Almost Everything You Need to Know to go Camping with Kids
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Last weekend we went camping with three families. Let’s just say, we adults all died and went to heaven when our friend hung his hammocks for our kids to play on. Those hammocks entertained our kids for hours and hours, as they swung quite violently sometimes underneath the tall trees, shady with the rays’ warming sunshine. Hammocks are now on our required packing list for camping, because, of course, they made every single one of us quite the happy camper.
But wait, there’s more! There’s so much unique fun to be had with glow sticks, s’mores, scavenger hunts, nature studies, hikes, walkie-talkies, star-gazing, scary story-telling, art projects, survival skills…the list goes on and on. Whatever you choose to do while camping, there’s one thing for sure - you will get dirty. And your kids - they especially will get dirty. And it’s oh so good for them. Camping is a gift of nature…away from the daily routine and distractions, and instead, we revel in beauty and the simple things. I mean, a flush-able toilet is quite the desired diamond in the rough for most of us when camping. Here’s some tips and tricks of how to enjoy camping with your kids.
“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.”
John Muir
Let’s get down to business first. Here are some tips when reserving a campsite.
Reserving a Campsite
1. Pick a Season
The season you are camping effects where you may want to go camping depending on weather, temperature, and crowds. In certain areas, the fire risk matters as well - since you may not be allowed a fire to cook or stay warm. Read reviews, talk with friends, and find out the best places to go at the best times of year.
2. What You Want
There are many features to choose from when you camp. Some items to consider are listed below. Then, once you are at a campsite, drive/walk around and take note which sites are primo! Use that list next time you reserve your campsite. For all these items below, utilize your friends who have camped there previously for their recommendations as well.
Shade: Look for shaded, partially shaded, or full sun references or reviews.
Remote & Wide-Open: Look to see how close the other campsites are.
Toilets - To Flush or Not to Flush, and Nearby?: Some campsites have different kinds of toilets - flushable, glorified outhouses, or both! Just make sure if they are not flushable toilets - and you have a four-year-old little girl who would never use a “dirty potty” ever, DO NOT LET HER WEAR A HEADLAMP TO THE BATHROOM AT NIGHT! I can guarantee that she will illuminate everything deep down below that you both do NOT want to see. Also, decide if you want to be close to a bathroom. Close is nice in the middle of the night, but that means rude people might be walking through your site...in the middle of the night.
Dogs: Bringing a dog? Make sure the campsite that you pick is dog-friendly. Don't want barking dogs throughout the night, or your child is scared of dogs? Make sure you don't pick sites that are dog-friendly.
Tent Camping vs. RV Camping Sites & Hook-Ups: Some campsites are only for tents. Others are only for RV's. And some, are for both. Pay attention to what your preferred campsite stipulates for the type of camping.
3. Firewood
Check the requirements of where you are allowed to get firewood. Some campsites require that you bring your own firewood, but other campsites require that you use their firewood only which you buy from the park ranger or camp host. The ranger or host will often make the rounds, giving you the chance to buy wood on the spot! Bring cash to buy the firewood - about three bundles per day (or more depending on how cold it will be). We also recommending grabbing some fire starter, it’ll make starting your campfire easier in the event there isn’t much kindling to be gathered.
4. Don't Procrastinate!
Although some sites have a limited first-come first-serve area, many campsites are reservations only. Depending on the site, you may need to reserve it the first minute reservations go live six months prior to your camping month (on the first of the month)! Also, not all spots are created equal. Check out the location, size, and views of the various sites within a campsite before reserving.
The Basics
1. Equipment
This becomes a very personal decision on the best equipment for your family setup, but everyone will need the very basics:
shelter: tent or R.V.
sleeping comforts: sleeping pads/air mattresses, pillows, sleeping bags/blankets
chairs
solar charger - in the event your phone dies but you need emergency help (or just want your phone for the camera to document the fun!)
2. Food & Water
What you plan for food and beverages will vary, but it’s something you have to consider when camping. We discuss in detail below!
3. First Aid & Emergency Equipment
We learned first hand on our last camping trip that a first aid kit is essential and having bee sting treatment is probably wise. Jessica’s toddler got stung by a bee near his eye! The first aid kit was perfect for supplying tweezers to remove the stinger after the venom sac was flicked away as well as the hydrocortisone cream to help with swelling and itching. However, a bee sting kit would have been even more helpful! Here are our other top recommendations:
The Fun Stuff
When talking about packing, there’s a minimalist list and then there’s an over-packer list. You can download our Camping Info Packet, which includes links to our suggested items!
I’m an over-packer, so let’s talk about the fun stuff first. These items listed below you can bring or plan in order to give your kids (and you!) an epic camping experience. You don’t need any of it - and kids can have the best time without it. But, if you’re like me, I like to add a little specialness to spark joy even just for myself wherever I go.
1. Kids Tent
Provide a space for kids to play, that they can call their own...away from us adults - so that they do not have the urge to play in your family tent! Unless you want a dirty and messy tent, make the rule - NO ONE PLAYS IN THE FAMILY TENTS! So, that's why, if you bring an enclosure of some sort (a Kids Tent) that can fit a decent number of kids, that feels special - and then that other tent rule is no big deal and is easier to follow. This kids love going in the Kids Tent during the day and at night with a rule all to themselves - No Adults Allowed!
2. Welcome Mat
If you get a flat one, a clean welcome mat takes almost no space, but really can make a difference to those who like their tent to feel a little more personalized and homey and to add a little barrier to aid in keeping it clean. Also, another mat on the inside of your tent means the kids have a place to sit and put their feet while they use their tent wet wipes to wipe their feet clean. While you are at it, bring twinkle lights and other decor to make your family tent a magical place to bond with your kids. You only share a tent with your kids for a very short period of time...why not make it special? How fun is this…A friend of ours projects a movie in their tent at night! Possibilities are endless.
3. Tent Basket
This is my favorite tip! I keep a decent sized basket inside my tent, right next to the tent opening, to hold my kids' games, walkie-talkies, flashlights, headlamps, extra wipes, nature study guides, whistles, magnifying glasses, binoculars, bug spray, sunblock, bubbles, kid instruments, and more. It's for anything we might need quickly or at our fingertips. Here's the best part - nothing gets lost or misplaced inside the tent - and nothing sits outside! The rule is when you are done with the item, it goes back in the basket. Also, the other best part - no one has to enter the tent to get it! It's right at the tent door, so the tent stays clean and undisturbed. And, when it comes time to pack up, it's all there!
4. Creative Play
Free time to just play and pretend is awesome. But some kids (and parents!) find joy in glow sticks, games, scavenger hunts, art projects, nature studies, and more. So, bring items to make available, and extras to share with the other kids - no schedule needed - there will be plenty of time. You can make different activities available each day so every day has it's own personality, adventure, and variety. And whatever you do, use colored pencils - NOT CRAYONS! Crayons melt and are not cleaned up very easily (we just learned that this last trip - and thank goodness it was not in our tent!).
Now that we got the awesome stuff on here, for the rest of it, check out our camping manual here. There’s a minimalist list and the over-packer’s list, a child’s packing list as well as the tips and tricks we offer for reserving a campsite, planning meals and drinks, and planning fun nature activities for your kids (listed below as well).
Now, let’s talk about food!
Food & Drinks
Coolers & Ice Chests
Be careful to not over-stuff coolers with food, since you need a decent amount of ice to keep the cooler cool and the ice from melting too quickly. I think next time I’m going to get an ice block. Then, it will melt slower AND I can go ice blocking.
Deodorant and other toiletries prone to melting stay cool in the cooler. Put in a Ziploc.
To avoid soggy food, do not put bread items or marshmallows in the cooler. I’ve learned that the hard way with waterlogged donuts and disintegrating marshmallows.
A drinks cooler will cut down on opening the food cooler too often (and as a result ice will melt slower) and also will make drinks easier to find. It does feel good to reach into ice cold ice for 10 minutes trying to find your favorite drink, but it is letting a lot of cold air out, thus bringing your food closer to spoilage.
Food that does not need to go in a cooler, put in a large insulated bag (or two). They zipper closed and are thick enough to keep the rodents out. I can fit many days worth of non-perishables in a bag. Others just keep the bags of non-perishables in their car. If your car is easy to access and won’t act as an oven, that is a good solution as well.
Planning Meals
It's up to you how "adventurous" you want to be with cooking. Make sure you have food that everyone in your family/party will eat. Food should be fun when camping, so if you are going with other people, make sure you coordinate with people's preferences if you are sharing the load of the cooking and meal provision.
Easy Prep
hot dogs (only needing a fire and roasting sticks)
PB & J sandwiches
deli sandwiches
Hawaiian bread
finger foods
prewash & slice fruit (keep in Tupperware)
cheese, cottage cheese, and yogurts (you can freeze some of them ahead of time so they stay fresher)
donuts (put in Tupperware, keep in car, and eat on the first morning),
cookies
s'mores (only needing a fire and roasting sticks)
carrots, celery, and hummus
snacks/chips/granola bars
local restaurants (pick up dinner on your way up, so first dinner is handled)
Medium (more prep/attention/clean-up, a pot, pan, grill, or griddle):
chili dogs
Taco in a bag/Frito Pie
bacon, eggs, and pancakes
burgers
oatmeal
quesadillas
steak
street tacos
rice
grilled veggies
Planning Drinks
Mimosa's for breakfast! Yes please!
Bring your favorite drinks, and your kids' faves too. While, we don't want to overload on sugar, drinks like a flavored sparkling water, or even an orange juice (maybe combine them!) can feel like a treat!
It really helps if each family brings their own water jug(s), preferably the 2.5 gallon water jug with spout. A family of five will go through one 2.5 gallon jug on a 2 night camping trip. So plan accordingly. If sharing a campsite - pull your weight by providing your share of the water.
The Rules
Now let’s talk about the stuff that is mostly common sense, but still has to be said…you know…for those who don’t have common sense. I think I’m one of those who wouldn’t have thought of a number of these things until I noticed others’ frustrations or my own. So, listen up if you want smooth-sailing with your fellow campers.
1. Campsite Rules
Every campsite has a different set of rules - quiet hours for turning off generators, whether fires are allowed, check-in and check-out times, dogs, and more. Look those up ahead of time so you know your parameters.
2. Community Rules
Sound: Even if there are no official campsite rules, it's just rude to be loud before 6:30 AM and after 9:30 PM, if you can help it. Keep that in mind in order to be considerate of those around you. If you are the type that likes to sleep in...camping is not the best time to enjoy that, so do not expect to be able to sleep in at all. Bring your ear plugs if necessary, but it’s a losing battle. While music is fun for parties - some people just want to experience the peace and quiet of the great outdoors. Check in with your fellow campers when turning on loud music.
Technology: Some campers want to escape the conveniences of the modern world, especially digital technology. Be considerate that for many, camping is a way to reconnect with nature.
Food & Paper Goods: If meals are being shared/delegated, be sure that the meal you provide has enough for campers to have seconds. Bring your own snacks, favorite drinks, and water. Do not rely on others' supplies and food provision unless it has been agreed to ahead of time. Nothing is communal unless it is announced to be communal.
Trash: No matter how good you are at handling trash during camping, when you are packing up, make sure you spend five minutes and have every camper find five pieces of trash to throw into the trash bag. You can make it a race or even sing a trash song while you do it. Let's "leave no trace."
3. Personal Rules
Tent: This was mentioned earlier - but it’s soooooo important to me, that I need to mention it here. I have a rule that no children are allowed in our tent during daytime, and then at night they are allowed in only to go to sleep. I require that my kids use the tent wipes to wipe their feet and that shoes are taken off and put outside.
Just Have Fun: Just do what's fun. Let things go. Enjoy nature. Enjoy the company. Be okay with a little dirt under fingernails. Don't let things ruffle your feathers. Let kids explore. Be thoughtful. Be independent. Be communal.
That’s it! Well, that’s it for now at least. We have a camping trip coming up with our Coop Group, and it’s going to be awesome! So, more hacks to come later. But for now, remember, be a happy camper!
Our Favorite Product Recommendations:
REI DreamerXL Sleep Pad
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