Camping gear for kids that will make your trip easier

Kids and camping go together like fire and marshmallows…unless you’re unprepared and don’t have the right gear. Then it really sucks. And although it’s never a sucky idea to get the kids outdoors on a classic caravan or camping trip, your holiday will go smoother if you do a bit of prep work first.

You don’t need to spend a lot of money but there are a few essential items that will make your camping trip a hell of a lot easier if you have them. Here are our camping gear must-haves for kids, starting with the essentials and finishing off with the ‘nice to haves’.

Just to be clear, we don’t receive any commissions from these recommendations and the brands recommended are for your convenience only. They have not paid us to recommend them. 

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Kids camping gear essentials

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Chairs

Do you know why camping chairs are essential when it comes to camping gear for kids? Because if they don’t have one, they will sit on you for the entirety of your camping trip. Kiddy cuddles are great and all that but every parent has at some point asked for a bit of personal space for five damn minutes. You’ll find kids camping chairs at camping stores and most large department stores. 

If you know the kids will sit all over you regardless of whether they have their own chairs, check out these double chairs or consider a blow-up sofa with an old sheet thrown on top. These are really versatile as far as kids camping gear goes as really, they can be used by all ages.

Bedding

Caravans and tents are not designed with infants in mind so if you’re enjoying the great outdoors with an infant, you’re probably going to need a portable option for nap time. If you normally co-sleep, just remember that a caravan or camper trailer bed is often higher off the ground than your bed at home so it’s a good idea to place yourself between your child and the edge of the bed.

These two kids camping gear options are great for infants with the first one being my favourite because it provides a little shade for the outdoors and babies can’t undo zips. Well, most of them.

If your caravan doesn’t have the space or suitable bedding for older kids, there are a number of choices on the market depending on their age and privacy needs. Try these kids camping gear options for sleeping below:

Sleeping bags

You might be tempted to get an adult-sized sleeping bag for the kids so they can grow into it but there are two main reasons you shouldn’t.  The first is a safety issue. Younger kids can wiggle down the bottom of the bag in their sleep and potentially suffocate or get stuck and panic. The second is a warmth issue. A child in an adult bag means a lot more air space so it’s harder for their body heat to warm up the space around them.

Kids sleeping bags can be found at nearly all camping shops and large department stores. The type you get will depend on the temperatures and seasons you are camping in.

Torches

The kids are going to want their own torch or lantern, especially younger kids. And if they don’t have one, they will probably use your good one and then either lose it or accidentally break it. I recommend a solar torch so you don’t have to keep replacing batteries although younger kids seem to gravitate towards these novelty ones.

Torches make great kids’ camping gear gifts!

Handwashing station

While not very exciting as far as camping gear for kids goes, it is nonetheless, an essential item. If your caravan or camper doesn’t have a sink with a tap, you will need to set up a hand washing station. It’s super easy. Just a water container or sorts, soap and a hand-drying towel on a table will suffice. Science has already proven that hand-washing prevents the spread of germs and nobody wants gastro to rip through the family on a camping trip.

Something to play with both indoors and out

Outdoor entertainment is a given, whether it’s a soccer ball, beach cricket set, push bikes or rope toss. But make sure they have a few indoor games for when the weather turns bad. A set of Uno cards doesn’t take up much space and neither does a tablet or phone for movies.

Appropriate clothing

We’re usually thinking of sun-safe clothing for kids when camping but you need to think about whether the gear is suitable for the season and activities you’ll be doing. If you’re winter camping then obviously you might need some thermals and if you plan to be out on the water a lot, younger kids may need a life jacket. Appropriate foot cover around the campsite is a must.

Shade

Most caravans and campers have an awning but if it doesn’t, or you are tent camping and there is no tree shade cover, you’ll need to come up with something to protect everyone from the sun. 

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Bonus camping gear for kids

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Walkie talkie

Not only are they a fun novelty for kids, but they also give them some independence around the campground. Hang one around their neck while they’re off playing tag or use it for peace of mind when you’re hiking and they outpace you on the trail. 

Marshmallow fork

I know, I know, why can’t they just go find a stick like we used to? They’re really just a cool novelty as far as kids’ camping gear goes and to be honest, I like these just as much as the kids. 

Chill zone

Create a chill zone for when the kids need some time out as it’s great to have a cozy spot for them to calm down and relax. Okay, this spot is for me. Either way, it’s nice to have a spot to chill for a while.

Water sports

Caravan and camping trips go hand in hand with fun in the sun on the water in Australia. These are all great items to take away on your family camping trip and as a bonus, any one of these makes for a great birthday or Christmas present.