What You Need to Know – and Bring – If You’re Camping with Kids {& Free Printable Checklist}

Camping with kids requires a little planning ahead, but it can be oh so fun! 

I know.

You’re a little surprised.

Because you’re having trouble imagining why I – of all people! – would be writing about camping with kids.

As I don’t exactly have the reputation of being a happy camper.

And it’s true. I’m not very enthusiastic about camping.

Of course, I have good reasons for this.

Here, I’ll list a few of them for you.

1. I don’t like dirt.
2. I like to sleep in a soft, cozy bed at night.
3. I don’t care for bugs.
4. I love my hot shower. Every morning.
5. I can never seem to find a plug-in for my hair-dryer.

I could go on and on, but that’s really enough to give you the idea, don’t you think?

But I Married a Mountain Man

Apparently, I should have spelled all this out to my husband before we got married because, as it turned out, I got myself a regular Mountain Man.

Let’s put it this way: I was raised in the comfortable Southern California suburbs—while he was growing up in the great wilderness of northern Canada.

Think civilized, warm sandy beaches vs. sub-zero temperatures and grizzly bears.

Basically, I tell people we have a cross-cultural marriage. Although this did not become fully evident until the day we went . . .

CAMPING.

While I was searching for that cute little cabin in the woods, he was off somewhere digging a flat spot in the dirt where he could pitch our tent.

By the time I figured out how that ridiculous rickety camp stove worked . . .

he had built a fire….caught a fish…and had cooked it to perfection over the hot coals.

Screaming Little Fishies

But the clincher – and this really was the clincher! – was the red plastic cup that had been innocently set out on the picnic table in front of our camp.

Our darling toddler had somehow escaped my careful watch and grabbed the bright red cup, and drank down every last drop.

Which was when his Big Sister screamed.

Screamed good and loud and nonstop.

Entire campground-alarm screaming.

Personally, I found it a bit of an overreaction. I mean, yes, it was her red cup, but it full of water and the last I checked? Water was readily replaceable.

But when Big Sissy finally calmed down enough to explain her outburst, she told me the problem wasn’t so much the water . . .

but what was in the water.

Because this was the cup she had used to go “fishing” in the lake that morning. And so this brightly colored cup was full of lake water and . . .

LAKE MINNOWS.

Basically, my sweet baby boy had just swallowed about 147 tiny lake fish. Bunches and bunches of bitty fishes down the hatch.

So then it was my turn to SCREAM.

Something of a screaming duet.

And now you can see why I’m not a huge fan of camping (that, and about 93 other stories just like it).

And why camping with kids is not for the faint of heart.

But also why I’m the perfect person to write up a list for Camping with Kids.

Because, friends, I get it.

You know I do.

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Camping With Kids – A Checklist

So I’ve put together a shortlist of things you might want to pack if you’re up for the adventure. Just a few items – not more than a hundred – that you’ll want to throw in the back of the truck if you’re camping with kids.

And while your husband might complain that you’re “packing as if you’re going up the Amazon,” don’t pay any attention.

Because I’m telling you that this is the stuff that you’re going to need.

Download your FREE Camping-With-Kids Checklist HERE

The End of the Story

Now, in case you’re wondering? There doesn’t seem to be any lasting harm to eating over a hundred live lake minnows in one gulp because the little guy never complained once. He’s reached 17 years old and appears to be just fine.

I mean, he’s turned out to be a very strong swimmer, but I think that’s just a coincidence….?

So with that,  I hope you have many wonderful adventures on your camping trip!

Blessings on your adventures,

Lisa Jacobson