Camping with children: how to prepare, what to take for a tent?
When we go camping with children, good preparation is the basis for a successful trip. What to take camping with children, what should be included in the list of necessary accessories? How to spice up a family trip?
In today's article, we suggest what to take for a camping trip, a tent for a summer holiday trip.
What to take on a camping trip with children: Before we start packing, let's do some good research
When we go camping, the packing list will depend on several factors. First of all, we need to determine how long we will be camping? Will we change the place of accommodation every few nights (or maybe even every day?), and thus fold the tent and pack all the camping belongings?
If we plan to stay on one campsite, it is worth taking a larger tent, which takes a bit longer to unfold and fold, but when camping, it provides much more comfort, including: a spacious vestibule means more space for playing and cooking, especially on rainy days .
What to take camping with children when you do not plan to change the camping site often? In this case, it is worth taking inflatable mattresses (one or several) to sleep, which are much more comfortable than sleeping mats or thin self-inflating mats.
What else is worth remembering?
When thinking about what to take camping, remember that the equipment will also depend on the weather forecast in a given region. In the event of many rainy days, it is good to pack even more warm, waterproof clothes and rain boots for everyone. It is also worth considering buying a bivouac sheet, which will additionally protect the tent from getting wet.
What to take on a camping trip, under a tent? Let's check in advance, what the campsite or camping site we choose offers. It is worth knowing, among others:
- What do the toilets look like?
- Are there places for washing dishes, washing machines and drying rooms for laundry (very useful in the event of rainy days), sheds with benches and tables where you can eat a meal?
- Or maybe there are some special facilities at the campsite, e.g. a restaurant, a common room, a playground for children?
When we will check this information, it will be much easier for us to decide what to take camping with children.
What to take camping: a list camping essentials
Sleeping in a tent
Contrary to appearances, summer nights can be damp and cool, so you should take a warm sleeping bag and thicker pajamas or a sleeping tracksuit for everyone. What to take camping - pillows and 1-2 extra blankets are definitely on the list of things that improve sleeping comfort.
As we have already mentioned, it is very comfortable to sleep on inflatable mattresses (you need to take a pump + a sheet), under which we recommend putting mats for additional thermal insulation and protection of the mattress against perforation.
Hygiene at the campsite
Let's take proven products that we use every day (for ourselves and for the child), poured into smaller bottles.
What else should you take when camping with a small child? A complete changing kit will come in handy, incl. diapers, wet wipes, diaper cream and diaper rash cream.
Clothing
What to take on a camping trip, a tent, what to pay special attention to? Let's remember that evenings, nights and mornings on a summer camping trip can be really cold, so let's pack extra tracksuits, a hat, warm pajamas and wool socks for everyone. Rain jackets and shower flip-flops are also mandatory.
First aid kit
It is worth packing in the first aid kit medicines taken on a permanent basis, a proven antipyretic medicine for children, a thermometer, tablets for sore throat, a remedy for diarrhea, a preparation against insects and ticks and an insect bite soothing agent, plasters, gauze swabs, a bandage, a wound disinfectant and hygienic disinfection hands, as well as small scissors, or cream with a high SPF filter for children and adults.
Useful accessories that are worth taking on a camping trip:
- 1-2 tourist lamps that can be placed or suspended from the ceiling;
- battery-powered headlamp (so-called headlamp);
- a small brush and dustpan (they help sweep the ubiquitous sand out of the tent);
- line for washing + clothespins;
- multifunctional pocket knife;
- insulating picnic blanket;
- hammock;
- 1-2 reusable bags and a roll of large garbage bags;
- chargers for all electronic devices, a power adapter and a capacious power bank.
What to take camping with children: what can be useful?
It's definitely worth having with you child's health book with current vaccination card. In the case of older children, we advise you to take them too school ID, eligible for multiple discounts.
When thinking about what to take for a tent, remember that the list of things needed for a camping trip will depend primarily on the age of the child.
2-3 favorite books, a board game, 3-4 small toys, sand set, frisbee will come in handy. You can also consider taking a scooter. For smaller children on a camping trip, baby carriers or slings are also great, in which we can put the baby to sleep while cooking or walking around the campsite. What else to take camping with children? For younger children, a tourist bathtub and a foldable potty may come in handy.
Recommended products
Senior specialist in the Department of Assessment and Cooperation Development, Institute of Mother and Child
What to bring to the tent, when we plan to prepare meals by ourselves?
In addition to a complete camping stove, it is worth taking a small tourist fridge, a folding table and a compact chair for each family member (who can already sit up on their own).
What to take on a camping or tent to goutdoors
We are aware that packing for a family trip in the open air is always a fear that we will forget the basic things without which it will be difficult for us to function outside the home. That is why we suggest what to take with you if you plan to cook outdoors.
List of useful articles for outdoor cooking:
- 2 pots (smaller + larger) and a frying pan;
- a small ladle and a wooden spoon;
- 2 knives and a vegetable peeler;
- cutting board;
- 2 cotton cloths + oven mitt;
- can and bottle opener;
- plastic tableware: plates, bowls, cutlery and cups;
- thermal mug;
- 2 sponges + dishwashing liquid;
- a small plastic bowl;
- lighter and matches.
In the case of small gourmets, what to take under a tent with children will also be a bib, lunch box for snacks, washing liquid for children's accessories and a water bottle.
What to take camping to eat: a list basic products
Going camping, camping, we focus primarily on products that do not require storage at low temperatures. Let's reach for those items from which we can quickly prepare something tasty.
The list of basic products from the “what to take camping” category includes:
- olive oil + basic spices;
- oatmeal, semolina, couscous;
- delicacies;
- pasta;
- canned tomatoes + various canned vegetables + onions;
- dishes preserved in jars: homemade or store-bought (choose those with a good composition).
What of such basic products can be taken camping with children? For a baby, a few ready-made dishes in jars and porridge, which is enough to pour warm water, will probably be useful.
If you plan to cook at the campsite, fresh products such as eggs, bread, cheese, vegetables and fruits can be bought on site at the local shop (some campsites have their own seasonal shops).
