There is nothing more gratifying for the mind, body and soul than a day out surrounded by nature. Sometimes, I like to turn off the TV, power down the cell phones, grab the kids and spend the days outdoors appreciating all Mother Nature has to offer. Because we can’t just pack up and go on vacation; or always afford a day away from home, sometimes a little backyard camping is all we need to reconnect with nature’s beauty. Backyard camping in nature is not only fun for the kids because it’s a change from their usual habits, but it can be a fun learning experience, too, as they learn about birds, insects, trees, flowers, and more.

We were recently sent a few items from Magic Cabin that enhanced my children’s backyard camp out experience. Here’s how we enjoyed them:




After exploring everything the outdoors had to offer, we then had a  "picnic" for dinner, followed by some more play in their tent. When it got dark, we fired up our fire pit (if you don’t have one…a charcoal grill works great, too) and used our new Marshmallow Tree to roast marshmallows to make s'mores while enjoying the night sky and each other’s company. This campfire essential allowed us to roast enough marshmallows for everyone all at once.

Our backyard camp out was fun and restful; and the boys even learned a few things too.







More information about the featured items from Magic Cabin:

Camping Tent: This professional-looking tent morphs from folded to full-of-kids in a moment. Thanks to "one-touch" technology, you just lift it out of its carry bag, hold it up, shake it to snap it into shape, and let the pretend adventures begin! Included carry bag makes it a breeze to pack along to the beach, lake or campsite. Features include a waterproof poly oxford floor adds to its versatility, netting at the roof ensures good ventilation, and the durable, UV-treated, 30-SPF-coated polyester fabric adds extra protection from the sun's rays. For happy campers ages 3 and up.
Size: Approx. 48" x 48" x 36"

Audubon Bird Call:  You can attract many birds with the Audubon Bird Call, a little birchwood and pewter device that chirps and twitters - imitating several birdcalls - when you twist it. Easy to tuck in a pocket or backpack, or carry around your neck on a string. Handcrafted in New England. For ages 5 and up.

Optic Explorer: Young explorers can carry this 2-in-1 telescope/microscope in their pockets or backpacks for up-close viewing of bugs, birds, rocks, leaves and other natural (or man-made) treasures.Perfect for school field trips, camping, hiking or backyard explorations. 12x microscope extends to become a 7x telescope. Contains an 18mm object lens.Colors will vary, Blue or Red we will choose for you. For ages 8 and up.

Marshmallow Tree: Whether they're roughing it in the woods or merely pretend-camping in the backyard, kids will love our 10-prong Marshmallow Tree. It's made from non-stick coated steel wire that's bent and turned to look like the branches of a tree, and has a rosewood-stained, tapered wood handle

Buy it: All the items featured in this review can be purchased directly from Magic Cabin.

Win it: We are giving away a $50 gift certificate to Magic Cabin to one Centsible Mommy reader to use toward Backyard Camping items or anything you choose from Magic Cabin.

Here’s how to enter:
Click over to Magic Cabin, browse the site, and then come back here and leave me a comment on what you’d buy with your $50 gift certificate. Be sure to leave an email address with your entry. Keep reading for additional ways to gain entries.

Additional entries:

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Refer a friend. Get 1 entry for each friend who enters this giveaway and tells me you sent them! (1 entry each)

Don't forget to enter all my other giveaways still going on! Look on the right sidebar for the current list.



Contest ends at 11:59 pm CST on August 10th. Winner will be randomly selected using a random number generator at random.org.  Winner will be notified in this post and by email. Prizes not claimed within 48 hours will be forfeited and an alternate winner will be drawn. Open to U.S. Residents 18+ only.

With the dog days of summer upon us, and the tempatures and heat index at their peaks, it's very important to keep the family well hydrated, especially while being active outdoors. With so much sweating going on, it's easy to become dehydrated rather quickly.  As Mom, my duty is to worry about the health and safety of my family, so I always make sure to bring/pack water bottles along for my family while we're being active or outdoors to make sure everyone stays safe and doesn't overheat.

This is where Camelbak comes in.  Camelbak, makers of BPA-free sports and recreation water bottles and other products for your hydration needs, offers an adorable assortment of children's water bottles as well as a great selection of adults' water bottles.

Camelbak  Kids' Bottles come in lots of cute designs and colors for both boys and girls like this cute BPA-Free Tritan Kids' Bottle featuring Pirates:

Capacity: 12 oz (.4 L)

• Just the Right Bite-Combining the patented CamelBak Big Bite™ Valve with a stem tube and shut-off valve, this detachable one-piece component is simple for kids to use and simple for parents to clean.
• Never Spill-Easy for small fingers to operate, the clever cap flips open at the touch of a button.
• Safe and Easy-Simplified stem and straw are child-safe yet easy to remove for cleaning. All parts are dishwasher safe.

 Not for children under 3 years.







Camelbak Kids' Bottles also come in Stainless Steel:

More information about Stainless Steel Kids' Bottles:
 Capacity: 12 oz (.4 L)

• Kid-sized, fun and easy to clean, this bottle is ready for any adventure.
• Made from medical-grade stainless steel, with no inner liners or plastic coatings that aluminum bottles require.
• Naturally BPA-Free, stain resistant and taste-free
• Just the Right Bite: Combining the patented CamelBak Big Bite™ Valve with a stem tube and shut-off valve, this detachable one-piece component is simple for kids to use and simple for parents to clean.
• •Never Spill: Easy for small fingers to operate, the clever cap flips open at the touch of a button.
• •Safe and Easy: Simplified stem and straw are child-safe yet easy to remove for cleaning. All parts are dishwasher safe.

Not for children under 3 years
                                                                                                                      


For us adults, Camelbak offers their line of Better Bottles, which come in both plastic and stainless steel in an array of designs and colors for men and women.

Capacity: 24 oz (.75 L)

The CamelBak® Better Bottle™ goes stainless. With the Big Bite Valve™ in our revolutionary cap, CamelBak has re-energized the reusable bottle category, creating the ultimate spill-proof companion.


•Also available in INSULATED STAINLESS: Micro-welded, double-wall .5L Insulated Stainless bottles feature vacuum insulation to keep beverages cool for hours.

•Naturally BPA-Free, stain resistant and taste free



 
 

Our thoughts on BPA-Free water bottles from Camelbak:
Not only I am loving the designs, but the quality is terrific.  Especially the kids bottles, as they seem to withstand being dropped and more. They appear to be very durable bottles that will withstand the use by children..  I also like that these water bottles are spill proof, making them easy to bring/pack along in a backpack, tote, and more without having to worry about spillage.  
 
Buy it:  For prices, more information, or to shop for the featured water bottles or other designs and hydration products, visit Camelbak online.
 
 
 
 
 
We were sent the products shown for review purposes only.  We did not receive any monetary compensation for this post. All of the opinions presented are my own based on the use of these products.