6 Surprising Things I’ve Learned About Camping with Kids
Before having kids, my husband and I spent our anniversaries camping on an island off the coast of Washington State. We’d pitch our tent in the woods and wake to the sound of harbor seals splashing in the waves. Then, when I was pregnant with our firstborn, we went camping in the nearby national forest. I spent the lazy days reading in a hammock by the river, and in the evenings, we sat by the fire, imagining the family camping trips we’d soon take.
The next summer, we returned to the national forest with our six-month-old. Not only did we forget to bring firewood, but within an hour of falling asleep, our daughter woke up inconsolable. Eventually, we packed up our gear and left, grateful the next morning to wake up surrounded by all the comforts of home.
We waited a year to try again and were pleasantly surprised at how fun it was to camp once our daughter was a bit older. Over time, we’ve figured out what works (and doesn’t work), and now family camping trips are one of our favorite pastimes. Here are six things we’ve learned…
1. It doesn’t take much to have fun outdoors.
Our favorite state parks have amenities our kids enjoy, like playgrounds and paddle boat rentals and ice cream stands, but we have the same amount of fun at campgrounds without much entertainment. We’ve learned to pack accordingly. We bring a frisbee and whiffle ball to the campground with the big grassy field; we bring a kite and sand toys to the one with the beach; and we always bring our field guides and binoculars (plus a monocular, which I’ve found is easier for kids to use). With freedom to explore, our kids usually make their own fun. And, this may be breaking all the rules, but when we camp at state parks on the San Juan Islands, we make a vacation out of it, heading into town to browse the bookstore and get coffee and pastries or to (gasp!) eat at a nice restaurant.
2. Camping with children looks different, and that’s okay.
When our youngest was born, we upgraded from our two-person backpacking tent to a family-sized tent (similar), which the kids named Bluey. We also bought a used pop-up camper, which has made camping even more comfortable. (We switch off between the two, depending on the campsite.) When our kids are older, we’ll take them on remote backpacking adventures, but for now, I appreciate the ease. We decorate the camper with stickers from every campground we visit. Older couples walk by and tell us, We used to bring our kids here. Tucked into the camper at night, listening to the sounds of my family breathing, I think, this is all I need to feel at home.
3. Group camping trips are like a big sleepover.
Every year we go on group camping trips with friends, and we always come away from these weekends saying, this is why we camp. The big kids race their bikes in loops around the campground and lead the younger kids in sprawling games of make believe. And it’s fun for the grown ups, too — we enjoy the unhurried time to hang out. Every meal is a potluck, and if you run out of sunscreen or forgot to pack ketchup? There’s always more than enough to go around. After the kids fall sleep, someone puts another log on the fire. Some of us drift off to our tents, and some of us stay up, talking and laughing quietly until it’s time to douse the embers and call it a night.
4. Park rangers are the best.
We’ve found that some state parks have ranger-led nature activities for kids, so it’s something we ask about when checking in. One of my daughter’s favorite memories is the time a park ranger stopped by our campsite with booklets filled with nature-themed puzzles and activities. He promised that once their booklets were completed, they could earn their ‘Junior Park Ranger’ badges. My daughter, who was five at the time, diligently colored her way through the whole book. On the last day of our trip, we stopped at the ranger station. Not only did the ranger on duty bring out a box of wooden badges, he led a very official swearing-in ceremony. I teared up as our kids pledged to care for the land, waterways, and wildlife around us.
5. It’s helpful to take notes for next time.
When it’s time to start packing for a trip, I open the camping checklist I keep in my Notes app. The list keeps getting better over time, since I’m constantly adding anything we wish we’d brought. For food, we chop, dice, and measure out ingredients at home and make as many meals ahead as possible. Because I’m extra, I also like to bake blueberry scones, which we reheat over the fire to enjoy with morning coffee. We use a cast-iron camp cooker for egg sandwiches, which makes breakfast almost as fun as toasting s’mores. While walking around the campground, we keep a note of sites we’d like to reserve for next time and jot down what we liked about them. State parks book up early, so this helps us in late winter when our group chats start buzzing about making reservations.
6. Best of all, our kids remember the good stuff.
When we swap stories about past camping trips, we’re always surprised by what our kids share. They remember the way the stars looked at night while walking to the bathroom, not the runny nose that kept them up late. They remember drinking hot cocoa with marshmallows before breakfast, not the time I cut my palm slicing bagels with a dull knife. They remember listening to audiobooks with their stuffies in the backseat, not the miserable hour my husband and I spent breaking down the campsite in the pouring rain.
Back at home, when our kids wake up and climb into our bed under the eaves, they reach their hands up to touch the low ceiling that slants like a tent above us, and say, It’s just like camping.
Kaitlyn Teer’s debut essay collection Little Apocalypses: Essay on Motherhood, Climate Change, and Hope at the End of the World is out today! She is the senior editor of Big Salad (and you can read her recent Big Salad interview and garden tour here, if you’d like). Kaitlyn lives with her husband and two kids in Bellingham, Washington.
Now, I’d love to hear, do you enjoy camping? What traditions do you look forward to every summer?
P.S. 10 readers share their favorite outdoor activities, and five family vacation ideas.
(Top photo by Dave Hoefler/Unsplash.)
Comments
145 commentsI loved camping with my boys when they were little. They a grown now and none of them goes camping! Boo. So, my husband and I backpack and camp solo. Maybe one day, I’ll be able to camp with my grandkids.
My favourite memories both as a child and as a parent of four are all from tent camping trips in coastal British Columbia. When I was twelve our family of five moved into a trailer on 53 acres of forested waterfront and over the next 33 years (and counting!) built a campground. My advice, as a mum and campground owner: -Start close to home, both the first time ever and the first time each year. This time of year our park is full of locals. Some are from two hours away, some sheepishly admit they live five minutes away. If you’ve forgotten anything, it’s easy to grab, if someone isn’t up for it, it’s easy to go home. -I am not generally much of a meal prepper, but I do prep food for camping trips and pack lots of easy to grab snacks (banana bread, veggies with hummus, trial mix). -Look for secondhand gear, and store it in totes so it’s easy to access. We are all tent campers (as is my 74yo dad), so we keep two totes of gear in our garage; one for car camping, and a smaller one for hiking/kayak/boat camping. A plastic toolbox/tacklebox is a great place to store sharp knives, a lighter/matches, as well as cutlery. And don’t forget a tablecloth; picnic tables see everything. -Camping gear makes great gifts! Over the years my kids have been thrilled to get sleeping bags, therm-a-rests and head lamps for Christmas. My oldest is now big enough to drive and go on trips with friends, so a lightweight camping stove, pots and pans, and a light camp chair have been recent gifts. -As you get older, upgrade to the thicker mattress (for my 40th bday my husband gave me a 4”therm-a-rest and it is bliss). And you don’t have to use sleeping bags traditionally. I have a square toe down bag that we unzip and use a duvet with a double sheet over our two mattresses; it was great when we had little ones we were snuggling, and it’s less constricting now that we’re back to the two of us. -Bring bikes, cards, a ball, basic art supplies, and books (for you and the kids). -Hold on to your pre-kids gear. The big family tent you bought when they were small is temporary and they’ll be asking to sleep in their own tent(s) before you know it. Happy camping everyone!
We have experienced lightning storms, downpours, escaping rattlesnakes and bears, stalled cars / running out of gas/locking keys in the car in the middle of nowhere, forgetting key items (tent stakes! Lighters! S’mores ingredients!) and more on our camping trips. All are now great stories we remember fondly. There is no bad camping trip!
Emerald Bay State Park Campground (Lake Tahoe) The most beautiful camping experience with 3 kids (12,10, 5) and Mom and Dad in a 2-room tent. Kept it very simple so as to enjoy the surroundings. Hikes every day. Kids are now 40, 38 and 33. Go there !
Perfect timing! We’re going on our first family camping trip with our girls (6 & 9) in two weeks, and this makes me even more excited about it.
I don’t have kids but some observations as a camper – bring their bikes and book a site/campground that has a play apparatus. Last year camping, there was a gang of kids biking big loops ALL DAY and then playing in the playground, basically running wild and having so much fun. Our family had a cabin when us kids were young and it was all about the bikes! Although I tent camp, I prefer using the electrified trailer sites. More spacious and surrounded by friendly families, instead of drunken university students. And easy to charge your devices/car in case of emergency. If you’re there more than a couple days, plan a trip into the nearest town for a change of scenery and a meal you didn’t have to make. Re: food. I like to bring the first night’s meal already made (it’s enough work to get the site set up and if you hit traffic, you’re cooking in the dark). I usually do a robust quinoa salad with beans so no need to muck about with the stove. Plenty of time for that later! And I do meal plan to ensure things get used up/don’t spoil. Wieners and beans is always a hit! Also – bush pies made in the handheld sandwich maker over the fire (ham and cheese, or pie filling).
So we spent last night camping in the backyard with my 7 year old son. I never realized how loud it is here in the city! I barely slept with all the noise, between cops, ambulances, helicopters, a car crash, about 40 gunshots, general car noise, etc. Wasn’t quite the same as camping out in the wild lol
I did not grow up camping, but my husband loves to camp. Our first camp outs as a couple were flops – ants, surprisingly loud cows, torrential rain. But now we are a camping family, and I love it! Our kids are 7, 9, and 11. Camping trips are the only times when I feel like we all truly unplug. Sure, the kids bicker sometimes, but they also explore the campground together and make some really precious memories. My favorite part of camping is sitting outside with my coffee and my book, not worrying about laundry or homework. If anyone has tips about good camping recipes, please share. My skills are improving, but we still tend to eat so much salty stuff- chips, chili, hot dogs.
My best breakfast recipe for camping is overnight oats! I make them before we leave home (in little mason jars) and they keep for up to 5 days in an ice chest.
My kids are 5 & 7 and we camp a ton! Lately, we’ve been doing a lot of group camping and we’ve been figuring out a go-to slate of meals that’s easy and tasty. We always have a burger/sausage/hot dog night with lots of fire-roasted veggies, usually whole carrots and asparagus drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with flaky salt. We also do a build-your-own burrito night–someone cooks chicken for the meat eaters, and we make a huge batch of peppers and onions. Plus beans, avocado, fun salsas. There’s always a pre-dinner guacamole with chips, no matter the main meal. Breakfasts are pancakes (we bring out the nutella for camping and the kids have theirs with nutella on top) and adults top them with yogurt, fruit and a peanut butter drizzle OR eggs + breakfast sausage + TJ’s pre-cooked hashbrowns. If you have leftovers from burrito night, you can make a really delicious breakfast burrito with eggs, hashbrowns, avocado, peppers, etc. Lunches are more basic–sandwiches, cheese & crackers. Another easy dinner that sometimes makes the rotation–pasta + tomato sauce or pesto + fresh tomatoes, basil, mozzarella salad + some yummy bread. (Can you tell we’re serious about good food while camping?!)
YES to the Junior Ranger programs!! This has made one of the biggest impacts on my kid’s life- truly transformative. We hesitated at first because my husband and I are not usually ‘organized program’ people, but I’m so glad we got over it. We all get so much out of it, and I really think those experiences have set kiddo on a path for life. We now say ‘Park people are the best people.’
I’m a single mama and have been camping many times a year with my kid since he was 2 (he’s now 10). The first trip that was just the two of us seemed almost impossibly hard, not the camping part itself, but handling all the logistics and planning and packing and unpacking and setting up and all of it. But by the second trip, we had the moves down! My advice: Bring something that you don’t have to cook for breakfast, so that morning clean up is minimal. We usually start our days with something like pumpkin/pecan bread, fresh fruit, and hard-boiled eggs, and then hit the trail. With very little kids, the day might look like walking half a mile and then poking at puddles with a stick. Go with it. Interacting with water makes everything rad. Just make sure that you’re being safe — mountain rivers are no joke. Kids don’t need a bunch of toys and games and pre-planned activities to have fun. Pinecones are toys! Leaves and lichen can be collected to make “sandwiches” to sell at a “deli” (read: stump). Marshmallows are non-negotiable. Bedtime cuddles are the best. I think my kid’s favorite part of camping is getting to sleep RIGHT NEXT TO ME all night. Be at ease. Understand the natural environment that you’re in. Teach your kids to be gentle, quiet, observant in the out of doors. Their curiosity is boundless, and if you look like you’re having a great time, they will too!
Love this, and would love more posts like it!! We live about an hour from the Rocky Mountains and my husband and I love camping, but haven’t gone since our kids were born. They are now 3 and 1.5 and we are so excited to take them this summer, but we need recommendations for a bigger tent and kids’ sleeping bags! Our pre-kids tent is an ultralight 2-person MSR Hubba Hubba and it was perfect for us. We prefer walk-in/hike-in camping spots (the fresher the air and the further from crowds, the better!) so we loved how lightweight it was, but we also don’t like to sacrifice toooo much comfort (no sleeping under an open tarp for us!) so we loved that it had a floor, four walls, a fly, a vestibule, and good ventilation. We’re now looking for those exact same things but a 4-person version, and that size MSR tent doesn’t have great reviews. We know that size with those specs won’t be as light as our old one – we’re willing to go a bit heavier for more space, and we also won’t be hiking/walking in as far as we used to (at least not for the next ten years or so!) but we are going to be carrying a bit more gear now, so a super heavy one won’t work for us. Willing to pay more for a BIFL option, but also don’t have an unlimited budget (the Big Agnes Copper Spur gets recommended a lot, but it’s out of our price range!) For sleeping bags our considerations are that both of our kiddos are very tall, our oldest runs hot, and our youngest runs cold.
My kid and I are Big Agnes all the way for sleeping bags/pads! So cozy, and the integrated sleeping pad deal makes it impossible to squirm off your pad in the night. I’d just look at what bag lengths are available. I’m petite (5’1″) and use the “Roxy Anne.”
We similarly live near the Rocky Mountains and have done very little camping since our kids were born. But the few times we’ve gone – we’ve loved the REI brand kids sleeping bags! They are great because they have a drawstring cinch at the bottom that you can use to shorten and then extend the bag as the kids grow!
In Colorado there are lots of used tents for sale… Facebook marketplace, REI end of season, Boulder Sports Recycler etc. not sure where you are exactly but looking for Big Agnes products that are used might solve the price issue!
Hi! I would love to take my son (7) camping on my own, but I admit I’m terrified! I would love safety advice from any brave women who have camped on your own with kids. It feels so vulnerable! But it also sounds so fun and free!
Go for it! He will love it! Kids behave more careful outdoors than adults think. If you go to a place with playgrounds there will be other kids (and parents). Your son will be part of a kidsgroup with a lots of freedom and parents watching quietly (and feeding). 😆👌 I don’t know how kids are doing that. Somehow it always works that they become friends super quickly.
Briana, I was also hesitant to camp with kids but without my husband, so I cooked up a scheme to go with another mom and her kids and we had the BEST time and it felt so much less intimidating! Now I don’t think twice about loading up the ol’ Subaru and heading to the state park.
Thanks for the encouragement! I had been thinking I would start by tagging along with a braver mom friend! I was raised by a mom who triple checks to door locks each night, so a tent feels very exposed 😅
You don’t have to start with a tent! Some camp grounds have little cabins to rent and you can also rent an RV (they can be delivered!!) like Air BNB but for RVs. Start where you are comfortable. Many campgrounds also offer activities which helps to make playmates. Good luck – you sound like a fun mom!
My husband and I were living in Colorado when our daughter was born, and she had her first hike at less than 6 months old. I love the photo I have of my husband bottle feeding her next to a stream. She’s a spring baby, so the tree covered trails were a welcome cool down away from the sun. We plan on visiting friends back in CO this June to test out camping with her now that she’s two.
Great article!! I think camping as a family is one of our proudest achievements as parents. So many epic memories. Boys age 8 and 11. We now only camp with other families, but it’s so very worth the effort of planning ahead. Happy Camping ahead to anyone ready to add this joy to their life!
I could have written this post! Except that we live and camp (mostly) in California. Because my husband will be having pretty intense knee surgery next month, I will be taking the kids solo this camping season. They are old enough to be helpful and will each bring a friend, so it should be pretty easy and fun! Wish us luck
As a fellow long time camper, who just initiated our 2 year old on her first camp trip last year, could you share your checklist?? I keep one in my Notes app as well and am always looking for good additions / tweaks! Definitely adding that cast iron camp cooker for breakfast sammies!
We grew up calling the “cast iron camp cooker” a “pudgy pie maker.” I’ve never heard it referred to as anything else. It must be a regional thing LOL!
https://conservationalliance.com/2026/04/companies-respond-to-u-s-forest-service-headquarters-relocation/ Please support these complaints who are standing up to the Trump administration trying to gut the Forest Service and Wilderness Act
My daughters were born in Olympia, WA, and my husband an I camped in the Washington State often, before and after they joined us. (I don’t remember, but probably not when they were teeny tiny.) We kept up family camping when we moved to New England, and many of our core family memories involved car-camping and longer back-country trips. One of the best parts of it all that I haven’t seen mentioned yet has been watching my daughters, now 22 and 25, start to take off on their own camping adventures with friends. They picked up all the skills they needed over time, and the transition was seamless. I remember how proud I was the first time my younger daughter planned a trip with few friends in high school. Yes, it’s miserable some of the time when they’re younger, but for us, it was worth the investment!
We started camping with our kids at 2 and 4 in a pop-up camper, and I think it’s one of the best gifts/experiences we’ve given them. And I agree–the more you go, the easier it is! Even 15 years later, it’s still more work than I remember to get everything ready each trip. But those 2-3 days of relaxation where worries go out the window, no house or yardwork to do, no schedule…it’s worth it to me. If you’ve got kids, always book a site near the playground. They’ll make instant friends, they’ll be out of your hair for a bit (but you can keep an eye on them) and will go to bed exhausted. And I agree-state parks are amazing! State park nature centers are usually free and provide so much education and experience. For tips, join your state park camping FB page. I’ve gotten so much good advice from ours!
Funny Junior Ranger story: just a few weeks ago, on a long road trip, my boyfriend and I (solidly in our 40’s), randomly stopped in Hope, Arkansas because we saw signs for Bill Clinton’s childhood home, which is maintained by the National Parks Service. We waited a few minutes to join a tour, and while waiting, Ranger Kevin persuaded us to do the Junior Ranger activity. Keep in mind, there were ZERO children with us. We obliged, he led us through the very official swearing-in ceremony, we received our wooden badges. What a delight! Park Rangers are the best!
😆😆😆
One of my favorite memories of childhood is camping with my immediate family and family friends who would often join us. If it rained we would play board games in the tent. It is a lot of work to prepare for a camping trip but if you do it often enough l, you get it down to a science and know the items that are really worth packing. My dad grew up in a large family (4 kids) in Minnesota. They didn’t have a lot of money, but they camped almost every weekend for fun and he and all my aunts & uncles have an incredible reverence for nature.
As a fellow PNW mom (and outdoor-loving REI employee), I couldn’t love this more! I grew up camping in the San Juans every summer and am dreaming of taking my 3-year old and 2-month old camping next summer. Love the pictures you shared, I think I recognize that ice cream stand and that beach fort spot!
We love all camping! (Except for camp grounds, too loud and crowded) Backpacking Pop up camper Back of truck with topper Tent Forest service cabins Just me and my husband, or with kids growing up, or with friends. Always with dogs. We went camping for our honeymoon! My tips: Keep lists for every kind of camping you do, and actually check the list! Know that you’ll forget stuff, and it will still be ok (probably) Always bring extra clothes for weather unless you’re back packing Biting ugs can ruin a trip faster than just about anything , always be prepared for that Teach your kids great wilderness ethics: leave no trace, follow rules, don’t pick the flowers Know that kids don’t really need anything more than a stream and some sticks to have fun (and we’ll timed M&Ms)
What perfect timing! I’m planning a birthday weekend camping trip for my soon-to-be 7 year old. I’m inviting a few other families. Would love advice on organizing a camping trip with other families. Should I pre-plan all the food for the whole group the whole time (pot luck style)? Or should we do some meals separately and one big pot luck dinner?
When we travel with extended family we do a round Robin, where each person/family is in charge of a different meal (kids do breakfasts, like granola or bagels) and then they are all family style — means we split the prep and planning but still share!
I think potlucks are best when camping with a group— but maybe set themes for fun (and pair with a playlist?)? Taco salad, pasta bowls, upscale lunchables, baked potato bar, etc. It keeps expectations low, but varies the tastes and lets picky eaters choose what they want!
We camp with several families and have a Facebook Messenger group that we discuss meals in. We usually pick one meal per family and bring enough of that meal for the entire group. This has worked extremely well for us.
Round robin! Each family takes responsibility for one meal and makes enough for everyone. Much less work than the other options.
When we were mostly adults we would do lots more potlucks etc, but now that we all have kids who are picky eaters, we all plan separately for our families. Does that mean we each have a bottle of ketchup? Yes. But does it also mean that each family has the brand of ketchup their kid will eat? Also yes. Have fun!!
I just got back from camping with my three kids for the first time – and my two year old got a stomach bug the first night and was getting sick in the tent all night long. It was the one thing we could not have prepared for! My husband and I drove home so bummed, but as soon as we got home all three kids (even the still sick toddler) could t stop talking about how much fun they had! They really do only remember the good stuff.
I love being outdoors and camping always looks so dreamy to me. I didn’t grow up camping (my dad loved to tell me, “Baby, Jews don’t camp.”), but in my 15 years of marriage I’ve given in to the dream and tried it several times . . . and each time, even though there are some wonderful moments, I always think, “Wow, that was a lot of work!” I think it’s a paradigm shift thing, or maybe a family culture thing? If I’m going on vacation, I don’t want to have to work at all. I just want to enjoy. The thing about camping is there is so much work on the front end and the back end, but the middle can offer much more true rest and relaxation than a hotel vacation! (It’s also so interesting that Kaitlyn said going into town for coffee or dinner might be “breaking all the rules” lol. Who are these people policing how folks camp?!)
We switched to a cabin with electricity and it was a Game Changer! Still get to enjoy the great outdoors but a heck of a lot less work setting up/ taking down!!!
May I suggest glamping next time :) camping but with a big canvas tent that houses essentially a hotel room xD I like camping but glamping is a nice intermediate if you don’t want to pack all the stuff with you. It’s camping but fancier. Check out under canvas or Autocamp – they have a lot of locations around national parks! – signed, a travel agent
My top piece of camping advice is: CAMP WITH YOUR TODDLERS. Yes, it’s exhausting — they wake up with the birds — but it’s worth it. Even if you have a tiring, low-sleep outing the first time, it’s worth it because every subsequent camping trip will get easier. Going with other families helps make it less hectic in the early years, especially if you split cooking responsibilities. Now my kids are adolescents and they are FUN to camp with. The early energy investment really pays off.
I can barely get through the day with my toddler now and she vomits every car trip. I was thrilled to go back to work after my second baby because working full time is easier than being home with my 2 year old. I can’t wait to take her camping some day but I will need to wait until I don’t have poison control on speed dial!
We’re not a camping family, but we are a traveling family. We travel overseas every year to visit my husband’s family, and though it started with just us two, we have grown to a family of four. The best advice we’ve ever received (and now give) on traveling with kids: expect that at some point, it’s going to be just awful. Now when it happens, my husband and I look over at each other and shrug, “This is the awful part.” Somehow expecting that part of the travel will be terrible, and everyone will be cranky or poopy or utterly losing their shit (see poopy) helps make the rest of the experience manageable, even pleasant!
This is encouraging and I’m loving everyone’s tips and advice! I grew up camping a ton and have such wonderful memories of it. However, now as an adult with a 4 yr old, I just find it to be so. much. work. We have only gone a couple times so we rely on borrowing supplies from family and friends which is probably our first mistake, we need to just commit and invest in our own things. Otherwise, I spend a week collecting gear from friends, getting everything organized, packing, prepping food, etc. We spend a weekend away, and then I return home to spend another week cleaning gear and getting it back to their owners, putting things away at home, doing laundry, etc… I want us to camp with the kids so badly but at present it just feels like so much more work than it’s worth! I’m expecting baby #2 in June so this summer won’t be one to camp but I’ve got my sights set on 2027…
This was my experience with our first camping trip too! Two weeks of gathering/packing/returning gear, for two days of fun. Like you say, we probably just need to invest in the gear so that it feels more worth it. Because we really loved it!
One thing I learned from my husband, who is an avid outdoorsman (versus me who camped sparingly in family style camping growing up) that has been really helpful: your camping gear does not need to be that precious (and it actually does better if you don’t treat it that way). This will probably be more helpful when you own your own stuff. But a few words of advice: 1. Camping gear doesn’t need to be cleaned. Its going back out into the wild next time 2. Your gear like tents and sleeping bags actually do BETTER when they are just stuffed into their stuff sack, rather than folded (minus the blow up mats that have very specific specs). Repeated folding creates weak spots on those fold lines, so stuff it all in the bag with abandon (put the poles in first) 3. cleaning your cooking gear: while you are camping, we just mainly wipe things, then do a wash once we are home– just like washing normal dishes though, again nothing too precious Hope that helps!
Agree with Nicole! We keep a couple tubs of designated camping gear in the garage, plus a giant army duffle bag with the sleeping bags, tent, sleeping pads, and camp chairs inside. We clean our dishes the last morning at the campsite, throw everything into the totes/bag, and put it straight back in the garage when we get home. No cleaning! I also make sure the totes are FULLY stocked—everything down to paper towels, designated camping dishes, pots, pans, knives, cutting boards, literally everything. So I don’t need to pack anything other than my clothes, personal things, and food. It helps SO MUCH.
Okay, this is gonna be unpopular but please clean your gear folks, not for the gear’s sake, but for all the lil seeds that might have taken a ride. Brush your boots, shake out the bits of dirt… don’t be a vector for spreading invasive species into wilderness areas. They are a headache to survey! Ask me how I know… And to the original comment, yes it’s so much work. When I worked for a conservation corps it was someone’s full time job to organize all the gear and food for our spikes. Sometimes I just remind myself about that when it feels like a lot of work it’s probably because it is.
It took us about 10 years to gather all of the camping gear we have now (mostly due to budget). I think it does make a difference in the ease of the trip. We have everything organized and packed away in our storage shed, and it takes us maybe half an hour to pack it all in our truck. Agree with some other commenters that it should just be put away when you get home. We deep clear our kitchen gear and sleeping bags just once at the end of the camp season. However, do not store your sleeping bag in its stuff sack! The warmth comes from the loft, and you lose all of the loft by storing it like that. We store ours loose in a stuffed animal hammock on the ceiling of our laundry closet lol- doesn’t have to be fancy! Also, I’ve tried both methods, and prefer to not do a ton of food prep beforehand, because it just adds to the labor of it all. We pick meals that require little effort and just do it all at the site. It’s actually pretty fun to spend some time cooking. What else are you doing, really?
Congrats on your new book and thank you for addressing climate change! We’ve done a handful of bike trips with my sisters and the family of my elderly sister (my nephews are now 11 and 14 yo). We choose easy and secure cycle paths(we live in France) and mostly sleep in campings. It can be tiring to set up the camp (and to bike! But we do reasonable distances, around 40kms) but its a feeling of freedom I rarely encounter! We’ve also done a “sisters and mother” trip on the Atlantic coast, my mother used an electric bike, and she asked that we stayed in Airbnb and small hotels, and it was a very good time!
We’ve camped with my husband’s large extended family every summer for 15 years. They are big proponents of #5. I waited for you to say the best time to book summer camping is in the winter :) I kind of wish we could all afford a cabin but we are all at different tax brackets. My kids, even though they are 18 and 16, only remember the good.
I would LOVE to see Kaitlyn’s packing lists, and also a tour of her pop up! My husband and I bought a pop up before our son was born (and even before I was pregnant) knowing that we’d want to go on trips with our kid(s).
Me too! I would love that list. My parents had a hand-written list when I was a kid that they stashed with the camping gear. Every year they would add to it, and it always got tucked away again at the end of the summer to be found again the next year.
I hadn’t tent camped since I was a kid when I met my to-be husband in 2019. We started car camping together shortly after we met and I fell in love! I still refuse to backpack, though – girl needs her proper bathroom (and ideally, a shower, too). We now have 2.5 year old twin boys and haven’t ventured out with them yet – we plan to wait until they are a bit older, maybe 4-5 and are reliably sleeping outside of cribs / pack-n-plays and can understand the concept more. I think they’ll love it when the time comes! For those considering trying camping for the first time, a few tips that have made it extra enjoyable for me: – Find a state park that offers not only bathrooms, but showers too! It might sound bougie but I love taking a shower after a day of hiking – feeling clean (no hair drying or makeup allowed of course) makes a huge difference in my overall enjoyment – Choose a campsite that is a short walk from said facilities. I often wake in the night to pee, and having a short walk makes me feel safer! – Camp during less humid / mild temp months. We live in Ohio and camp only in spring and fall – no hot / humid summer nights for me! Ideal camping weather for me is highs in the 60s/low 70s, lows in the 40s/50s. You’d be surprised how cozy warm you can be in your tent. layers are you friends! – Prepare as much of the food in advance as you can, with the idea of cooking at the campsite, not prepping. For ex, I scramble enough eggs for two breakfasts in a mason jar and pack that in our cooler, so all I have to do it pour that into the skillet (not crack and whisk eggs). I always make chili in advance (sometimes with pasta too!) and heat that with all the fixings for dinner – A outdoor picnic tablecloth! – Unless you are staying in an RV, choose a campsite that is non-electric. These areas of the campground will be quieter and more enjoyable – Soap and a scrub brush for getting dishes semi-clean, then stick in your dishwasher when you get home
We aren’t a camping family but I inhaled every word of this article. A++++ writing.
especially with the US Forest Service being decimated for shits and giggles, I teared up reading about the park rangers. some of my best memories are the ranger talks on overhead projectors at Crabtree Falls, followed by roasting marshmallows. Park Rangers, like librarians and teachers, are the best among us, truly.
THIS!!!
Very much this! Our national parks are under attack and it’s not talked about nearly enough.
Supporting this comment! Especially dangerous right before fire season starts. The executive plan is to allow logging, drilling and dumping chemicals in our national parks and they need less eyes on them.
Amen sister! So much love to the great US Forest Service.
Maybe it’s bonkers to ask (given how subjective they are!) but would you be open to sharing your packing list? We’re very new to the camping with (four!) kids and I feel like I need to see someone else’s list to see what I’m not seeing, if you see what I mean… Thank you! Olivia
Please!! I have 4 as well and this would be amazing.
Second this. Please!
Single lady, no kids, but I DREAM of taking my future children (or current nieces and nephews) on hiking or overnight trips some day. I grew up going on one family car camping trip per year with our homeschool group, and we had such a blast running around with the other kids, swimming in the lake, and trying the strenuous hike. I started taking myself on short solo camping trips, which felt empowering. I’m happy to have a boyfriend now who shares my love of the outdoors. My girlfriends and I have an annual tradition of camping on Cumberland Island which is very remote and can test you in various ways, and we look forward to it each summer. We are planning a co-ed trip with our SOs this fall and that will add a new flavor. (Can’t forget the bagged wine!)
Oh my gosh, this brings back sweet memories of camping with our kids! And the time we got home, I bathed our daughter, and said, “Wow! Look at all of these freckles!” and then realized that she was covered with baby ticks. She has continued to be a tick magnet. My best camping tips are to have a GOOD stove and make clean up easy. We used a stupid Coleman for years and burned food and waited too long for water to heat. We now have a propane two burner that has legs. We even use it at home when we want to make something messy like smashburgers or beer batter cod. Having two plastic tubs for washing and rinsing dishes was a simple but HUGE improvement over how we started out washing in a pot and rinsing from the coffee pot.
We have camped in a tent since our 3 kids were babies and we are now 69 and 70, still camp, and still in a tent! (We do have very comfy thermarest self inflating thick mats to sleep on) I love waking up to the smell of coffee from other campers, and brewing our own percolator coffee, sitting around a morning campfire to warm up. We have simplified a lot these days; frequently going out for dinner, or getting takeout, but always come back to our campsite for a nighttime fire and s’mores. It’s still magical, and hoping to bring some of our grandchildren along with us soon!
I most certainly wasn’t brought up a camper but my husband was a Scout…so when our kids were about 6-8, he and another dad friend joined forces and took all four kids camping. Here in the UK, they went into the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District, all returning happy and filthy. Meanwhile, the two mums had a great weekend together and made a large welcome home lunch. A few years later, I joined in the fun in Cornwall, Devon and – magically – the isles of Scilly. Joyful, beautiful and carefree. As long as everyone mucks in – and I do mean everyone, no shirkers – fun can be had. Even if it rains. Or there is fog. Or thunder. But staying up late, eating fish and chips out of a bag, having picnics, using communal play areas and pools…falling fully clothed into lakes (twice in five minutes)…good stories for later years. Now adults, mine still camp every now and then. My grandson is soon to be initiated.
Happy and filthy – the best sign of a perfect day!
Initially, this exacerbated my current homesickness bringing back memories of hiking and camping with my high school friends in rural PA, car camping on road trips in college, and taking my kids yurt camping in Carnation (WA) and group camping at Deception Pass (WA). And then I read all comments about ticks and suddenly was filled with gratitude for living on an island where we have no disease-carrying insects, no snakes, and only a couple rare mildly poisonous spiders. Thanks for taking me on a rollercoaster, CoJ community.
First: I’m immediately looking up Deception Pass, WA. What a name. Second: please share the name of your island, I am so curious!
Camping is definitely something you guys in the States have nailed and we here in the UK are lagging behind. Whenever we come to the West coast to see family and friends we go camping – the pitches nestled in trees or dunes! The campfires! The rangers! The national parks in general! Pitches in the UK tend to resemble RV parks. It’s more like camping in someone’s back garden than in the *wild*. With that in mind, does anyone know of any great campsites in the UK or Europe for a family wanting to replicate the magic of US campgrounds? Something in nature but accessible for a family with small kids? We are wondering about trying Spain or Portugal.
I don’t have a direct answer, but I really enjoyed the book The Wild Year by Jen Benson. It’s about her and her family (with very young children) camping in the UK for an entire year!
In this busy season of small kids and work and… everything, the one thing I am always chasing (ironically) is unhurried time. So even though camping is a faff and not comfy and not my favourite way to holiday, we still do it because it is such a good way of getting everyone to slow down. I love these tips, I think they’ll definitely help me embrace camping even more.
Agreed! Slow down and unplug!
My man and I love camping, but at our surprise our son (now 12) is not so keen… he likes being at home! So we’ve learned to camp for a short time and not the 2 or 3 weeks we used to ( we’re french we have a long holiday). Two years ago we took my son and two of his girlfriends camping to Denmark where camping is fantastic, but I found it exhausting! Its all about learnin and finding the right balance… but for me, getting out of the tent in the morning makes life so beautiful, even if its raining. i love feeling Im part of it. Camping in north american national parks must really be something. Happy camping everyone! Love from Paris
wait! tell me more about fantastic camping in Denmark! We’re about to move there for a year and I want to explore! where should we go? (we’re from Seattle and are very much an outdoorsy camping family. I’m on the fence on whether I should bring our camping gear for the year…)
I don’t have kids and I never camped as a kid but I really enjoyed reading this. Love your writing, Kaitlyn! Also, camping and mint chocolate in the last two posts, what a dream.
Team pop-up camper +1! My boys would definitely love to just sleep on the ground wrapped in a tarp. “It has to be fun for mom, too” is my camping motto, especially now that I’m a single mom. We have a fantastic 1994 Coleman hard side pop-up, which apparently are hard to find, but I love it because it feels sturdy and safe. I also buy shelf stable milk from Costco in the little cartons, which we can bring back home and recycle (where we live) and they’re perfect for portions and serving.
My very favorite kid camping trip was when my kiddo was 9 and we rented LLAMAS as pack animals (Olympic National Park). They actually can’t carry all that much so we all had packs too but walking down the trail with the cutest hiking pal on a leash was absolutely epic. I do a lot of stock backpacking trips with my parents now that they’re almost 80 and can’t carry the heavy loads anymore but horses and mules simply can’t compare to llamas. :)
My kids are 5 and 9 and LOVE camping! We are in Nebraska. One of our favorite trips in to the Sandhills of Nebraska, which is a an international dark sky zone because there is so little light pollution. We kayak down the spring-fed Niobrara river and then stay up to watch meteor showers. Our first time, I went in the tent when it was still light out to put our youngest to bed. When I came out it was dark. As my eyes adjusted and I looked up at the sky, there were so many stars that it felt like they were falling down towards me. I’ll never forget it.
Fellow Nebraskan here! Try Toadstool for an adventure- my kids remember it as the trip we camped in space :)
I’m also in Nebs! I’ve been here for six years and have never camped. Better change that!
Congratulations on your book! We camp often as a family, as it’s a budget-friendly way to really step away from school and work. What I HIGHLY recommend are the following: 1. Have a general, flexible gameplay but make no promises. Well, I only always make these promises: You will be tired. You will be dirty. You will get to try something new. I’ve never been made a liar! 2. Take friends. Kids whine 95% less with friends or another family around. 3. Don’t try to be elaborate with the food. 4. Stay more than one night. The first night is almost always rough. It gets better! You pack basically the same amount for one night as for two or three, so stay more than one night. 5. Notice nature’s beauty and point it out. My kids are teenagers and they’re really average teenagers in many ways but they notice beauty around them and grab their friends to make sure they see it too.
I like camping; sleeping on a leaky air mattress,not so much. But cooking over the campfire, looking at the stars. listening to the birdsong and crickets at night are magical. I’m also a Washington gal, and one summer we camped in Sequim during the Lavender Festival. It also was the same week as the Northwest Tribal Journey, and our campground was filled with folks from various PNW tribes participating in it. We wandered over to a campsite when we heard a tribal drum circle, and were greeted warmly and invited to participate….truly magical! ( And I’m getting teary and a lump in my throat remembering it!
I grew up camping and backpacking all through the summer, and my husband and I have taken our two kids (now 6 and 8) camping and backpacking every summer since they were infants! At first, camping with a baby was challenging (and I completely second the recommendations above about a pack and play, sound machine, etc) but camping with two little kids is AMAZING. We spend maybe 15-30 nights outside every summer and my whole family loves it. My kids play independently so well outside, I think the outdoors are exactly how we are supposed to play as children–the indoors are both overstimulating and overstimulating. We often go with friends now and my kids run and play freely and I barely parent besides giving them a sandwich now and then and tucking their exhausted selves into their sleeping bags at night. When my kids can’t sleep at home, we tell them to imagine we are all curled up in our tent together, probably my favorite and safest place to be in the whole world. I would love to take any of you camping and get you and your kids into it!
Our sweet spot was ages 2-14. We took full advantage, camped every year. Now my son would rather backpack and rough it with friends, my daughter is a hard pass on camping, and my husband and I want a comfy bed. I hope we camp again at least one more time! It was my favorite memories of my kids’ childhoods.
We live in southern Ontario and have been camping every summer with our two little kids (now 4.5 and 2.5) since my firstborn was 10 months old! We have a 6-person ‘blackout’ tent – basically an adult-sized slumber pod – so bedtime isn’t too rough when the sun is still out at 9pm. I wholeheartedly agree with prepping simple meals as much as possible before the trip, and seeking out campgrounds with extra activities for the kids. We haven’t yet made it out with friends, but hopefully this summer we will have some join us. I have really fond memories of camping with my dad and cousins as a kid.
A blackout tent?! This sounds AMAZING. I didn’t know there was such a thing!
It’s the Coleman Skydome Darkroom tent in case any campers with little kids are interested :)
What an absolute gift to have children who are healthy enough to bring into the wilderness – please enjoy it on behalf of those of us who are not so lucky! Eat a smore for us around the campfire :)
Yes I understand this Shel. Our last camping trip a few years ago was fun but my daughter spent 10 days in hospital directly afterwards so that was the last of camping for us. She has a lot of chronic health difficulties and hospital and now can not stand the idea of camping! A stay cay might be more her style. I still feel a nostalgia for the idea of camping if that makes sense. I love to see my friend with her two kids camping and she’s getting more an more confident taking them and they still like it!
I feel this
Yup. We switched to a trailer after kids. Ours has a hose on the back. Yes, it has come in handy for washing dishes… but mostly for hosing children down. Also a fan of the pre-chop for food AND getting good food and ice cream in town. And hearing everyone breathing is lovely. Can’t wait to make more memories this summer!
I so want to be a camping family, but there feel like so many obstacles to it… I’m a solo mom to a 6 year old, and have a lot of anxiety about safety while camping as a solo woman (much as I hate to admit that). Add to that the fact that I have close to zero camping experience, having grown up in a decidedly anti-camping family, and the experience feels pretty far out of reach. I feel like I need, like, a camping mentor or something. Family camping might be possible but I don’t have many (any?) friends who camp. Anyone know of organizations who lead camping trips for newbies?!?
Maybe you could start with a night in one of the cabins many campgrounds have. I bet your 6 y.o. would love that. And it would be less overwhelming for you.
Meg, this was a bit specific to where we were, but our first family camping trip was to a farmstay here in Australia that had a-frame “wooden tents” you could hire. It was very basic, just a wooden frame with doors and mattresses on the floor, and access to the communal camp kitchen. We got to do the basic outdoor living, campfire evenings and get a taste of it all without having to buy any equipment. If there’s somewhere like that near you, it could be a good start and you might get many of the same benefits like playing in nature, a relaxed holiday vibe and that cosiness of being together in nature. A try before you buy weekend!
Check to see if your State parks have any programs for new campers. They have those here in Arizona.
Oh my gosh I’d love to be your camping mentor! But REI has great camping basics classes, and I have found good facebook groups for adventurous parents who are always willing to show new people the ropes!
Hi! I wonder if you look up family camps, or YMCA camps that have camp for the whole family if there would be ideas for you! We started going to YMCA family camps when my youngest was two. They have programming for K-12 kids, and they also had an (included) nursery/ daycare for 2-5. It was the perfect balance of support and outdoor fun. Happy trails!
Hi Meg – Camping is so fun and what a great way to teach your child adventure. You can start small in your backyard and then close to the home (within an hour drive) in case you need to abandon (I’m a fair weather camper and leave before it rains :)). The scouts organization or similar are really good for camping newbies. I know scouts is open to boys and girls now (and believe cub scouts is too). They have family campouts and people support each other – they are typically available through schools, churches or the Y.
KOA’s are awesome! The cabins have bunks and electricity, and showers and bathrooms are an easy walk. Many of them have pools; some have pancake breakfasts, hayrides, bike rentals. Last time we did a KOA cabin there was a single mom at the cabin next to ours, and she did fine! Our fave is the one in Missoula Montana!
A very close friend of mine is launching workshops for women focused on a big chunk of what you describe – camping/outdoor skills and renegotiating relationships with fear – but might not help with the kid factor, and it’s up in Canada (PNW) so may not be helpful for you! But she’s Serial Nomad on social media if you’re interested. She grappled with a lot of the fear/anxiety stuff when she solo thru-hiked the PCT with very little camping experience :)
Also, hiking! We are a big hiking family. We do it frequently in and around our home city, and we do hiking vacations! For example, last summer we stayed at an Airbnb right outside Mt.Hood National Forest in Oregon.. We would hike all day and then come back to the house for a cozy evening with showers and a simple home-cooked meal. We love the outdoors….but also our beds! I know it is not the same as camping, but it might be a good start and might be a better fit for you, like it is for us! Also, while I am commenting, I’d like to recommend The National Park Mystery series by Aaron Johnson for families with kids around 8-12. Each is set in a different National Park and follows three families that are traveling and camping (!) together. https://nationalparkmysteryseries.com/
I second Scouts!! (But do the research and ask to see their calendar so you get a good idea of their activities). It really depends on the troop. My niece’s (boy/girl) Scout troop does really cool camping trips; my daughter’s Girl scout troop does very little. It’s kinda lame!! Also, depending on your area, they might have other organizations and Facebook is a great place to start. There are lots of family/mom hiking and camping groups out there. Here in Seattle we have the Mountaineers and they also have awesome family trips. I also second a glamping option: state parks often have canvas tents or unheated huts. If you’re in Cali, the Sierra Club has an awesome rustic lodge near Truckee called Clair Tappaan. It’s a great intro to the outdoors, while also providing 3 home cooked meals a day!
Meg when my daughter was two with no camping experience and my marriage crumbling around my ears I took off on a trip with her that is still one of my favourite things we’ve ever done. We had almost no camping equipment: a tiny tent, some very basic sleeping bags, no stove (! – think I heated things up on an old pot over the fire). No chairs, just an old car rug. We swam in a lake in the Tetons, got caught in a lightning storm in Yellowstone, drove the length of Nevada and saw Spiderman in Vegas. It was the first of many trips and now she’s in 7th grade and every weekend is full of ballet I realise how much I miss it all. I could give you all kinds of advice but nothing will top this – just go. (And I’m still a single mom.) Love you.
Meg, not sure where you live but if anywhere near the PNW, I highly recommend the Snow Peak Campfield, it is the perfect gateway. It isn’t the cheapest but it’s pretty damn magical, the way they set everything up for you, plus the Japanese soaking bath!
Meg! I’m in the same boat. My daughter is nearly 6, and while I’ve camped with my ex husband and with friends–I am so terrified to do it on my own. Thanks to everyone for all the great ideas! I think I’m going to look into some of the A frames near me. : )
What about renting an Airbnb or cabin in a wilderness area, that has an outdoor fire pit? Then you can enjoy the best parts of camping – s’mores and stargazing, hikes, feeling surrounded by nature. But you don’t need all the gear and you have a door that locks!
Mountaineers does this! They lead hikes and camping trips and go over what to bring etc. and you camp in a site with an experienced leader. They are great!
Meg, I also want to be a camping family, but I’ve never been and it feels super overwhelming to know where to start.
I’ll recommend a KOA cabin too. We have both tent camped and stayed in cabins in KOAs and they’re awesome especially for first time campers. A few of our favorites are St. Mary’s East Glacier on the edge of Glacier National Park, the KOA in Gettysburg, PA, and the one at West Yellowstone. All of those offer quiet but also great amenities. We’ve been to so many because it was an easy place to bring both kids and our dog as we traveled around the country, and we could feel closer to nature than in a hotel. Some KOAs are right on the edge of cities and some are near very busy tourist areas (Mt, Rushmore KOA comes to my mind), so you can find a KOA for almost every desire.
Blown away by all of these amazing responses–though of course I shouldn’t be, just part of the usual CoJ magic. Thank you everyone for these great suggestions!!!
I’m a solo mom of two and feel similarly a little intimidated and overwhelmed by camping alone with them. But what’s worked for us is camping-adjacent experiences. One we found a campground with basic cabin options, in one case a campground with platform tents, and once we rented an airbnb just outside of a national park. We’ve always had a bbq or basic grill to make cooking a little easier. In each case, we did a lot of hiking and swimming, etc, but it felt a little more manageable to me than full-on camping.
Camping as a family is something we look forward to all year. Best weekends are when we camp with friends! I know there are haters out there who don’t like the extra work and lack of sleep camping. But I’m telling you, waking to the sound of loons laughing and calling to each other is worth every second.
This is amazing – I love beautiful essays as much as the next gal, but when it comes to camping with kids having true tips like this is so helpful. Kaitlyn – I was raised in WA, would love to hear your favorite PNW state parks/ campgrounds if you are willing to share!
Hi Morgan! I’ve camped all over WA with kids. Our favorites include Millersylvania near Olympia, Deception Pass, Hoh Rainforest, and Shi-Shi beach. Oh! And Stewart Island or Sucia Island if you can get there by boat.
Cape Disappointment State Park. A+
We stayed at the KOA in Port Angeles a few times, in a cabin and tents; it’s now under a different owner and name. Sol Duc Hot Springs is great for camping. And there is a KOA in Concrete, not far from Noth Cascades Natl. Park, and the Leavenworth KOA is awesome too!
Salt Creek campground outside Port Angeles has the best tidepooling
What a lovely piece! Brought back memories of our many vacations on Orcas Island.
Congratulations on your book publication week! I grew up car-camping with my parents and sister in state and national parks (like where you check in at the front and then drive your vehicle to your assigned campsite with its own little parking pad, firepit, picnic table, and sometimes water/electric hookup) — our set-up included a big family tent and a tarp over the picnic table, and am very grateful for the whole experience (1980s – you could often arrive after the rangers had left for the day, select an empty site, and honor-system pay for the night with cash slipped in a slot in a lockbox). My parents are in their 70s now and they have a small camping trailer with a bed and refrigerator and even though things have changed a lot — for example, as Kaitlyn mentions, they have to plan months in advance and reserve online as soon as reservations open for the year — they still love it and camp several times a year!
I love how you highlighted the important work State Park employees (and National Park!) employees are doing to preserve and pass on the awe of these sacred places. As a guide who has worked with ALL ages in the wilderness, I cannot praise these tireless workers on keeping these places open and safe for all users, and inspiring awe in our littles. Currently, it feels like we are on a never-ending treadmill of places like our parks and national forests being put on the chopping block for funding or worse, being put up for sale to the highest bidder. As someone who wants to continue to recreate and care for and pass on that calling to our future generations, it is imperative that (as much as our bandwidth allows, we are just so weary!!) to call our representatives, remind them that national and state parks are for everyone, and should stay in the hands of the local tribes and land stewards. What a gift these places are!
This has me so excited for all the future family camping trips! My son was born in March and we’re going on our first camping trip in June. I’m fully expecting everything to go sideways and end up in the car or heading back home overnight, but I’m just so excited to get out there and try. Camping is a big part of my husband’s and my family culture together and I can’t wait to introduce our son to enjoying the outdoors.
I’m so excited for you Michaela! We took both our kids camping their first summers. Our success rates varied widely but I look back on those memories so fondly. Being a mom for the first times in the places you love is so special.
I’ve found that a camping cot and an inflatable sleeping pad go a long way in creating comfort at night. My son and I camp in West Virginia often and it’s been trial and error. I’ve found that being near a camp playground helps as does an activity that is non-camping related, ie a planetarium. Any campsite near a creek is a hit. Our favorite campground is Straits State Park by Mackinac Bridge! Upper Peninsula of Michigan is the best.
Our summer camping trip this year (from Ohio) will be Michigan’s UP ending with a friends’ visit in Duluth. I’m taking notes!
We love camping! We did it before kids and just kept doing it. They’re 10 and 12 now and while they often opt for indoor entertainment at home I know that they are campers at heart. We take our pop up all over the mid-Atlantic. We often camp with other families – the kids go feral and the adults chill by the fire. Magical. The stars! The cool mornings! Everything is better outside. Our goal is a longer road trip with the pop up some summer. Here’s hoping we can make it happen.
This post is so timely – I just booked our family’s first-ever camping experience this morning! I grew up camping but my husband did not, and I finally decided to just ignore his reticence to sleep outside and go for it. We’re in the PNW like you Kaitlyn, and just in case this first trip is not a disaster and we want to go again, I would love to hear some of your favorite spots for camping!
I have a similar dynamic. My husband doesn’t love camping and will come once or twice a summer. But I’ve learned that going with other moms+kids (no dads) is magic. I’ve learned I’m stronger than I think and we can do/love separate things. Also, better campsites when we don’t have to wait for him to come on a weekend!
Good for you Liza! My husband grew up in the city and never camped too. On our first trip, I got everyone Survivor buffs, sat them down and told them at some point in the weekend each person was going to have a meltdown – and that’s okay. (And it happened) Start with very low expectations and hope for the best. It also helped to pack lots of treats and games to play. Go for a hike – get small treats along the way :). Now everyone says they’re the best vacations.
I grew up camping as a kid, and hated it. Moved to NYC and didn’t give a thought to camping until friends from my mommy group invited us to camp on the beach in Fire Island when our kids were little. Since then, we’ve camped at other places, and I love it, but the Watch Hill campground on Fire Island is truly my happy place. My sister and her kids flew out to join us one year because she knows it’s my happy place. This year, none of the kids are coming because… they’ve grown up! Sob!! I know it will still be so much fun, but it’s the end of a truly magical era.
Just here to say that a trip to town on San Juan Island is worth it for the children’s section of the Griffin Bay Bookstore (one of my favorite places on earth) and for a meal at the Brewery. Both are highlights of our family’s annual (camping-ish) boat trip.
I love this! We take an annual camping trip to San Juan Island and will definitely check out this bookstore. Big tip for anyone traveling to any of the San Juan islands, get that ferry reservation early!
Does anyone have any tips for camping with a neurodivergent child with high levels of anxiety?
I’m sure this is highly variable as neurodivergent and anxious kids are all unique, but for us (we camp with our neurodiverse and anxious 6 year old), here’s what helps: – bring his comfort things along (drawing supplies for us) – SNACKS – let him help pick where we camp – tell him when we book, then remind him about a week before we leave. Review number of nights and who else is coming. – be okay with sticking close to the campsite and not venturing out as much as you expect on some trips. I try to keep in mind that my goal is to get outside, enjoy, and learn. We can do all those things at the campsite if that’s what feels good that weekend. Good luck! I hope you give it a shot, and I hope you and your child can both soak up some of that calming outdoor energy. In our family, it does us all so much good :)
This is super-individualize, but my anxious autistic son who hated travel of any sort LOVED camping. Our best trip ever was to the Redwoods where he felt the freedom to run and play all day. All that running left him sleeping lots. Maybe take a short trip with all of Em’s advice and see. They might surprise you.
I was a neurodiverse, anxious kid and my family camped a decent amount, and the two things that made it the most fun for me were: 1. Going with family and/or friends, so I had playmates and activity as distractions, but also the ability to curl up with a book for an hour or two when I needed to decompress without anyone missing me. When there are plenty of people to hang out with, nobody makes a fuss about one of them wanting to do their own thing every now and again. 2. Going to the same 1-2 places consistently. You’re obviously the best judge of your own kid and what they need, but for many anxious people, familiarity eases a lot of the worry. When you stay at the same couple of places, it’s a lot easier to get excited about the things you know you already love about them, instead of worrying about all the unknowns. Good luck!
I can’t even go on a hike anymore in NY without getting a tick on me. It’s so sad. Tick anxiety has literally ruined being out in nature for me.
I don’t know if this will help, but I had similar tick anxiety esp because my children are FERAL and then my doctor friend was like “oh but there is medication and unless you refuse treatment you’ll be totally fine.” She was extremely chill about it and said not to worry AT ALL. Truly LIFE CHANGING. Gotta do tick checks, but now they don’t feel as scary.
I found cedarcide spray to be a good tick repellant! And if you live in an area with a lot of ticks in your yard, the pellets and spray drastically cut down on our number of ticks! And it’s just cedar oil, no intense chemicals and smells nice.
There’s no medicine to prevent the Alpha Gal allergy, and also the medication is still complicated and not clear cut – I am not sure your doctor friend is fully up to date…