Camping is a great way to go beyond simply hiking to really inundating oneself in the wilderness. Whether you’re planning to pitch a tent as a ‘base camp’ for a few nights or are opting to camp in addition to backpacking (which may involve establishing a new camp site every night), camping with your family and kids can be an exciting adventure.
Bringing children along for a camping excursion - whether it be for one night or several - involves gearing up for more than the essentials. Indeed, children require more items to stay interested, entertained, comfortable, and safe. Review this checklist to ensure that you’ve stocked your gear appropriately for camping with kids, and review checklists for RV and car camping if you’re planning on bringing those vehicles along as well.
Click here to download a printable PDF shopping list.
Camping with Kids: The Essentials
There are certainly many items that one can stock in their pack for a camping trip, but depending on your route, your experience levels, and your planned activities during your hiking excursion, you may need to bring some or all of these essentials along for the journey. Different seasons, geographical locations, and camping styles could require more or less of these items, but be sure to review this list in its entirety if you’re planning to camp primarily with your tent.
As an additional point to keep in mind, children will likely not be able to carry much of the burden of packing or hauling any of these items, so keep those things in consideration if your camping involves more than simply ‘setting up camp’, as you’ll be hauling your gear plus theirs as well.
Item | Why You Need It |
Added Protection for Tent Bottom | |
Repair Structural Integrity of Tent | |
Additional Protection from the Elements | |
Backpack (Adult) | |
Backpack (Child) | Storage for Smaller Frames |
Transport Gear for Quick Day Hiking Trips | |
Shield Your Pack from the Elements | |
Comfortable Sleeping Base | |
Repair Minor Damage to Air Mattress | |
Inflate Your Air Mattress | |
Additional Sleeping Comfort | |
Compress Sleeping Bag for Portability | |
Head Support for Sleeping Comfort | |
Secure Stakes into the Ground | |
Hammock or Cots | |
Private Toiletry Needs | |
Private Showering Space | |
Pet Tent, Bed, and Supplies | For Those Bringing Their Pets |
Cooking Gear
When camping, you’ll want to ensure that you’ve packed the appropriate items in order to sustain yourself and your family. While trail mix and other snacks are good for day hiking trips, longer camping trips will likely require more preparation for hot, sustaining meals. Children typically need more snacks than adults, and you’ll want to ensure that all of your food items are liked by kids in the party (unless you want grumpy, grumbly bellies along for the ride).
Item | Why You Need It |
Freeze-Dried and Prepared Food Items | Larger Meals for Sustenance |
Portable Cooking Equipment | |
Portable Food Containers | |
Purify Water On-the-Go | |
Keep Flames Protected from Wind | |
Charcoal or Firewood | Fuel Source |
Grill Food Items Atop Cooking Source | |
Cook Soups and Large Batch Items | |
Make Coffee/Espresso On-the-Go | |
Keep Drinks at Regulated Temperature | |
Open Bottles | |
Easily Open Cans | |
Clean Up Your Campsite | |
Store Cooled Items | |
Ice | Keep Cold Items Chilled |
Sanitary Cutting Surface for Foods | |
Foil | Useful for Cooking and Food Storage |
Dishwashing/Handwashing Needs |
Camping with Kids: Basic Gear
Beyond the essentials, many will also opt to stock for a variety of additional hiking activities that may happen along the route. When backpacking with a group, you can likely divvy up many shared items among the members so that no one person is carrying the bulk of the party’s goods, but remember that children will not be able to contribute much to this load-carrying capability.
Item | Why You Need It |
Adding Traction to Help with Mobility | |
Portable Energy Source | |
Communication with Traveling Partners | |
Keep Extremities Warm in Cool Conditions | |
Energy Food/Snacks | |
Track Fitness, Progress, Location | |
Suspend Food Items at Night | |
Lantern (with Mantle if Needed) | |
Lantern Fuel or Batteries | Energy Supply for Lantern |
Dry Gear and Yourself | |
Camera | Capture Images and Memories |
Navigational Tools | |
Keeps Lips Hydrated | |
Essential Tool | |
Light Source and Energy Source | |
Portable Seating and Relaxing Arrangements | |
Spare Glasses/Contacts | In Case of Loss or Damage |
Shower Water Bag | Easily Carry Items in Shower |
Gear for Activities
Some people simply camp as an essential to sustaining long backpacking trips, but many others opt to participate in tent camping as a way to establish a base camp as a springboard to other outdoor activities. Bring extra activities along to ensure that your children stay entertained for the duration of the trip, as simply camping in the wilderness with no planned activities can cause restlessness. Here are some additional items to consider in your tent camping stash.
Item | Why You Need It |
Transport Small Children Securely | |
Rolling Jogger | Transport Children During Jogging Activities |
For ‘Down Times’ | |
Active Fun During Calm Weather | |
Family Fun During Down Times | |
Read Up on Outdoor Adventures | |
Fun at Nighttime | |
Study Nature Up-Close |
Clothing
Camping can occur in a variety of situations and weather conditions, so your attire truly needs to match your needs. Keep in mind that there can be drastic temperature swings, especially when one is camping at different altitudes.
Item | Why You Need It |
Warm Weather Attire | |
Kid-Friendly Sun Protection | |
Sun Protection | |
Light Torso Protection | |
Jacket or Insulated Vest | Keep Warm in Cool Conditions |
Bandana or Buff | Keep Hair Off of Face |
Insulation for Head | |
Shield Yourself from the Elements | |
Kid-Friendly Rain Gear | |
Light Torso Protection | |
Gear Storage and Insulation |
First Aid/Emergency Gear
As with any outdoor activity, you’ll want to ensure that you always bring your first aid essentials along for the trip. Hiking, backpacking, and camping in general can expose adventurers to the elements as well as unfamiliar territory, so pack to prepare for accidents or emergencies that may occur.
A good rule of thumb is to leave your trip itinerary with a friend as well as in your vehicle (under your car seat) in case you become disoriented, lost, or injured. In this manner, not only will your friends have your information, but emergency personnel can also have quick access to documents should they come across your vehicle.
Item | Why You Need It |
Necessary Insulation When Stranded | |
Light Fires in Survival Situations | |
Keep Bugs at Bay | |
Anti-Itch Cream and After-Bite Relief | Combats Itchiness from Brush and Bites |
Useful When out in Wilderness | |
Bear Spray | Detract Bears |
Biodegradable Soap | Sanitation for Persons |