10 Must Haves for Camping with Young Kids
Camping with kids. It’s a bit of a roll of the dice, isn’t it? When it’s good, it’s magic — toasting marshmallows, spotting wildlife, and making memories that will last a lifetime. But when it’s bad? It can feel like a screaming match in a nylon tent at 2 AM while you wonder why you ever left the comfort of your own home.
There’s a fine line between a family adventure and a stress-induced breakdown. Usually, that line comes down to having the right gear and a bit of planning. Below are the 10 essentials that seasoned parents swear by to keep the little ones safe, clean-ish and (most importantly) asleep.
Glow Sticks for Safety and Fun
When the sun goes down in the bush, small kids can become invisible. Crack open a few glow sticks and turn them into bracelets or necklaces. The kids think it’s a party, but you know it’s actually a high-vis tracking device. You can spot them from three campsites away, and it makes them feel safer in the dark.
kid in outdoor setting with glowsticks around their neck
The Emergency Potty
Even if your kids are fully toilet trained, the midnight trek to the campsite drop-toilet can be a bit much. It’s dark, it’s far and there are strange noises. A small portable potty kept in the tent vestibule is a lifesaver. It saves you from putting shoes on in the dark and navigating guy ropes while you’re half-asleep.
Slip-On Shoes That Work
Camping is the reason Crocs were invented. This may not be actually true, but it totally should be. When kids are in and out of the tent fifty times an hour, you do not want to be tying laces every single time. Pack footwear they can manage themselves. If it’s wet, gumboots. If it’s dry, Crocs or slides. If they can slip them on without your help, that’s a win for your sanity.
A person sitting in a camp chair by the beach with crocs on
Head Torches for the Kids
Giving young kids their own handheld torch is a recipe for them losing it in the long grass within five minutes. Give them a head torch instead. It gives them a sense of autonomy and freedom, keeps their hands free for climbing, and because it’s strapped to their head, it’s much harder to lose.
Dedicated “Dirt Toys”
Campsites are essentially giant sandpits. Don’t bring the iPad or the intricate Lego sets. They won’t survive. Bring toys that were born to live in the dirt: buckets, spades, dump trucks, and old kitchen utensils for making mud pies. These toys can take a beating and be hosed off before you pack them back in the car.
Truck toys in a sandpit
Foam Floor Mats for Comfort
For toddlers and crawlers, the ground is hard, cold and covered in bindies. Interlocking foam mats — the kind you use in playrooms — are brilliant for the tent floor or under the awning. They create a comfortable, insulated play area that keeps the chill away from little bodies and saves your knees when you’re down there playing with them.
The "Help Yourself" Snack Box
If you let the kids loose on the main food supply, your 12V fridge will be opened every four minutes, and your battery will be flat by lunch. Protect your power supply by creating a Kid-Only Snack Box. Fill it with fruit, dry biscuits and muesli bars. Tell them they can raid it whenever they want. It gives them independence and keeps your steaks (and beers) safe.
Wearable Sleeping Bags
Little kids are like octopuses. They will wriggle out of a standard sleeping bag the moment they fall asleep. Then they wake up freezing cold at 3 AM and kindly let you know about it. Invest in a sleeping bag suit or a heavy-duty onesie. It ensures they stay warm regardless of how much they toss and turn, meaning you might actually get to sleep until sunrise.
A kid in a sleeping bag, his head peeking out
The Bush Bath Setup
Little kids covered in sunscreen and dust turn into sticky, gritty monsters by the end of the day. But they are often too small (or too scared) for camp showers. Use one of your heavy-duty storage tubs as a bush bath. Boil the billy, fill the tub with warm water, and give them a dunk and a scrub before wrestling them into their pyjamas.
Pre-Cooked Meals
This is the golden rule of family camping. You do not want to be cooking a complex meal from scratch on the first night. You’ll be tired from the drive, and setting up the tent with kids underfoot is exhausting. Pre-cook a bolognese or a stew at home. Reheat it when you arrive. Feed them fast, get them to bed, and then sit back and relax. You’ll thank your past self for the foresight.
Spaghetti Bolognese in a plastic bowl
The Verdict
Camping with kids is high effort, but the payoff is worth it. With the right gear, routines and a few tricks up your sleeve, you can minimise the chaos and focus on the good stuff. Whether you’re heading out on an extended adventure or just an overnighter, these family camping essentials will help make your trip one to remember.
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