Camping With Kids Checklist – What To Pack

Camping With Kids Checklist - What To Pack

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Table of Contents

It’s winter time now, however, I am sure you are already planning your family camping trip for next year. You don’t have to be an outdoors expert to pack for a successful trip. There are lots of ways to get prepared, and make sure that you take along the right stuff. Make sure to check out this camping with kids checklist, which contains must-haves to help you have the best camping trip.

Camping With Kids Checklist - What To Pack

Camping With Kids Checklist – What To Pack

I took my kids on our first camping trip ever earlier this year, and I wasn’t able to find any comprehensive camping checklists that listed everything that I would need. So, I decided to put a family camping checklist together to make it easier for families to go on their first camping trip.

The Basics

Tent

If you plan to tent camp, you want to make sure that you find the best tent to fit your family. Don’t forget to practice setting it up before going on your family camping trip.

First Aid Kit

Don’t leave home without a first aid kit and take it with you on any hikes or excursions while you’re camping. Cuts and burns can happen, so make a first aid kit one of your top priorities when packing.

Rope

A solid piece of rope can go a long way so make sure you take some with you.  You can hang it to dry wet clothes and even bail someone out of the water with it should the need arise.

Pocket Knife

A pocket knife, or a Swiss Army Knife is a camping essential and is so easy to pack.  You will have not only a knife, but small scissors, a corkscrew, and of course a knife. Make sure you keep it out of reach of your younger kids, but for your older kids, you should make sure they know how and to properly use a pocket knife.

Tarp

Whether you need to place it under your tent to keep dry or as a shield from inclement weather, a tarp is a must-have. An interlocking floor mat is also a great option.

Box of Matches

Although a lighter does the job, you should always have a full box of matches as a backup in case the lighter doesn’t work.

Maps

Even though our smartphones have GPS, there is nothing wrong with having an old-fashioned paper map available as well just in case.  There may not always be a signal in the camping area you end up in.

Sleeping Bags

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it can be an oversight. Make sure to pack sleeping bags as well as extra blankets.

Air Mattress

In addition to sleeping bags and extra blankets, it’s nice to have an air mattress or sleeping pad for extra comfort.

Headlamp or Lantern

You don’t want to be roaming around in the dark to go to the bathroom, so take some light!

Insect spray

There will be bugs, so make sure you are prepared by packing bug and insect repellant, either in a spray form and/or citronella candles.

Chairs

You can really rough it and sit on the ground or a log, but foldable camping chairs work wonders for comfort. Especially because there won’t always be a picnic table around also, so having your own seating can make or break your camping experience.

Solar-heated Shower Bag

Not all campgrounds have bathrooms, and at some point, you’ll need to shower and this solar-heated shower bag will come in very handy.

Glow in the Dark Accessories

Glow in the dark Rope and Glow in the dark Tent Peg are both important when setting up your tent. This is so that no one trips over the tent at night when stepping out to use the bathroom.

Solar Powered Charger

You will need to charge your phone, and whatever other electronics you pack, so make sure to pack a Solar Powered Charger.

Bluetooth Speakers

What’s a camping trip without some fun and music? A waterproof portable Bluetooth speaker will do the trick and keep the camping fun going.

Other Camping Supply Basics

Firestarter

Firewood

Bedding/Bed sheets

Portable crib or toddler bed

Double camping cot

Pillows

Kids stuffed animals

Floor mat

12-in-one camping scissors

Plastic baby bath

Basin to wash stuff

Camping With Kids Checklist - What To Pack

Personal Care Items

Clothes

When packing clothes for camping, make sure not to pack anything that you don’t want to get dirty or stained. Expect your kids to spend a lot of time playing in the dirt, grass, and outdoors. And expect their clothes to get very dirty. Make sure you put to pack enough clothes on your camping packing list.

Pajamas

After playing all day, the kids will need clean pajamas to change into after their baths.

Shoes

Make sure to pack a variety of shoes for your camping trip, most importantly hiking shoes, a pair of sandals, and water shoes.

Outerwear

Even though it may be summer, it can get cold because most camping spots are located by lakes or at a higher elevation. So you’ll need to pack a jacket or sweater, hat and gloves.

Toilet Paper

Campground bathrooms do not generally come stocked with toilet paper. Make sure to take your own.

Toiletries

Just like with any trip, pack all of your toiletries but in smaller bottles. This is so that they can stow easily, and make sure to pack enough for everyone.

Sunscreen

It doesn’t matter if it’s bright and sunny or not, a good sunscreen is necessary to apply every day while outdoors.

Other Camping Personal Care Items

Towels

Microfiber towel

Washcloth / Loofah

Beach blanket

Wipes for dirty hands

Diapers for younger kids

sequoia national park with kids

Camp Kitchen

Camping stove

No matter what time of year you decide to go camping, always take a camping stove and be prepared to make a few meals. We loved using the Coleman Classic Propane Stove. Make sure to buy enough propane so you don’t run out. We ran out of propane on our last day mid-making breakfast and it was no fun… hungry kids = a disaster.

Eating Utensils

Pack up a set of plates, forks, spoons, knives, and cups so you are all set for meal time like this Coleman 24 Piece Enamel Set. It is easy to wash and you don’t have to worry about it breaking.

Cooking Utensils

A frying pan, cast iron skillet, pot, and this Camping Cookware Kitchen Utensil Organizer are must-haves if you want to enjoy a good meal. Don’t forget the marshmallow roasting sticks and stove coffee pot for your morning sanity.

Sealed containers

Be sure to pack up any leftover food inside sealed containers and put them away so the critters and bears don’t get to them. Rubbermaid makes really good Tupperware that I use at home too.

Cooler

Remember that there are no refrigerators when camping, so a cooler with ice is an absolute must-have to keep all your food fresh.

Cleaning supplies

It’s important to have biodegradable soap, sponges, and dish rags along with a few basins for washing and rinsing dishes.

Other Camp Kitchen Must Haves

Reusable Water Bottles

Paper Towel

Trash Bags

Cooler

Portable high chair or booster seat

Table cover

Kids Camp In Yosemite National Park

Food

Food

Meal prepping is extremely important and will help you spend less time cooking meals while camping with kids. Buy meat/fish/chicken and veggies and make grill packs. You can also cook things like pasta and spaghetti sauce, and rice beforehand and freeze them so it’s easy to warm up.

Snacks

Pack lots and lots of snacks. Not only for the road but also to eat in between meals when camping. A few great ideas are chips, crackers, nuts, fruit – carrots, grapes, yogurt, popcorn, granola bars, trail mix, jerky, boiled egg, string cheese, tuna, sardines, goldfish crackers, bread, fruit pouches, dried fruit, and gummy bears.

Spreads

Nutella is great because it goes with everything. Also, not only is peanut or almond butter a great source of protein, but a jar has a really long shelf life.

S’Mores

What’s a camping trip without s’mores? This was the highlight of our trip, so make sure to pack marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers.

Water

If you are not camping near a water source, you will want to have an ample supply of water jugs. You’ll and some reusable water bottles too.

Other Camping Food

Formula for babies

Powdered milk

Powdered hot chocolate

Coffee

Check out this list of great food items to make on your next camping trip

Yosemite National Park

Fun For Kids

Kids Toys

Always make sure to pack a few toys for the kids to keep them entertained during downtime while on your camping trip. This Outdoor Exploration Set has lots of kid-sized camping gear to keep your kids busy. The Kids Adventure Set is packed with lots of kid-sized camping gear and the Educational Insights Nancy B’s Science Club AquaScope is for kids to look under water which is great when camping by a lake.

Books

Make sure you pack books for your kids to read. Bedtime stories are even more interesting when camping. This list of camping books is perfect for camping with kids.

Writing Materials

During downtime, or while waiting for dinner to be ready, your kids will love practicing their writing skills. So make sure to stock up on writing materials.

Outdoor Toys

You’ll also need to pack outdoor toys that the whole family can enjoy playing together.

Other Camping Fun For Kids

Bubbles

Chalk

Squirt Guns

Balls (soccer, football, hand toss)

Glow sticks

Play tent

Scavenger hunt list

Card games

Binoculars

Kids Camera

Kids fishing gear

Pretend play camp set

Scooters

Bikes

Camping With Kids In Yosemite National Park

Your kids will love camping just as mine did, but in order to make the trip memorable you should make sure you have as many family camping essentials as you need from my Camping With Kids Checklist – What To Pack.

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You can read more about our camping trips below:

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