Let’s face it—camping with kids is both amazing and exhausting.
Your little ones will love exploring nature, playing outside all day, and sleeping in a tent. But they also require a lot of planning, activities, comfort, and supervision.
In this article, we cover everything you need to know about camping with kids—from choosing a campsite and packing, to games, learning experiences, keeping kids safe, and having fun as a family.
Benefits of Camping With Kids
Okay, you might be thinking “Yeah, but camping with kids is also a lot of work”.
You have to pack more, bring more entertainment, and think of more activities than you would if you were alone with your partner. Plus, they always seem to find ways to scrape a knee or pick a bug bite at the worst times.
But believe us when we say that all of that effort is worth it.
Children love being outdoors—they become more curious, active, and engaged. While camping they learn by doing: pitching the tent, identifying trees, helping you cook dinner.
Plus, camping with kids gives you the opportunity to truly connect with each other. Away from screens and distractions you have nothing but time with your little ones.
Finally, camping creates wonderful memories that your kids will remember for years.
Types of Camping Ideal for Kids
When you go camping with kids, especially for the first time, you want to pick the right type of camping to make things easiest for them (& you! ).
Here are your options:
Tent Camping
This is the most immersive form of camping and the type your kids will probably think is most fun. Sleeping in a tent will feel like a sleepover!
Keep in mind that this is also the camping style that requires the most planning and patience (putting up a tent, keeping warm and cozy).
Car Camping
Car camping is our favorite beginner camping method with kids. You drive right up to your campsite, so you can pack more gear, games, food, and comforts for the kids.
RV Camping
Want to sleep and keep your kids in a bed? Stay dry and have access to shelter at all times? Want indoor plumbing? RV camping is for you!
Cabin Camping
Cabin camping will protect your kids from rain, shine, and insects while still giving you access to the great outdoors. It’s a great option for toddlers and new campers.
How to Plan the Perfect Camping Trip with Your Kids
Here are our favorite tips for planning the perfect trip with your kids.
Keep it short. Especially if your kids have never been camping with you before, start with a one or two night trip. This gives them a taste of camping without being overwhelming.
Choose a family-friendly campsite. Make sure the campsite you choose has:
- Clean bathrooms.
- Easy access to water.
- Safe and well-marked paths.
- Activities nearby like hiking trails or a playground.
Check the weather. Before you leave home, double check the weather forecast and pack accordingly. Even if it says rain is only expected at night, throw a few extra rain jackets in the car!
Include your kids in the planning. Give them autonomy by asking them which activities they want to do or let them help pick out meals.
What to Pack When Going Camping With Kids
Packing for kids takes a little more consideration. You want to make sure they’re comfortable but also prepared for anything!
Sleeping
- Children’s sleeping bags
- Extra blankets
- Sleeping pads or an air mattress
- Their favorite pillow/stuffed animal
Clothing
- Warm and comfy layers they can add or take off.
- Daytime clothes they don’t mind getting messy in.
- Warm PJ’s
- Rain jacket and pants
- Extra socks and underwear
Food and Cooking
- Simple meals that only require boiling water or a few minutes on the camp stove.
- Their favorite snacks that you can easily bring.
- Extra water.
- A camping stove or grill.
- Cooler.
Hygiene and First-Aid
- Wet wipes and hand sanitizer.
- Toothbrush and toothpaste.
- Basic first-aid kit.
- Sunscreen.
- Bug spray.
Activities
- Books.
- Cardboard or travel games.
- Sidewalk chalk, balls, frisbees, or other outdoor toys.
- Flashlights/headlamps.
Easy Camping Meals Kids Will Love
Food is probably the biggest struggle when you go camping with kids.
Here are some tips to make mealtime fun:
Keep meals simple. No one wants to spend all evening preparing meals. Bring breakfasts that just require boiling water, make sandwiches for lunch, or cook simple pasta dishes for dinner. Don’t forget grilled veggies and fruit!
Prep as much as you can before you leave. Chop veggies, marinate meats, portion out servings at home so you save yourself time and stress later.
Let your kids help. Kids are more likely to eat something if they helped make it. Let them stir the pot, assemble sandwiches, or lay out plates and utensils.
Family Fun Activities When Camping With Kids
“What am I going to do with my kids all day?” We hear you.
Trust us when we say they will not be bored outdoors. There is endless entertainment when you’re surrounded by trees.
Of course, part of that entertainment is just letting them run around and play on their own. But here are some other activities you can try.
Exploration
- Go on nature walks or hikes.
- Search for bugs or animal tracks.
- Collect cool leaves, rocks, sticks.
- Identify trees and plants.
Get Creative
- Have them draw or journal about their camping experience.
- Build a small fort or shelter.
- Make up stories about what’s around your campsite.
Group games
- Organize a scavenger hunt.
- Hold a relay race.
- Play simple games that the whole family will enjoy.
Campfire
- Roasting marshmallows (or making smores).
- Storytelling.
- Sing songs.
Nighttime Fun
- Stargaze.
- Listen to nighttime sounds.
- Play flashlight games.
How to Keep Kids Comfortable When Camping
Kids can be like Goldilocks. If anything feels too different or out of place, they might be hesitant to try it or continually complain.
Here are a few tips to keep your kids happy.
- Follow their normal routine as much as possible. Whether that’s eating the same snacks, wearing their favorite pair of PJ’s, or bedtime.
- Bring home comforts. Along with their favorite pillow and blanket, try bringing a toy from home they can sleep with.
- Don’t let them get too cold or wet. If you’re wearing a rain jacket, they should too!
- Give them breaks. Just like you, kids don’t want to be outdoors running around all day. Make sure they have plenty of downtime.
Camping Safety Tips With Kids
Finally, we come to safety. Keep these tips in mind to ensure you and your kids stay safe.
Set ground rules with your kids.
- Don’t wander off by yourself.
- Stay where you can see the campsite.
- Use landmarks to identify where your campsite is.
Never leave kids alone near the fire. And always keep them at a distance. Teach them how to act responsibly around the campfire.
Keep your kids away from wild animals.
- Don’t approach or feed any animals you see.
- Store your food away from your tent.
Always be prepared.
Have a first aid kit on you at all times. Know where the nearest help point is and have emergency contacts written down.
Dealing With Common Camping Woes With Kids
As with any family activity with young kids, camping doesn’t always go as planned.
Here are a few solutions for some of the most common problems you might encounter.
They’re bored.
Kids love to create their own entertainment. If you run out of activities, throw them a DIY toy kit and let them have at it.
They don’t like the dark.
Kids can feel uneasy when they can’t see. Help them adjust by providing plenty of light with lanterns. Distract them with stories or sleep close by until they fall asleep.
They won’t sleep in the tent.
Sleeping outside is a big adjustment for anyone. Try bringing their favorite comfort items from home. A blanket that smells like their bed or their favorite stuffed animal.
The weather sucks.
Rain and cold can pop up unexpectedly. Always be prepared and bring the proper gear. If rain is in the forecast, pack a few extra activities for inside your tent.
Fun Learning Activities to Do With Kids Outside
Kids are sponges. They’re learning new things every day, and camping is the perfect opportunity to encourage their curiosity.
Here are just a few things they can learn while camping.
- Setting up a tent
- How to cook simple meals
- How to find north (and other directions)
- Responsibility by helping with small chores
- Respect nature and how to take care of it
Kids That Love Nature Are More Likely to Protect It Later in Life
Aside from learning, camping is a great way to show your kids why nature is so important.
Instill in them to:
- Respect wildlife.
- Not litter.
- Take care of their outdoor surroundings.
- Protect the Earth.
Kids that grow up loving nature will become adults that want to protect it!
How to Camp With Kids on a Budget
Like most things in life, camping can be expensive. But it doesn’t have to be!
Here are some tips to camp on a budget with kids:
- Rent or borrow camping gear.
- Camp near your home.
- Bring your own food.
- Avoid peak seasons.
Once you start building your gear, subsequent trips will be much cheaper.
Starting a Family Camping Tradition
If you keep camping with your kids when they get older, you will automatically start creating a camping family tradition!
Over time you’ll develop favorite campsites, meals, and even activities that your whole family loves.
Our kids will grow up with cherished memories of family camping trips we started years ago.
Tips for Camping With Your Kids For the First Time
Welcome to parenting. It’s a lot of guesswork. Here are a few tips if it’s your child(ren)’s first time camping with you.
Keep your trip short. Don’t plan anything that will take more than 2-3 days. You don’t want their first camping experience to be miserable and you both hate each other!
Pick a developed campground with all the amenities. Until you know what camping with kids is like, make things easy for yourself and your little one.
Practice putting up the tent. Would you believe us if we said we’ve set up the same tent 1000x and still do it wrong!? Pretend you’re camping in your backyard so you’re ready for real camping with your kids.
Don’t overpack, but also don’t forget essentials. As with all kids, everything will be forgotten. Make sure to throw in a few backups of the essentials like clothes and diapers. But don’t worry about packing your whole house!
Try to Go With the Flow
If you let yourself, camping with kids can be stressful. Something is always going to come up that you didn’t plan for.
Let it go. Accept that things will not always go as planned when you bring kids camping. Make the best of the situation and your whole trip will be better.
Why Parents Should Camp With Kids
There’s something special about watching your kids play outside, hike, or sit by a campfire. They forget about all of the world’s worries and you can too.
Few adults get the chance to unplug completely anymore. Go camping with your kids and take that chance.
Final Thoughts on Camping With Kids
Remember: camping with kids isn’t about how well you plan or how much money you spend.
All kids want is to be outdoors with their loved ones. Go on adventures, breathe in that fresh air, and make memories with your kids.
They’ll never remember you forgetting that extra pair of underwear. But they will remember camping with you year after year.
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