We’re going camping next week, nothing special or complicated, just car camping at Sandbanks – cooking outdoors, walks in the dunes, days at the beach, roasting marshmallows over the fire. Last year, we had a great trip to Tobermory. This will be the continuation of that experience.

My sister and her family and a few of my brood make their way along the shore on the beautiful Bruce Peninsula.

The beauty of camping for me is that is seems to appeal across the generations. Adults and children enjoy the adventure of the outdoors. And believe me, my youngest can be hard to please at times, but once we get out there, he responds, and my little stick in the mud becomes a great travel companion.

The youngest Philpott reading Harry Potter in the great outdoors.

The World Cup kicked off today. The city is abuzz with excitement and flags from at least 32 countries can be seen fluttering from cars, balconies and whatever else people can attach them to. I caught the last 5 minutes of the opening game and watched South Africa come within a goalpost of winning. I was hooked and I realized this is going to be an exciting month.

What a great opportunity for families, too. This is an experience everyone can enjoy – and learn a something from.

1. It’s Real
This a rare moment where there is a connect for children between the media experience and the real experience on the street. It would be wonderful to take your kids (as I will) to watch on a big screen somewhere, just to feel the energy of the crowds. It makes it real and it makes it fun.

2. See the World
Teams from all around the world are competing. They look different, they have different styles of play. I know we’ll be talking about Africa a lot in our home, and lots of other things, too – like North and South Korea. We’ll see brilliant play from parts of the world we don’t hear much about: what do you know about Ghana, for instance, or even Denmark?

Added to that is the realization that many, many people from all of these countries make their homes right here in the GTA. What an eye-opener it is for all of us. What a great chance to learn a little about our neighbours.

3. Be Generous
Because we are such a mixed society, many of us have roots in many different places. It’s so lovely to hear the enthusiasm that people feel for their own background – and even lovelier that we can (for the most part) share it joyfully – often within the same family. Whenever someone wins a game, there is usually someone we know whom we can congratulate: a friend, a neighbour, an associate, a server in a restaurant (etc. etc. etc.). What a way to take the generous spirit of good sportsmanship to a global level.

What a lovely international experience. Turn on the TV (this time it’s good for you! ) or even better, take the kids out to someplace where the game is on and have fun! It’s a beautiful game – and it’s a beautiful world we live in.

There’s something about fresh air that makes everyone feel good at this time of year. It’s a great time to get out with the kids. Go for a walk, go to the park, eat dinner on the deck. It’s all good.

Pioneer games are still just as much fun for kids (and adults) in modern times

We spent Sunday afternoon cycling on the Leslie Spit. It’s a remarkable thing: a bird sanctuary built upon years and years of building rubble. There’s a nice wide, paved roadway for cycling or roller blading, but you can also go off the road. There are post-apocalyptic wastelands of broken concrete in some places (which my youngest son thought that was really cool, of course!) and there are also beautiful wetlands teeming with birds, and lots more. Yes, you have to be careful in places, but it made for a very enjoyable afternoon out for all of us. The path ends at a small lighthouse on a little hill. From there you look back at Centre Island and Ward’s Island, and beyond that the Toronto skyline. Yes, that’s right: at the end of the Leslie Spit, you are actually out on Lake Ontario, beyond the Toronto Islands!

We had a lovely afternoon. Sometimes all you have to do is get out of the house with the kids it all just works out fine!

My parents, God love ‘em, weren’t always the best advocates for family outings and I have to admit, I was not always a willing participant. Well that’s a lifetime ago now and I’ve had some time to think about it and a few kids of my own to practice on. Here is the distilled wisdom of all that experience:

1. Let them bring a friend
   This one is such a no-brainer and you’ll know that if you have ever tried it. Planning a long hike on the Niagara Escarpment and don’t know how to sell it to little Suzie? Tell her she can choose a friend to bring along. Chances are, they’ll be happy and laughing the whole way. Too easy!
2. Always plan a treat
   Whether it’s ice-cream at the end of the cycling tour, or their favourite baked goodies as part of the picnic basket. Every outing should have a little treat included. It’s a basic principle of happy family trips. My parents usually said things like “we have perfectly good water to drink at home, so there is no reason to spend more money now …” Not a good strategy.
3. Let them chose the destination
   It’s easy: pick three things to do this weekend and ask them which one they’ll want to do. If you have more than one child, let them take turns choosing, or let one choose the destination, and the other chose the treat (see brilliant tip #2 above).
4. Look at the map together
   or read about the place you are going, or do a little research on the internet together. It’s amazing how a little bit of information beforehand will pique their curiosity (and ours) and make even a paperbag lunch outing into exotic cuisine (ok, enough with the metaphors, but you get my point. You might walk through a totally average suburb in order to find the oldest building in the area, for example. Knowing something about the building makes the walk into an adventure.
5. Use bribery
   You had to know this one was coming, dear reader! There is nothing wrong with saying, “of course we can go see Iron Man 2, right after our hike this morning” – or similar to that effect. Treats can be a subtle form of bribe, as well, but it might be best to keep them out of any bargaining process. Probably best to just say, “let’s get our fresh air and exercise before we … [fill in the blank].”

The animals have always been a favourite for young and old at Black Creek Pioneer Village, but perhaps none more than the lambs in spring.