Camping With Kids: A Practical Checklist
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Camping with kids can be chaotic, but it also builds some of the best family memories you’ll make. Muddy feet, marshmallows, spotting wildlife and falling asleep to the sound of the bush beat a screen any day. The secret is planning for the things that go wrong with kids: cold, hunger, boredom, and the 2am toilet trip.
Start small
- Do a backyard or local campground trial first. It’s a low-stakes way to test the gear and the kids.
- Choose a campground with facilities for the first few trips: toilets, water and maybe showers or a playground.
- Keep the first drive short.
- Plan for one or two nights, not a week.
Our guide to choosing a campsite near Sydney walks through the options.
Sleeping
Sleep makes or breaks a family trip.
- A tent big enough for everyone plus bags. Families generally need more room than the tent’s rated capacity. (family tents on Amazon)
- Warm sleeping bags rated for the conditions. Kids get cold quickly, and nights can be cooler than you expect. (kids sleeping bags on Amazon)
- Comfortable mats or mattresses, plus a puncture repair kit for air beds
- Familiar comforts from home: their pillow, a favourite toy and a familiar blanket
- A portable cot or travel bassinet for babies, if your tent has room
- Beanies, socks and layers for bedtime
- A night light or small lantern so the dark isn’t scary (camp lanterns on Amazon)
Tip: keep their bedtime routine as close to home as you can. Kids will usually go to sleep later at camp, and wake up with the sun.
Clothing
- More spare clothes than seems reasonable. Kids find every puddle.
- Warm layers and a waterproof jacket
- Wide-brim hats and sun-protective clothing
- Closed shoes for walking, plus thongs or sandals for showers and water
- Pyjamas that are warm enough on their own
- A bag for wet and dirty clothes
Food and kitchen
- Lots of easy snacks. Hungry kids are grumpy kids.
- Simple, familiar meals. Camp isn’t the time for food experiments.
- Kid-friendly camp food: wraps, sausages, pasta, damper or pancakes
- Unbreakable plates, cups and bowls
- Plenty of drinking water
- An esky or 12V fridge to keep milk and perishables cold. See our camp kitchen and food storage guide.
- Wet wipes. Pack lots.
Let kids help with simple jobs like stirring, washing up or setting the table. They love being part of it.
Safety
- Well-stocked first aid kit, with kids’ pain relief, antiseptic, bandaids and tweezers for splinters (first aid kits on Amazon)
- Any medications your kids need, plus spares
- Sunscreen and insect repellent suited to children
- A headtorch for each child. It makes night-time toilet trips easier and kids love them. (kids headtorches on Amazon)
- A whistle for each child, and an agreed rule that they blow it if they’re lost
- Bright clothing so they’re easy to spot
Camp safety rules to agree on
- Campfires and stoves: set a clear “no-go zone” around the fire and cooking area. Never leave a fire unattended, and put it out completely with water before bed or leaving.
- Water: creeks, rivers, lakes and the beach need constant adult supervision.
- Stay in sight: set boundaries for where they can explore.
- Wildlife: look, don’t touch. Don’t feed animals, and keep food sealed away.
- Guy ropes: tie something bright on them, or use reflective ropes, to prevent trips.
- Vehicles: campgrounds have cars moving around, so watch little ones near roads and parking.
- What to do if lost: stay put, stay near the track and blow the whistle.
Keeping kids entertained
Most kids happily entertain themselves outdoors, but have some ideas ready:
- Nature scavenger hunts (find a feather, a smooth rock or a gum nut)
- Bug catchers and magnifying glasses
- Ball games, frisbees and cricket
- Spotting stars and wildlife at dusk with a torch
- Books, cards and simple board games for rainy days
- Drawing or a camping journal
- Bikes or scooters, if the campground suits
Comfort and convenience
- Camp chairs sized for kids (kids camp chairs on Amazon)
- A shaded play area under an awning or gazebo
- A potty or portable toilet for toddlers, especially for night time
- Baby carrier for walks
- A plastic tub for washing little ones
- A small rug or mat outside the tent, which keeps dirt out
Make it fun, not perfect
- Lower your expectations. Things will go wrong, and that’s fine.
- Build in downtime. Don’t over-plan activities.
- Give them jobs: collecting kindling (where allowed), holding the torch, pegging out the tent.
- Have a rainy-day plan: books, games, or a drive to a nearby town or attraction.
- Celebrate small wins. Their first night in a tent is a big deal.
Top of the line vs best value
Well-known options sold in Australia, if you want a starting point. We haven’t independently tested every one, prices change often, and the right choice depends on your trip, so check current prices, specs and warranty before buying. Not ready to buy? Pop it in your Amazon cart so it’s there when you are.
Tent
- Top of the line: Snow Peak Land Nest Dome M on Amazon · Add to Amazon cart: premium, well-built 4-person dome tent.
- Best value: Coleman Instant Up 4-person tent on Amazon · Add to Amazon cart: budget-friendly, quick to pitch.
Sleeping bag
- Top of the line: Sea to Summit Trailhead ThII sleeping bag on Amazon · Add to Amazon cart: premium synthetic bag rated to about 5°C.
- Best value: Coleman Mountain Ridge sleeping bag on Amazon · Add to Amazon cart: budget-friendly bags for mild conditions.
Further reading
- Snakes, spiders and wildlife safety
- Camping in hot weather
- The Australian camping checklist
- How to set up a tent
The bottom line
Start close to home with good facilities, pack warm sleeping gear and more snacks and clothes than seems necessary, set clear safety rules, and let the kids be part of it. Camping with kids is rarely tidy, but it’s almost always worth it.
