Going on a camping trip with kids is a great idea if you want a break away from your daily routine and disconnect from technology for a while. But before the fun starts, you have to face packing. This camping with kids checklist will make this stressful process fast and easy.
Camping With Kids Checklist
Camping, no matter who you’re with, is always an exciting and fun activity. Camping is guaranteed to bring long-lasting family memories, lots of laughter, and loads of outdoor time for everyone. If you have kids, then going on a camping trip is a great idea if you want to break away from your daily routine and disconnect from technology for a while.
However, before all the fun starts, you have to face the troubles of packing. We understand that packing maybe a little stressful as a parent because you can’t risk forgetting any essentials. You need to ask yourself a lot of questions and anticipate scenarios before deciding what you can’t and can go without.
To help you relax before the big day, we’ve put together this camping with kids checklist to help you pack like a pro:
1. The Basic Gear And Essentials
- Tent, poles, stakes
- Sleeping bag and pads for each camper
- Repair kit for pads, mattress, tent, tarp
- Pillows and blankets
- Chairs
- Headlamps or flashlights (extra batteries)
- Lantern
- Stove
- Cooking and eating utensils
- Cooler
- Plates and cups
- Rubbish bags
- Soaps
- Reusable water bottles
- Food items for meals
- Water
- Baby food or formula
2. Personal Hygiene Kit
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Hairbrush
- Mirror
- Elastics
- Bath towel and facecloths
- Soap and shampoo
- Lipbalm
- Nail clippers
- Toilet Paper
- Lotion
- Hand Sanitizers and wipes
3. Clothing
- Daytime clothes
- Hats
- Coats
- Rain boots and rainwear
- Gloves
- Sleepwear
- Swimsuit
- Slippers
- Socks
- Extras
4. First Aid
- Prescription medicines
- Tylenol (for kids and adults)
- Plasters
- Thermometer
- Bug spray
- Anti-itch cream
- Children’s antihistamine
- First aid kit
5. Others
- Sunscreen
- Camera
- Toys (at least one per kid)
- Thermos
- Portable potty (if needed)
- Roasting sticks – for Aussie smores!
- Card games
- Colouring books and crayons
- Kites
- Snacks
- Glow sticks or any glow in the dark toys
- Books
- Portable speaker
- Hammock
- Whistle
Of course, this camping with kids checklist may not have everything you need but it can surely help you remember everything you have to bring. There’s just no way around it! Preparing and packing for a camping trip will take some time and will not be perfect but at least making a camping checklist and sticking with it can help shorten the process.
Just remember to make it easy for yourself. Camping, especially with kids, can mean getting dirty, messy and tiring for everyone but it will be an experience they will never forget. It does not have to be perfect.
If you still need help, here are 5 more tips for camping with kids.