Bored kids can be a handful. Roughing it in the wild for a night or two can seem like an eternity if you’re unprepared. No doubt you need to be organized, prepared living without YouTube or gaming, and add a few camping hacks with kids. Basically, envision every possible scenario in your camping trip and pack anything you need to get through it.

What will they eat? How will you keep the bugs away? What if it rains? What if it gets too hot? How will you deal with scrapes and bruises? What if they need to go in the middle of the night? Will classic camping games be enough to entertain themselves?

Here are our top 10 camping hacks with kids to ensure everything runs smoothly.


What Are Some Essential Camping Hacks When Camping with Kids?

When camping with kids, consider these hacks for a smooth experience:

  • Pre-Camp Practice: Set up a pop up tent in your backyard for a trial run. This familiarizes kids with camping and helps identify any missing essentials.
  • Pack Smart: Bring extra clothes for kids, as they tend to get dirtier and wetter. Include waterproof gear and layers for temperature changes.
  • Safety First: Teach kids basic safety rules like staying within sight, what to do if they get lost, and how to identify poisonous plants and dangerous wildlife.
  • Entertainment Kit: Pack a kit with books, games, and simple crafts to keep kids engaged during downtime.
  • Snack Packs: Prepare individual snack packs to manage hunger pangs easily.

Food Prep Hacks

1. Camping Hacks With Kids 101: Plan and Prep Meals in Advance

Babies and toddlers can get quite fussy when they’re hungry. Add on the fact that you’re miles away from home, and you have the perfect recipe for a disastrous camping trip.

The first thing you should do before leaving home is come up with a meal plan. That’s right. Sit down, get a pen and notebook, and plan out every meal you’ll have for every day of your trip. We’re talking—main meals and snacks. Also, don’t forget about bringing your camping caffeine fix either.

Keep in mind that camping isn’t the time to test out fancy multi-course meals. Keep it simple.

Without a doubt, bring food you can easily reheat, like stews, classic chilis, and stews. For the snacks, you can’t go wrong with muffins, granola or protein bars, roasted nuts, fruits, and pepperoni sticks. You get the gist.

Portable Camping Stoves

BioLite Camp Stove
BioLite Camp Stove
Barebones Cowboy Fire Pit Grill
Barebones Cowboy Fire Pit 23-Inch - Open Fire...

2. Food Packing Hacks

Stocking up on the food you’ll need during your camping trips is one thing. Packing everything properly into a Yeti ice chest or cooler alternatives, so you don’t end up with a soggy mess is an entirely different beast. Here are some camping with kids hacks, and what you need to do:

  • Freeze as much food as you can to keep everything fresh for longer.
  • Stack your food into layers based on the order you’ll need them.
  • If you’re running low on space, remove items from their original packaging, but only if it makes sense.
  • If your family is big on flavor, re-use small condiment containers and tic-tac boxes for spices.
  • Pre-whip pancake batter ahead of time and store it in a clean bottle for a quick and easy breakfast. Do the same for scrambled eggs.

Food Storage Containers

Hydro Flask 28 oz Insulated Food Jar
Hydro Flask 28 oz Insulated Food Jar
BearVault BV 450 Solo Food Canister
BearVault Canister for Backpacking

Tent and Setup Hacks

3. Load Your Car in the Order of Things You’ll Need

When packing your camping gear and hiking gear, use clear waterproof tubs to make it easier to find things. Ensure you label each bin and store similar items together. For reference, camping supplies can be organized into six main categories:

  • Food and snacks
  • Kitchen supplies, Multi-purpose camping cookware, durable ice chests like Yeti
  • Clothes and shoes
  • Toiletries
  • Sleeping equipment such as tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, etc.
  • Toys and game supplies or camping activities

Once you have everything you’ll need, visualize how you intend to set up camp and load your car in the order of things you’ll need. You don’t want to learn this the hard way. Things like tents and sleeping equipment should be easily accessible.

Camping gear and cookware organized in a plastic tub for easy access during family camping trips with kids.
Stay organized on your family camping adventure with this clever camping hack! Essentials packed in a tub make cooking a breeze. #CampingWithKids #FamilyCampingHacks

Camping Gear Storage Containers

Rubbermaid Cleverstore Clear Plastic Storage Bins
Rubbermaid Cleverstore 95 Quart Clear Stackable...
HODRANT Kitchen Utensil Caddy
HODRANT Kitchen Utensil Caddy

4. Carry a Tarp for Your Tent

Never go camping without a tarp. You should have at least one for each tent and at least two extra, just in case. You’ll need a tarp inside each tent to layer over the dirt and keep things inside your tent clean and dry, especially if the ground is wet. This makes for a much better camping experience overall.

On sunny days, you can place it over your picnic table for shade. It also comes in handy on rainy days for extra protection.

Tent and Tarp

ALPS Mountaineering Taurus 2 Tent
ALPS Mountaineering Taurus 2 Tent
Big Agnes Deep Creek Tarp
Big Agnes, Deep Creek Tarp, Rooibos/Shale, Medium

Comfort and Safety Hacks

5. Carry a Screened Canopy and Sleep Sack

There’s nothing a kid hates more than bugs; quite frankly, so do grown-ups. Never underestimate the resolve bugs have to kill all the fun during a family camping trip. Bring a screened canopy with you for the little ones to create a safe space to play, sleep, and nap in peace.

If your baby is used to sleeping in a crib, then it would be a good idea to bring a travel Pack-n-Play with you. There’s no harm in having a mosquito net or extra sheet at hand to throw over it for added bug protection. On the other hand, if you intend to camp longer, consider investing in a double camping cot. It’s well worth it for a good night’s rest.

The great outdoors can get pretty chilly at night. A sleep sack is the best way to keep babies and toddlers warm so they can sleep through the night when tent camping. Think of it as a wearable sleeping bag. The heavier it is, the warmer the kids will be during your outdoor adventure.

For bigger kids, look for fun sleeping bags that have a higher temperature rating, so they can stay comfortable during those cool spring nights. There are mummy shaped sleeping bag options that glow in the dark, to colorful patterns that kids love.

Sleeping Bags

AceCamp Glow in The Dark Mummy Sleeping Bag
Glow in The Dark Mummy Sleeping Bag
REDCAMP Kids Mummy Sleeping Bag
REDCAMP Kids Mummy Sleeping Bag for Camping Zipped...

Screen Canopies

Eureka Northern Breeze 12 Screenhouse

Eureka Northern Breeze 12 Screenhouse

Victory Screenhouse Shelter

Victory Screenhouse Shelter

6. Carry a First Aid Kit

Don’t go camping or go on a hike without a first aid kit. Kids are prone to cuts and scrapes while running outdoors, so having a generous supply of band-aids close at hand is necessary. Other essentials every first aid kit must have, include:

  • Antibiotic cream
  • Antihistamine
  • Healing salve
  • Itch-relief cream for kids and adults
  • Paracetamol
  • Pedialyte for rehydration
  • Tick remover
  • Tweezers
  • Gauze

Always be prepared when in the great outdoors.

Camping First Aid Kits

Adventure Medical Kits Smart Travel
Adventure Medical Kits World Travel First Aid...
Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series
Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series

Hygiene Hacks

7. Bring a Portable Potty

A portable potty for your potty-training toddler is an absolute must-have during family camping trips with kids. It is also handy for any child who needs to go frequently. It will save you endless trips to the outhouse, especially at night.

If you’re camping somewhere without an outhouse, DIY poop kits are an absolute must!

Portable Toilets

Zinyeme Portable Camping Toilet
Zinyeme Portable Camping Toilet
Yeacool Potty Hand Trowel
Yeacool Potty Hand Trowel

8. Carry a Portable Bath and Shower

You can never have too many baby wipes when camping with kids. Moreover, they are great for wiping up dirt, spills, surfaces, hands, bottoms; you name it. They are a godsend, particularly when camping at sites that don’t have running water or showers.

If your babies and toddlers like to crawl and play in the dirt, then no amount of baby wipes will get them clean. A great DIY hack is to bring a plastic bin you can fill halfway with water, squirt a little bio-degradable soap in there, and boom! You have a portable bath.

For the kids (and adults) that can’t fit in a bin, also consider investing in a portable outdoor shower. There’s no better feeling than taking a warm shower outdoors.

Portable Shower

Coleman Camp Shower Sprayer
Coleman Camp Shower Sprayer
Yeacool Potty Heliopolis Shower TentTrowel
Heliopolis Shower Tent for camping hacks

Survival Camping with Kids Hacks

9. Carry Bug Repellent

If you’ve experienced the terror of a full-blown bug attack when camping outdoors, then you know it’s no joke. These little creatures are out for blood, descending mercilessly on anyone in the path, leaving you nursing an infinite amount of bug bites.

We’ve found Thermacell bug repellent to be one of the most effective deterrents for bugs. It is a great DEET-free, child-friendly alternative to bug sprays and lotions.

Bug Repellents

Thermacell Rechargeable Mosquito Repellent
Thermacell Rechargeable Mosquito Repellent
Thermacell Mosquito Repellent Lantern
Thermacell Mosquito Repellent Lantern

10. Bring Headlamps and Nighttime Lights

Some form of nighttime lighting is a must-have for camping safety. For the young ones, rechargeable camping headlamps are convenient for both reading and wandering around the campsite at night.

Glow sticks are also a fun accessory and a great camping with kids hack to consider. They can wear them as a bracelet or necklaces so that you can keep track of their whereabouts in the dark. They are also great to hang up in the tent since they give off just the right amount of night to see if anyone needs to get up in the dead of night.

Headlamps

Black Diamond Storm 500-R Headlamp
Black Diamond Storm 500-R Headlamp
BioLite Headlamp 750
BioLite Headlamp 750

How Can I Ensure Safety for Kids While Camping?

Child safety is paramount:

  • Brief on Rules: Set clear boundaries and rules about campsite safety and wandering.
  • First Aid Kit: Always have a well-stocked first aid kit and know basic first aid procedures.
  • Safe Sleeping: Ensure safe and comfortable sleeping arrangements, like proper sleeping bags and secure tents.
  • Hydration and Sun Protection: Keep kids hydrated and protected from the sun with plenty of water, hats, and sunscreen.
  • Buddy System: Implement a buddy system, especially if you have more than one child.

Fun Camping Activities Kids Hacks (Bonus!)

We couldn’t leave you without fun ideas to keep kids entertained without a tablet. If you have zero space left in your car because your camping gear has blocked the rearview mirror, then try these fun camping games.

Make Memories to Last a Lifetime

Camping is a great way to get your kids excited about nature and its majesty. You get to watch them marvel at the star-studded sky and the sound of an owl calling in the distance.

You get to see their eyes light up in awe as they watch tiny bugs working in the dirt and colorful birds singing blissfully in the trees. That’s what they’ll remember about family travel when they’re older.

Use these best family camping hacks in this guide and our camping checklist must-have essentials to make your family camping trip memorable.

In the meantime, if you need a spacious tent for your next outdoor adventure, check out these best multi-roomed tent picks.

Frequently Asked Questions FAQs

What Are Some Quick and Easy Camping Meals Suitable for Kids?

Focus on simple, kid-friendly meals:
Pre-Made Sandwiches: Prepare sandwiches at home for hassle-free lunches.
Hot Dogs and Marshmallows: Classic campfire foods that kids can help cook.
One-Pot Meals: Stews or pasta that require minimal cooking and clean-up.
Snack Boards: Create boards with fruits, cheese, and crackers for easy snacking.
Breakfast Burritos: Pre-make and wrap them in foil to reheat over the campfire.

What Should I Pack for Camping with Kids to Ensure Comfort?

Comfortable camping with kids requires thoughtful packing:
Comfortable Bedding: Bring sleeping pads, air mattresses, or cots, along with warm sleeping bags.
Weather-Appropriate Clothing: Pack for all weather possibilities, including rain gear and warm layers.
Personal Items: Include each child’s favorite small toy or book for comfort.
Portable Chairs: Small camping chairs for kids make sitting around the campfire more comfortable.
Insect Repellent and Gear: Pack bug spray, citronella candles, and possibly a screen house for bug protection.


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Last update on 2025-02-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API