Camping with kids 101: tips & products you need for an awesome family camping adventure

Okay, if there’s one thing I don’t like about camping, it’s setting up the tent, which always seems to take longer than it should (so many poles to hook together!). Enter the Coleman Sundome. It’s incredibly easy to set up and take down, so much so that I’ve managed it solo on multiple occasions. The six person style is large enough to fit two queen-size airbeds making it comfortably roomy enough for a family of four, IMO. While it may be tempting to go for the giant cabin style tents, I much prefer this more traditional version since they’re much easier to transport and deal with. This Coleman tent was also rated the best family tent overall by America’s State Parks .

Alternatively, if you’re looking for something to keep your kids from waking up with the sun (because trust me, they will) the Coleman Darkroom Skydome is a great option. Like the Sundome tent, it sets up super easily and offers the same cozy space and headroom while also featuring their Dark Room technology. The treatment blocks 90% of sunlight and also helps reduce the heat inside, making afternoon naps a whole lot more comfortable in hot climates.

Just remember, when you’re sleeping outdoors, it can get chilly at night. Billed as “the ultimate kids camping companion” by Morrison Outdoors, the Big Mo 40 is the first sleeping bag with adjustable sleeves designed for kids ages 2-4 years old. No matter how much they kick and roll, this wearable sleeping bag won’t come off and keep them warm and cozy all night long. It’s definitely pricey, but if you’re avid campers it’s a worthwhile investment.

If you’re looking for a more affordable and versatile option, you could go with this highly-recommended kids style from REI. Designed to grow with your camper thanks to a built-in space-adjuster stuff sack, you can shorten or expand the bag’s length for a custom fit. (It also helps to keep the warmth inside!) And instead of a stuff sack that’ they’re guaranteed to lose, this one is permanently attached. One less thing to keep track of in the woods is always good!

Could we talk about how cute this lantern is for a moment? The Smile lantern includes an LED bulb that gives off a soft light beam, which is perfect if your little one needs a little light when it starts to get dark outside. Its hat has a hook for hanging up in your tent, and its lightweight construction is easy for your child to carry. Just don’t forget to bring extra batteries in case you need them!

If you find you’re getting more serious about your camping adventures, a hard-working lantern is in order. One of our family’s favorites is the AlpenGlow 500. The small but mighty rechargeable lantern has five modes including dimmable cool and warm white, candle flicker and even colors that change when you shake it. It’s like your own little light show! The battery charge lasts for ages and can even be used as a power bank to charge phones or other small items.

I honestly think wearing a headlamp is one of my kids’ favorite parts of camping. Having to constantly be reminded not to blind the rest of the family is not. This kid-friendly version is not as bright as the standard versions, instead shining a diffused light as well as some fun color options.

Streamline your s’mores game with Stuffed Puffs, marshmallows with milk chocolate already inside. Kind of genius, right? All that’s missing are the graham crackers. And while any ol’ stick will do, we also really like these wood-handled telescoping s’mores sticks. And as for actual meals, we love the yummy (and easy) ideas from Fresh Off the Grid . Campfire nachos, anyone?

You only have to smell a mildewed towel once to know you never want to repeat that experience. And because finding a place to dry towels can be a little tricky in the great outdoors, I love this highly-rated microfiber towel found on Amazon. The best-seller comes in a variety of sizes and colors and dry impressively fast.

A product we love for safely containing little adventurers is the Veer Basecamp. Sure, they can hang out in the family tent, but do you really want your sleeping arrangements trampled and littered with crumbs? I think not. Instead, this durable kid-sized hangout offers a place to play, chill and hide out. The fabric offers UV protection and it literally opens in one quick motion and closes back up just as easily. Whether you’re camping, hitting the beach or just hanging in the backyard it’s a summer must-have.

LL Bean has long been known for sturdy camping supplies, and this camp chair is no exception. Says one reviewer, “My daughter only had one child-sized chair so I ordered a chair so they would have one for each boy. Quickly decided I should order another so they would each have a new chair. They love them and the chairs are very well made and going to be worth every penny!”

Another seating option that’s perfect for families, we love Kelty’s low love seat. It’s got enough room for two people to get cozy and since it’s low, even the family dog may be tempted to hop up and snuggle.

Hitting the trails? Make the trek a little less whiney and a lot more hydrated with a kid-sized version of Camelbak’s popular Hydration Pack. In addition to toting 1.5 liters of water it also has pockets for them to stash small essentials or the rocks they always insist on picking up along the way.

Contrary to popular belief, a Yeti cooler isn’t required for camping. If you want something that’s a little lighter and far cheaper, we suggest this one from Coleman. Like its more expensive counterparts, it will keep ice cold for up to 5 days at temperatures of up to 90 degrees. The Have-A-Seat lid can hold up to 250 pounds, and hey–cup holders are never a bad thing. Holding up to 84 cans, this is a good size cooler, too.

These expertly-crafted binoculars for kids from Haba magnify 4x! With rubberized lens guard bumpers and soft and adjustable eye-piece spacing, these binoculars are comfortable to look through and use. And who knows what you’ll see on the other end!

One unfortunate thing about camping in the summer? Mosquitos. BuzzPatch offers a way to deter mosquitos from your little one with their natural stickers that are non-toxic and DEET free. Slap a sticker on your kid’s t-shirt and they’ll be mosquito-free for up to 8 hours (mosquitos find humans by sensing the CO2 being emitted. The Buzzpatch scent creates a virtual shield by “camouflaging” your kids from mosquitos) Genius! Kids 0-2 need only 1 sticker, kids 3-5 need 2 and kids age 6+ to adults need 2-4 patches. A lot better than spraying bug spray everywhere, especially when it risks being inhaled or getting in your child’s eyes.

Of course if you’d rather go the traditional route, we like the Clean Feel aerosol from Off. Not only does it do a great job keeping the swarms at bay, it also doesn’t leave you with that nasty sticky feeling. Of course we prefer that to being eaten alive, but when you’re sleeping on the ground and not necessarily washing off to go to bed, every ounce of comfort helps.

There are lots of great reasons to go camping—but access to great bathrooms is not among them. Help your little one out with this travel potty that’s easy to tote, dump and clean, and folds up easily for compact storage. (It can even be used without the legs as a potty seat on a regular toilet when you’re out and about.) Pro tip: It’s handy to keep this in the back of the car for roadside emergencies with little ones who are still working on their potty training.

If your little one can’t quite reach the top of a picnic table, help them pull up a seat with this handy travel high chair. A better bet than chairs designed to clip onto the sides of tables (which may be too thick), this fits inside a bag for easy transportation and then unfolds to put baby at table-level with their very own tray.

Convertible from a high chair to a booster and featuring a machine-washable cover, the Pop N’ Sit is great for campers up to 3 years old.

If you’re planning on adding an easy hike to your camping agenda, make sure to outfit your little one in the right shoes. Merrell’s Little Kid’s Trail Chaser Jr. are sporty and stylish, with great support. They’re a go-to for both trails and playgrounds and hold up to more than their fair share of abuse. They’re also machine-washable and have an anti-stink lining which is surprisingly necessary for such cute feet.

Card games are a camping must-have! This easy-to-play, super portable game is a family favorite. And while there are five different ways you can play, they all come down to one simple objective–call out the matching symbol before anyone else. The game play is quick and kids as young as five can get the hang of it.