Camping with our little Bug has been some of our most rewarding and memorable times as parents. But, to be honest, we’ve had some hiccups along the way. I could have written a top 100 list of all the things, but I’ll spare you the time. I’ve combed through everything and have dwindled the list down to nine things every parent should consider/know before heading out.
Here’s what I’ll cover:
- At what age can you start camping?
- Where should I camp with kids?
- What to take camping with kids?
- How do you keep kids entertained while camping?
- How do I help my kid sleep while camping?
- How do kids go potty while camping?
- How do I keep my kids warm while camping?
- What is some fun camping gear for kids?
- Have fun and make memories!
At what age can you start camping?
The easy answer: as soon as you’re comfortable. We first tent camped with our daughter when she was six months old. You’ll want to consider your child’s sleep schedule and location of camping when making the decision, as multiple middle-of-the-night crying and feedings isn’t very considerate to neighbors. But if you’re dispersed camping or not encountering a routine, around-the-clock cryer, any age is appropriate to camp!
Where should I camp with kids?
Your family is longing for adventure in the great outdoors, and you’ve decided a camping trip is just the ticket! But where should you go? What factors should you evaluate in planning the perfect family camping trip?
You have many options when it comes to camping with your kids. There’s the backyard camp out, all of our beautiful national parks, established campgrounds run by state and county parks departments, private campgrounds with a wide range of amenities, and dispersed camping as some of your options. Which suits your family desires?
Budget will vary wildly when it comes to camping. Private campsites could cost $60-100 per night, and even more if you plan to rent an on-site R.V. (yes, that’s an option!). Our national and state parks are far more reasonable, with rates varying around $20-30. Dispersed camping is FREE!
Location and weather will be your next big step. Beach, mountain, desert? Tent camping in Death Valley is far less fun in August than in March, for instance. And if you’re not big on snow and all that entails with toddlers, you may wish to avoid the high Sierras from late fall through some of spring. Similar to snow, the beach offers some unique challenges for camping with kids. Sand in the diaper is pleasant for neither child nor mama! All of these concerns can be addressed, but you must decide what’s worth it for the current life of your family.
Next, consider what amenities are important to you. Flushing toilets and showers? A community pool or guided nature walks? Ability to bring along Fido? Restaurants and coffee shops nearby? Or does lack of people and unadulterated nature sound like more your jam?
Once these choices are vetted through, you can make a decision based on your criteria. I recommend looking at photos of the specific campsite in each campground, so you can ensure your family will have the desired surroundings and privacy, as well as the ability to accommodate your family size and camping gear (number of tents or size of trailer, setting up a hammock, occupancy limits, etc.).
What to take camping with kids?
You know where and when you’re going, but what do you bring? This will obviously vary based on family composition and the age of your children, as well as the time of year and location, but there are a few important principles to keep in mind.
Clothing decisions need to be made based on temperatures and location. Make sure to check out the forecast for high and low temps. It’s not unusual to need jackets in the morning and evenings and shorts and swim suits for the afternoon.
Remember that you’re camping, so outfits should be functional and durable. Although that Elsa dress with the flowing train is lovely, your daughter can still belt out, “Let it Go” in jeans and a Frozen T-shirt just the same.
You’ll want to pack extra socks, but you really don’t need to expend valuable packing space on two changes of clothes for each day. So what if there’s dirt on those jeans, kid. You can totally wear them tomorrow! I usually pack only one pair of pajamas for the trip, knowing we do a good clean-up before bed and change before venturing out.
How do you keep your kid entertained will be one question to keep in mind while packing. We have a dedicated drawer in our camping storage container dedicated to my daughter’s camping toys.
Dinosaurs, cars, dump trucks, and mini shovels can provide hours of entertainment in the dirt. We also like some adventure kits that contain items like binoculars, a magnifying glass, and a compass. Coloring books and crayons, water-reveal reusable books, dry-erase books, and card games like Go Fish and Old Maid accompany us on each trip.
If you’re a purist, keep the electronic devices at home, but if you’re more lax, make sure to download the media you approve of your child to use during some “down time” like right before bed or while you’re preparing breakfast, as you may not have WiFi or cell reception. Our little one gets to use her tablet during parts of a long drive and while I’m cooking breakfast.
SNACKS! Keep in mind that your kids will be expending a lot of energy while hiking and exploring, so make sure to pack their favorite snacks or perhaps some special things just for camping. Goldfish crackers, apple sauce, granola bars, trail mix, and beef jerky are some easy snacks that don’t require precious room in that cooler.
Don’t forget some health and safety items. Having a first aid kit handy to address any scrapes, splinters, and minor burns will save the day. Bonus points if you swap out some themed bandaids! You’ll also want to have sunscreen, bug spray, some pain reliever, and some hydrocortisone cream (in case of bug bites or touching the wrong plant).
Have a plan to keep your kids and your sleeping area clean. We take off shoes before we enter the tent trailer, and we make sure to wash up good before bed. I usually warm up some water with some dish soap on the camp stove, but setting up a wash station with a collapsible bucket, or using baby wipes works, too!
How do you keep kids entertained while camping?
We’ve already talked about packing some items to keep your kid entertained (never underestimate the power of playing in the dirt), but here are a few more ideas for every member of your family enjoying the trip.
Plan a hike (or hikes) that meet the skill level of your family. Our daughter started out in a front-worn baby carrier not long after her birth. We then transitioned to a hiking backpack, once she was a little older and had great head control.
From the time our daughter was walking, she was hiking independently for stretches of our hikes. She could do a couple miles by the time she was two and a half, and now at four and a half, she’ll do four or five. Start small, be prepared with water and snacks and to take breaks, and never be afraid to turn back if you’ve bit off more than you can chew.
Nature scavenger hunts or nature bingo can be a fun way to explore close to camp or take a short, easy nature hike. Keep in mind the rules of the campground, as it is illegal in some places (like national parks) to take/pick any stones, feathers, flowers, etc.
We have a family tradition of taking “night walks” while camping. Everyone has their own flashlight or headlamp (my daughter adores her matching owl lantern and headlamp), and we listen for nocturnal creatures or look for nighttime critters. It’s also a fairly necessary rite of passage for every father to host a Snipe Hunt for their kids.
Another nighttime necessity is a campfire! Make sure to check the local regulations, as certain forests may restrict fires during certain seasons. But if you’re in the clear, plan ahead for some s’mores making and spooky story telling around the fire!
Pack some games to play as a family during down time. For younger ones, card games like Old Maid and Go Fish are fun; farkle, catch phrase, and Yahtzee are easily transported for fun with an older crowd.
When the environment is right and space allows, we bring bikes and helmets. Riding around the campsite is so much fun for little ones, and a family bike ride can be a fun way to get to a nearby activity. Remember bike locks if you plan to leave your bikes outside when at a restaurant or in shops.
Be creative and explore! Let your kids’ imaginations propel them to daring adventures of scaling mountains (boulders) or traversing roaring rapids (trickling creeks) to save the day!
How do I help my kid sleep while camping?
Sleep is a tricky thing. Some kids have a very difficult time acclimating to new environments to get to sleep. If you’ve got a kid like that, you’ll want to acclimate them to the sleeping conditions they’ll be experiencing ahead of time, like through a trial run in the living room or back yard.
Your choice of sleeping accommodations depends on the layout of your sleeping environment. If you’ve got a trailer of some sort, you’re kids will likely be on mattresses and can utilize normal sheets and blankets. Consider bringing a blanket or pillow from home, along with a stuffed animal or something your child normally sleeps with.
In a tent, you’ll have the option of an air mattress, camp pad, cot (they even make a bunk bed version), or a sleeping bag straight on the ground. I recommend having at least some barrier between your bag and the tent floor, both for comfort ant temperature regulation. Make sure your sleeping bags accommodate the weather conditions, as they are rated for varying temperatures.
For babies and small toddlers, you’ll want a sleep environment that is safe for the conditions. Pack and plays are a great option, and for younger infants, I recommend a travel bassinet due to its smaller size and portability. Make sure they’re dressed warm enough for the nighttime conditions, also.
You may want to consider white noise machine of some sort to aid in the sleeping of your children. You can find some that also include a dim nightlight, to assist with those fears of the dark. My daughter sleeps with white noise at home, so we bring it with us camping. It helps tune out some of those nature sounds that can be scary for children at night or that can wake sleepers at the crack of dawn (I hear you, morning birds).
How do kids go potty while camping?
So you’ve decided having flushing toilets isn’t on your list of deal-breakers, and you’re dispersed camping without available toilets. My husband has written this informative article on pooping in the woods (it’s a thing; don’t be afraid), and it includes a section specifically about helping kids use the restroom.
Even if you’re not dispersed camping, if you’ve got a potty training little one and no toilet in your camper, I recommend grabbing a travel potty. When my daughter was first potty training, it was so helpful, as we didn’t have a ton of advanced warning to traipse far off to the port-a-potty.
How do I keep my kids warm while camping?
Many parents are afraid to take their children camping due to colder temperatures, especially in the evenings and mornings. If you’re prepared, you’ll fare just fine!
When packing clothing, think of layers! Leggings can go underneath jeans for frigid mornings, and a long-sleeved shirt can be underneath a short-sleeved one, as well. Fleece jackets are great for layering under a puffy jacket, and that really helps insulate the warmth for your little one. Socks are so important; you’ll want to pack plenty to make sure toes stay warm and dry.
A few more clothing considerations include gloves or mittens that fit each child, closed-toed shoes (and an extra pair, in case one gets wet), and knit caps or hats that will cover those ears.
For sleeping, consider fleece or flannel pajamas, and make sure infants are dressed in a warm pajama set. As newborns and blankets don’t mix, layer a warm pajama with a sleep sack, and don’t forget to cover that babe’s head with a knit hat of some sort.
Sleeping bags are rated for specific temperatures, so make sure you’re picking some for the family that will accommodate the camping conditions. We usually bring along an extra warm and soft blanket, too, for use while snuggled around the fire or inside the tent or trailer.
If your sleeping conditions permit it, consider a space heater. We love the propane-fueled one we use, and it is perfect to warm up the trailer in the early morning or evenings before bed. Please make sure whatever you’re using is safe for the environment you’ll be sleeping in; carbon monoxide and fire risks are nothing to trifle with.
What is some fun camping gear for kids?
Having some kid-sized or personalized items can help make camping memorable and special for kids. We’ve got a child-sized camp chair, which fits my daughter wonderfully. And a cup holder for her special camping cup? Mind blown.
Another fun thing we’ve gotten, as mentioned above, is that cute owl head lamp and matching lantern. This makes night walks and middle-of-the-night potty breaks a little more fun.
Solar-powered colored lights, special camp plates and cups, glow sticks and wands, hiking sticks, and kid-sized hydration packs are other fun ways for kids to feel invested and special while camping.
Have fun and make memories!
The most important tip for camping with kids? Have fun and make memories! Develop family traditions around camping that may seem ridiculous to others. Don’t feel pressured to keep to a schedule, get everything done, or have the “perfect” camping trip (psst… it doesn’t exist). Relax, enjoy, don’t be afraid to try something you all may hate, and adapt things you learn into your next trip.
Have a tip or question we didn’t address? Leave it in the comments! We love your input!