Download My FREE Complete Family Camping List

We just returned from our annual backcountry camping trip, so I thought it was time I shared my complete packing list for camping with kids. A lot of friends and family are surprised that we can enjoy our time camping with 3 kids in tow, but it really is one of our favourite traditions. As I've said in previous posts about Camping with Kids (found here & here), preparation is key to your enjoyment. There is nothing worse than forgetting a vital piece of equipment that means you're left wet, or uncomfortable, or hungry. In an effort to make sure this doesn't happen to any family, I'm sharing my Complete Family Camping List.

Going camping the first time can feel a bit overwhelming due to the sheer amount of gear required. Don't forget you can save your budget by borrowing equipment from friends and family, buying gently used gear from neighbourhood buy and sells, or renting from places like Mountain Equipment Co-op. We registered for camping gear from MEC for our wedding, and have been using it for the last 7 years. It’s amazing to think how many memories these gifts have given our little family. 

I really hope this list makes you feel a little more prepared for camping with a young family, but remember nothing is perfect. You will be bug bitten, covered in grime and smelling less than peachy, but seeing the look on your little one's face when they catch their first crayfish, bite into a perfect s'more, go skinny dipping in a warm lake, or drift off to sleep in your arms watching the sun set, makes it all so worth it. There will probably be tears (for everyone), but trips like this build resiliency and help connect our kids to nature and the environment. For all of those who would prefer to glamp it up in a hotel or cottage instead, have fun! Whatever you do with your littles, know you're doing an awesome job.

CAMPING GEAR: 3 Day Family Trip

• Canoe, Paddles & PFDs (Can be rented at most parks and marinas)

• Collapsable Wagon (Great for hauling kids or gear to walk in sites, or over simple flat portages)

• Container for gear, clothes, toiletries & bedding (Large waterproof dry pacs are ideal or rubbermaid bins for car camping)

• Dry Food Storage (Barrel with Harness or Rubbermaid Bin for cap camping)

• Cooler (pre-freeze water bottles to save ice pack space in the cooler, and have cold clean drinking water)

• Tent, Vestibule & Footprint (or large tarp for underneath tent)

• Bug Shelter

• Sleeping Pad (We use 1 Family Sleeping Pad + 2 Regular Size Sleeping Pads, makes perfect size bed for our family)

• Large bed sheet (Or appropriate for your size mattress)

• Sleeping Bags (Since we sleep with the kids all together, we typically lay out a sheet on the sleeping pad and then use the sleeping bags on top as blankets)

• 2 Large Tarps (for rain shelter, covering gear at night etc)

• 2 Ropes (for tying tarp up to create a rain shelter, hanging food, towing a canoe, clothesline etc)

• 2 Bungee Cords (for attaching stuff to packs or keeping gear closed etc.)

• Lightweight Fold Up Chair for each person

• Booster Seat (lobster style is ideal for attaching to picnic tables)

• Headlamps/Flashlights (*Always check batteries and pack extra. Headlamps and handsfree options are ideal when you have to help small children. Lantern style are also handy)

• Plate, mug, bowl for each person

• Sippy Cups/Bottles for little ones

• Cutlery set for each person

• Lightweight Cutting Board (not a flimsy one)

• Flipper, Tongs, Mixing/Serving Spoon, Bottle Opener

• Sharp Knife x2 (I wrap them in the dish cloth and tea towel with an elastic around them and put them in a bag together before packing into the gear bag)

• Camping Stove with Gas Canisters (Even if you love to cook over the fire it's important to pack a stove in the case of rain, or a sudden fire ban)

• Pots & Pans

• French Coffee Press

• Ove Gloves (or oven mitts)

• Lake Eco Dish Soap (not for use in lake)

• Dish Cloth & Drying Cloth

• Duct Tape

• Tin Foil (for using on grill when cooking veggies etc)

• Paper Towels (In a large ziploc bag to avoid getting ruined from water)

• Ziploc baggies (a few large and small, very useful for keeping things dry if it's a wet trip, putting your map into, or putting leftovers away etc)

• 2 Green garbage bags + a few smaller Kitchen catcher garbage bags for collecting garbage around site and covering things to keep dry if needed.

• Matches/Lighters (Packed in a ziplock bag to keep dry. I typically pack an emergency lighter and matches in our 1st Aid Kit too)

• Pelican Case for valuables e.g. cell phones, car keys, permits, wallets

CAMPING TOILETRIES: 3 Day Family Trip

• Eco-friendly shampoo/body wash (for shower, no soaps are safe for lake use)

• Hair Brush

• Toilet Paper (2 rolls, in separate large ziploc bags to avoid water damage + backup)

• Portable Fold Up Potty (much easier than trekking to the outhouse in the dark)

• Sunscreen, Aftersun

• Bugspray, Afterbite, Bug Jacket, Tick Kit or Tick Remover

• Diapers

• Baby Wipes (for easy hand and face wipes etc)

• Swim towels (Turkish towels and travel towels pack well)

• 2 Face Cloths

• 1st Aid Kit *Get My Downloadable Complete Family First Aid Kit List!

OPTIONAL ITEMS: 3 Day Family Trip

• Baby Carrier (eg. mesh water sling, favourite regular use carrier *consider what carrier would be ideal if you need to rock/walk your little one to sleep in it, backpack style etc.)

• Hammock

• Solar Heated Camping Shower

• Binoculars

• Utility Knife

• Camera

• Cards/Dominos/Travel Backgammon

• Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

• Books

• Picnic Blanket

• Water Toys (Boats, Pails & Shovels)

• Rainy Day Activities *Check out some great ideas in Part 2 of Camping with Kids

CLOTHING: 3 Day Family Trip

• 2 Bathing Suits & UV Shirts (or full piece UV suits)

• 2 Pants

• 2 Shorts

• 3 T-Shirts

• 2 Long Sleeve Shirts

• 1 Sweatshirt

• 2 Socks

• 3 underwear

• Rain Coat & Pants (or full piece rain suit)

• Brimmed Quick Dry Sun Hat

• Sunglasses

• Wet Shoes (eg. Keens)

• Dry Shoes (eg. Running Shoes)

Hope this list helps you have a great time in the outdoors. Happy Camping!

Care

This post is not sponsored but I have linked some of our absolute favourite pieces of gear in case you're looking for some. *Please note that we backcountry camp for about 3 days eg. portage and paddle in site with no running water, no flush toilets, no electricity etc. If you're planning a less rugged trip, feel free to scale back and omit some of these items or pack in any bags or bins you have. You will need to add some items if you're planning a longer or more rugged trip. 

My 7 Tips & Tricks For Camping With Kids – Part 2 of 2

Thanks to everyone who read Part 1 of My Camping with Kids Series My 6 Top Must Haves For Camping With Kids.  Today in Part 2, I’m sharing My 7 Tips & Tricks for Camping with Kids. 

With a few decades of camping trips under my belt, and a couple of years now with kiddos in tow, I have managed to come up with a few things that I hope help you on your next camping adventure.

My 7 Tips & Tricks for Camping With Kids
 
1. Pack in Ziploc Bags: Although we try to minimize how many plastic bags we use at home on a daily basis, ziploc bags are great for packing for camping. They keep things clean and dry and can be reused after the trip. Pack a bag for each category eg. a bag for toilet paper (plus an extra emergency roll); a bag for sunscreen & bugspray; a bag for books & cards etc.

*Please Note: Anything valuable eg. Cell Phone, Camera, GPS, should be kept in something that is guaranteed to be waterproof like a Pelican case. 

2. Freeze Water, Wine & Juice: When you’re camping with kids a cooler of some type is usually necessary. To save space and weight, freeze your water bottles, tetra packs of wine and juice boxes, and use them as freezer packs to keep your dairy, meat and produce cold for a few days. Works like a charm. 

3. Make Baggie Pancakes: We love to make banana blueberry pancakes while camping. To keep it simple I pack the mix (homemade or store bought) into a large ziploc freezer bag and write how much water to add on the outside of the bag. When it’s time to make breakfast I add the water directly into the bag, toss in a ripe peeled banana, zip it up, and have fun mushing it all around. When mixed and ready, I cut a hole in the corner of the bag and squeeze out the mixture onto a hot greased pan. I recommend adding the blueberries by hand, as they tend to block the hole, and if the hole is made too big your mix will pour out too fast.

Cook over the fire or on a camping stove & watch your kids devour them.

4. Pack Clothes You Don’t Mind Getting Dirty: Camping is really really messy. Way messier than you think. Plus campfire smell is pretty strong and can stay in fibres for a long time, even after being laundered. In order to embrace the mess that comes with camping, you need to ditch your kid’s favourite fancy duds at home and bring breathable, comfortable, dark coloured clothes that your kids can have fun in.

5. If You Don’t Have The Gear, Borrow It Or Rent It: If you’re lacking a specific piece of equipment and can’t afford to invest in it right away, reach out and see if any friends or family can loan it to you. Another amazing option is the MEC Equipment Rental. For only a few dollars a day you can rent tents, sleeping bags & food barrels, as well as additional gear for water sports, climbing, snow sports etc. It’s a great option for those needing a short term piece of gear.

6. Keep Snacks Accessible At All Times: Kid’s get hangry (hungry + angry), especially when you’re on the go. Make sure to keep some protein rich snacks and water close at hand, so you can feed them at all times. It’s no fun listening to a kid scream for an entire paddle, portage or hike cause they’re suddenly STARVING!!! Everyone on the lake will thank you for this one.

7. Be Prepared for Emergencies: Minor bumps, bruises, cuts and burns are bound to happen when you’re out exploring the wilderness. Being prepared with a proper 1st Aid Kit is important, but it’s also essential that you know how to deal with some of the more life threatening emergencies that can come up. As a Heart & Stroke Foundation Instructor I highly recommend taking a 1st Aid & CPR Course from an accredited group every few years. Shameless Plug: Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you would like to register for one of my scheduled workshops, or are interested in having me come to teach a workshop for a group in your space (email care@with-care.ca). I offer live and virtual CPR & safety workshops for families, the general public, employees & health care providers. 

I hope My 7 Tips & Tricks For Camping With Kids help you and your little ones have fun & stay safe on your next family adventure. Check out my Complete Family Camping List to help you pack for your next big adventure. Happy Camping!

– Care

My Top 6 Must Haves For Camping With Kids - Part 1 of 2

My hubby and I both grew up loving camping, and have been camping together since we started dating 10 years ago. We have now successfully completed canoe trips while 34 weeks pregnant with a toddler in tow, and recently this July with our 2 little ones, ages 4 years and 21 months. I recognize that camping is not for everyone, but for those of us who love it, there is nothing better than introducing your kids to the great outdoors through a fun family camping trip.

Camping is always a messy adventure, but one we would never trade. Heading into the backcountry gives us a much needed break from technology and work. Time to slow down, enjoy nature, and spend a few days connecting with our kids & the simple pleasures of life. Some of our best family memories have been made camping, and it's amazing to hear our little guy already counting down the days to next summer's trip. He's a camper at heart and it makes his daddy and I so proud.

In order to enjoy camping it's important to prepare in advance and pack well. There are lots of camping packing lists available online (I promise to share mine one day soon), but I want to focus instead on a few key pieces of equipment that I believe can make your family camping experience a great one.

My Top 6 Must Haves for Camping with Kids:

1. Family Size Mattress - Sleep is central to having fun with kids, no matter where you are, so don't forget this key piece of equipment. Last summer we upgraded and purchased the MEC Super Reactor Double Size Mattress and we LOVE it! No more rolling off of our single sized mattresses onto the floor of the tent and no more cold drafts. Plus it rolls up and stores relatively small for a family size mattress (red cylindrical bag in photo) and offers excellent comfort. So worth it!

2. Baby Carrier - Tossing your kiddo up onto your front or back (depending on age, carrier, skill etc) can be a great way to keep them safe while walking a portage, around water or to keep them away from fire or sharps at mealtime prep. If your little one is used to being rocked to sleep at night, walking along the water with the sounds of the waves is a great way to lull them to sleep before transferring them into your tent. *Please make sure to wear supportive shoes while babywearing, especially on uneven ground, to avoid falls.

3. Bug Shelter - Ontario summers are pretty buggy and little ones can have a terrible reaction to bug bites (as we found out this summer with our little Lucy). In order to enjoy our meals and have a place to escape the bugs we always bring our MEC Hootenanny Bug Shelter. It was a big purchase initially, but one that has definitely been worth it on our recent trips. I can't even imagine how many bites Lucy would have had without it!

4. Headlamps - It's freaking dark in the wilderness at night (unless you happen to go camping during a full moon), so be prepared with some good lighting. Headlamps make everything easier, especially when you're dealing with messy kids. Having handsfree while changing a dirty diaper in the dark, or trekking out to the bathroom with a little one at night is so essential. Plus kids LOVE them! *Make sure to check your batteries before each trip and pack a few extras just in case.

5. Booster Seat - Feeding little ones can be a difficult task while camping, so to make it easier bring along a collapsable booster seat. They clip easily onto picnic tables found at most camp sites and mean you can keep baby off your lap while eating so you can enjoy your meal too! Lucy loved it on last years trip.

6. Rainy Day Activities - Although you hope to get perfect weather while camping it can't be guaranteed, so make sure to pack some fun rainy day activities. MEC has some amazing resources on their Camp Big site for families, including some great colouring & activity pages you can print and bring along. Some other great activities that we like to pack include travel board games, cards, board books, play doh and a few toy cars packed in the car caddy I made Ben years ago. You don't need to go overboard but definitely want to be prepared.

I hope my Top 6 Must Haves for Camping With Kids help you in your camping adventures this summer! 

Check out Part 2 of this series My 7 Tips & Tricks For Camping With Kids, plus get my Complete Family Camping List & my Downloadable Family 1st Aid Kit List

- Care