Camping with kids: A lot of work, but worth it!
We’ve been camping with our 3 kids during every stage… newborn, baby, toddler, and older. And we’ve forgotten every essential that you can imagine over the years. 😂
I finally solved our problem of forgetting things by developing a master camping with kids checklist. It includes:
- A list of general family camping gear to bring
- One list for each person to pack their own suitcase
- A list specifically for babies and toddlers
- A to-do list of things to take care of before you leave on a camping trip
And it’s all available to you as a free download or printable.
Hopefully you’ll find this helpful, and it will make packing for your next family camping trip a breeze!
Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you choose to click through and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Download the Camping list with kids: Free checklist here!
Keep reading to find out more about each thing on the list, why I recommend each thing, and links to all my favorite camping items for kids. 🙂
Camping Gear
Eating
- Hand sanitizer/soap: Because you never know what will or won’t be available in a campground bathroom!
- Tablecloth & clips: We discovered these tablecloth clips recently. They do a great job of keeping your tablecloth on all week long, even in the wind or rain.
- Water jug: Sometimes your campsite isn’t right next to a water source, so a big jug or water dispenser is very handy.
- Cooking dishes: This includes things like pots and pans, knives, a cutting board, can opener… anything that you’ll need to prepare your food for all of your meals.
- Eating dishes: Everything that you’ll need to actually eat your food: Plates, bowls, silverware, cups and mugs
- Food for meals: Make a meal plan (you can use my printable meal planner here) and then pack all the ingredients that you’ll need, including spices and anything you’ll need for breakfasts.
- Snacks: Pack plenty! Camping makes kids- and adults- hungry. 😉
- S’mores supplies & roasting sticks: Graham crackers, marshmallows, chocolate, and roasting sticks, if you’re not interested in finding your own sticks in the woods.
- Coffee maker & supplies: If you won’t have electricity, you can still bring along a pour-over coffee maker like this one. Don’t forget supplies like coffee filters, coffee grounds, mugs, cream, and sugar.
- Ice chest & ice
- Camping stove
- Fire starting supplies: Lighter, newspaper, fire starter, etc.
- Paper towels/wipes
- Dish washing supplies: Dish pan, cloth, soap
- Canopy: This comes in especially handy if it rains, since it will keep your table and everything on it dry.
- Garbage bags
- Water bottles: We just bought this set, and I’m really excited about it. No straws means that they are easier to keep clean, and there is a different color for each of my kids, which eliminates mix-ups.
Some of my favorites on Amazon:
Sleeping
- Dustpan & brush: This makes it a million times easier to keep the tent clean.
- Books or quiet time activities: Our kids tend to wake up really early when we’re camping, because it’s light so early. So we have them each pack a few quiet activities that they can work on in the tent when they wake up. These activities also come in handy if you have a rainy day.
- Sleeping bags/blankets
- Pillows: You can get special (smaller) camping pillows, but we find that our kids fall asleep better if they have their own pillows with them. Something about the familiar feel and smell.
- Special nighttime items: Don’t forget any special stuffed animals or blankies.
- Air mattresses & pump or sleeping mats: My husband and I have a queen-sized air mattress that we sleep on. There are a lot of different options for kids, from smaller air mattresses, to mats or cots. We’ve used crib mattresses before- or even just a pile of blankets if we were tight on space. Our kids really don’t seem to mind sleeping on the hard ground as much as we do! 😃
| Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
WDDBHSKN Dust pan Broom Dustpan Brush -… |
$11.99 |
Buy on Amazon |
|
tuphen- Sleeping Bags for Adults Kids… |
$24.99 |
Buy on Amazon |
|
EnerPlex Twin Air Mattress with Built-in… |
$83.99 |
Buy on Amazon |
Other
- Camp chairs: One for each person. Our kids each have a mini chair, and they love them.
- Rope for a clothesline: You’ll want to hang up wet swimsuits or towels after showers
- Backpacks: For carrying water and snacks if you go hiking or on a day trip
- Hammock: A fun little extra that the kids love to play in.
- Flashlights/lantern: This set is great, because each kid can have their own color flashlight. Don’t forget extra batteries.
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- First aid kit: We have this one, and we just keep it in the car at all times.
- Towels: Both for showers and swimming
- Toilet paper: Just in case!
- Umbrellas/raincoats
- Fishing gear
- Swimming gear: If you”ll be visiting a pool, lake, or beach, be sure to bring all your swim gear: Suits and towels, life jackets, toys, etc.
- Games/toys: It’s smart to bring along a few things that your kids can do or play with at the campground. Here are a few of our favorites: Bikes/scooters & helmets, board games or card games for rainy days, binoculars, a kid-friendly camera, a bug-catching kit, walkie-talkies, a toss-and-catch ball set, or a frisbee.
- Camera: If you’re someone who takes pictures on something other than a phone. 🙂
For each person
The second page of my camping checklist can be used by each person in your family to pack their own bags. (For younger kids who can’t read yet, be sure to check out my picture packing lists here.)
Toiletries
- Shampoo / Conditioner
- Body wash / Soap
- Loofah / Washcloth
- Deodorant
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Dental floss / Mouthwash
- Razor & Shaving cream
- Lotion
- Hairbrush / Comb
- Hair ties / Clips
- Hair products
- Tampons / Pads
- Face / Skin care products
- Make up
- Glasses / Contact care
- Daily vitamins & medications
Clothes
- Outfits (1 per day + 1-2 extra):
- Underwear and bras
- Socks
- Shoes: Bring a variety, including a pair of sneakers for hiking, sandals for middle of the night bathroom trips, and water shoes for creek exploring
- Sweatshirt or jacket: Even if you don’t think it’s going to get cold… we’ve learned to always bring at least one warm outfit just in case!
- Pajamas
- Swimsuit & cover
Other
- Phone and charger
- Wallet
- Keys
- Sunglasses
For a baby/toddler
You can use this checklist to pack for your baby or toddler. It’s similar to the “for each person” list, but with a few extra items added on.
Toiletries
- Diapers
- Wipes
- Changing pad: We use these while we’re camping for changes.
- Baby bathtub
- Shampoo
- Body wash / Soap
- Washcloths
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Lotion
- Hairbrush / Comb
- Hair bows / Hats
First Aid
- Daily vitamins & medications
- Diaper cream
- Benadryl
- Saline
- Thermometer
- Vaseline
- If okayed by doctor: Tylenol, sunscreen, insect repellent
Clothes
- Outfits (2 per day)
- Socks
- Shoes
- Jacket / Sweatshirt
- Pajamas (at least 2 pairs)
- Swaddle or sleep sack
- Swimsuit
- Swim diapers
- Sun hat
- Bibs
- Burp cloths
Other
- Baby carrier: For hiking
- Stroller
- Portable crib: Don’t forget extra sheets
- Portable high chair
| Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Munchkin® Waterproof Changing Pad… |
$11.29 |
Buy on Amazon |
|
Ergobaby Omni Classic Baby Carrier… |
$137.99 |
Buy on Amazon |
|
Inglesina Fast Table Chair, Black -… |
$89.00 |
Buy on Amazon |
To do before leaving
This is the last page in my camping checklist. It’s just a list of to-dos to take care of before you leave:
- Confirm/print campsite reservations
- Print and review packing checklists
- Purchase or borrow any supplies that you still need
- Check the weather: Make any changes to your packing list as needed
- Create a meal plan and shopping list
- Ask a friend or neighbor to take care of pets & plants while you are gone
- Stop your mail & newspaper
- Shop for groceries
- Plan & pack entertainment/snacks for the car ride there
And finally… relax and enjoy your family as you explore the beautiful outdoors!
Camping can be a lot of work, but it’s worth it. Enjoy your trip, and don’t forget to download your printable packing lists if you haven’t already:
Thanks for reading!
-Laura
Share Camping list with kids: Family camping checklist PDF on Pinterest:
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Jane says
Thank you so much for this! I was feeling a bit overwhelmed and this list helped make preparation go so smooth!
admin says
You’re welcome!