Camping with Toddlers Checklist, Activities and Campfire Cooking

Camping is one of the activities kids enjoy that has, and will always stand the test of time. Gadgets and TV shows will come and go, but being outdoors and experiencing all the sights, smells, and activities that only the great outdoors can provide will last a lifetime.

Camping with children takes a little extra packing and preparation. In this article I have put together a camping with toddlers checklist, adding some ideas for activities to keep the little ones interested and safe, and included some quick and easy campfire food ideas for kids.

Preparing to Camp with Toddlers and Children

Being outdoors and camping overnight is a big step out of their comfort zone for a lot of toddlers. Preparing them for a camping trip should start well before the actual trip itself. Here are some ways you can involve your children and get them excited for the upcoming trip.

Let them help you pack – Packing is an important part of a camping trip, so let the little ones going with you be part of this process. Let them add a couple of their favorite items as space allows, and maybe buy a small backpack for them to carry with them so they feel involved.

Show them what they can expect to see – Using either photos of past trips, a TV program, or just describing what to expect, try and explain everything they should be expecting. If there are any parks or play areas for children where you’re going make sure they know so they can look forward to it.

Plan some activities to keep them interested – Hiking long distances or spending time at a campsite can be difficult for toddlers. Plan some activities ahead of time to keep them interested, like campfire cooking or camping games as discussed later in this article.

Camping with Toddlers Checklist

Forgetting to pack something important is easily done. Working through a checklist makes sense and helps you avoid this happening. Here are some things to consider when camping with toddlers outside of all the usual essentials.

Essential Items

Plenty of Spare Clothes

Kids love the freedom that being outdoors brings and even the most reserved and quiet children will probably end up getting more mucky, dirty, staining their clothes, maybe even ripping or damaging some clothes.

There are few things more fun for a parent than seeing their kids have fun in the natural outdoors, away from electronic gadgets and being glued to the TV. So be prepared to get through a week’s worth of clothes in a weekend.

Consider long sleeve tops to protect their skin from the sun, waterproofs in case it rains, a hat, some form of windbreaker, and plenty of warm clothes.

Lots of Extra Wipes

It’s hard to put a number on how many wipes you will get through, I tend to take around four times the amount I’d need at home. Wipes are always going to come in handy, almost everything a child comes into contact with outdoors is going to be dirty.

They also come in handy for adults too. Don’t forget a little bag to put all the used wipes in until you find a bin to dispose of them.

First Aid Kit, Sunscreen, and Insect Repellant

You should always have a first aid kit when camping but I know a lot of adults don’t carry one. It’s essential you have one if you’re traveling with toddlers. It’s comforting to a toddler as much as it is useful when you patch up a little cut or bruise, and a little splinter can be a huge problem without tweezers.

While not a necessary part of a first aid kit, don’t forget to pack sunscreen and insect repellant. Pick up waterproof products too as there is always a high chance of coming across water, and be very careful to pick the correct strength of sunscreen. If you have any doubts read this post about sun safety for young children.

Plenty of Snacks and Drinks

Kids burn a lot more calories being outdoors and the fresh air has a habit of working up an appetite. Pack plenty of high-energy foods like granola bars, dried fruit, and some of their favorite treats. A hungry child is not a happy one, and waiting until you next pitch up isn’t the best option.

Items to Consider If You Have Space

Comfort Blankets/Toys

Being outdoors can be a little daunting for toddlers, especially at night. If they have a favorite comfort blanket of toy at home see if you can make room for it in your backpack. You know your child best and packing space is always tight so this is an idea for you to consider.

Extra Blankets

You can never have too many blankets when you have toddlers. You can provide extra warmth overnight, lay them out on the floor to make a clean space for them to play, and inevitably if you only take a couple you can be sure they will get dirty pretty quick.

Camping Playpen

Setting up camp, cooking, arranging your things, there can be a lot to do that takes your attention while camping. As we all know, taking our eyes off a toddler for just a few seconds means they are probably up to something they shouldn’t be.

Camping playpens are the perfect answer to keeping your toddler safe and allowing you a few minutes away from them to do something else. They fold down to save space, are quick and easy to assemble, and you can even get them with waterproof or sun protection roofs.

Camping Games

Keeping toddlers entertained is a full-time job at the best of times. Being away from home and not have all your gadgets and home comforts to rely on makes it a lot more difficult. Pack some camping games if you have space, something the whole family can get involved in, and something you can fall back on to play indoors should the weather take a turn for the worst.

Campfire Cooking for Kids

Being involved in the cooking around the campfire is fun for kids. It’s an opportunity for some quality family time, a way to keep your kids amused, and an excuse to cook up some yummy food that you will all enjoy.

I covered some of the best and easiest tin foil pack recipes here, as well as hobo camping meals here. Here are some kid’s campfire meal ideas to try next time you’re all sat around the campfire:

Corn on the Cob

Corn is one of the easiest foods to cook on hot coals. Just wrap an ear of corn in foil, add a little butter and leave to cook for around 15-20 minutes.

Baked Potato

Poke a large potato with a fork on each side, rub some butter all over and wrap up the potato in tin foil. Expect it to take between 45-60 minutes to cook through depending on the size.

Hot Dogs

A kid’s favorite and a quick an easy meal to make at the end of a long day. Spray a sheet of foil with cooking oil, put a couple of hot dogs in along with some diced vegetables and place on hot coals for 10-15 minutes.

Roasted Marshmallows

What is more synonymous with campfire cooking than roasting marshmallows? To do this properly find a long stick from the floor, strip the bark off the end and create a point, place a marshmallow on and roast for a few minutes over an open fire.

In Summary

Hopefully, this camping with toddlers checklist will prove useful when preparing for a camping trip with toddlers and young children. The key thing to remember here is that camping is fun, no matter how stressful it may get at times.

There is always a way to make the best of a bad situation, and it always seems to be easier with the smiling faces of children. Children bring some added fun to camping, and if you’re enthusiastic and happy, they’ll be enthusiastic and happy too.