15 tips for camping with kids

Our family loves camping. We spend at least a week every month camping in our trailer and adventuring, fishing, hiking and more! It is a great experience that I recommend to everyone, but if you have kids you will need to be prepared. Even though you are in the “Great outdoors” your kids will still need to be entertained – so read these 15 tips for camping with children to get some ideas about how you can be prepared when you go on your next camping trip.

Pack all of their favorite foods and treats – Kids are ~~surprisingly~~ hungry all the time, so be sure you have stocked up on all of their favorites (and healthy things too) to keep them satisfied and melt downs to a minimum.
Take warm clothes – Even if it is in the middle of summer, if you are going to the mountains or by water it will be chilly so take warm clothes and jackets.
Plan your meals ahead of time – we always make a menu in advance so we know what we will be having ahead of time – this is especially helpful if you are doing dutch oven or something similar – so you can remember to start it cooking early so it will be done at dinner time.
Pack sunscreen and bug spray – these two things are essential for most outdoor activities and especially for camping. Try and get the deet free bug spray, and look for a good quality sunscreen like Banana Boat® that will give you and your kids good protection.
Make an activity box – pack it full of games, crafts, blocks, puzzles, etc. This will give them something to do in their downtime – and keep them busy and happy and give you a much needed break. I took cross stitch, origami, and few other fun off the wall things for my kids to try this year and they loved it! Beads and vinyl cord are also great busy things.
Take camp chairs – it is always fun to sit around and visit, listen to music or sing songs, and roast marshmallows – so take a nice camp chair for everyone to sit on. We get little ones for our two youngest and they love the “my” size chair.
Take books – reading is always fun, and especially on camping trips. Take some good books for each age level.
Take notebooks and crayons, pencils, or pens – this is a great way for them to document their trip with pictures and entries (if they can write) so they can remember the trip.
Plan out your trip – research a head of time what there is to do in the area and make a list of things to choose from so that you are not unprepared. Kids want to be busy, so let them choose and then head out. It also lets them feel like they are an important part of the decision process.
Pack a few extra outfits – you never know what will happen from dirt and grime to a potty accident so be sure to pack a few extra outfits and pajamas for each kid.
Take lots of water – You will want to stay hydrated, so be sure to take lots of water on your trip and with you where ever you go. Even if it is cooler, the sun can really drain your energy, so drink lots of water to beat heat stroke.
Pack the right gear – you don’t want to be unprepared, so make you pack the right gear for your camping trip. Some essentials you don’t want to forget are: tent, sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, flashlights, sunscreen, coolers for food, plates, cutlery, napkins, wet wipes, food, stove, pans/pots/cooking utensils, Camelbak (or similar hydration system), glow sticks are fun, gloves, marshmallow roasters, matches,
Pack a good first-aid kit – accidents will happen so make sure you are prepared. Also be sure to take any medications that you need.
Help your kids become familiar with the camp – walk them around, point out possible dangers, warn them about the fire, and teach them “camping etiquette” (like respecting other campers, etc).
Bring your fishing gear – no camping trip is complete without going fishing. It is a lot of fun, especially when you catch something, and if you have a dog, they will love splashing in the water. If the water is nice and clean your kids can trying swimming.

Camping is a great experience and every family should try it. The more you do it the easier it will become and your kids will love it each time as long as you make it fun and enjoyable. Let them help plan it, pick out the snacks, games and other activities. Be sure to remember a good sunscreen, because no one wants to deal with a sunburn. Make sure you apply 1 oz. every two hours to ensure family fun in all 7 conditions (sun, pool water, ocean water, wind, sweat, sand and extreme heat).