Despite what people often say, camping with children can actually be an enjoyable and valuable experience. Although there isn’t any special equipment that can make camping completely trouble-free, having certain camping gear specifically designed for kids can greatly enhance their involvement and make the experience much easier. Additionally, providing children with their own camping gear can teach them valuable skills and responsibility when it comes to preparing for outdoor activities. It’s a mutually beneficial situation!
The camping equipment for children provided below has been tried and suggested by parents who enjoy the outdoors. Also, make sure to continue reading until the end to discover our additional item if you value getting proper rest.
1. Kid-sized sleeping bag & pad
If you plan on tent camping, especially in colder temperatures at night, it is worth considering purchasing a kid-sized sleeping bag for your child rather than investing in a larger one they can grow into. This is because having excess space in the sleeping bag will require more time and energy to heat, resulting in their little bodies not staying as warm. This lack of warmth for your child may ultimately affect your own comfort as well.
The Kindercamp sleeping bag from REI is a popular choice among families. Another great option that my families love is the Kelty Kids sleeping bags. Alternatively, if you prefer quilts, you can check out the UGC Youth Bandit Quilt.
Additionally, the Z-lite pads are highly recommended by numerous parents as an excellent camping gear option for kids.
2. Kid-sized backpacks and hydration packs
You can easily get your children enthusiastic about hiking and their own drinking by acquiring their own hydration pack. The pack amuses kids, increasing the chances of them staying hydrated on the trail without you needing to constantly remind them.
The Camelback mini system proves to be an excellent choice for young children.
If you prefer not to use a hydration pack and would rather have a backpack to carry their belongings, the REI Tarn 18 is praised by many adventurous parents because it is lightweight and long-lasting. Another option is the Tarn 12, which is slightly smaller and is suitable for camping gear for children as young as 6.
3. Small head lamp and glow sticks make great camping gear for kids
Providing your children with their own source of light can enhance their sense of independence, enabling them to visit the bathhouse unaccompanied or stay awake for reading purposes. The Black Diamond Wiz headlamp serves as an excellent camping essential for kids, as it even has color-changing features. Alternatively, for a more extravagant option, there is the dino headlamp.
Glow sticks can be a great choice for the campground since they offer both illumination and amusement. Glow sticks are practical and enjoyable!
4. Keen SeaCamp Sandals
Sturdy yet flexible sandals that are water friendly are a great option.
5. Kid Cookbook
Take a break and allow your children to prepare a meal one evening. This cookbook is designed with simplicity, making it accessible for children, providing a variety of recipes that are suitable for the entire family. Assign some camp duties to the kids – allow them to take charge of cooking for one evening!
6. Quad Chair
Make sure not to ignore this camping gear for children. It is important to ensure that your kids have their own foldable chairs to sit around the campfire.
7. Binoculars
Any inexpensive set of binoculars will suffice for kids who enjoy exploring.
8. Walkie Talkies
Just as with the binoculars, any inexpensive set will work! These are guaranteed to keep the children entertained at the campsite or while hiking. Walkie Talkies will keep the children entertained and might even prove useful during your hikes!
9. Water Bottle
Before embarking on the trail, it is essential to ensure that your children possess their own long-lasting water bottle.
10. Hammock
If you have children who can read or play quietly, having a hammock while camping can be a wonderful choice. It is especially beneficial for older kids who enjoy reading.
11. Old, durable camera
Children, similar to their parents, also enjoy capturing their adventures. Whether it’s purchasing an inexpensive digital camera or utilizing an old GoPro or point-and-shoot camera that may be available, allow their creativity to flow freely. However, it is important to ensure that the chosen camera is sturdy. It is delightful to observe the subjects that children opt to document.
12. Bucket and shovel
It will be useful to have a cheap collapsible bucket at the campsite. The campers will have a great time exploring and digging around. Utilize your old beach buckets on your camping excursion.
13. Cheap paint and brushes
Rock painting may appear to be an unusual item of camping gear for children, but it can keep them occupied while you complete tasks at the campsite. Simply acquire any old paint set and brushes! Rock painting is an enjoyable and imaginative activity suitable for the campsite.
Other Useful Camping Gears for Kids
LED Camping Lantern for kids
This is an enjoyable method to ensure your child’s location after sunset. Whether it is fully powered or not, our child finds this camping equipment very enjoyable to use indoors for reading in forts, as well as during outdoor camping trips. Additionally, they can be recharged, eliminating the need for battery replacements.
Merino Wool Socks
Merino wool socks are adored by us for camping and traveling! Despite being pricier than a pack of cotton socks, these socks can be worn for several days without washing and will outlast an entire bag of cheap socks. Therefore, it is advisable to purchase a larger size so that your child can wear them for a longer period before outgrowing them. (Merino wool socks would also make fantastic camping presents for the whole family!).
Portable Baby Playyard For Camping
If you are bringing young children camping, it is essential to have this item. A baby playyard that can be easily transported will provide a secure area for your child to play outdoors during the camping trip. This particular one is simple to set up and pack, and comes with a carrying bag.
Camping Highchair
A compact camping highchair is an excellent item of camping gear for children, and it is extremely helpful for parents who wish to bring their youngest child along on a camping adventure. This camping highchair is suitable for use both at home, during a picnic, or when traveling, and the cover can be taken off and washed in a machine. Furthermore, when not in use during the camping trip, the entire highchair conveniently folds up and can be stored in its practical carry bag.
Hiking Backpack Child Carrier
Spending ample time researching and testing various child carrier models, we found Osprey’s Poco Plus to be the best option. This high-quality child carrier, suitable for hiking, is extremely versatile and can be adjusted to fit both the child and the adult, ensuring maximum comfort on long hikes. In addition, it offers ample storage space, a convenient kick-stand for resting, and can accommodate babies weighing as little as 16 pounds up to approximately 45 pounds, making it a long-lasting investment.
Campfire Roasting Sticks
Roasting marshmallows and hotdogs over the campfire is a traditional aspect of childhood camping. These telescopic roasting skewers would be a valuable addition to your child’s camping equipment, available in various colors to enable every child to recognize their own.
Kids’ Trekking Poles
If you plan to do a lot of hiking, trekking poles can be a valuable addition to your child’s camping gear. These poles will assist them in staying stable and maintaining balance, especially when navigating uphill or uneven terrain. They can be personalized with different colors and are perfect for ages 7 and above.
Kids’ Hammock
If you don’t want to share your hammock with your child while camping, this hammock is a fantastic camping accessory for kids. It is affordable, includes all the necessary equipment for setting up at camp, and can be compactly packed down to the size of a baseball. It is ideal for children up to approximately 11 or 12 years old (around 4 1/2 feet in height).
Compass
While there are many children’s “play” compasses available, this one stands out because it is reasonably priced and serves as a genuine compass that allows your child to develop their orienteering skills as they grow.
Their First Pocket Knife
If you’re considering whether your child or teenager is prepared to learn how to use a pocket knife responsibly, the Swiss Army Knife, specifically the camping edition, is a timeless and iconic piece of camping gear for kids. Giving it as a gift can have a lasting impact on them throughout their life.
Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
This portable bluetooth speaker is an excellent addition to your older child’s camping equipment. It can be used by kids to listen to audio books or podcasts, as well as by teenagers who want to enjoy their music while camping. It is quite affordable, can be recharged using USB-C, is waterproof, and has a runtime of up to 24 hours.
Micro Camping Towel Set for Kids
These microfiber towels are an excellent option for camping due to their compact size, ability to absorb a considerable amount of water, and fast drying properties. Thus, if you are searching for a practical camping gift for children (or even for the entire family), this kids’ camping gear is a fantastic choice. Additionally, it is available in various sizes and colors to cater to personal preferences.
