Camping with Kids: 6 Tips to Make It Fun (and Not a Total Disaster)

Camping with kids can be a core memory kind of experience. It can also be a total mess if you’re not even a little bit prepared.

The good news?

With a little planning, the right mindset, and the understanding that not everything will go perfectly, you can have a blast and make memories you’ll all cherish.

Here are some of my best tips for making camping with kids enjoyable, broken down into easy categories so you don’t forget a thing.

More camping articles:

• Camping Essentials List: 25 Items You’ll Want on Your List
• 27 Camping Lunch Ideas (Easy & Tasty!)

Camping with Kids

If you’re thinking about taking your kids camping, it can feel a little overwhelming at first—after all, you’re trading the comfort of your own home for sleeping bags, bugs, and a whole lot of dirt. But trust me, camping with kids doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right mindset and a bit of planning, it can turn into one of the most fun and memorable adventures your family has together.

You might be a seasoned camper or just learning how to pitch a tent, and either way, these tips will help you feel more prepared. The goal is to make your trip smoother, more enjoyable, and full of the kind of moments your kids will talk about for years. So, let’s get to the good stuff!

1. Planning the Trip: Keep It Simple

You don’t have to go on a wild, off-the-grid adventure to have a great time. In fact, especially if it’s your first time camping with little ones, the simpler the better.

Keep these things in mind when picking a spot:

• Choose a drive-up site or campground with amenities (restrooms, water, maybe even showers).
• Look for a location that’s not too far from home in case things go sideways.
• Make sure there are kid-friendly activities nearby—think nature trails, calm lakes, or even a playground.
• Check the weather ahead of time. Camping in the pouring rain is not the vibe with kids in tow.

2. Packing: The Real MVP of Camping

Overpacking is better than underpacking when kids are involved. You don’t need to bring the whole house, but you do want to be prepared for messes, weather changes, and boredom.

Don’t forget these kid-approved camping must-haves:

• Layers of clothing (mornings and nights can get chilly even in summer).
• Extra socks and shoes (because someone will step in the creek).
• A small bin of toys—think bubbles, glow sticks, card games, and maybe one comfort toy.
• First-aid kit (Band-Aids are basically stickers in the wild).
• Snacks. All the snacks. Way more than you think you’ll need.
• Wet wipes. And then more wet wipes.

More Reading: Camping with Kids Packing Tips & Checklist

3. Meals: Keep It Easy and Kid-Friendly

You don’t need to turn into a gourmet campfire chef. Simple meals win. Kids are usually too excited to eat much anyway, so don’t overthink it.

Ideas for no-fuss camping meals with kids:

• Hot dogs over the fire (a classic for a reason)
• Pre-made foil packets (throw in chopped veggies, chicken or sausage, and a drizzle of olive oil)
• Granola bars, trail mix, apples, bananas—easy grab-and-go stuff
• Pancakes or oatmeal for breakfast (you can pre-mix the dry ingredients)
• S’mores. Obviously.

Bonus tip: Have one or two “backup” meals in case fire cooking goes wrong. PB&J saves lives out there.

More reading: 65 Fun Campfire Food Ideas for Easy Outdoor Cooking

4. Entertainment: Keep Them Busy (But Not Too Busy)

Nature is the entertainment, but it helps to have a few planned activities to keep things interesting. You don’t need an itinerary, just a loose idea of how to keep boredom at bay.

Kid-approved camping fun:

• Nature scavenger hunts (find a feather, something round, something green, etc.)
• Campfire stories (silly, spooky, or totally made-up)
• Let them help with simple camp chores like collecting kindling or stirring food
• Stargazing with blankets and a flashlight
• Quiet time activities for the tent—coloring books, playing cards, or storytime

More to read: 41+ Fun Camping Activities For Toddlers & Preschoolers

5. Sleep: The Make-It-or-Break-It Factor

Let’s be honest—sleeping in a tent with kids is a toss-up. Some will zonk right out from the fresh air and running around all day. Others will struggle. A few things can help the odds, though.

How to make bedtime a little smoother:

• Stick (somewhat) to your usual bedtime routine—PJs, books, a snuggle, etc.
• Bring a familiar pillow or blanket from home for comfort.
• If they’re nervous, a little battery-powered nightlight or headlamp helps.
• Let them run wild before bed to get that energy out—nature is your playground.

6. Mindset: Expect the Unexpected

You can plan the perfect trip and still have curveballs—unexpected rain, skinned knees, or kids who just aren’t feeling it. That’s okay. The point of camping with kids isn’t perfection, it’s togetherness.

Give yourself grace. Give your kids grace. Laugh when things go a little sideways. And if all else fails—there’s no shame in packing up early or grabbing a hotel for the night. You tried, and that counts.

Final Thoughts

Camping with kids can be chaotic, messy, beautiful, and unforgettable—all rolled into one. The key is staying flexible and not aiming for perfect. The memories you’ll make around the campfire, under the stars, and during those early morning walks in the woods? Those are the moments that stick.

And honestly, kids don’t remember the burnt marshmallows or the bugs—they remember the magic of being outside with their people.

So pack up the snacks, roll with the chaos, and go make some memories.

Pin for later