When was the last time you hunkered down to your kid's level, and spent a quarter of an hour to do something one on one with them, like watch an ant go about its business or gather up the teddy bears and play at having tea? Kids know the difference when parents are doing something just for them, and they'll remember the moment for a long, long time. Turning off the television and getting back to simpler things is great for spending quality time with your kids, and an even better way to break the circle of daily routine is to throw your things in the car and take your family away for a weekend of camping.

Being outdoors is the best way to let loose and relax with your family for a night or three. Life has become so fast paced that we can hardly think at times, but camping gives us all a chance to forget about our busy lives for a little bit. Kids absolutely love camping because they get to explore the wilderness first hand. They are free to roam the surrounding area, swim in the nearby lake, catch fish with their Dad, and help cook with only the basics. It is a whole family experience when you go camping.

There are other benefits to family life that camping provides. Being away from the bustle and daily grind is often relaxing for parents, and the tension flows away, leaving kids wondering who replaced their harried, too-busy-right-now mother and father with these mellowed out people. In return, the pressure of performing easing up, kids will most likely be far more pleasant and obedient, willingly helping out with cool chores like fetching water to wash dishes in a plastic pan, or sweeping sand and dirt out from inside the tent. Usual annoyances like brushing teeth will become novel experiences for your kids and they'll probably end up reminding you that it's time to take them down to the public bathrooms to have a shower.

One more great thing about camping is the fun places and things your kids get to do. A night looking at stars is fun for all, as is an afternoon in the fishing boat or a hike along the water's edge. Kids, lost in the excitement of their camping adventures, will also be learning new skills throughout all of this. They can witness you make a campfire from the wood they collected, or cook dinner using just the bare essentials. They will undoubtedly discover that perhaps all of the luxuries they have become accustomed to in their daily life are not so necessary after all.

You may find that your camping trip brings back something that was missing in your family. Once you rediscover quality time and that taking a break from the crazy world we live in only brings you closer to your children, you'll probably want to live that feeling again and again. Your kids will find that their too-busy parents have come back to life and that there's more to the world than pressure to perform and schedules of work that leave you feeling tired and worn out. And if you can't get away from the weekly bustle, a return to nature can easily be done with some short, weekend camping trips.

John Packer is an avid fisherman and recommends GoFishin.com for all your fishing tackle needs based on their wide selection, super discount prices, and great service. Sign up for the newsletter and get weekly specials on fishing poles and various fishing equipment to fill up your tackle box and have the right equipment to catch more fish.