Camping with kids is either the best family experience you'll have or a stressful disaster. The difference isn't luck. It's preparation.
Gear by Age Group
Toddlers (1-3 years)
They put everything in their mouths, they wander, and they have no concept of danger. But they love dirt, sticks, and water more than any other age group.
Essential gear:
- Travel cot or toddler-safe sleeping setup
- Toddler-specific sleeping bag (shorter and warmer)
- Familiar comfort items from home
- Sun hat with chin strap
- Closed-toe shoes for uneven ground
- Portable high chair or booster seat
Create a physical boundary around the campsite. A small play fence or visible rope boundary with flags.
Young Children (4-7 years)
The golden age for camping. Old enough to help, young enough to think collecting firewood is the most exciting thing ever.
Essential gear:
- Kids sleeping bag rated for conditions
- Their own headlamp
- Gumboots for wet conditions
- Daypack for short walks
- Water bottle with their name on it
- Camp chair their size
Give them a job: water bottle carrier, trail marker spotter, nature collector, stick collector.
Older Children (8-12 years)
Can set up their own sleeping area, help cook, and explore with siblings.
Essential gear:
- Adult-style sleeping bag and mat
- Their own torch plus headlamp
- Walkie-talkies for exploring beyond line of sight
- Pocket knife with supervision
- Journal or sketchbook
- Fishing gear if near water
Safety Equipment
First aid additions for kids:
- Children's paracetamol and antihistamine
- Antiseptic cream and adhesive bandages
- Tweezers for splinters
- Insect bite cream
Kidsafe NSW has a solid outdoor safety checklist. Worth reviewing each season.
Water safety: Life jackets near water. Non-negotiable regardless of swimming ability.
Snake awareness: See a snake? Stop, step back slowly, call an adult. Review the St John Ambulance snake bite guide.
Activities That Work
Nature-Based (All Ages)
- Scavenger hunts — find a smooth rock, a feather, something red, animal tracks
- Rock painting — acrylic paints on rocks found at camp
- Bug observation — magnifying glass and bug catcher
- Star gazing — download a star chart app before you lose signal
Structured Activities (Ages 5+)
- Campfire cooking — damper on a stick, marshmallows, jaffle iron
- Photography challenge — give them an old phone and a shot list
- Card games — UNO, Go Fish, travel chess
Rainy Day Backup
Under the tarp: colouring books, reading, storytelling rounds, knot-tying practice.
Sleeping: The Make-or-Break
If kids don't sleep, nobody sleeps.
Temperature: Kids lose body heat faster than adults. Sleeping bag rated at least 5 degrees below expected overnight low.
Familiarity: Bring their pillow from home. A familiar stuffed toy. Something that smells like their bedroom.
Routine: Stick to normal bedtime routine. Teeth brushed, story read, lights out.
Light: A dim glow stick inside the tent. Complete darkness in an unfamiliar place is scary for young kids.
Food and Kids at Camp
Keep it simple. Bring foods they already like. Don't use a camping trip to introduce quinoa salad to a six-year-old.
Snack box system: fill a container with crackers, dried fruit, cheese portions, muesli bars. Kids graze throughout the day.
Our Healthy Camping Menu guide includes kid-friendly meal ideas. For clothing by temperature, see What to Wear at Camp. For a visual packing plan that kids sort themselves using images, the clothing packer is worth bookmarking before any trip. For the full family checklist, What to Take When Going Camping covers all eight kits.
The Golden Rule
Kids mirror your energy. If you're relaxed and having fun, they will too. The trip where it rained all day and you made damper under the tarp will be the one they remember at 25.
Let them get dirty. Let the schedule slide. That's what camping is for. As I say to my daughter "What is the first rule of camping?" Isabella: "We take it slooooow"
If you want the full Ultimate Camping List, it's free on the site. Create an account, save it, tweak it and pack smarter next trip.
Helping you camp with confidence.