Camping With Kids – Gear to Make the Most of Your Time in Nature
There is nothing quite as rewarding as getting out into nature with your kids.
I’m not completely sure just what it is about the great outdoors that makes it so great, but spending time in nature with your family is about the best thing that you can do for them. For some people, that might be a day trip to a local park or hiking trail. For others, it could be a weekend stay at the beach.
For my family, it ends up being a little bit of everything, but we have a particularly soft spot for going camping!
What does camping mean to you?
Camping can look pretty different depending on your location and your comfort level with spending time out in the woods. I’ve been camping since I was a kid, both with my family and as a boy scout, so I’ve experienced a pretty wide variety of camping styles.
That said, while I enjoy the concept of “roughing it, ” most of the time I prefer having a few more of the creature comforts than that might entail. That means finding campsites that have a picnic table and a nearby toilet. And, if we plan on doing any work while camping, it means making sure we have a way to charge our computers and get access to the internet.
We try to find dispersed camping sites that can check all those boxes when we can, but if not, there’s almost always a decent paid camping site that will.
Setting Up Camp
Tent (and a hammer for stakes)
There is a huge variety of styles and sizes of tent available, and while there are definitely some bad choices out there, there are also a lot of great options, depending on what you’re looking for.
My family has had a lot of luck with a teepee-style tent that we grabbed from Walmart, but we’ve found that it has some pretty serious problems when it rains. If you’re looking for something that has plenty of room for your family, your things, and that can handle a surprise storm in the middle of the night, I’d absolutely suggest doing your research. This highly rated tent on Amazon might be a good place to start.
Don’t forget the hammer! I keep a small hammer in my tent bag just for driving in the tent stakes.
CAMPROS Tent 9 Person Camping Tent
Spifflyer 8 oz Small Hammer
Air mattress
When I was younger, I has absolutely no problem sleeping directly on the ground. It didn’t matter if I was on soft sand or a cement floor, I could sleep pretty much anywhere. But time caught up with me somewhere, and I’ve discovered that I really like having an air mattress to make my nights easier.
Air mattresses can be large and ungainly, and I really dislike setting them up, but having a comfortable place to sleep means enough to me that I put up with the downsides without complaint.
My wife and I use a Queen-sized mattress when we go camping, which is the main reason we have a 9-person tent even though there are only 4 of us. We’re not backpacking, so it works really well for us.
Coleman QuickBed Elite Extra High Airbed – Queen
A Sleeping mat (for the kids)
We do not, however, have an air mattress for the kids. Instead, we let them sleep on some much thinner, but still comfortable, sleeping pads. We started with an Amazon Basics Yoga Mat that we already had lying around, but I’m looking to upgrade the kids to something like this inflatable sleeping mat, to save space in the van.
Amazon Basics Yoga Mat
Sleepingo Camping Sleeping Pad
Sleeping bags (or nice fluffy blankets)
If there’s one thing that’s important to my family, it’s staying warm. When it’s too cold to sleep well, it makes for a difficult morning, so I definitely suggest finding blankets or sleeping bags that work well for you.
These sleeping bags on Amazon look to be a great choice for temperatures down into the mid-40s, which is plenty cold enough for my family.
Coolzon Lightweight Sleeping Bag
Fire Starters
Yes, it is absolutely possible to start a fire with nothing but natural materials and some patience. But, firestarters make the process so much easier!
If you’re planning in advance, some dryer lint and wax can make a great homemade starter. If you’re not really a DIYer, these tumble-weed style starters do a great job.
Tumbleweeds Fire Starter
Lighter or matches
Flint and steel don’t work well with wax firestarters. Plus, a lighter is a lot more convenient. I prefer the longer grill lighters, so I can reach in under the logs to light my fire.
Bic Multipurpose Lighters
Flashlights (and headlamps)
Kids absolutely love playing with flashlights after it gets dark, so I suggest getting everybody their own flashlight. With our kids, I actually prefer getting a pack of small, cheap flashlights so that if they lose one, it isn’t a big deal. Plus, they aren’t so bright that they’ll blind me if they accidentally get turned at my face.
For myself, I prefer getting a headlamp. I’ve found that having my hands free to clean up the camp or dig through the car is absolutely worth it! My preference is for headlamps that are rechargeable and come with a red light mode so I can avoid waking up the kids while getting in and out of the tent.
EverBrite 9-LED Flashlight 6-pack
LE LED Headlamp
Lantern
Apart from flashlights, I also have a battery-operated lantern that comes in handy. It’s great for lighting up family spaces where we’ll be sitting for a while, like for playing games. They do attract a lot of bugs, though, so I like hanging ours on the outside edge of our shelter.
Nowadays, camping lights come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and colors, but I'm sort of a sucker for the old-school lantern form factor. But I'm not a fan of buying batteries over and over again. Which is why I love rechargeable LED lanterns, like this one from Energizer! It's super bright when you need it, lasts up to 90 hours on its low setting, and can even charge your phone in a pinch!
Drinking Water
Water is another one of those creature comforts that I like to have access to in my campsite. Having access to a source of drinking water while camping is essential, and while most paid campsites will have places to refill your water supplies, a lot of dispersed camping areas will not, so always make sure to keep a few gallons in the car, just in case!
4 Gallon Portable Water Container with Spigot
Weather Appropriate Clothing
Did you know that it gets cold at night in the Black Hills, even in August? I didn’t, and I regretted my ignorance. After spending a decidedly chilly evening in a t-shirt, I ended up buying a souvenir hooded sweatshirt for well more than it was worth.
Anyways, here’s a shameless plug for the designs in my shop. Definitely get a hoodie or two before heading out.
A Multi-tool
There’s no telling what else is going to come up during your trip, so being prepared to deal with whatever is always a good idea. Grab a medium-priced multi-tool and keep it on you while you’re out there.
Gerber Gear Multitool
First Aid Kit
Buy one or bring your own, but a first aid kit is one of those things that you should always have available while camping, even if you never actually get a chance to use it. This one covers a wide variety of scenarios and has room for some additions, as well.
Tactical MOLLE Medical First Aid Kit
A Bucket
Surprisingly, a set of collapsible buckets ended up being the MVPs for my family’s most recent camping trips. From collecting acorns to making mud pies, my kids were constantly using the buckets for something. And when it came time to wash the mud from their hands before bed, the bucket was right there again holding the water we needed to make it happen.
2 Pack Collapsible Plastic Bucket
Cooking Gear
The cooking gear you need or don’t need on a camping trip mostly depends on how many days straight you can stand to eat hot dogs. If the answer is fewer than the number of nights you’ll be camping, you probably need at least a few of the items on this list.
French Press (you need this)
Yes, I am biased, but a metal French Press and some fresh coffee are two of the items that I never go anywhere without. Not only does a French Press make a good cup of coffee with minimal effort, but it can do it with zero electricity needed which makes it a great choice for camping.
(Pro-tip: If you don’t have access to hot water, a French Press can still make a pretty decent cup of coffee. Just prepare as normal before you go to bed and let it steep overnight. Plunge it in the morning for a not-quite-iced coffee experience. It’s not ideal, but it’s better than nothing.)
Belwares French Press Coffee Maker
Coleman Stove (and the gas to run it)
I’ve seen a lot of people swear by their Blackstone grills, saying that they can’t imagine cooking over anything else, but I’m here to say that the Classic Coleman Camp Stove still manages to get the job done at a fraction of the price.
Coleman Gas Camping Stove
Coleman Propane Fuel 4-Pack
A Cooler
Depending on your meal plan, this might not be strictly necessary but a cold bottle of water at the end of a day outdoors is probably worth the space it takes up.
With coolers, you get what you pay for, so if you’re out for longer than a day, skip the cheap ones and get something that will keep things cold for longer than a single afternoon.
RTIC Hard Cooler
Pots and Pans
This one, again, depends on your dinner plans, so be sure to pack accordingly. However, no matter what you plan on cooking, it’s really hard to beat the versatility of a good cast iron skillet! Not the best option if there’s any sort of a hike from the car to the campsite, but otherwise, they’re hard to beat.
Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet
Oven Mitts/ Hot Pads
Especially if you’re getting the cast iron, be sure to bring something to keep your hand from getting burnt on the handle. But go ahead and get the fun designs. They’re worth it.
Bear Hands Oven Mitts
Plates (and/or bowls)
Listen. I know you're out in the woods, sitting on a fallen log and swapping stories, but when it comes time to eat, it's hard to argue with a proper plate. These are light-weight, inexpensive, and strong enough to ensure your kid's hot dog doesn't end up on the ground. Isn't that enough of a reason to bring these along?
6 PACK Lightweight Plates
Silverware (if needed)
When I was in Boy Scouts, I don’t remember hardly ever using silverware while camping, so I’m not going to judge you if you go without, but as someone who eats hot oatmeal for breakfast, I’d suggest at least bringing some spoons.
20-Piece Stainless Steel Silverware Set
Mugs for coffee/hot chocolate
Our kids love sipping hot chocolate around the campfire in the evenings before bed. While you absolutely could do this with the mugs from your kitchen at home, having some tin camp mugs just makes it that much more special.
All Mugs and Drinkware | Minilithic Designs
Knife and Cutting Board
A decent chef’s knife is another one of those things that I never travel without. This one from Farberware isn’t the same one that celebrity chefs would suggest, but it has done really well for me for a couple of years now.
Also, remember to grab a cutting board to help keep that knife from dulling too much.
Farberware EdgeKeeper Chef’s Knife
Farberware Plastic Cutting Board
Hot Dog roasting sticks
No matter how great a campfire cook you are, you’re probably going to end up doing hot dogs at least once while camping. It’s a fact of life. Make it easy on yourself and bring a few of these along.
Ezire Marshmallow Roasting Sticks
Recreation and Relaxation
The America the Beautiful Pass (National Parks!)
Hands down, the best part of camping is getting to be in the great outdoors, and there are few outdoors greater than all our National Parks! If you’re planning on visiting different National Parks throughout the next year, the America the Beautiful Pass is a great deal and can get you access to a ton of different parks across the States.
America the Beautiful Pass
Shoes
Yes, you probably already have shoes, but really I mean the right shoes for whatever you’re planning on doing. I myself stick to flip-flops most of the time, but they don’t work for a lot of activities. If you’re planning on running, hiking, caving, or climbing, you’re probably going to want something with more support.
I’d like to suggest a good option for everybody, but it really comes down to personal preference on a lot of different fronts. However, if you’re looking for a great shoe that can handle a ton of different activities, I can definitely suggest Keens.
KEEN Men’s Newport H2 Sandal
Frisbee (or preferred sports item)
Playing catch with the kids is a great way to get some energy out without having to get everyone loaded back into the car. I suggest frisbees because they are super lightweight and pack easily, but the general principle works for most sports.
Franklin Sports Flying Disc
Binoculars or Telescope
Whether it’s birds, deer, or whatever other animal likes to hang around where you live, binoculars are a great option for getting a better look. While I prefer my birding scope for myself, I’ve found that my kids do a lot better with binoculars.
There are some pretty great options out there, but especially while your kids are younger, you might want to stick to a pair that you won’t miss if they get lost.
Pro tip: Your phone can become an easy view window for your telecope when attached to a telescope or binoculars with a phone camera mount. It makes it way easier for kids to see what you’re seeing. There is a small learning curve for getting the phone attached correctly, though.
Gosky 10×42 Roof Prism Binoculars
Gosky 20-60×60 Spotting Scope
Binoculars for Adults and Kids
Art supplies
The campground makes a wonderful place to grow your artistic skill! I don’t know if it’s all the fresh air, the beautiful surroundings, or something else entirely, but nature and art definitely go together.
Travel Drawing Art Set
Board Games
I’ve actually written an entire article on ways to travel with board games and a lot of what I wrote there still applies here. But since you most likely are going to have access to your car, pretty much anything goes here.
If you’re a board gamer, an evening of gaming in the woods makes for a great time.
PARKS Board Game
Chairs and Kid-sized chairs
Yes, you could technically sit on a log or the hard picnic table benches, but is it really relaxing if you’re in an uncomfortable chair? Even a cheap camp chair can be pretty comfortable, and they only cost 5-10 dollars at Walmart. Or, if you’d rather, you can buy slightly more durable chairs from Amazon and have them delivered.
Coleman Camping Chair
KABOER Kids Camping Chair
Hammocks and hanging chairs
Speaking of relaxation, a hammock or hanging chair can make a great addition as well. We grabbed a couple of kid’s sized hanging chairs for our campsites, and our kids loved using them as nooks for their reading. Just make sure you grab a site where the trees are fairly close together if you want to actually use them.
The first hanging hammock chair we got for our kids was a $5.00 impulse buy while walking through a Target. We figured it looked like fun, and, hey, it was only five bucks. Turns out, these things are AMAZING, especially for kids who need a little extra sensory stimulation. We could not get our kids out of them. Until they tore, roughly a week later.
These hammock chairs from Y-STOP are (thankfully) more durable than the ones we picked up, and come with an inflatable cushion!
While the kids may be happy with a hanging chair set up, I'm much more of a full-body relaxation kind of guy. Hammocks are made for relaxation, which means they are perfect to bring along on a camping trip.
Camera
And last, but certainly not least, don’t forget your camera! Or at least something that can take pictures. Camp trips make all sort of memories that you aren’t going to want to forget.
Personally, I’m still using my Pixel 4a as both my main camera and my phone, and I’m not likely to leave it at home. But if you have the inclination, you can do a lot better with even a basic DSLR.
Google Pixel 4a – Unlocked
Nikon D3500 DSLR Camera
Obviously this list is not exhaustive, nor do you absolutely need everything on this list. But in my experience, having the gear that you need to make your camping trip into the trip that you want is the best way to ensure that you’ll enjoy camping and come back to do it again.
Getting out into nature is good for the soul, and a great choice for almost anyone, so make those reservations, and I’ll see you at the campsite!
Questions? Feel free to reach out to me at neverendingfieldtrip@gmail.com
