I feel like everyone should go camping with family. At least try it once and if your family can’t stand it or hack it then at least you tried. But with that said truly give it your all and try to make the most of that trip. You can’t really say you “tried it” if you didn’t give it your all.
I know the outdoors isn’t for everyone but why not? Yes of course there are bugs, creatures, and dirt but honestly, you can get so much from being outdoors.
Families can gain so much from a camping trip together and it’s a great place to build your family’s bond.
When or at what age should you start camping with family? You know your child/children best so do what is right for your family. Usually, toddler age and up is good. If you start them when they are younger, they will be more receptive to the outdoors, bugs, dirt, etc. than compared to a teenager.
But it’s not too late to try it. If you have teenagers, they should join in on camping with the family. It is a great time to create some family fun without the usual distractions at home and great for bonding.
We started camping as a family when my daughter was 18 months old. At that age, she was walking around but still very little. If you start that young, you must be prepared to carry them on most hiking trips and walks. They can do a little walking but on uneven ground, it can be very hard. Also, their little legs get tired easily. Have a child carry pack that you can wear and carry them in.
What do you need for a family camping trip? You need a lot of items for a camping trip which is why some people may avoid this outing. A tent is the main item you need as we all need some type of shelter from the rain and weather.
I would personally buy a new one or borrow from someone who knows their tent is up to par. The last thing you want is to be out in the cold and have rain coming through your tent. On one of our last camping trips, we had a hard time with our tent because it was just too old and the weatherproofing layer had just basically been worn off.
I’d suggest putting up your tent in your backyard. 1) Remind you how to put one up so you can do it fast at the campground. Especially if getting there late, without much daylight, or if you will have to set up in the dark.
2) Use a water hose and spray the tent to make sure that it doesn’t leak. If it does you will know that you should get a different or new tent to take. Make sure you let the tent dry thoroughly before packing it.
If you can prepare ahead of time and borrow or rent items, it can be more affordable. Also don’t forget about looking at second-hand shops or garage sales. You can find some items and get them cheap.
As I strayed off from the question of what you need for a family camping trip. I will list all the items we take on our trips. With the list of course you may want to change some items to accommodate your family’s needs. As you take your first camping trip with your family you will learn as you go what items you really need and what works best for your family.
What to take when camping with family
- Tent with rain flap, tent stakes, and tarp to go under the tent. – Make sure it won’t leak if it rains, so do as I mentioned above.
- Extra tarp for hanging if needing to make shade or to use at the entrance of the tent on the ground. – Tarps can help keep the tent clean and dry
- Cot or blow-up air mattress with air pump. A blow-up mattress can be great but if you have rocky hard ground, you could easily make a hole in it.
- You could use a pad like a foam pad to put down and then use sleeping bags on top of that. We used to do air mattresses, but I really prefer a cot now.
- We bought some camping cots secondhand and wow, those really helped me sleep. I’m not one to be able to sleep on hard ground. The cot also keeps you off the ground, which is great for many reasons. I especially liked that it kept me warmer.
- Sometimes the ground inside the tent can get moisture on it and feel cold or wet. Or if in the rain sometimes it can seep through if your tent isn’t up to par. The worst case is when you have some leaks, and the inside of the tent gets wet. If you get up off the ground, it can really be a great benefit. The cots we have actually come apart and fold up nicely, so they don’t take up a lot of room in the car or in storage.
- Sleeping bag, blankets, and pillows. – This goes without saying but you want to make sure that you are nice and warm. If it is warm where you are you could use it for an extra comfy cushioned bed instead of bundling up. Some outdoor places can really cool down at night so be prepared so you and your family don’t freeze.
- Camping chairs/folding chairs. – Some type of chair that you can sit in while fishing, around the campfire or to sit in while eating.
- Folding table – If needed or wanted, otherwise use the picnic table if you have one there.
- Lantern – Can be propane or battery-operated. You will want at least one big light source at your camp.
- Flashlights – You will want multiple flashlights. It’s great to have one per person so if you are out walking in the dark. Especially to go to the bathroom.
- Camp stove and propane, charcoal, firewood. – Depending on what your campsite does or doesn’t offer you will want to be prepared to cook some food. Some places may have fire pits or barbecue grills but not all. And some may not let you have open fires during a burn ban. Be prepared so you have a way to cook some food for your family.
- Pots, pans, aluminum foil, cooking utensils. – Make sure you have what you need to cook food in or with.
- Roasting sticks – Of course, you can use some sticks out where you are camping. But I like to use retractable roasting sticks to roast hotdogs or marshmallows.
- Bins for washing dishes in, dish soap, dish towel, and sponge. – Even out camping you still must wash some dishes.
- Hand soap and towel or paper towels – You will need these to wash your hands.
- Plastic utensils, paper plates, cups, and paper towels – You will need those disposable items unless you have camping utensils and camping dishes.
- Coffee mug – Coffee press – Kettle or Percolator – Whatever you need for some hot coffee or hot cocoa.
- Lighter – Matches – Firestarter – I suggest an easy way to produce fire fast. And I usually prefer having a butane lighter.
- Dry bag – A dry bag is great to have in case it rains. Or when out on a fun boat ride, canoe or kayak ride, or fishing. It’s great to keep all your valuables in throughout your trip to stay dry in case of rain or if you are out in or near water.
- Cooler – This of course is a must-have. You need a really good cooler. Or maybe two coolers. With my family, we use more than one cooler to store all of our cold food and drinks. It’s nice to have one cooler for food and the other one for only drinks.
- Check out the area ahead of time and see where the nearest gas station is or place to restock your ice. In some cases where you will be in a very remote area a big chunk of dry ice might be best for you.
- Bug spray is a must. – Even if you don’t have mosquitoes there are other bugs that you want to protect yourself from. Especially for kids out playing in the grass, trees, or wooded areas.
- You want to always check for ticks on your kids before bed. I know I may have scared some of you with that statement but in the outdoors things like that may happen.
- We did have one of those occurrences where we found a tick on one of our kids and I about freaked out. But now I’m prepared. I bought a tick remover and yes it really does work well and gets the whole tick out even with its head. I highly suggest buying one of those and being prepared. With that said we have gone on so many camping trips and all in all we only had 1 kid with 1 tick so it may not ever happen to you.
- Sunscreen – sunglasses – hat – You might end up in a shaded area. But out hiking or at or on a lake you will need some sunscreen and ways to shield yourself from the sun.
- First Aid kit – You never know when or if you will need it but be prepared. Even little scrapes and cuts can need a little attention on those little ones. And as a parent you know sometimes all they need is a kiss and a little band aide and they are good to go.
- Axe – small shovel – an axe will help in chopping some wood for a fire. A shovel can help with moving hot coals around or putting dirt on the fire to put it out.
- Life vest – water shoes – swimsuit – beach towel – all those items will be great if you have a lake, beach, river, or water source near you.
- Fishing pole and gear – this is great if you have an area, you can fish in. It’s fun to teach your kids how to fish and the patience it can take.
- Rope – You can use a rope to string across between trees to use, like a clothes hanger to dry clothes or towels.
- A Rain jacket and clothing according to the weather, and a coat if needed. Dress and pack according to the weather but have warm clothes, especially for the evenings as most places can cool down at night.
- Portable potty – If you are potty training or have small kids it’s a good idea to bring along your small portable potty.
- Water jugs or water bottles – make sure that you have plenty of water for your trip.
- Food – Pack plenty of food, snacks, and condiments. Make sure that you plan your meals ahead of time to bring all that you need. It’s a good idea to prep food ahead of time so it can make life easier for you while enjoying nature.
- Trash bags – zip lock baggies – pot holders – extra things like those are usually needed and wanted.
Okay, so now I know what you are thinking – Holy Cow! That’s a lot of stuff for camping with a family and yes, it is. But I think it’s worth all the hassle. A camping trip is great for families. It is a great way for families to connect without all the normal distractions at home. You can all work as a team to set up camp and cook while camping out together.
For Kids, these are some additional items to bring for fun family camping
- Don’t forget a snugly or stuffed animal that your kid enjoys sleeping with so that they can get some sleep.
- Small toy cars – Toys – Little people figures or barbies that your little ones can play with, in the dirt. My son loved playing with his little cars creating roads and driving them around in the dirt and rocks. Little people figures are also fun to play with. They can create houses out of sticks and rocks.
- Football to toss around and play catch. Or maybe a frisbee.
- Sand toys that can be used in water, sand, or dirt. Bucket or pail, shovel, net to catch small fish or tadpoles. Or to collect rocks, and other items that they find.
- Deck of cards or games you can play with your kids in the evening if wanted or on a rainy day if that happens.
- Book/books – Don’t forget to get in that bedtime story or just chill for a little while reading out in nature.
You really don’t have to bring toys. Find other items out in nature to play with or do.
- Take the time to let your kids hunt for rocks, pinecones, and other things. They can even take them home to make a craft out of.
- Go on a nature hunt/walk have a show and tell afterwards of what all you found, that could include pictures too.
- Have a scavenger hunt where you have a list of things you must find/see to mark it off the list.
- Talk with the visitor center if there is one. They can let you know of any organized activities, walks/hikes, or kid’s programs. They may even have a special book, sticker, or special item for the kids.
- You can make boats to float on the water with just bark from a tree, a stick, and a leaf, or use your imagination. When I was young, we used dry cow patties with a stick through it and a leaf for the sail. I know Yuck! But kids are kids and it’s great to let them have fun and be creative.
Hopefully you can imagine camping with family and actually go and do it.
It truly is a great place to relax, enjoy nature, and spend some great quality time with your family.
What family camping means to me. Fun and happy times being out in nature. It really has been a great place for my kids to build on their sibling bond along with us all building our family bond. When you are out camping it works best to have teamwork. This is a place where you can cook together, make a tent, and fix up a camping spot together in a different atmosphere/scenery than home. It really is a great place to have some fun family time.
Camping with my family has been one of my greatest memories. You can get back to the simple things in life and really have some quality time with each other.
So, plan that family camping trip now!