If you are planning a camping adventure with your kids, it can be fun and frustrating both at the same time. As an inexperienced camper, you may find difficulties in the wilderness without basic living equipment. However, our list of essentials to pack will make sure you avoid rookie mistakes.
Be it backcountry camping or simple car camping, to enjoy your adventure in full swing with your kids, you need to have a few supplies that will help you manage the inconvenience of outdoor life.
The prospect of gearing up can be daunting. For this reason, you need to perform proper research and devise planning to have the whale of your time. If you are a first-time camper or have never been camping with a kid then you have come to the right spot. To have an adventurous activity worth your time and experience, you need to gather a few camping supplies that we have mentioned below.
Tent Camping to bring camping with kids
Camping is not a piece of cake for people who are going with kids. You have to be well-equipped and well-prepared for the odds of outdoor life. As humans, we cannot adapt to the outdoor environment easily because we have been nurtured and brought up in a well-protected manner and children need extra care and comfort since they are immature, careless, and sensitive.
Therefore, it is quite necessary to prepare a Camping Tent checklist. For a night stay, you need to have an Air Pump for pushing air into your Air Mattress. If it’s a rainy day or the weather forecast predicts some weather interruptions, then add at least 2 Tarps in case of any weather emergency.
Spending the first day at camping can be energy-draining. You need to unpack your stuff, fill up your air mattress, and sort out other things before other activities. Hence, after spending a hectic day what a person needs most is proper sleep. Do not forget to pack your Sleeping Pads, Camping Pillow, and Sleeping Bags for a restful slumber. Forgetting your essentials can ruin your wilderness weekend. However, preparing a checklist before heading off can save you time and effort in fixing your mistakes. Finally, keep a Dustpan and Brush on your checklist and avoid littering.
Here is your checklist to set up a camp. Based on the number of people you are camping with, you can increase or decrease the count.
- Camping Tent
- Air Mattress
- Air Pump
- Sleeping Pads
- Sleeping Bags
- 2 Tarp
- Camping Pillow
- Dustpan & Brush
Kitchen Gear to bring camping with kids
Being in a camp is quite similar to being in a house. You will eat, sleep, and enjoy but with some restrictions and limitations. You can not bring every item of your kitchen on your trip, but there are a few things that are required to prepare and eat meals in an outdoor environment. For instance, a Firepit Roster and Propane gas to light the flame.
To cook meals, you must have a Dishpan, Frying Pan, Cutting Board, Tongs, Cooking knives & paring knives, and Pot with lid as Cooking Utensils. To serve meals, you will need to have a table with Tablecloth and tablecloth holders, a Portable High Chair or booster seat, and some useful crockery items such as Water Bottles, Paper towels, To-Go Cups, Plates, Bowls, and cups.
Do not forget some useful Cutlery – forks, spoons, knives. A picnic without a BBQ night is incomplete. So have a Tinfoil, BBQ Lighter, or Matches with you. To save meals for the next day, keep Extra Storage Containers or Plastic Ziplock Bags. Always keep Garbage Bags or Dry Good Bin for throwing trash away.
For drinks, have a Cooler or Ice Box, Can Opener, Bottle Opener & Corkscrew. But if you are a tea person then add a Kettle, Coffee Pot, Water Jug or pump to your gearing list. Keep a Dish Soap, Dishcloths & Pot scrubber to wash your crockery. Having useful kitchen camp gear can make your meal stress-free and let you enjoy your food with your family.
To set up a camping kitchen Below is your checklist. Make sure to add or remove the item as per your daily needs and requirements.
- Propane stove
- Cooler or Ice Box
- BBQ
- Dry food Bin
- BBQ Lighter or Matches
- Pot with lid
- Frying Pan
- Plates, Bowls & Cups
- Cutlery – forks, spoons, knives
- Cooking knives & paring knives
- Cooking Utensils
- Tongs
- Can Opener, Bottle Opener & Corkscrew
- Kettle
- Coffee Pot
- Water Jug & Pump
- Dishpan
- Dish Soap
- Dishcloths & Pot scrubber
- Cutting Board
- Extra Storage Containers or Plastic Ziplock Bags
- Tablecloth & Tablecloth holders
- To Go Cups
- Water Bottles
- Firepit Roster
- Paper Towel
- Tinfoil
- Garbage Bags
- Portable High Chair or booster seat
Campsite Gear & Camping Equipment to bring camping with kids
Where Camp Chairs and Small fold-up Tables are the essential travel items, other things are worth considering. Your camping gear must incorporate a First Aid Kit and some handy equipment for a safe and sound excursion.
While stepping into your camping location, the first thing that you need to fix immediately will be your camping tent. A Mallet/Hammer & Tent Stakes, Extension Cord, Duct Tape, Multi-Tool, and an Axe will help you to sort them quickly.
Remember your camping location is an outdoor area where there will be an abundance of natural entities including plants, insects, and animals. You might protect yourself from animals but the insects, bees, and flies will get on your nerves.
Since children are more prone to infections and diseases, it is advised that you must have insect-repellent lotions, a Fly Swatter, and Insect Repellent Candles to avoid inflammation from a fly bite.
But if none of these works, try using the fire method with the help of a Firepit starter & Firewood. It is believed that flies, especially mosquito bites can be avoided because fire smoke can discourage them from hanging around. Other useful items might include a clothesline, Lantern, Headlights, and Spare Batteries.
Here is your checklist for camping equipment and gear –
- Camp Chairs
- Small fold-up Table
- Clothesline
- Extension Cord
- Duct Tape
- Multi-Tool
- Lantern
- Fly Swatter
- Insect Repellent Candles
- Firepit starter & Firewood
- Headlights
- Axe
- First Aid Kit
- Mallet/Hammer & Tent Stakes
- Spare Batteries
Clothing Items to bring camping with kids
Clothing items must be packed according to your family’s requirements. The list however differs in terms of what resources and activities are available at your camping site. Apart from the basic clothing items such as Flip flops, Socks, Underwear, bottoms, and Shirts you need to have other important outfits as well that will aid you in other useful activities.
With kids, you need to be extra cautious and well-prepared since you might not want them to spend a chilled night and catch the flu. Having the basic winter layering including a Jacket, Raincoat, Warm Sweater, or Mitts / Gloves can protect your kids against the harsh outdoor weather and let you enjoy your excursion more wholeheartedly. On the other hand, keep hold of some Hats and Sunglasses to wear on the next sunny morning.
If you are a beach freak, then there is no better option than staying near the seaside. But of course, you will need a Swimsuit, Water shoes or Water Sandals while swimming. When you are packing make sure that you have added Runner or hiking shoes because the camping sites are usually surrounded by plain lands and mountains ideal for running and hiking activities. These clothes are a must-have to enjoy a hassle-free and comfortable activity with your kids during camping.
Here is your check for clothing items. Make sure to adjust the quantity based on the days you are planning to spend on the campsite.
- Jacket
- Raincoat
- Warm Sweater
- Runner or hiking shoes
- Flip flops
- Water shoes or Water Sandals
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Swimsuit
- Sleepwear
- Socks
- Underwear
- Trousers/Jeans
- Shorts
- Shirts/t-shirts
- Mitts / Gloves
Health & Hygiene Items to bring camping with kids
Have you ever listened to the popular phrase? ‘’Health is wealth.’’ Indeed, it is. Heath is something a person cannot live without. Being healthy and hygienic is not difficult. But the case is much different and more complex if we talk about kids. Children’s immune systems are much weaker as compared to an adult. They are sensitive and vulnerable to every potential factor that could harm them or disrupt their health.
Do not risk your child’s physical health while traveling and make sure that you have kept every useful stuff and Toiletries that will be useful in maintaining their hygiene. For instance, a Towel, Toilet Paper, Baby Wipes, Hand Sanitizer, anti-bacterial liquid, and the list goes on. Traveling with kids is no joke. You must be extra protective and careful of your child’s well-being since there will be no medical aid around your camping location.
This is why we must always have some useful hygiene supplies in our traveling bags including prescriptions, Insect Repellent, first-aid medicines, and a Lip Balm. Finally, have Sunscreen, and Spare Glasses to protect the cute little eyes of your kid against the sunlight. Here is your list of Health & Hygiene Camping Items –
- Towel
- Toiletries
- Prescriptions
- Sunscreen
- Lip Balm
- Insect Repellent
- Toilet Paper
- Hand Sanitizer
- Baby Wipes
- Spare Glasses
Camping Food Essentials to bring camping with kids
Be it humans, animals, birds, or insects. No one survives without a proper supply of food. But the true essence of an adventure is felt when there is a limited supply of basic resources. The idea is only entertained when people travel without children. A mischievous kid will not let you enjoy your adventures if they are not provided with their regular dosages.
The reason why you must have the basic food items for meals along with other things including Snacks, Instant food, Water & Other drink choices. Bring taste to your camping food by including salt, pepper & spices in your food checklist. Your Coffee / Tea cravings might become stronger since the nights and evenings at camping are colder so keep a pack of milk, Sugar, and a cooking kettle. Some people like cold coffee more than hot coffee, but you cannot freeze ice without a freezer. Taking an ice tub along with other items is a helpful idea. Here is your checklist for food essentials –
- Coffee / Tea
- Salt, pepper & spices
- Sugar
- Instant food
- Food Items for meals
- Snacks
- Water & Other drink choices
- Ice
Fun Items to bring camping with kids
What drives a person to venture out on a journey or adventure? The answer is fun and amusement. A picnic or tour worth your time, money, and experience is unforgettable. Make the most of your adventurous night out with some fun activities that you will cherish in your life. Bikes & Helmets is a must-have for bike riders.
But if you are traveling with kids then a simple car would be enough. For activities like fishing, camping, hiking, scuba diving, and skydiving, you need to have all sorts of supplies. For instance, you might need to have Fishing gear, Life Jackets, or Binoculars for fun scuba diving or swimming.
But if there are no recreational activities near your camp, then bring along Cards or travel games, a Camera, a Scavenger Hunt list or Camping Bingo, Books or magazines, Frisbee, ball, bocce set, or other fun family games will keep you occupied and enthusiastic. However, entertaining kids is much harder. But if you keep Kids’ favorite items for sleep time, Beach toys, Bubbles, Glow Sticks, coloring books & crayons, and Beach blankets they will keep them engaged. Below is the checklist of fun items you can add to your list.
- Backpack
- Bikes & Helmets
- Kids’ favorite item for sleep time
- Camera
- Cards or travel games
- Beach toys
- Beach Blanket
- Bubbles
- Glow Sticks
- Scavenger Hunt list or Camping Bingo
- Books or magazines
- Coloring books & crayons
- Binoculars
- Frisbee, ball, bocce set or other fun family games.
- Fishing gear
- Life Jackets
Other Things To Consider Before Camping with Kids
Do you have time for a “trial run” camping in the backyard?
Before heading off to outdoor camping it is suggested to have a trial run camping in your backyard. This will save your efforts and let you know your strengths, and weaknesses as an inexperienced camper. Also, it would let you know if your kids are comfortable or whether they need some extra supplies that you have skipped. With the help of your backyard camping experience, you can make changes to your checklist.
Camping is not as easy as it might sound. Many people take it for granted and reach the camping destination lacking essential gear. What happens ultimately is they return back doing nothing. To avoid such instances, ask yourself if you are prepared and equipped for an adventurous day out. A backyard camping trial can help you answer these questions and let you and your kids know their ability to survive a camping activity.
Can you Borrow Supplies From Friends or Family? This will save you Time and Money.
Yes, you can. There is no harm and shame in borrowing stuff from your friends since they remain useless most of the year. Here’s a list of some supplies that you can borrow:
- Fire Pit essentials
- Hiking footwear
- Portable chairs and tables
- Tarps
- Gas cylinders and much more.
What is Your Camping Style, Minimal or Luxury?
Before heading out on a camping adventure, make sure which option and camping style will best interest your family and kids’ needs and strengths. Choose between RV, car camping, glamping, backcountry, hiking, or seaside camping. Ask your kids which place they are most comfortable with and make a wise decision. Be it minimal or luxury, based on your style that matches your interest, you can add or reduce the items from your camping checklist.
What if You Forget Something? your backup plan.
If your camping location is somewhere near the main city then you can purchase them from the nearest shops. But if there are no stores available nearby then there is no other option than to adjust to the open-air environment.
Picnic is a great way to escape the adversities of life for a while and indulge in a joyful experience that wipes away every sorrow, stress, and worry. And camping is no exception. It is one of the recreational activities that contains an unmatchable and ultimate pleasure that no one can deny. It gives you a chance to connect with nature and gather the healing and nurturing force of the surrounding aura. You can be all by yourself but the case is much different when your kids are accompanying you on your excursion. As parents, you have a great responsibility towards your child since they are sensitive, demanding, and can become subject to any unfavorable situation. To avoid such a situation and to have the whale of your time at your camping spot, we would suggest you be equipped with an adequate supply of camping