Packing List for Camping with Babies, Toddlers, and Young Children (an excerpt)

Camping with babies, toddlers, and little kids? Fun stuff–when you’re prepared! Read on for extras that can make all the difference. (Above: Our first time tent camping in Yosemite National Park.)

Are you looking forward to (or with minor trepidation toward) an upcoming camping trip with a baby, toddler, or young children? Here is one of the Packing Lists included in the  new edition of Travels with Baby, to help you with extra items–on top of the most expected–to help make your trip as easy and enjoyable as possible. 

Packing List for Camping with Babies, Toddlers, and Young Children

Here are some helpful items to remember for your camping trip with the Junior Ranger.

• Mosquito repellent, including a DEET-free variety for babies or those who prefer (more on pg. 54)
• Glow sticks, bracelets, or necklaces for a nightlight in the tent (and to attach to your free-range child in the evening)
• Hands-free headlamp or wearable light such as the Beam N Read
• Travel bed or bassinet to create a “tent within a tent” in colder regions
• Camp kitchen kit with bowls, spoons, and cups for your new addition(s)
• Easy-prep meal in case rain rules out cooking in your campsite (e.g., extra sandwich fixings, bagels, cereal, pre-cooked pasta)
• Dining booster with tray for baby meal times in camp
• Thermos (with hot water) for keeping a “midnight feeding” or early morning bottle warm and ready in your tent
• Water reservoir with tap with plenty of drinking water
• Warm hats for the whole family
• Sun hats for the whole family
• Two thermal suits for babies (backup in case one gets wet)
• Swim suits for the whole family and swim diapers (where appropriate)
• Child-size swim vest or life jacket (where appropriate)
• Bucket and scoop for frogging or crawdadding
• Butterfly net and bug house
• Toy dump trucks, sand toys, garden tools
• Pop-up sun tent for entertainment or shade by the lake
• Training potty (if currently using at home)
• Anti-itch cream in case of bug bites or rashes (add to Travel Kit, pg. 61)
• Children’s antihistamine in case of bee sting or other allergic reaction (ask pediatrician for advice and current dosage for your child).

(Excerpt from Travels with Baby: The Ultimate Guide for Planning Travel with Your Baby, Toddler, and Preschooler, 2nd edition.)

Camping with babies, toddlers, and young children? Let’s go!

If you’d like more help planning your family camping trips, be sure to check out the section on Camping Trips in Chapter 2, which includes:

• advice on deciding where to go camping and where to stay,
• what to bring,
• what to avoid, and more–
• including tips for back-country camping with babies and toddlers!

Want more ideas and inspiration for camping in California? Check out pins to some of our family’s favorite California camping and road-tripping destinations on my Pinterest boards.