Guide to family friendly camping
From roasting marshmallows to sleeping under the stars, camping with kids can be an amazing family experience. It offers rare, uninterrupted quality time away from screens, a chance to enjoy the fresh outdoors, and the opportunity to create lasting memories together.
Choosing the right campsite
Choosing the right campsite is an important decision that can make or break your trip, especially with kids. Looking for places that will make life easier is the key to a successful camping trip.
Family-friendly campgrounds
Pick a family-friendly campground by looking at reviews and reserving your spot early. Some things to consider when picking a campsite are:
Easy access to bathrooms
Communal kitchens or grills
Picnic areas
A playspace
Shaded spaces for sun protection
Easy or beginner-friendly hiking spots
Access to amenities
Packing & organization tips to reduce stress
Now it's time to pack for a successful camping trip. Here are some top tips for packing and organizational strategies to reduce stress and maximize fun.
Use plastic bins and lists for easy access
Using clear plastic bins is a great way to organize your supplies. In one bin put all your food and cooking gear which not only keeps you organized but keeps animals and bugs away. In another bin put your sleeping essentials such as tents, sleeping bags, sheets, and blankets. In the next bin, add clothes that are weather appropriate like a swimsuit (if you are near a lake) or scarves and beanies (if you go during the colder months.) In a final bin, put in all your accessories like flashlights, reusable water bottles, toiletries, and toys. Using the bin method saves you a lot of time and streamlines the packing process.
What to bring for camping
Here is a general list of items and supplies to bring with you for camping.
Clothes
Bug spray and sunscreen
Towels and toiletries
Toilet paper, baby wipes, and hand sanitizer
Sleeping bags and sheets, pillows, and blankets
Tents
Food, drinks, and snacks, and cooking supplies
Flashlight, extra batteries, radio, and portable chargers
First aid kit
Foldable chairs
Toys, games, activities, and books
Involving kids to build excitement & cooperation
Get your kids excited about camping by involving them in various activities related to your trip.
Let kids pack their essentials
Get your kids excited about camping by giving them responsibility for packing small items. Help them pack a stuffed animal, a few small books, and sunglasses. This task helps kids feel included in the process before camping.
Let kids help set up camp
Kids can absolutely help you set up your campsite. Let them make their beds or put items away, depending on their age. Involve them in tasks like cooking and finding sticks for fire and roasting marshmallows.
Keeping kids entertained - activities & play ideas
If you want to avoid hearing “I’m bored” hundreds of times (although, no guarantees), it is a good idea to bring and plan some activities that your family will enjoy.
Nature-based adventures
Of course the majority of camping will be spent in the great outdoors so nature-based activities are the way to go.
Fun ideas include:
Scavenger hunts
Small nature walks
Blowing bubbles
Kite flying
Dig for treasure
Kicking around a soccer ball or playing game of catch
Bird watching
Scooters, bikes or Liki Trike
Camp fun after dark
Just because the sun went down, it does not mean that the fun has to stop. Here are some activities for after dark.
Campfire stories
Stargazing
Glowsticks
Shadow puppets
Arts & crafts and games
It is time to unwind without screens. Bring art supplies and board games, and watch your kids have fun for hours. Some ideas include:
Rock painting
Drawing what they see
Finger painting
Test run at home first
Camping can be overwhelming for newcomers or seasoned-pros alike, especially with young kids, so we recommend doing a test-run in your backyard first.
A backyard trial run gets kids used to tents and sleeping outside. It is also a good way to note any challenges that might come your way so you can anticipate any potential challenges before your actual camping trip.
Conclusion: happy, stress-free family camping
Camping with young children is all about flexibility and fun. With a little planning and the right gear, your family camping trip will be a memorable one.
At Doona, we’re committed to making parenting simple for every family. That's why we’ve created our innovative and revolutionary Doona Car Seat and Stroller, transforming from car seat to a stroller in seconds; and Liki Trike - the most compact folding toddler trike on the market that grows alongside your toddler from 10-36 months.
