Camping with Kids: 10 Steps to a Successful Trip
It may seem terrifying at first. Visions of children covered in dirt and bugs and up all night whining to go home and play with their toys swarm in your worried brain. However, the earlier you get your kids used to camping, the sooner you’ll get to enjoy the great outdoors as a family!
With just a little bit of planning, that nightmare can become the start of a long tradition of delightful camping trips. Let us help you set yourself up for a successful excursion.
1. Backyard Dress Rehearsal
Start small with a backyard dress rehearsal! Set up your tent, roll out the sleeping bags, and fire up the fire pit for s’mores! The point is to get the kids accustomed to the processes and amped about the real thing.
WARNING: Be prepared for a lack of sleep on this first “camping” experience. The excitement can translate into a late night, but better to get it out of the way at home!
Preparing for a backyard overnight
Extra points if you setup your tent before a storm and sleep in the powder!
2. Choose a campsite with lots of activities and plan ahead
If you aren’t planning on dispersed camping, make sure to confirm your campsite reservation ahead of time. Some campsites will need to be reserved 6-9 months ahead of time.
Pick a site with lots of fun activities. Perhaps there’s a playground, canoeing, or horseback riding. Depending on how rustic your surroundings, there could be anything from a pond to skip rocks across to an arcade! Anything to keep the kids active and engaged.
For help finding a campsite we love the dyrt website and app. And since we partner with them, you get a free, one-year dyrt Pro membership when you book with us! Additionally, Parents.com recommends Reserve America and REI suggests Recreation.gov and Hipcamp.
3. Pack lots of snacks and simple meals
Often, the key to a happy kid is a never ending bag of snacks. Bring small snack bites to dish out along hikes. Most kids will hike for gummy bears!
No need to go gourmet when you’re camping with kids. Prepare simple meals, ahead of time if possible, that can be assembled quickly and easily. No need to risk a hangry child!
4. Clothing Matters
Pack layers. The temperature can change drastically from morning to afternoon to evening. Bringing layers that you can add or subtract will keep the kiddos comfortable throughout the day and night.
Pack rain boots! It always seems like the grass is wet or the ground is muddy and what kid can resist a puddle? Sneakers just can't handle the great outdoors. And on that note, be sure to bring water socks to protect the tiny toesies while wading in the ocean, lake or river.
Pack bandanas to use as hankies, napkins, and for spills! It will also limit your non-reusable/recyclable waste.
Don’t forget your poncho and hiking umbrella! The last thing you want is kids without a single dry item to wear. Two words: whining and hypothermia. Neither makes for a positive camping experience.
Digging the latrine hole is great activity for kiddos!
5. Keep ‘em busy!
A busy child is a happy child! Outside of a campsite with activities available, make sure to bring a bag of tricks to distract and entertain the little ones.
Bring favorite toys and games, especially things for use out-of-doors, but don’t forget a few indoor distractions for rainy days.
Bring a few fun surprises! For instance, glow sticks, strings of battery-powered twinkly lights for inside the tent, or be a magician and bring a fire flame colorant. Anything to make it special.
Bring some nature books about native plants, birds, or insects and have the kids explore to find them in the surrounding terrain.
Try camping with friends that have little ones! Their camaraderie will keep your little adventurers safe and busy while you get a little social time of your own.
WARNING: DO NOT forget to pack the S'mores! There’s nothing more magical or memorable than munching on that gooey, sweet treat while sitting by the fire.
6. Stick to the Routine
We all know that children thrive on routine. Try to stay as close to that cherished regimen as you can while traveling.
Pack important sleep items, like their favorite pillows or stuffed animals to give them a sense of comfort.
Try to eat, sleep, and rise at comparable times or intervals to those you would at home.
If you have a nighttime tradition, stick to it! Have them brush their teeth, put on pjs, and sit down for a story and song before lights out.
7. Safety First (...or seventh!)
Making this a positive experience means surviving relatively unscathed. Make safety an enjoyable learning adventure!
Give each child their own whistle and inform them on when it is appropriate to use them.
Walk the kids around the “boundary” of your space, letting them know to stay “in bounds” unless accompanied by an adult.
Bring plenty of sunscreen and bug spray, and a fully stocked first aid kit with character bandaids.
Write your campsite number on the hand of your little explorers, just in case!
Create a Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook type flashcard game to teach the kids what to do in situations like, getting lost, encountering wildlife, or being approached by a stranger. Don’t forget to throw in a couple goofy cards for a good laugh!
8. Plan to get dirty!
No one who is having any fun at all escapes a camping trip without getting dirty. Enjoy it! They are going to have grimy fingernails and muddy shoes, but it’s okay. Stomp in some puddles and eat a little dirt. There’s nothing that a hot bath and a washing machine can’t fix when you get back home.
9. Teamwork and Patience
Camping is the perfect opportunity to learn how to work together. Give the kids little "jobs" to make them feel like valued members of the team and to help them develop their camping skills. Perhaps they can gather kindling for the fire, wash the dishes after meals, or set up the camp chairs—anything that makes them feel useful.
This is also a terrific opportunity to work on your patience. Try to let go of your expectations. Camping with a child is like doing anything else with a child—it’s never going to go as planned! Enjoy the moments, the new experiences, and the awe in the eyes of your children as they discover the great outdoors.
10. Splurge for a Little Comfort!
But seriously now, there is no need to rough it when camping with children. There are enough challenges as it is. You might as well get some good rest and cut out unnecessary complications by riding and sleeping in style.
Titus Adventure Company has several options for vehicles with comfortable sleeping arrangements
Our van "Reba" sleeps 4 indoors and has a heater, which makes it an asset in cold weather.
But little ones also love the rooftop “tree fort” tents on all of our 4x4 rentals. Plus the whole tent has a mattress so there are no cold pockets to roll onto in the night
Either way, you get a comfy mattress for optimal z’s.
All of our vehicles are safe and reliable and our Toyota, Lexus, and Jeep rental vehicles all have tie downs for child seats.
We also have kid and toddler sleeping bags for rent. No need to spend the money buying your own when they’ll just grow out of it in ten minutes!
Happy campers in our iKamper rooftop tent which is fitted onto our large Toyota Sequoia
The views are always better from the roof
Now get out there!
Start small and build on your successes. Create positive memories as the basis for future trips—and have fun! Rediscover the wonder and beauty of the great outdoors through the eyes of your children.
Now that we’ve gotten you excited to explore with your kids, let us help you plan your next adventure! Pick a Denver overlanding rental or a Denver campervan rental from one of our fleet and then check out all our other Colorado camping rentals for options on add-on gear. Contact us today at your one-stop shop for adventure!
Resources and References:
https://www.parents.com/fun/activities/outdoor/19-tips-for-camping-with-kids/
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/camping-kids.html
https://www.reserveamerica.com/
https://rvshare.com/blog/camping-activities/
https://momlovesbest.com/health/swimming/water-shoes-kids
https://morrisonoutdoors.com/collections/all