100 Must-Know Tips For Camping With Kids

Camping with kids, whether in an RV or a tent, takes a lot of planning. We promise, among these 100 tips for camping with kids, you will find at least a couple that will make your camping trip the best ever.

An important tip that deserves to be called out is this: USE CHATGPT. Tell it to create a road trip that your kids would find most interesting, along with nearby campgrounds and the amenities each has. It will ask you questions until, together, you uncover some really fun places to camp.

PLANNING & PREP

1. Choose a campground with kid-friendly amenities (playground, lake, hiking trails). Get recommendations on Campendium.
2. Check the weather and plan backup activities for rain.
3. Book early to secure a good spot, especially during peak season.
4. Do a backyard test camp before your trip.
5. Involve kids in picking the destination and activities.
6. Set realistic expectations: it’s about fun, not perfection. Start the journey clear-eyed.
7. Keep drive times short—under 3 hours is ideal with young kids.
8. Print or download maps in case you lose cell service. National and state parks often have free downloadable PDFs on their websites—check the park’s official page before you go.
9. Choose campsites close to bathrooms for younger kids.
10. Plan for downtime—don’t overschedule.

GEAR & PACKING

11. Make a packing list and check items off as you go. Tell ChatGPT, “Help me make a thorough packing list for my family.” You’ll be amazed.
12. Use plastic bins to organize gear by category.
13. Pack clothes in Ziploc bags by outfit per day.
14. Bring extra layers—kids get cold fast.
15. Pack headlamps for every kid (they love them). We actually use these headlamps in our RV and recommend them. They’re handy for every camping trip, for a hundred different reasons.
16. Take a portable potty if the bathrooms are far. This one is only $40 and it will be well worth it to keep you from walking back and forth to a bathroom half a campground away at 2AM, 215AM, and every hour after that.
17. Bring a pop-up shade tent or tarp for sun and rain. This inexpensive shade tent is perfect for a couple of kiddos to get under.
18. Small power banks are a must unless you’re going totally off-grid. We have two in our RV for when we are boondocking and don’t have any electricity.
19. Pack a lightweight broom to keep the tent clean.
20. Store games and toys in a clear bin for easy access.

SLEEPING & COMFORT

21. Bring familiar bedding or a favorite blanket/stuffed animal.
22. Use sleeping pads or inflatable mattresses for comfort.
23. Pack a white noise machine or use a white noise app.
24. Try glow sticks or string lights for nightlights. Glow sticks are non-negotiable when you’re camping with kids.
25. Definitely make sure you have bug bracelets on them in the evening. We have used this brand, but any is probably okay. We keep a drawer full of them right by our door.
26. Use a sleep sack for toddlers for extra warmth if you’re in a tent.
27. Do a wind-down routine similar to home. Ask Chat GPT for some age appropriate stories to tell around the campfire.
28. Don’t forget earplugs—for you. Kids have a lot to say when it gets dark and quiet at a campground.
29. Bring a portable fan for warm nights. They make battery-powered ones if you need.
30. Use blackout shades or blankets in RV windows to keep mornings darker.

FOOD & COOKING

31. Prep meals at home—chop veggies, marinate, pre-cook. Here are 45 make-ahead camping meals that are incredible.
32. Freeze meals to act as extra ice in the cooler.
33. Make campfire meals kids can help with—foil packets, hot dogs, s’mores.
34. Bring a mini picnic table or tray for kid meals.
35. Use a divided camping plate to avoid food touching.
36. Pack lots of snacks—more than you think you need. These cookies would be perfect.
37. Bring marshmallow roasting sticks (extendable ones are best).
38. Use squeeze bottles for pancake batter.
39. Pack a cooler with separate drinks/snacks for easy kid access.
40. Bring extra water for washing hands, dishes, and drinking.

ACTIVITIES & FUN

41. Make a camping scavenger hunt.

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41. Bring bug nets and jars for critter catching.
42. Pack a nature journal and crayons or pencils.
43. Try geocaching—it’s like treasure hunting. The Geocaching app is free to start and offers a great intro to GPS-based treasure hunts for families. Many beginner guides and how-tos are also available on their site.
44. Bring board games and cards for quiet time.
45. Do a simple craft like painting rocks or nature collages.

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46. Pack bikes, scooters, or balance bikes if the campground allows.
47. Take a short hike and let kids set the pace.
48. Have a glow stick dance party after dark.
49. Bring bubbles, chalk, and other simple outdoor toys.
50. Make a nature bracelet. Simply wrap a piece of clear packing tape around your child’s wrist, sticky side out. As you walk, let your child decorate their wrist by sticking flowers, small stones, whatever they want, to the tape.

EDUCATIONAL ELEMENTS

51. Teach kids to identify animal tracks and scat. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offers free printable animal track guides you can download and use on hikes.
52. Learn star constellations together using an app. Free apps like Star Walk and SkyView Lite let you identify stars and planets in real time by pointing your phone at the sky.
53. Make a checklist of birds or insects to spot. The Audubon Society offers free online bird guides and checklists, searchable by region and bird type.
54. Try “leave no trace” activities to build awareness. The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics has free educational resources, games, and lesson plans specifically for kids and families.
55. Show them how to build a fire safely.
56. Teach basic compass or map reading.
57. Discuss different trees, leaves, and their uses.
58. Do a weather observation log (temp, wind, clouds).
59. Practice campfire cooking safety. The Smokey Bear website has kid-friendly videos, games, and safety tips about how to build, manage, and put out campfires properly.
60. Have older kids help set up camp and assign jobs.

SAFETY & HEALTH

61. Bring a kid-specific first aid kit (with fun bandages).
62. Make sure all shoes are closed-toe and sturdy.
63. Give each kid a whistle and teach how to use it if lost.
64. Use brightly colored clothes or reflective gear.
65. Set a boundary line around the campsite they shouldn’t cross.
66. Apply sunscreen and bug spray often.
67. Do tick checks daily.
68. Keep medications in a clearly marked bin.
69. Teach basic wildlife safety (no feeding, stay back, etc.).
70. Store all food and trash properly to avoid animal visits.

ORGANIZATION & CLEANLINESS

71. Have a handwashing station with soap, water, and a towel.
72. Pack lots of baby wipes for faces, hands, and butts.
73. Bring a small mat to wipe feet before entering tent/RV.
74. Use a hanging organizer for toiletries and daily items.
75. Have a “shoe bin” outside the tent or RV. No shoes inside!
76. Pack a mini broom or dustpan.
77. Assign each kid a personal gear bag or cubby.
78. Store toothbrushes in a hanging toiletry bag or cup.
79. Keep flashlights/headlamps stored in one easy-to-reach place.
80. Have a cleanup game before bed—who can tidy the fastest?

RAINY DAY HACKS

81. Bring waterproof boots and rain jackets.
82. Pack a tarp to cover a play area or eating area.
83. Have board games and books ready in a dry bag.
84. Try coloring books, sticker books, or puzzles.
85. Teach simple knot tying under shelter. AnimatedKnots.com has free, step-by-step visual guides that are easy for kids to follow and great for rainy day learning.
86. Make shadow puppets inside the tent.
87. Use the opportunity to do a mini science lesson on rain.
88. Let them splash in puddles—just bring dry clothes!
89. Have a movie downloaded to a tablet just in case.
90. Create a “camping fort” indoors or under the tarp.

MONEY-SAVING IDEAS

91. Borrow or rent gear instead of buying it all.
92. Shop off-season clearance sales for camping stuff.
93. Use thrift stores for camping clothes and toys.
94. DIY your own fire starters (dryer lint + egg carton).
95. Repurpose containers for storage (coffee cans, bins, jars).
96. Make your own trail mix with pantry snacks.
97. Choose state parks—they’re often cheaper than private campgrounds.
98. Cook all meals at camp instead of eating out.
99. Camp with friends and split costs (food, site, gear).
100. Let kids make souvenirs from nature (leaves, rocks, shells—ethically).

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