Camping with Kids Checklist
The author’s daughters camping at Kirk Creek Campground in Big Sur, CA
Camping with kids is an adventure filled with excitement and wonderful family bonding opportunities. But it also requires a bit more planning and packing than if you were camping alone. Whether you're a seasoned camper or planning your first trip with kids, having a well-prepared checklist can make your experience smoother and more enjoyable.
Be sure to check out our GearMeUp online tool with item-by-item lists of our top picks, kit recommendations based on weather/activity, and customizable packing lists so you no longer have to wonder if you’re missing anything.
Here's what we pack when camping with our 4 kids 🙂:
1. Camping Gear
Tent (with groundsheet and rainfly): Ensure it's spacious enough for the whole family, with some extra room for comfort.
If you are car camping with a baby, consider bringing a larger tent so you can fit a portable crib. We’ve often brought the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib (easy set up and packing) and also recommend the Lotus Travel Crib (this one has a size zip panel that makes it easier to get baby in and out if your tent is not tall enough for you to stand).
Sleeping pads: these go a long way in keeping you comfortable & warm
Here’s a good basic sleeping pads from REI. If you want to up your game, these Nemo Roamer pads are our favorite (they are bulky and heavy so definitely only for car camping)
Sleeping bags: Pick ones suitable for the expected weather conditions. Consider toddler or child sized camping bags for your smaller children, or place a duffle on the sleeping bag a few inches past their feet to make sure they don’t end up too far down the bag.
Infants and babies should not be placed in sleeping bags. Instead, consider buying weather-appropriate sleep sacks. Our kids love these from Baby DeeDee which come in different weights and sizes.
Camping chairs: A chair for each family member can come in handy around the campfire.
We’ve had mixed experiences with portable baby high chairs. We’ve heard from multiple other campers that hook-on chairs that clamp directly onto picnic tables are great for meals while camping.
Lanterns and headlamps: Don’t forget to pack extra batteries.
Portable camping stove and fuel. Check out all our recommendations here.
2. Cooking and Eating Essentials
Cookware and utensils: Pack pots, pans, plates, cups, and cutlery
Pack a sippy cup and smaller utensils for babies/toddlers.
Portable cooler: To keep perishable food and drinks cool
Think through how long you’ll be staying and the weather when packing ice. Many campgrounds sell ice on-site; check before you go.
Marshmallow skewers
Biodegradable dish soap, a sponge, and collapsible sink for cleaning (follow campground rules around gray water disposal).
Plenty of drinking water, if there is no trusted source at the campsite (always check before you go).
We love this Columbia fleece bunting!
3. Clothing
Pack enough clothes for the duration of your trip, considering the expected weather conditions. You’ll need fewer clothes than you think. The most important thing to remember is pack layers and consider wearing wool as it does the best job of regulating body temperature and remaining odor free (if you can’t do wool, do synthetic not cotton, which takes forever to dry and is heavy).
Here’s what I pack for our 4 kids:
Baselayer
I’ve bought these inexpensive ones from Amazon and they work fine.These are great for sleeping or to layer underneath on cold mornings/evenings.
Tee shirt
I pack 2 if we’re going away for a weekend, 3 if we’re out for a whole week. The logic there is that you don’t have many outfit changes at camp, you can reuse items, and if you really need to, you can wash, hang overnight and rewear.
Long sleeve shirt and/or fleece for layering
I bought this Columbia Baby Bunting for our toddler and thought it was a splurge until I started to use it and it’s now one of my favorite items. It keeps her warm and her clothes clean, meaning fewer things to pack.
Hiking pants
Pants that won’t rip easily is best BUT if, for instance, leggings are all your kid is willing to wear (as was the case with one of mine for a couple of years 🤷🏽♀️) just go with it and bring a spare
Shorts (summer), unless your hiking pants have zip-off legs
Socks + underwear
Sturdy shoes for hiking and water shoes if needed.
My kids like Tevas and Keens for water play and even for shorter warm-weather hikes. Tevas dry faster but there is no toe protection, so it’s a trade-off. My opinion: you don’t need hiking boots. Even when backpacking, we have our kids wear hiking shoes like these Keen sneakers.
Insulated jacket/coat
Warm hat (evening)
Sun hat/baseball cap (day)
Rain gear (check the weather)
Swimsuits and towels, if there's a safe place for swimming
4. Food and Snacks
Plan (and even partially prep and cook) your meals in advance - check out this blog post for more information
Pack plenty of snacks like fruits, nuts, granola bars, etc.
Fruit sauce pouches are golden when camping
Don't forget essentials like oil/butter, salt, sugar, and spices if you plan to cook.
5. First Aid Kit
Your first-aid kit should include:
Band-Aids of various sizes
Antiseptic wipes
Cortizone/anti-itch cream
Neosporin/antibiotic cream
Tweezers for splinters or ticks
Any necessary prescription medication
Pain medication (pack for all ages in your group)
Child-safe bug spray
Note: if you’re going to a place with significant bugs, we recommend pre-spraying your clothing with Permethrin (read the label to make sure it’s right for your family)
Sunscreen
We always keep this large kit by Medic in the car and this smaller First Aid kit is always in our toiletries bin; it’s also what we bring when we backpack (it’s not lightweight but is a solid size for our family of 6).
6. Entertainment and Educational Items
These are optional items that can be fun for your family. Nature is abundant, so don’t feel like you need to bring these things. Your child will be happy playing with sticks, leaves, walking around the campground, looking at bugs, etc. It’s not your job to entertain them.
Nature guides or identification books (you can often get these for free from visitor centers in parks or even at the ranger check–in station)
Star charts for nighttime stargazing
Binoculars for wildlife viewing
Games or playing cards
Notebooks and crayons for journaling or drawing
Devices 🧐
A major plus of being out in nature is getting away from devices…AND, it’s okay if there’s strong wifi and your kids (or you) want to watch a movie or a sports game while camping. It’s your trip - make it what you want.
7. Personal Items and Toiletries
Biodegradable toilet paper
Toothbrushes and toothpaste
Body wipes
Lotion
Soap (preferably biodegradable)
Baby wipes - great for quick clean-ups
8. Miscellaneous
Trash bags: Always adhere to the "leave no trace" principles
Map of the camping area
Paper towels
Repair/patch kits for your equipment (tent, sleeping pads)
Remember, this is a general checklist and you might need to adjust it according to your family's needs and the specific conditions of the place you are visiting. It may seem like a lot, but with careful planning, packing for a camping trip with kids can become a streamlined, stress-free process.
Outdoorithm is here to help simplify camping for urban families. Check out our tools, including GearMeUp for more detailed gear recommendations and a customizable packing list.
Here's to creating unforgettable family memories in the great outdoors!
Happy Camping!
Join our email list to get more resources and tips to help your family camp with confidence!
We respect your privacy.
Some of our blog posts include affiliate links. If you choose to purchase with those links Outdoorithm may receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting our work.