In a pre-parenthood life you went camping, hiking, mountain biking, etc. multiple times a year. You had all the fancy gear and lived for weekends away from the hustle of the city. Then you had kids and were bombarded with diapers and tears. How do you get back to the wild with tiny humans?
Don’t fret, kids love camping even more than adults and we are going to show you some of the best gear to make camping with kids easier. Clothing, sleep, entertainment food, safety — we are going to cover all the bases to make sure you have the right gear to not lose your mind.
Keep in mind, we will give brand recommendations below but that isn’t to say these are the only ones. In fact, I’m sure some of the time there are better options, but these are the ones we have and we know they work. We are also narrowing this list to the top five items in each category, because let’s be honest we could go on forever and we all only have so much storage space.
Table of Contents
Clothing and Warmth
By and far the most important category for kids is clothing, but I’m also adding in some general “warmth” items here as well. There is nothing, and I repeat NOTHING that will ruin a camping trip faster than cold or wet kids. Yes for the whiney factor but also because it’s just plain unsafe. If you think you need layers to stay warm they need double layers.
Long underwear
This is the number one purchase. We bought a size up because we are sometimes cheap and these are fairly fitted anyways. They will need to wear these at night, and you may need to wear some too!
Beanies
Bring two for each kid. I’m not joking. They will need to wear these when sleeping. Try to find ones with fleece lining as they tend to be a little warmer
Rain Gar
A good rain coat is a must for every kid and the great thing is if it’s three sizes too big it almost works BETTER.
Also, don’t downplay the awesomeness of a great pair of rain boots. When the forest is even just slightly damp, I would much rather have my kids in boots than traditional sneakers that will soak up every little bit of moisture.
The Boggs brand is a favorite of ours and we have had our kids in sizes a little big to accommodate cozy socks. These are expensive but you can get them on deep discount in the off season or check Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist! We have also found that when we are finished with them they are very easy to sell for at least half of what you got them for.
Gloves
Go the mitten route to save your sanity. Little kids stink at putting their fingers into gloves. Buy a good pair of snow mittens and they will serve dual purpose.
Swim Gear
Look for rash guards and hats with UPF protection. Also some sort of water shoes if they will be playing in anything other than a swimming pool.
WARM socks
Regular socks will not cut it for sleeping at night in the forest. These socks may be an amazon special but they are WARM and the cute characters on each of them are a win for our kids.
Cotton Socks
The socks above are awesome for sleeping but terrible for hiking and running around. Bring double the socks you think they will need. They always, always get ruined.
Sleeping
When we first started camping with our two and three year old, we scoured the internet for kid sleeping bags. Once they arrived on our doorstep we figured that was that. We could check this category off our list. We couldn’t be more wrong.
Let me just straight up say it, sleeping bags can be hit or miss with small kids. I mean, do you see how they sleep at home in their beds? You would think they were doing kung fu in the middle of the night. And that kung fu usually means they kick a sleeping bag right off. So, yes, get a sleeping bag, but also get a few other items for warmth at night.
Sleeping Bag
Little Buddy Tent Heater
This is one of those things you don’t realize you need until you realize you REALLY need it. I’ve said it a hundred times but kids don’t stay in sleeping bags so it’s really important that there is some other heat source to keep them warm in the tent.
The Little Buddy tent heater is safe and compact. Do NOT buy an off brand to save money in this category. Megan has been in a tent that has caught fire before with a random tent heater. Talk about a disaster, especially with kids. Make sure you get a heater that has a tip over sensor.
Heated Blankets
Another option for that extra layer of warmth we keep talking about is a heated blanket. We have a cheap heated blanket that has a lighter plug that we plug into a Dometic PLB 40 Battery. Power packs like we have or the Goal Zero can be pricey, so we understand if it is not high on your list of things to get.
If you don’t have a battery, look into a down blanket like a rumpl, or the portable tent heater option above. Another note, it wasn’t easy to find a heated blanket that didn’t have a shut off timer. Most will only run for a few hours.
Portable Sound Machine
Camping nighttime sounds are different. And honestly a little creepy, even for adults. This sound machine will run all night and charges with a USB. You can also use an app on your phone if you’re in a pinch and don’t have anything else.
Fun Pillow and lovey
Don’t underestimate the magic of a fun pillow cover and a familiar lovey to help your kid go to sleep. Bonus points if you get them a pillow cover of a favorite character and hide it away to surprise them on the camping trip.
If you forget a pillow don’t stress you can shove just about anything into a pillow cover and make it doable especially for kids who are used to sleeping without pillows a lot of the time anyways. (Also, bring the dang lovies. And if you haven’t already bought a backup lovie might as well do that now too)!
Entertainment
I’m all for a certain level of free range parenting, but when you have tiny humans who are used to the comforts and toy selection of their house, you need to be prepared with a host of activities to keep you both sane. Also think of the times that you need to have them sit still so you can set up camp.
Legos
Tried and true, instant entertainment. Get a small suitcase version and thank me when it’s pouring down rain and you have nothing else for them to do.
Rope, Zip Ties and Large Clips
Zip ties, ropes and clips are great for building forts and makeshift structures with twigs and trees. Put together a tiny “fort kit” and no matter where you are at, the kids will be able to create a fort to play in
Walkie Talkies
You could get them a really cheap Spiderman version but walkie talkies are really useful for adults when camping too. Our advice is to get a decent adult set. They are usually simple enough for tiny hands too.
Find and Seek Scavenger Hunt Game
Hands down the best game for littles in the wild. And it is small and easily packable. Win-win.
Tablet
Ok, ok. We aren’t supposed to give kids technology. And in nature?! Oh the horror!! But truly, having a tablet with a favorite movie saved is a really wonderful way to end the night in the tent — especially if you have a kid who is nervous or uncomfortable about being in the middle of a dark forest. If you get stuck in a rainstorm without this then I wish you luck!
It’s also great for setting up camp especially if only one parent is taking the kids. We can set up our iKamper in about 60 seconds, but we have tried setting up a ground tent with the kids running around. It resulted in Charlie falling and cutting his hand open, and a trip home. If this idea disgusts you, cross it off your list. To each their own!
Food
I could go into depth about menus with lengthy stories about our joyous camping adventures but I’m not going to. The list below is five item grocery list. Copy it onto note paper and get yourself to your local grocery store. Since I’m assuming you’re a parent, I know you have some culinary genius in you. All these items can be thrown together into quick meals and snacks for kids. Just make sure the food you are packing can be cooked on the system that you choose to bring. We use the Tembo Tusk Skottle for cooking, and a JetBoil for our hot water. Dad needs his morning coffee!
Pre-cooked pasta or quick cook pasta bags
Pasta can literally be made into a million different meal combinations for kids. Throw it with tomato sauce, melt butter over it, stir it up with shredded cheese and chicken. The sky is the limit here and the universal crowd pleasing carb is a must when you are in an unfamiliar spot without their favorite foods.
Healthy Earth Chimp Hot Cocoa
We are all about giving the kiddos a “not so hot” drink when we enjoy your morning coffee in the mornings. You could throw in traditional hot cocoa packets but we have found the Earth Chimp Protein Powder mixes excellent in warm water or milk and is delicious.
Oatmeal – and sprinkles!
Oatmeal is hands down the easiest and most filling breakfast when camping. If your kids aren’t fans of oatmeal, bring a thing of sprinkles along too. Instant satisfaction from the kid crowd. Just beware they get pretty good at scraping the sprinkles off the oatmeal.
Sunbutter, Almond Butter or Peanut Butter + Honey
Peanut butter and honey just can’t be beat as a combo for easy food. We have a kiddo who is allergic to peanut butter so we go the sun butter or almond butter route but same idea. A few meals and snacks that can be whipped up with this combo:
- Peanut butter and honey sandwiches
- Peanut butter + oatmeal + honey + chocolate chips if you have them, roll it up and you have what we like to call in our family “cookie bites”
- Peanut butter and honey added into oatmeal takes it to the next level and gets kiddos a little more fat and protein and sweetness
- Our favorite campfire treat is a good old “banana boat” and is basically a banana sliced in half longwise and drizzled with peanut butter and honey and sprinkled with chocolate chips or sprinkles if you have them!
Apples and Oranges
You can go wild in the fruit and vegetable category but try to go with choices that won’t smoosh, rot or go brown. Because tiny humans despise smooshed, rotted and brown food. We find apples and oranges hold up well no matter how hard they get banged around in the cooler.
Energy Bars
Highly recommend these fig bars. They have lower sugar and more calories than the usual kids bars and they are actually really delicious. I wouldn’t know personally, but the kids love them LOL!
Health and Safety
The first time Nick took our son camping, he was three. They parked and were setting up camp and our little guy was so amped with excitement and energy that he tripped on a rock and fell smack onto some pokey stuff that tore up his hand. Game over.
If you have a big enough car, which most of us do, I recommend you keep these safety items in a storage container in your trunk at all times. Kids are wild. Our son broke his leg running in circles in our garage — just imagine that happening in the middle of nowhere. You want to be prepared.
Benadryl
This is a number one item. One of our kiddos has food allergies so Benadryl is a must in that sense, but nature has a lot going on that just messes with kids’ systems. From pollen in the air to plants they may rub up against. If you have an itchy child, your trip will be ruined.
If you have a kid with allergies I HIGHLY recommend having an epipen with you as well. Nothing like finding out your kid is allergic to bees when you are 20 miles off the beaten path. We have one in each car, and in packs that are with us 100% of the time.
Children’s Tylenol
I don’t think I need to go into detail here. Teething, bumps, bruises, random fevers. Just keep Tylenol with you. ALWAYS.
Cortizone and Aloe Vera
This connects back to the Benadryl item. If kids rub up against a random plant and all of a sudden have a little rash on their arm, they will be miserable. They won’t sleep and chances are they will keep itching it and it will spread. Cortizone can even be used on the face.
As for aloe vera, do we need to continue to talk about the itchy skin thing? Also great for minor sunburns and for cooling down skin when you get really hot. Ever let your kid put on aloe vera when it is miserably warm outside? It is fascinating. We call it ice cream lotion!
Bug Spray
We have tried a handful of brands, including those wristbands that flash up on your Instagram feed every summer. Off! Family Care Repellent is our favorite because it works. And when you are camping you need something that works! Try to avoid anything with DEET. While DEET is the best repellent, it’s just not good for you.
Sunscreen
We could go down a rabbit hole here. The first line of defense against the sun is the right clothing. A lot of kids clothing comes with UPF already in it. This is perfect as you don’t have to worry about chemical sunscreen.
Hats are a must as well. The more coverage from the hat, the better. Safari hats are the biggest win here. All that being said, if you need sunscreen after that, we love spray as it’s easy to get on. We won’t go into brand specifics. You can google kids sunscreen and take yourselves down the black hole if you want to.
Extra Pull Ups or Diapers
Even if your kids are potty trained, camping can be a different experience, especially at night. It is pitch black, a little creepy and way cold. Potty training at night may go out the window and you don’t want to risk a wet sleeping bag. There is no quick changing of sheets in this scenario.
Organization
Now we’ve gotten to the section of the article where you’ve been nodding your head a thousand times but also wondering where the heck are we going to put all of this stuff?! We wrote a separate post about vehicle organization that you should definitely check out if you are looking for a more permanent organization system. If you are looking for something that you can take in and out quickly, the items below will help.
We happened to have a few Pelican cases laying around collecting dust so we use those. This is not the cheapest option if you are going out to buy a bin, but they are great because they are indestructible, waterproof, and can serve as a good seat if you happen to forget a chair or two. Lowes has cheap craftsman bins that are perfect for this task. I got a 5 gallon one for $7.48 and its proving to be worth its weight in gold.
Small Bin for Each Kid
Yes you could do a backpack here but honestly little kids and backpacks usually result in a huge mess and lost items thrown all over the place. Get them a bin to throw their clothes and a few small items in and you will be set. We even let our kids put a few “dessert” snacks in there. Once they eat them, they are gone. Talk about practice in moderation. This is where the craftsman bin above works best. You could take some cardboard and make some organizers (think a case of wine).
Kitchen Bin
We have the Tembo Tusk Skottle, which has its own bag, but everything else is in a kitchen pelican case. Plates, bowls, silverware, knives, spatula, napkins, sponge, dish soap, JetBoil, and a hand towel. You don’t need to bing the whole bottle of dish soap. We use these because they are small, leakproof, and different colors. Each soap is in a different color. I will talk about this a little more in the toiletry section.
Silverware
As far as silverware goes we use Magware that I got in on as a backer. Honestly they work great, and store/travel even better. If we are able to have camp fires in Colorado then we just pack paper plates and burn them when we are done. If not then we have some cheap Coleman camp dishes. You will need to account for water to wash the dishes if you have to do them.
Knives
Find a decent set of knives that have protective covers, or better yet a small case. They don’t need to be the best knives out there, but remember a dull knife is more dangerous than a sharp one. Again all this stuff just stays in the kitchen bin. We add or take out what we need based on seasons, but for the most part it all stays the same.
Toiletry Bin
This bin you will find wet wipes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, body wash, shampoo, sunscreen, and the most important thing toilet paper. If you frequent campgrounds, they may have coin operated showers you can use. We have a little squeeze bottle of body wash and shampoo in different color bottles (same ones as the dish soap). This will be nice to have if you feel icky. If you don’t have wet wipes you are wrong! Easily the best thing while camping, even if you don’t have the kids with you. We also have camping specific toothbrushes. That way we don’t forget them.
Remember these bins are a grab and go type of deal. If you use all of something, replace it when you get home so the bin is ready to grab and go the next time. This system really makes it easy to just get up and go on a whim if you so choose.
Cooler Organization
Not all coolers are created equal. I’m not saying you need to run out and spend $400 on a Yeti cooler. I do happen to have this one, but only because I got it for 25% off. A higher end injection molded cooler will hold ice and keep your food cold a lot longer than your cheap $20 wallyworld special. If you are only going out for a night or two it may not make a difference, but if you are extending that out to a week or so then it would be in your best interest to find something a little better. My Yeti 65 will easily hold ice for a week, and lets be honest, dad doesn’t like warm beer.
Bottom Layer
We will usually plan meals in advance, and pre prep some stuff. By day three or so we do hamburgers. Our trick is to freeze the hamburger meat and throw it at the bottom of the cooler with the ice. This serves as an ice pack, but isn’t just wasted space like the ice. Anything you can do this with, do it! Think pasta sauce, stew, really anything you can freeze and reheat. It helps keep everything cold, and by the time burger night rolls around, it is usually thawed enough that you don’t have to worry.
Middle Layer
On top of the ice and frozen foods we put things like cheese, yogurt, and beer. This stuff will stay cold and usually does’t matter if it gets a little wet from melted ice.
Top Layer
On top we put buns and our fruits. Mostly the things you don’t want to get wet. If you are fortunate enough to have some sort of fridge like this one, then you don’t really need to worry about any of that. Just throw it all in and turn it on. We just can’t justify the price of a fridge yet. The “Bookkeeper” says no.
Final Thoughts
Camping with kids is equal parts amazingly awesome and flipping exhausting. Each year will get a little easier, or at least that’s what we’re hoping over here. The more you can have that is ready to grab and go the better off you will be.
We have found a good system for us, but it is constantly evolving. Having bins stocked and ready will make it so you don’t forget the little things that you don’t think of until you get to camp. We didn’t mention it above but chairs. The kids need their own chairs! This will make them feel like a part of the crowd. I have been on more than a few camping trips that resulted in left chairs. This is when you will be happy you chose a nicer bin or cooler for all your stuff!