2: Cut a piece of fishing line 12 inches longer than your pole.

STEP 3: Using your knife, cut a groove around the tip of your fishing pole approximately ½ inch from the end. The groove needs to go all the way around the circumference of the fishing pole, and must be deep enough for you to wrap the line around three times.

STEP 4: Wrap one end of the line around the groove three times. Tie a secure knot so your line won’t slip out of the channel. (Not good with Knots? The Fisherman’s Ultimate Knot Guide fits in your pocket, explains how to tie the most popular knots for every occasion, and even has a ruler edge so you can measure the monster fish you catch.)

STEP 5: Tie a fishing hook to the end of the line. If you are fishing in a creek or river, then attach a sinker about 6 to 12 inches up the line. If you are fishing in a pond or lake, you likely won’t need a sinker.

STEP 6: Dig up some worms, head out to your favorite fishing hole, and join Huck in a day of fishing, fun, and adventure!

Making Wooden Fishing Lures - Kids Fishing Book

Make your own kids fishing pole AND your own wooden fishing lures.

If you like the idea of making your own fishing gear, then check out the book, Making Wooden Fishing Lures. You’ll learn tips and techniques to create effective lures that you can be proud of. Another great kids fishing book that is kid-friendly, easy to read, and loaded with fun photographs and drawings, is Kids Gone Fishing. It’s one of our favorites here at JM Cremps, and it just may instill a lifelong love of fishing in your kids. If a homemade pole isn’t your thing, then JM Cremps carries a great “Huck Finn” alternative – the 3-piece 12’ Bamboo Cane Fishing Pole. It’s easy to carry, durable, and catches fish!

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Turn Your Kids into Slackers – With a Backyard Slackline!

Posted on December 11, 2012 by

When the kids have too much energy and need something to occupy them both physically and mentally, then it’s time to……

Gibbon Classic Slackline for Beginners

A slackline can challenge your whole family both physically and mentally.

Set up a slackline! Slacklining is the sport of walking on a small, flat nylon strap that is positioned between two anchor points. Some people slackline for the fun challenge, others do it for the athletic benefits, and others for the improvement in their balance and strength. Slacklining as a sport is wonderful in that it can be done anywhere – the backyard, the basement, a park, the beach, or anywhere you can find two anchor points. It’s safe, fun, and perfect for kids and adults of all ages. Best of all, you can do it in summer, winter, day, night, rain or shine.

A slackline is the perfect gift for kids and families, and for once, you won’t need to worry that they’ll be bored with it after an hour or two. Once someone has mastered the skill of walking across the line, then the challenge of tricks, jumps, and balance games begin! A slackline setup has the tendency to draw people in for hours of challenging fun, and that’s one of the reasons they are so popular.

Gibbon Classic Slackline for Kids is the 2009 Backpacker Magazine Editor's Choice Award Winner.

The Gibbon Classic Slackline won Backpacker Magazine’s Editor’s Choice Award in 2009.

There are many slacklines on the market, but Gibbon makes some of the best slacklines in the world. Our favorite is the Gibbon Classic Slackline. It is a high-quality slackline that is ideal for both beginners and experienced slackers. (I bet you never thought that the word “slackers” could be a good thing….) The 2 inch wide strap is the ideal width to learn on and is also perfect for learning tricks and jumps. At 82 feet in length, there will be plenty of strap to create the perfect set up in any location. The hardware that is included is durable, solid, easy to use, and will hold up a maximum tension of 4 tons, so you don’t have to worry about the line slipping. Set up takes only minutes, and it comes with an instruction manual and a carry bag.

Your kids will have fun for hours on a slackline.

So this is what a “Slacker” looks like!

The Gibbon Classic Slackline is affordable, durable, and provides healthy fun for the whole family. It also won the 2009 Backpacker Magazine’s Editor’s Choice award, and that gives it a huge stamp of approval in our book.

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Project for Kids – A Christmas Scavenger Hunt

Posted on November 29, 2012 by

A Christmas-themed Scavenger hunt is the perfect activity for family gatherings and holiday parties.  For family gatherings, it is fun to pair up the adults with the kids and see which team finishes first.  For kids parties, split the kids into teams and give them a time limit.  Whichever team gathers the most items within the time limit is the winner!

Christmas Scavenger Hunt for Kids

Do you think these two would make good partners for your Christmas Scavenger Hunt?

_______ 1 pine needle (real or artificial)

_______ 1 ornament hook

_______ 1 pinecone

_______ 1 piece of garland or tinsel

_______ 1 mistletoe leaf

_______ 1 holiday table decoration (a candle or figurine will work)

_______ 1 gift tag

_______ 1 red poinsettia flower

_______ 1 piece of holiday chocolate

_______ 1 piece of wrapping paper with a Christmas tree on it

_______ 1 piece of gift ribbon

_______ 1 Christmas cookie

_______ 1 package of dry hot cocoa mix

_______ 1 Christmas card

_______ 1 candy cane

_______ 1 jingle bell

Download your printable copy of Christmas Scavenger Hunt here.

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