Does the idea of going camping with kids make you nervous? Don’t stress! Camping can be fun for the whole family! Especially when you’ve got a checklist of everything you’ll need to bring along to keep your kids happy and safe.
Read on to find the ultimate camping with kids checklist!
Necessary Sleeping Gear for Each Age Group
The first consideration for your camping with kids checklist is the sleeping gear. Choosing the right options will keep your family happy and safe while camping!
Infants and Toddlers
- portable crib or a Travel Pod
- pack a backup favorite stuffed animal or lovey in case theirs gets soiled during the trip
Remember to be flexible. At this age, your child might be unhappy simply because they aren’t at home. If they aren’t happy in their crib, snuggling them on your air mattress just might do the trick to help them relax.
School-Age Kids
- good quality sleeping bag
- sleeping pad or air mattress and air pump
- pillows
Pre-Teens and Teens
- good quality sleeping bag
- sleeping pad or air mattress and air pump
- pillows
Other Gear and Equipment
Keep a running list of must-have items for camping with kids that you’ll need to bring along so you don’t forget anything. Here’s a short list of must-haves!
Hiking Gear Checklist for the Littlest Campers:
- fanny packs
- sun hat
- plastic baggies to collect things
- sippy cup of water
Hiking Gear Checklist for Independant Campers:
- fanny packs or backpack
- compass
- whistle in case you get lost
- small water bottles
- flashlight or headlamp in case it gets dark
- hat
- sunglasses
Hiking Gear Checklist for Older Campers:
- a good backpack
- map or compass
- whistle in case you get lost
- small water bottles
- flashlight or headlamp in case it gets dark
- hat
- sunglasses
- camera
Other Campsite Items Checklist
- insect repellant candles
- mosquito net
- portable potty, if potty training
- portable feeding chair
- pack ‘n play
- play mat
- Shade Tent to keep your smallest campers safe from the sun
Hygiene and First Aid (Kid-Specific Safety Items)
Next on our Camping with Kids Checklist is hygiene and first aid!
Pack your toiletries in a waterproof bag, just in case something leaks. Besides your basic toiletry items, be sure to grab some of the things listed below.
Hygiene Checklist for Infants and Toddlers:
- unscented baby wipes
- high SPF baby sensitive sunscreen
Hygiene Checklist for School Age Kids:
- flip flops for the shower
- unscented baby wipes
- medicated lip balm
- high SPF sport-style sunscreen
- Q-tips
Hygiene Checklist for Pre-Teens and Teens:
- scent-free deodorant
- feminine hygiene products
- flip flops for the shower
- unscented baby wipes
- dry shampoo
- medicated lip balm
- a small mirror
- tweezers
- nail clippers
- high SPF sport-style sunscreen
- Q-tips
Clothing Needs
Consider packing clothes that are quick-drying or moisture-wicking, to help keep your kids comfortable.
Dress in layers and according to the season. In many areas of the country, temperatures can be hot during the day but cold at night. Dressing in layers will help keep your children comfortable with less whining.
The Base Layer
A long or short-sleeved shirt, and shorts or pant options in fabric appropriate for that season. This layer won’t come off.
The Mid-Layer
This layer is worn for extra warmth but can be shed if needed.
The Outer Layer
This is the heaviest layer and will mostly be necessary in the early morning and late at night. Also, consider if the temperatures will get low enough at night that you’ll need to pack a hat and gloves.
More Items to Consider Bringing
- extra underwear and socks
- rain gear
- hiking boots
Baby and Toddler Tips
Don’t forget your child’s favorite pajamas to avoid a meltdown!
Elementary and Middle Grade Tips
Pack at least one outfit per day, and bring extra clothing, as well. Don’t assume they’ll reuse jeans or other clothing items as they may get too dirty or wet to be worn a second time. Camping is dirty and it’s expected your clothes will take a beating, but not having enough clothes for a whiny child is not fun for anyone!
- sneakers
- water shoes
- hat with a brim
- swimsuit and towels
Teen Tips
Have them bring an extra garbage bag to toss their dirty clothes in so they don’t get mixed in with their clean clothes.
Show them out to roll their clothes when packing. This will create more space so they can bring less luggage.
Snack Time
Don’t assume mealtime is the only time your child will want to eat. Hiking and being active will make them hungry! Be sure to pack these snacks to have on hand to avoid complaints.
For the Smallest Campers
- Kids Trail Mix
- Fig cookies
- Applesauce pouches
- Sliced bananas
- Rice cakes
- Cheese sticks
- Dry cereal
For Mid-Size Campers
- Beef Jerky
- Hummus and veggies
- Granola bars
- Diced fresh fruit
- Dried fruit
- No-Bake Blueberry Almond Oatmeal Bars
For the Older Campers
- Camping charcuterie board
- Energy bars
- Chocolate Date Balls
- Mixed nuts
- Fresh fruit
- Dried fruit
Don’t Forget the Fun!
Your Camping with Kids Checklist wouldn’t be complete without fun!
Bring camping activities for kids that will help your children have fun and stay safe. Remember to gear the activities toward their age so they won’t become bored or overwhelmed if it’s too hard for them.
Activities to Bring for the Youngest:
- age-appropriate books
- bubbles
- glow sticks
- small bowl to begin a rock collection
- scavenger hunt
Activities to Bring for the Elementary Age:
- age-appropriate books
- board games that don’t have a lot of loose pieces
- easy card games
- coloring books
- squirt guns
- frisbees and balls
- crafting supplies
- bubbles
- glow sticks
- camping bingo
- small bowl to begin a rock collection
- backpack for exploring
- magnifying glass
- binoculars
- scavenger hunt
Activities to Bring for the Middle School Age:
- board games
- card games
- notebook and pens
- squirt guns
- frisbees and balls
- crafting supplies
- camping bingo
- backpack for exploring
- magnifying glass
- binoculars
- scavenger hunt
- fishing
- flashlights to tell stories by the campfire
Activities to Bring for the High School Age:
- board games
- card games
- notebook and pens
- crafting supplies
- backpack for exploring
- magnifying glass
- binoculars
- scavenger hunt
- fishing
- flashlights to tell stories by the campfire
Gear each of these camping activities for kids toward nature so they can get to know the plants and animals around them. If the campground allows it, pack their bikes and helmets, or fishing gear, if fishing is an option.
Tip: Although camping is a great way to do without electronic devices, don’t assume your kids don’t need their toys. A favorite toy or two to distract younger children from a meltdown, if things don’t go as planned, can be a lifesaver for many parents!
Other Tips for Camping with Kids
Here are a few tips and must-have items for camping with kids!
Storage Organizers, Totes
If you’ve got the room, pack your things in clear plastic containers that can stack easily in the vehicle. This will keep things dry in case of bad weather and it can also keep things in order. Pack a different tub for each category you plan to bring: clothes, food, bedding, hygiene, etc. Since the tubs are clear, you’ll be able to easily see inside to the bottom to know if you’ve got the right bin without having to rip everything apart to find what you need.
Print Your Checklist
Download and print our Camping With Kids Checklist. Then begin packing a week in advance. Mark off each item as you pack it. Then keep the list to mark each item off when packing up to come home, to be sure nothing is left behind.
Create Structure With a Schedule
Create a camping schedule for the kids. Children thrive on a schedule and being on vacation is no different! They will respond well if you’ve got ideas planned for when they get bored. Have a loose outline of what you plan to do each day and always have something up your sleeve to pull out in case things don’t go as expected. Having a meltdown at the campground will be no fun for the children or parents!
Water
Bring water, lots of it. Even if you think you’re being excessive you still might not have enough. It’s better to bring more than you need than to be stuck without a water source in an emergency!
Creative Lighting
Consider the lighting for your campsite. As adults, we know a campground is going to get much darker at night than it might where we live. But kids might not be prepared for just how dark it can get! Consider investing in a bunch of glow sticks from the dollar store. You can hang these all around the campsite. It won’t give a huge amount of light but can act as a nightlight for kids, giving just enough comfort for them to know they’re safe.
Bad Weather Contingency Plan
Have a backup plan for bad weather. It’s no fun being stuck inside the tent or RV while it rains. Having a solid plan of things to do to keep everyone busy and distracted can make all the difference. It’s best to keep those campers happy!
Time to Make Your Own Camping With Kids Checklist!
That’s everything you need to know about what to pack to keep your family happy and safe while camping. Create your Camping with Kids Checklist and then prepare to have the time of your life on your next camping trip!
Looking for information on what to bring to cook while camping? Check out our post on The Camp Cooking Guide—Everything You Need to Know!
- About the Author
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Laura L. Zimmerman is an author of both indie and traditionally published books. She lives in a tiny rural town in south-central Pennsylvania with her husband, daughters, four adorable kitties, and one energetic puppy!
After earning a BMUS with a Certification in Music Therapy, she decided to homeschool her children. Here she discovered a passion for learning and teaching, which led her to make writing a priority. She currently enjoys reading and writing YA sci-fi and fantasy, as well as middle-grade mysteries.
Her hobbies include spending time with her family, hiking, playing outdoors with her dog, and doing yoga. You can find her drinking coffee, singing loudly, or consuming another Jane Austen novel.
Laura can be reached at lauralzimmauthor@gmail.com