A Parent’s Guide to Maintaining Your Sanity While Camping with Children

The phrase “camping with kids” can either make a parent feel excited or completely terrified. Before reality sets in, you picture marshmallows by the fire with laughter resonating through the forest. In reality, you’re imagining toddlers covered in mud, restless nights, and the frantic quest for a restroom at three in the morning.

However, do not yet cancel your campsite reservation. If you prepare properly, camping with children can be a fulfilling experience full of adventure, camaraderie, and priceless memories. Here are some tips for camping with your little wildlings that will help you survive and even have fun.

1. Start Small – Practice Camping at Home

Before heading deep into the woods, try a trial run in your backyard or living room. This gives kids a sense of what to expect and helps you identify what essentials you might have missed. Bonus: if it all falls apart, your comfy bed is just a few steps away.

2. Choose the Right Campsite

Not all campsites are created equal. When camping with kids, look for:

• Proximity to bathrooms
• Flat, shaded ground
• Nearby activities (hiking trails, swimming, nature centers)
• Safe distance from hazards like rivers or cliffs

Some family-friendly campgrounds even have playgrounds or ranger-led kids’ programs.

3. Plan Like a Parent, Pack Like a Scout

You’ll need more than marshmallows and a tent. Here’s a packing checklist of kid-specific essentials:

• Extra clothes (because dirt is inevitable)
• Flashlights/headlamps (plus extra batteries)
• Favorite toys or comfort items
• Baby wipes and hand sanitizer (in industrial quantities)
• Kid-friendly bug spray and sunscreen
• First-aid kit with child-sized supplies
• Rain gear—yes, even if the forecast says 0% chance

And don’t forget the snacks. So. Many. Snacks.

4. Create a Kid-Friendly Camp Routine

Children thrive on routine—even in the wild. Try to stick to familiar mealtimes, naptimes, and bedtimes. Keep bedtime cozy with books, lullabies, and maybe a star-gazing session to ease them into sleep.

Pro tip: glow sticks make great kid-safe nightlights (and help you spot them in the dark).

5. Keep Them Busy, Keep Them Happy

The best way to avoid meltdowns? Keep your little adventurers entertained. Try these fun, nature-based activities:

• Scavenger hunts (look for pinecones, feathers, bugs)
• Rock painting
• Leaf rubbings
• Building a fort with sticks
• Nature Bingo
• S’mores storytelling (each marshmallow = one part of a made-up story)

Even simple things like skipping stones or making mud pies can keep them engaged for hours.

6. Expect (and Embrace) the Chaos

Accept it now: someone will cry. Something will get lost. Someone will pee outside a tent. It’s all part of the fun.

Stay flexible, laugh off the mishaps, and remember—you’re making memories. The dirt can be washed off, and the tantrums will be forgotten. But those photos of your kids roasting marshmallows with sticky grins? Pure gold.

7. Teach “Leave No Trace” (Even the Little Ones)

Camping is a great opportunity to teach kids respect for nature. Start small:

• Pack out all trash
• Stay on trails
• Don’t pick plants or disturb animals
• Use reusable containers and utensils

Kids love feeling like they’re protecting the planet—and you’ll love the teachable moment.

8. Keep Bedtime Comfortable (and Bug-Free)

Sleep is the holy grail of family camping. Ensure everyone gets their Zzz’s with:

• Warm sleeping bags and extra blankets
• A soft pad or air mattress (sleeping on rocks = grumpy kids)
• Mosquito netting over cribs or pack-and-plays
• Favorite stuffed animals and bedtime routines

And yes, it’s okay to bring a tablet with a downloaded movie if all else fails. We won’t judge.

9. Get Kids Involved

Let your kids help set up camp. Assign age-appropriate tasks like:

• Collecting kindling
• Unpacking gear
• Rolling out sleeping bags
• Holding the flashlight during setup

It gives them a sense of responsibility—and wears them out faster.

10. Be Realistic, Not Pinterest-Perfect

Your camping trip won’t look like a curated Instagram reel—and that’s okay. There will be dirt under fingernails, burnt marshmallows, and mismatched socks. But there will also be giggles, stories, and the joy of being fully present with your kids, away from screens and stress.

Final Thoughts

Camping with kids is more than just a weekend away. It’s a chance to teach resilience, spark curiosity, and share laughter under the stars. So pack your patience, prep your gear, and embrace the adventure.

Because while the wild can be unpredictable, so can children—and somehow, that’s exactly what makes it all worth it.

Have a wild time out there—and may your tent always stay upright!