Camping With Kids? Read This First.

Your Guide to a Stress-Free Family Camping Trip

You ever have one of those ideas that sounds incredible in theory but starts to feel like a terrible decision halfway through?

Camping with kids can be that idea. You picture yourselves making s’mores under the stars, telling stories by the campfire…but then reality hits. Someone is cold, someone else is scared of the dark, and everyone is awake at 2am because the air mattress deflated.

But the good news is camping with kids can actually be amazing — if you plan it right. We’ve gone on multiple camping trips with our son now (his first first was when he was a mere 11 months old 😬), so we jotted down our best tips and even collected more from friends who have been camping with their kids for longer than we have. Whether you’re a total newbie or just need a refresher, this guide has everything you need to know for a smooth-ish and (hopefully) meltdown-free adventure in the wild.

1. Pick the Right Campsite (It Matters More Than You Think)

Not all campgrounds are created equal, and choosing the right one is half the battle.

Look for family-friendly campsites that offer:
✅ Bathrooms nearby (Trust me, you don’t want to be hiking a mile at 3 AM with a toddler who has to go)
✅ Easy access to activities (Lakes, short hiking trails, or even a playground)
✅ Drive-up camping (So you’re not hauling everything a mile into the woods)

Here are some great resources for finding kid-friendly campsites:
🔗 Hipcamp – Great for unique camping spots, including private land and farm stays
🔗 Recreation.gov – National park and forest service campsites
🔗 The Dyrt – A solid database of campsites with user reviews

Bonus 🔗: AllTrails – A super user-friendly app for finding the best trails in the area.

⛺️ PRO TIP: If you’re new to camping, book a site near a small town or with a general store on site. You’ll thank yourself when you realize you forgot something crucial — like utensils. And arrive during the daytime with enough time to set up camp before sunset. The horror of assembling a tent in the dark with kids is something we wish upon no one.

2. Pack Smart (And Don’t Overthink It)

Packing for a family camping trip can feel like prepping for the apocalypse. But the key is bringing only what actually makes life easier.

Absolute Must-Haves:

🛶 A good tent with a rainfly – Go for one at least one size bigger than you think you need. Kids take up more space than you realize.
🔥 A simple camp stove – Fire pits are fun, but trying to make coffee over a smoky fire at 7am? Not it.
💡 Battery-powered lanterns & headlamps – Kids love headlamps, and you’ll love not holding a flashlight in your mouth while setting up camp or taking the kiddos to the bathroom at night.
🧻 Baby wipes, even if you don’t have babies – Because dirt happens.

Stuff That Feels Extra But Will Save You

🎒 A pop-up play tent – If you have toddlers, this is a game-changer. It gives them a safe, contained space to play while you set up camp.
📚 Glow sticks – Not just for fun—put them inside tents or on kids at night so you always know where they are.
🧊 A frozen gallon jug of water – Keeps your cooler cold and gives you drinkable water as it melts.

⛺️ PRO TIP: If it isn’t too cold, consider skipping the sleeping bags for younger kids and bringing a familiar blanket or their regular bedding. It helps them sleep better when everything else around them is unfamiliar.

3. Food: Keep It Simple, Keep It Fun

You don’t need gourmet meals when you’re camping. Stick to easy, filling foods that require little prep.

Go-To Camping Meals That Kids Love

🥪 No-cook option: PB&J, wraps, hummus & veggie snack plates.
🔥 Easy hot meal: Foil packet dinners (protein, potatoes, and veggies wrapped in foil and thrown on the fire)
🍳 Breakfast hack: Pre-mix pancake batter in a bottle at home — just pour & cook at camp!

⛺️ PRO TIP: Bring pre-cooked rice (but store well), pasta, or cans of beans. Toss it into a skillet, and boom — instant meal with no extra work.

4. Bedtime in the Wild: How to Actually Get Kids to Sleep

The truth is unless your kids are absolutely exhausted from all the outdoor play, they’re probably going to be a little wild at bedtime. Everything is new and exciting. You can’t fight it, but you can set them up for success.

🕰 Start winding down before dark. Campfires and ghost stories are fun, but dimming lanterns, getting in PJs, and reading a bedtime story helps signal sleep time.
🧦 Double up on socks. Cold feet = cranky, awake kids.
🌙 Make them feel secure. If they’re scared, try a sound machine app or portable white noise (yes, even in nature) or let them keep a lantern on dim.

⛺️ PRO TIP: If your kids are nervous about the dark, give them their own flashlight or headlamp. It gives them a sense of control, which makes a huge difference.

5. Embrace the Chaos (Because Something WILL Go Wrong)

You’ll forget something.
Your kid will refuse to eat whatever you packed.
You’ll have at least one moment where you wonder why you thought this was a good idea.

But that’s all part of the adventure.

The best family camping trips are never the perfectly planned ones (don’t even think that exists TBH). They’re the ones where you laugh through the mess, tell stories under the stars, and make memories your kids will talk about for years.

Ready to Give It a Try?

If you’ve been on the fence about camping with kids, consider this your official sign to go for it. Pick a weekend, grab the essentials, and embrace the adventure.

👉 Have a go-to camping hack? Reply and share — we’ll include the best ones in next week’s email!

Happy camping! ⛺️🚐🌲

P.S. Want more outdoor family travel tips? Follow along on Instagram for daily ideas, gear recommendations, and behind-the-scenes adventures.