A family camping trip is the best way to spend quality time together, enjoy and learn the great outdoors. You must have the best camping gear for your children, or stress will beat you up to meet all this.
You don’t have to pack everything you own or spend vast sums of money keeping toddlers warm when camping. You only need a few but perfect camping gear to get comfort, good sleep, and a stress-free camp.
Children can be less excited about practical gifts, but it’s still good to appreciate them. The following pieces of camping gear will make their camping trip more memorable.
Sleeping gear for camping
We all know that it’s hard to sleep while camping when you feel cold. Make sure your kids are comfy and warm after the exhaustion from the daytime activities in the woods. Get high-quality sleeping bags that suit lower temperatures than the typical kids’ bags.
You should be able to roll the foot box of the sleeping bag. The bag should be adjustable to fit the size of the kid.
Though kids can sleep on anything, a sleeping pad can be a perfect gear for camping. Select a good quality and inflatable sleeping pad to give your kid a nice sleep. Good sleeping gear will mean the kids will sleep well.
These are the things you can include in the sleeping gear:
1. Tent
The most basic item you’ll require is a tent. The shelter is essential, as you don’t want to be too exposed to the elements — or the bugs. The type of tent you’ll need is important, as it is largely determined by the length of your camping trip, the style of your excursion, and how much walking you intend to do to get to your camping spot.
For example, if you’re going to be hiking a short distance to your campsite, you’ll want a lightweight tent that can easily fit into a backpack. However, if you do a drive-up site, you can get a larger, more heavy-duty tent with more space and potentially more comfortable amenities.
In any case, because this is your first trip, stick with a tent that is simple to unfold and set up; save the bells and whistles for next year. Before you leave for your trip, do a dry run at home to ensure you’re comfortable with the setup process and that you’re not missing anything or becoming too overwhelmed.
2. Sleeping Bag
A sleeping bag is another important item that is required. Again, the style and dimensions of the sleeping bag you’ll require will vary a great deal, largely depending on the location of your camping trip and the weather forecast for that time of year. When planning a camping trip, it is important to take into account the time of year as well as the average temperature, particularly at night. Keep in mind that even the hottest climates can experience freezing temperatures at night, so you will need a sleeping bag that provides adequate insulation against the cold.
3. Sleeping Pad
It doesn’t matter how pillowy or soft the sleeping bag is; if you don’t have proper padding, you’ll still have the impression that you’re sleeping directly on the ground no matter how good the sleeping bag is. Wrap your sleeping bag in a comfortable sleeping pad. And in all honesty, getting enough sleep is pretty much the most important thing you can do to have a good time while camping for the first time. In the same vein as tents and sleeping bags, there are a variety of different styles and sizes available for you to pick from here. The right option for you will be determined by the length of your trip as well as the setting in which you will be camping.
Lighting for camping
It’s the first time your children are sleeping outside. They might get scared, but the quality source of light will make them feel at ease. There are many lighting options in the market that kids will love. Get a durable and high-quality product that you can use even after camping. You can buy headlights, lanterns, and glow sticks.
It is not possible to rely solely on the campfire for lighting once the sun has set. You don’t want to be fumbling around in the dark if you need to leave the tent to use the bathroom, especially after the fire has been put out and you’ve gone to bed. Not only are headlamps small, lightweight, and incredibly easy to pack, but they also make it much simpler to move around the campsite after dark, whether to read in the tent or any other activity. Small camp lamps come in handy not only for reading in the dark but also for lighting up the interior of a tent or an outdoor table. Even if the fire continues to roar, it will make it much easier on the eyes for activities such as playing board games or snacking.
Relaxing camping gear
What’s the probability of your kids staying still while in the camp? Make camping easy for kids by introducing fantastic and fun places to relax. Some kids camping books will help in relaxing kids and even you too.
Some of the relaxing gear for camping include camping hammocks, a camp chair for kids, and a tripod.
It’s now time to set up the rest of your campsite, beginning with the campfire. Simple foldable chairs are essential for lounging around the fire or at the campsite in general. Sure, you can lie on the ground or hang a hammock, but chairs are far more practical, and they make a significant difference in terms of comfort during the day when it’s time to read, eat, or simply relax. You can get chairs that stretch out with leg rests or have cup holders, depending on how fancy you want to get. Again, the size of the chairs to accompany them will be determined by how much walking or hiking you intend to do before setting up camp.
Exploring camping gear
The main aim of camping is to explore and experience nature. Give your kids enough time and space to explore for them to be happy.
Buy the tools that match the kids’ age to make them more appealing. Exploring gear for children are:
- Bikes
- Magnifying glasses
- A seascape
- Miniature cameras
- Binoculars
Playing gear
A camp is all about playing and having fun. What will they do the whole day if not playing? Campsites have different classics that guarantee a good time while in the camp. Will your kid prefer glass area games or sand? Will your kid need a picnic table? Since you can’t stop an injury, you need to protect your child well during playtime. You can buy:
- Cornhole bags
- Rubber horseshoes
- Spike ball, kite
- Bocce ball
- Frisbee
- Paddleball
All these will guarantee children play but make sure they are well protected.
Kitchen gear
Cooking in a camp is more tedious than home cooking. Include the kids in camp cooking and cleaning utensils. Please make sure they always have a bottle of water to stay hydrated all the time.
The eating and cooking gear to buy for your kids include camping dishes, skewers, and a water bottle.
First aid kit
Kids are daring, and it’s hard to rule out injuries in the camp. You need to have a first aid kit even if you don’t plan to engage in vigorous activities. Some of the activities that are prone to injuries are fishing, biking, and hiking. The first aid kit should be well equipped.
Other Things to Bring for Camping
1. Bug Spray and Sunscreen
When it comes to basic comforts and protection bug spray and sunscreen are must-haves. When it comes to camping trips, these are two easy-to-pack items that are required, even if the forecast or temperature does not appear to be. Even on cloudy days, you should still protect your skin from the sun when spending time outside. And it’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to bug spray.
2. Toiletries
Whether or not your campground has designated bathroom and shower facilities, toiletry essentials such as towels, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and toilet paper are essentials you won’t want to forget — even if the campground most likely has some of these items, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you have the room, pack a small toiletry bag with other items you might need or want, such as a comb, brush, travel-sized shampoo, soap, and chapstick.
3. Proper Clothing
Another thing to consider is clothing, which will vary depending on the location of your camping trip, the weather, and the environment, but one surefire rule of thumb is to avoid cotton as much as possible because it absorbs moisture without providing adequate insulation against the cold. Stick to synthetic or wool fabrics instead. Look for long thermal pants and shirts that are lightweight while still providing layers of warming insulation. Bring a couple of sets and keep one set aside for sleeping. Thick socks, a puffy jacket, and gloves are also required. Hats and scarves are optional, but having them in the car as a backup wouldn’t hurt. Pack your clothes with the idea of convenience and layering in mind. When hiking during the day, when you’re most likely to be warm, loose-fitting hiking pants, hiking shoes, a couple of T-shirts or athletic long-sleeves, and a waterproof jacket are your best bets.
Conclusion
Family camping is unforgettable for everyone. Safety comes first in everything, so provide the right gear for your kid. Provide a phone, a walkie Tookie and a whistle for the kid in case of an emergency.