Camping With Kids 101

[Cascadian]

I've camped a handful of times in the past, but never with kids, and ALWAYS with people who knew what they were doing and who packed all the gear

DH was an avid outdoor guy before we had kids, but HIS kind of camping was really rough and basic, and focussed around fishing and eating out of a can (what a caveman).

Sooo....we want to start camping with the kids. I don't know the first thing about doing it, anything from gearing up to booking campsites. Please share your favourite websites or CWK tips/lessons learned.. Our DDs are 4 and 6. We own nothing camping-related.

[amberchan]

We went camping for the first time as a family two years ago - just an overnight on the Washington coast. It was a blast. We picked up a tent and a baby backpack on Craigslist for pretty cheap and borrowed most of the rest of the gear from my folks. If you live in Washington State, this site is great for checking availabilty and making reservations: https://secure.camis.com/WA/.

[emaye_to_2]

My kids LOVE to go camping! They're 4 and 6 now. We like to camp near water usually a river and somewhere there are hiking trails to explore the area. We don't like to camp at big, commercial-type campgrounds. We bring a lot of bedding so that everyone stays warm and comfortable at night, a lantern, batteries, cash to get firewood, a camping stove, an ice chest with ice and food, card games and books. Have fun!

[MacKinnon]

I could have written your post Cascadian! My DH was a backpacker- off to the island for 2 weeks with nothing but what he could carry on his back. When DS was 18 months and DD 4 1/2 we decided to brave it for the first time We went just an hour away, so if all hell broke loose we could come home! We only went twice that summer, but last summer with the kids at 2 1/2 and 5 1/2 we went several more times. We now have a full set of camping gear. We don't like the big, packed commercial campgrounds either, but we aren't really at a hiking point either. We've found some great State campgrounds that have sites that offer alot of privacy, oppertunites to hike and swim, playgrounds, etc. but are still pretty established- i.e. potable water and electric hook-ups and toilets near the site

Things that I have learned:

Buy the big tent! My back-packer hubby was horrified at getting a "cabin tent" so we had a little 4 person octogan, it sucked! We were all squashed in, we couldn't all fit on an air mattress, in the rain we were literally sitting on each other. Meh.. So last summer we got a big 8 person cabin tent, we can comfortably fit two queen size air mattress, plus our suitcase, kids books/toys, etc. We can stand in it, and when it rained we were comfy, the kids could move around, it was much better!

A screen tent for over the picnic table (most sites have picnic tables) is wonderful! Again with the rain, it rained alot last summer in Michigan! Plus it keeps the bugs out.

We keep a bin packed with: tin cups, plates, silverware, dishwashing basin and eco-friendly soap, clothes line and clothes line/pins, waterproof matches, bug repellent, flashlights (one each for the kids too!), batteries, latern, camp stove, etc. I just googled "family camping supplies" and looked through a couple lists online and assembled one of our own.

We love going, and even this summer (I'm due in early September!) I've agreed to go a couple times in June and July. Good luck! I was sure our first effort would be a disaster, but it all worked out very well!

[velochic]

Are you wanting to do primitive tent camping where you hike in with everything on your back, semi-primitive tent camping where you drive everything in and can bring a lot more equipment, tent camping with electricity/group showers/toilets, primitive cabin where you have indoor plumbing, but have to bring everything else?

There are a lot of ways to camp, so really it depends on what kind of camping you want to do.

[LynnS6]

What about starting out with 'camping light'? We rent yurts through our state park system, and they're great. They're already set up, and they have beds, so all we need to bring are sleeping bags and cooking equipment. Some state parks rent cabins.

My basic list for car camping is as follows (from my packing lists from when we camp):

Sleeping
Shelter (tent/yurt/cabin) - with kids, I'd rent a tent and get it tall enough to stand up in. 8x8 minimum, I think.
Ground sheet to put under a tent to keep the water out.
Sleeping bags
Mattress/pads to go under the sleeping bags
Pillows (I'm a wuss, I need a pillow)

Cooking
We usually cook 1-2 meals over the campfire (dinners) and the rest on the camp stove. I went to goodwill and got most of the cooking stuff and plates (I did plastic to avoid breakage)

Camp stove and fuel (theoretically, you can cook over the fire, but do you really want to have to build a fire to make your morning cup of coffee?)
Camp stove lighter/matches
Firewood
Cooler (for perishables)
Food box (for dry goods - don't forget basics like salt & pepper)
Water carrier/holder for getting water from the campground
water bottles
dishpans (one for washing, one for rinsing)
cooking pans
plates, cups, utensils, bowls, mugs (for cocoa/coffee/tea)
several large spoons and spatulas for cooking
several sharp knives
environmentally friendly dish soap (ours doubles as washing soap for us)
dishcloths
dish towels
rope/clothes line for hanging things up to dry.

First Aid Kit
(I assume that for anything major, we'll have to find a ranger or a hospital)
bandaids
antiseptic of some sort
ace bandage
tweezers
needle (for slivers)
nail clipper
tylenol (for kids and adults)
benadryl (for kids and adults)
anti-itch cream (my kids react badly to bug bites)
sun screen
sunburn lotion (just in case sun screen was applied unevenly and for my dh, who always forgets a spot, and is balding and never remembers to do the top of his head)
bug lotion (I try hard for non-toxic things)
any prescription meds we need

Other gear
Extra rope/twine cause you never know
Flashlights
Lantern
Camp chairs/lawn chairs
Towels
Wash cloths

Clothes (make sure you bring warm things for cool nights), toiletries, other personal items

[lilyka]

I have been camping with my kids since they were little.

Be sure you pack some foods that do not need to be cooked. that way if it is raining or the fire just isn't working out you can eat.

dopn't worry about being clean. but be sure you have warm clothes, cool clothes. dress them on layers and peel or add as needed. everything you brought wil be filthy within minutes. go with it.

bring some slip on shoes for trips to the bathroom. I actually fashioned a porta pot for when the girls were little. They would not use the out houses! We got a huge sandbox bucket from the dollar store (a gallon maybe?) , one of those potty seats you put over your toilet. this fit in the bucket just right. and small waste basket bags to keep the bucket clean


bring toys. camping in and of itself may not be much fun for your little one. I brought some doll house dolls and they found a large hallow chunk of log that made a house. kept them blissfully busy for three days.

another fun thing my kids liked was our hammock. it was the cozy kind you can hang from a tree. it was great fun until we fell through.....

last time we went we stayed in a cabin. glorious!!! especially when it got cold at night. but it also provided us a larger amount of private space than a tent site would have. sometimes tent sites can have you right up your neighbors butt. its kinda irritating. it also minimized the amount of gear we had to take which was helpful as I drive an econo box and have three children and a dog. it was of course more expensive than a tent.

oh....small shovels and rakes have been big hits. as well as buckets and bags for collecting things. bring a ball and or frisbee. you know, outside fun stuff.

[lilyka]

Oh my gosh...bring a killer first aid kit. don't forget hydrocortisone cream. cure a multitude of things.

and bottled water. you never know what you are getting out of the tap. also if you are not opposed stuff to make koolaid. my kids will not drink the camp water straight even though it is clean (it does taste awful) but will drink if it is mixed up as koolaid.

[ollyoxenfree]

If you are considering tent camping, I'd suggest borrowing the tent and more expensive items (stove, lanterns, coolers, etc.), or renting from outdoor outfitters before you invest in a lot of items. You can try a few different things before you decide what works for you. Or buy used - again outfitters often sell used equipment for a good price.

If you are buying a tent, and intend on car camping (so weight and size aren't an issue), then I recommend the tents that can be subdivided into 2 "rooms". It helps to keep the mess of sand/mud/grass etc. in the first compartment where you enter, and you can keep your sleeping area relatively clean and comfortable. It's also convenient if some want to stay up a little later, reading or playing card games etc., but others want to sleep.

Some items we always include:

-I would buy good quality sleeping bags that are rated to low temperatures. Sleeping bags are handy for sleep-overs etc., so even if you don't camp out a lot, you'll probably still use them.

-I prefer to keep a set of pots and pans for camping, rather than use my kitchen stuff on open flames/camp fires etc.

-Extra rope, bungee cords and a tarp always come in handy.

-A decent hatchet or axe for chopping firewood. Even if the site supplies firewood, the logs are often too large and you need to chop some kindling.

[Daffodil]

It sounds like maybe you're not really interested in the minimalist approach - but if you are, the only things you really need that you don't already have are a tent and something soft to sleep on, like an air mattress or foam or Thermarest pads.

If you're car camping in warm weather, you don't need sleeping bags - just take some sheets and blankets and pillows from home. You don't need to cook - just take some food that can be eaten cold.

Here's what I would pack to go car camping with my kids:
tent
foam/Thermarest pads
bedding and pillows
water bottle
plastic bags for trash
food that can be eaten cold
cooler
plates, silverware, paper towels
clothes (including warm jackets for evening)
toothbrushes, comb, etc.
sunscreen
insect repellent
flashlights
books
soap, shampoo, and towels if I might want to take a shower
maybe a folding chair

I might also bring some firewood from our woodshed (along with matches and some newspaper, egg cartons, etc. to help get the fire started.) I didn't usually bother with a fire when I camped alone, but the kids love a campfire. If we have one, they insist on toasting marshmallows.

If the campground has a place to swim, I bring swimsuits, towels, beach toys, and ideally some rope to hang up wet stuff so it can dry. My kids especially love camping anywhere with water.

If your kids like riding bikes and you have room, you might want to bring them along. DD had a lot of fun riding bikes with the girl at a neighboring campsite last summer.

[Cascadian]

Thank you!!! Keep 'em coming...I'm going to print out the thread.

We won't be doing the 'primitive' style until we have a handle on the more, er, comfortable style

[Red Pajama]

I haven't read responses, and it's such a huge topic that don't know where to start. We went on a massive 2 week western tour (camping) this summer.
You have to decide what you want out of it. You can camp in state parks, and enjoy the trails and wilderness areas. Or, you can hit up a KOA or similar place, and have a much more "catered" camping experience. They even have camp cabins.

Tenting requires practice. Cooking outdoors requires practice.

It helps to have a list of all the things you need broken down into sections: Cooking, recreation, safety, clothing, gear, tent set up, etc. And you'll forget things, like clothes line and duct tape, that are really useful when least expected.

It's a fun world to get in to, but daunting at the outset. My advice is start with small, short adventures. When I was introducing camping to my now husband, we started having cookouts at parks, to get the idea of cooking outside. You can set a tent up in your backyard to get how that is.

as for the kids, we bought some sand/digging toys for last year's adventure, so the kids had something to do at the campsite while we set up the tent. It helped.

Good luck, and have fun.

[Cascadian]

Originally Posted by Red Pajama

I haven't read responses, and it's such a huge topic that don't know where to start.

....

It's a fun world to get in to, but daunting at the outset.

THIS is how I'm feeling, more than anything. I'm going to hunt for a 'camping for dummies' or something...

[Storm Bride]

Let's see...combining what's worked for me (haven't camped that much with my kids yet, unfortunately) with what's worked for my family or origin - we camped as a family for 2-3 weeks every summer - and a family I used to camp with as a teen/young adult.

I'd stick to car camping in a campground with pads. Some of them have showers and stuff, but I tend to not like those as well, because they tend to be way more crowded, ime.

General camp
Tent
Sleeping bags
Air mattresses, if you want them (my mom also had some small camping pillows that she'd made for us). Lots of people do well with Thermarest pads, but I need more than that now.
Tarps. I like to have one for a groundsheet, and at least one for above the camp...but I live in the Pacific Northwest, so rain is almost guaranteed at least once.
A lantern.
A heater, if you think it would help.
An axe (or hatchet). This is a cliche, but, yes - I have encountered campers without them, and they don't enjoy it.
A bucket...unless you really want to trek a small child to the outhouse at 2 am. I don't enjoy that so much.
Twine and/or rope. No - you don't have too much, even if you think you do.
Flashlights and batteries.

Kitchen/Meals
If you're a newbie, I'd get a campstove, and cook at least one meal on it before you head out. That way, you'll have the general idea. We've always used a naptha stove, but the propane ones do look simpler.

Pots and pans. I prefer to have dedicated camping gear, and not use the stuff from my kitchen.
Some silverware - not too much, or you're just dealing with more dishes and higher chance of losing stuff.
Plates, bowls and cups (one of each per family member works well, ime)
A couple of extra glasses
A cooler
Paper towel. I find them really useful when I camp.
Some kind of dishpan and soap, plus a sponge or cloth.
We bring a coffee pot, and a filter holder to make coffee in camp.
We like to bring some newspaper, in case we need help starting a fire.

Think ahead about what you want to eat. Two of my favourite camping meals are tinfoil dinners (ground beef, chopped potatoes, carrots and onion, with salt & pepper, wrapped in tinfoil and cooked in the coals of the fire) and ham hash'n'eggs (a skillet meal for breakfast...chopped ham, green pepper and onion, cooked with corn and hash browns, with white aged cheddar melted over top, served with scrambled eggs). We make the tinfoil dinners in camp, with each person customizing their own, so they don't get stuff they don't like, or can double up the carrot, or whatever. I make up the breakfasts ahead of time, except for the hash browns, which need to cook longer than everything else, and the cheese.

We used to do Jiffy-Pop at least once each trip, even though it's really bad for you. We also like to pack cup-a-soup. They're really nice to have handy when someone gets cold or wet and a hot meal is still a way off. Pretty much everything else is just going to depend on what seems to easy to cook. Don't be too ambitious when you're starting out.

Toiletries
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Toothpaste/toothbrushes
Soap
Shampoo, if you use it
Washcloth
Towels for everyone (could fit in clothing, I guess)
Hairbrush...ponytail holders, if applicable
Lip balm

Clothing
The exact amount is going to depend on how long you're gone for, but make sure you have lots of warm stuff, at least one more change of clothes per person than you think you need (in case someone falls in a lake, for instance), and waterproof gear. If you've got them, take extra footwear. I'm pretty relaxed about getting dirty, but it's not fun to have wet, cold feet for days on end, yk?

Recreational
I don't really take much for the kids...mostly just something for in the car and in case of rain (crayons, colouring books - stuff like that), and maybe some sand toys, in case we hit the beach. I never wanted toys when I was camping, and my kids have never wanted them, either. (DS1 does bring his sketchbook, and his juggling equipment, though.)

For me, I bring a few paperbacks (depending on how long we'll be gone), and at least one puzzle book. I also like to have some cards, and maybe a crib board, to play with dh after the kids have gone to bed. A friend used to bring twine to start up some macrame in camp, and everyone took turns at it.

It's fun to bring along a few outdoor things...a frisbee, some of those lawn "darts" with no points, scoops, badminton, whatever. I also like to bring some glow sticks - they can be fun to muck around with in the evening.

A camera.

First-aid kit
What you're going to put in it is going to depend partly on where you are, but definitely bring one. We've rarely needed to use it, but better safe than sorry.

hmm...I should be able to come up with more than this, but I can't think of what at the moment.

[zech13_9_goforgold]

My family camped a lot when I was growing up (5-10x a year, but sometimes the less frequent years had trips that were longer: 4-5 days; most were just weekends) so here are some things I've learned by observation. (BTW: We're in Africa now, so my husband and I will probably try camping here as well)

#1- ALWAYS set up your tent in the yard first. You may have to set up in the dark once you get to camp and it helps to know how things go together. Also, you can take the opportunity to seal the seams of your tent while it's set up in the yard. Maybe "camp" in your yard one night to get your kids used to being outside (if the tent thing is completely new).

#2- Try a "day camping" trip first. Especially since you haven't camped in a long time, it might be a good idea to try an extended picnic at the campground you're checking out. Pack a bbq lunch and some water toys/hiking gear/etc and drive out early in the morning. Spend the day at your "camping spot" and pretend to camp. You can practice starting a fire and get your kids all excited about staying overnight there. Also, you can check to make sure all the conditions at camp are as you like them (bathrooms, water, space, hiking trails...). We also use some of our camping trip time scouting out new spots.

#3- Bring lots of tarps. Lots of them. We use them for laying on the ground between the tents and the dirt (for rain) and hanging them above our tents if the rain is really persistant. When we camp in the rain, we also tarp most of the campsite. We have the largest tarp out can buy (12'x12'?) that we hang over the picnic table. It's really nice to have during hot days as it provides a haven and also keeps the table clean of pine needles (WA/ID camping). We also use tarps to create shade for our coolers. Of course, with all those tarps, you also need a lot of rope

#4- Bring more clothes than you think you'll need and always bring an extra pair of shoes. We've camped many times in the rain, which sometimes have included people sliding down muddy hills (within the camp site) or becoming soaked when someone empties the overhead tarps of water on your head (happens a lot, even when we're trying to be careful). We have also camped in sunny weather where someone has fallen into the lake fully clothed. You should also have a clothesline for drying things off.

#5- First Aid: In the many years of my family camping, we've had lots of need for first aid kits. My mom put our camping first aid kid in a tackle box (a plastic one with lots of compartments). She filled it with the traditional first aid things but also medication that my family might need while away from home. These include pain meds, motion sickness pills (for the mountain roads/car sickness), allergy meds, sinus meds, burn cream.... We have had several times where someone has gotten burned and also lots of scraps and stings. Lots can happen when you're communing with nature

#6- Bring a wasp/yellow jacket trap. We hang ours a little ways outside of our camp or near the garbage bag.

#7- Know what's in the Woods. I don't know where you live or where you're camping, but be mindful of what else is living in the woods too. When we were growing up, we had to watch for bears and cougars. Brief yourself and your kids on what to do if they see bear, moose, snake, cougar.... Usually, your camp host or forest ranger is around of warn you of sightings in the area and also to answer your questions. They are a valuable resource. Get to know your camp host- we have relied upon them many times.

I need to go, but I just wanted to add one final thought. My best family memories are during camping season (my mom calls it "Forced Family Fun"). We had such a great time. The more you camp, the more you will get into a routine and learn what you like. Dive in- this may become your family's favorite vacation and an obsession, like it is with my family.

I'll write more if I have a chance later.

[minkleaf]

For co-sleeping on our queen size air mattress, we use sheets and blankets rather than sleeping bags. My big comfort tip is to put a wool blanket right on top of the mattress under the bottom sheet to keep the air mattress from sucking all the heat from your body. In the Pacific NW, even with warm days we usually still get cool nights. And those cute kid sleeping bags may be nice for sleepovers at friends houses, but aren't really warm enough for sleeping outside.

[Theia]

Subbing. I'll go back and read the posts. But I really want to get myself and 2yo DD to camp at least once this year! I've got most of the equipment we would need for car camping, including a great NF tent, I just need a bit more "how to" info and some friends up for a weekend adventure.

ETA - At this point I'm only camping for DD and myself. My tent is a 4 person tent with a cover over it that extends it's storage area considerably. I lived out of it for 2 months with DD's father (before she came along ). Anyway, if you are car camping, as most people with small children do, then you will want a tent larger than the number of people. For 2 adults car camping, we still had a considerable amount of stuff that we kept in the car for the duration. A small propane gas stove worked great for us, with a cast iron skillet, the high side type. We mostly camped in county parks. Check the differences between national, state and county parks. The national and state parks generally have a much higher volume of people and are a bit more strict, but the county parks are more friendly and such. I totally prefer a campsite that has mostly in-state license plates as opposed to one with mostly out of state tags on the cars. And in where I've camped (mostly PNW), the county parks generally have very similar amenities to the state and nationals, really all I want is potable water and a hot shower if I'm car camping. Anyway, each campsite/campground has it's own personality, so don't write off camping if you have an odd experience at a particular campsite. I've never stayed in a KOA type campground..... they just didn't fit my style. YMMV

I love camping! I can't wait to introduce DD to it!

[velochic]

Lots of great advice.

If you are going to tent camp from a car, I would first attempt it in your back yard for a weekend *as if* you were car camping. Only use the conveniences of the house that you would have at your camp. You will find a lot of gaps and things you've forgotten by doing it this way, however, you still have a safety net.

Good luck! We love camping and have been doing so since dd was about 3. It's great, frugal fun.

[limette]

I don't have any advice other than what's been given but this thread has made me so excited!

We started car camping with the kids last year (they are 2.5 and 4.5 now). It was a blast. We will eventually do more rugged stuff.

I booked our summer trip a couple of weeks ago. I had to book it early to get the best camp site, which I actually missed by several seconds, so we got the second best...lol.

It really is a ton of fun. Just make a list and make sure you have everything you might need, you can adjust it once you've seen what was useful and what wasn't.


Happy Camping!

[Just1More]

If I could suggest, just start small.

Go to a state park, and hike the trails for the morning. Wear good shoes, pack some snacks and water, maybe a picnic. Take a basic first aid kit, and your cell phone, lol. Don't go too deep, and plan to be back for lunch. Throw some extra clothes in the car JIC, but you probably won't need them.

Then, plan a daytrip. Go to a state park again, and pick a longer and more difficult trail. Pack more food, same first aid kit, water, and your phone. Don't forget the camera. Figure to be out for about 6 hours, maybe 8 including eating.

Okay, now pack a WATERPROOF tent. It doesn't have to be huge or expensive. We've always used Eureka. We have a 4 man and a 2 man, but it's starting to get cozy now. (We have 3 children, 5, 2, and 1). Pack one change of clothes, and pajamas if you insist. More food than last time. Back to the state park. Put up your tent at the campground, and pick a trail. No big deal.

Slowly, get braver and braver. You'll have a feel for how much you can do, and how much you need to pack. You won't forget the same thing twice, lol! And, by going to a state park, you usually have the backup of the "campground host", and emergency numbers, and often a "store" of sorts for those extras.

It doesn't have to be a huge, scary undertaking. The first few times, just pack trail mix, and lots of snacky foods. As you get more comfortable, and start staying overnight, you can do cool things like mix up a quick cake and bake it in an orange peel wrapped in foil and put under the coals at the edge of the fire. Apples, peeled but not cut, and put on a stick and roasted over the fire are really good, too. Periodically pull them out and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Eat off that yummy goodness, then repeat until your apple is gone.

People also usually get stuck on the hotdog routine, but you can easily do corn on the cob, or even BLT's. We actually just put our bacon on a stick like a hotdog and cook it over the fire. Dh and the kids look around on the ground for good sticks, and he sharpens the ends with his knife.

We've been known to subsist on banana bread, nuts, and fruit for several days.

Oh, and dh's words to me were "every ounce counts, babe." Pack light, and never take two items when you can make do with one. Figure out all the uses of an item and try not to take more than you HAVE to. It's no fun keeping track of your stuff the whole time you are there. We went camping for a week with a family who moved to the woods. They had a trailer and all SORTS of stuff. It was amazing all they had. We had 2 backpacks, our tent, and a bag of food and a cooler. We ate stuff raw, or cooked over a fire. It's no fun to hike with a pack that's too heavy, either.

Really, just start small and build up. It's NOT a big deal. Really.