Camping with Kids: The Complete Packing List for Your Family Vacation
Whether in a tent or a camper van – a camping vacation is a very special adventure for parents and children. Away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, families spend time together in nature, go hiking, or cozy up by the campfire. But anyone who has traveled with family knows: For a camping vacation, the right preparation and a comprehensive packing list are crucial. With our practical packing list, you have everything important with you to be prepared for your next family adventure!
Here is our packing list to print and check off!
Packing List: What Do You Need for Camping with Kids?
Before the adventure and fun can begin, a crucial question arises: What needs to be packed? When camping with kids, you should not only think about the basic equipment. Other important aspects include comfort, safety, and fun for the little ones on vacation. Below, we show you which items must not be missing and how to optimally adjust the packing list to your needs:
- Clothing
- Hygiene
- First Aid
- Documents & Finances
- Camping Utensils
- Tent Equipment
- Packing List for the Caravan
- For Babies and Toddlers
- Play & Fun
1. Clothing for Different Weather Conditions 🌦️
When camping with kids, it is important to be prepared for all weather conditions. Because the weather in nature can change very quickly. Whether sunny days, rainy weather, or cold nights: With the right clothing, the family stays warm and dry. Ideally, check the weather report in advance so you can better assess what clothing your family should pack for the vacation.
General:
Regardless of the season, there are some clothing items that should always be included when camping with kids:
- Change of clothes (underwear, socks, shirts, pants)
- Warm sweater
- Comfortable pajamas
- Sturdy footwear (e.g., for hiking)
- Rain gear (e.g., jacket, pants, rubber boots)
In Summer:
- Breathable clothing (e.g., t-shirts, shorts)
- Headgear (e.g., sun hat)
- Swimwear
- Light jacket or sweater (for cool evenings)
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Sandals and closed shoes
- Swim wings (if needed)
Find the perfect travel backpack for your camping vacation!
Packing List: What Do You Need for Camping with Kids?
Before the adventure and fun can begin, a crucial question arises: What needs to be packed? When camping with kids, you should not only think about the basic equipment. Other important aspects include comfort, safety, and fun for the little ones on vacation. Below, we show you which items must not be missing and how to optimally adjust the packing list to your needs:
- Clothing
- Hygiene
- First Aid
- Documents & Finances
- Camping Utensils
- Camping Equipment
- Packing List for the Caravan
- For Babies and Toddlers
- Play & Fun
Perfectly Prepared: The Right Children's Backpack for Camping
So that your child always has their most important things at hand – whether snacks, toys, or rain jackets – a well-packed children's backpack is worth its weight in gold!
Now to the best children's backpacks for camping
1. Clothing for Various Weather Conditions
When camping with children, it is important to be prepared for all weather conditions . Because the weather in nature can change very quickly. Whether sunny days, rainy weather, or cold nights: with the right clothing, the family stays warm and dry. Ideally, check the weather report in advance so you can better assess what clothing your family should pack for the vacation.
In General:
Regardless of the season, there are some clothing items that should always be included when camping with children:
- Change of clothes (underwear, socks, shirts, pants)
- Warm sweater
- Comfortable pajamas
- Sturdy footwear (e.g., for hiking)
- Rain gear (e.g., jacket, pants, rubber boots)
In Summer:
- Breathable clothing (e.g., t-shirts, shorts)
- Headwear (e.g., sun hat)
- Swimwear
- Light jacket or sweater (for cool evenings)
- Rain jacket or rain poncho
- Sandals and closed shoes
- Swim wings (if needed)
Order in the Backpack? Use our packing bags to store your clothing efficiently and have it ready at hand quickly! They help you pack everything important compactly and securely – perfect for unpredictable weather changes!
Find the ideal packing bag for your camping trip now!
2. Hygiene
Many campsites have modern sanitary facilities where you can take care of your personal hygiene almost like at home. Here are the most important items that should not be missing in your toiletry bag:
● Toothbrushes and toothpaste
● Hairbrush or comb
● Washcloth
● Shampoo and shower gel
● Flip-flops or bathing shoes
● Towels (quick-drying recommended)
● Wet wipes
● Soap
● Nail scissors or nail clippers
● Toilet paper
● Laundry detergent
● Diapers and changing mat (if needed)
● Potty (optional)
3. First Aid & Travel Pharmacy
Small accidents can happen quickly during a camping holiday. To quickly remedy health complaints, a well-equipped first aid kit is essential. and a well-thought-out travel pharmacy is essential.
● First aid kit
● Band-aids (in various sizes)
● Wound disinfectant
● Tick tweezers
● Thermometer
● Pain and fever medication (suitable for children)
● Insect repellent (e.g., gel)
● Allergy medication (if needed)
● Ointment for bruises and sprains
● Sunscreen
4. Documents & Finances
No matter if you stay nearby or travel abroad – you should definitely think about important documents and financial security.
● Identity cards or passports (including children's passports)
● Health insurance cards
● Vaccination certificate (especially for foreign travel)
● Travel documents (e.g., booking confirmations for campsites)
● Copies of important documents
● Emergency contacts (on paper and in the smartphone)
● Vehicle registration and driver's license
● Cash (in the appropriate currency)
● Debit or credit card
● Budget for emergencies (e.g., unforeseen expenses)
● Vignettes (e.g., highway vignette)
● Wallet (e.g., breast wallet)
To keep all your important documents and finances safe and organized, we have the right wallets for you! Choose from a variety of practical models that help you keep everything important always at hand – and safely!
Discover our wallets for your next adventure now!
5. Utensils for a Relaxed Camping Life
With some practical helpers, you can make your everyday life in nature stress-free.
Basic equipment:
● Camping chairs and camping table
● High chair (if needed)
● Picnic blanket
● Sun protection (e.g., sun sail)
● Clothesline and clothespins
● Lighter or matches
● Broom and dustpan
For cooking and eating:
● Camping stove and suitable fuel
● Pots and pans
● Cutting board and knife
● Plates, bowls, cups, cutlery
● Storage containers or bags for food
● Cooler or insulated bag
● Can opener and corkscrew
● Aluminum foil or baking paper
● Spices, oil, and other basics in small containers
● Dish soap, sponges, and dish towels
● Bucket or collapsible dish basin
● Thermos or insulated drinking bottles
● Napkins or kitchen roll
● Trash bags
● Snacks and munchies
Electronics:
● Power bank
● Charging cables and adapters
● Flashlights and headlamps (with spare batteries)
● Camping lantern or LED string lights
● Extension cord
6. Equipment for Camping with Children
When camping with children, the right equipment is essential. It ensures comfort, protection from the elements, and a good night's sleep .
● Stable, weatherproof family tent
● Tent groundsheet or tarps (protection against moisture)
● Tent pegs and guy lines (with spares)
● Insect protection net
● Repair kit for the tent
● Sleeping bags (suitable for temperatures)
● Air pump (if needed)
● Pillows
● Fitted sheets
● Extra blankets
● Sleeping mats or inflatable mattresses
7. Packing list for caravans with children
Do you prefer a holiday in a caravan or motorhome over camping? Then these items should be on your checklist:
● Fresh and waste water hoses (including adapter)
● Power cable (for power connection at the campsite)
● Wheel chocks
● Gas bottles
● Tools (e.g., screwdriver, hammer, pliers)
● Bedding or sleeping bags
● Ventilation grilles or mosquito nets for windows and doors
● Awning or canopy
8. Equipment for babies and toddlers
When going on a camping holiday, you should also cater to the needs of the little ones.
● Crawling blanket
● Warm wool blanket
● Bibs and burp cloths
● Toys (e.g., favorite stuffed animal, music boxes)
● Swim diapers
● Bottles
● Baby carrier
● Compact stroller
9. Games & Fun
Games and activities are a must on a camping holiday with children to ensure entertainment. Here are some ideas for fun and variety while camping:
● Ball games (e.g., soccer, volleyball, frisbee)
● Jump rope or elastic band
● Art supplies (e.g., sketchbook, colored pencils)
● Craft materials
● Card games or compact board games (travel versions)
● Books or audiobooks
● Puzzles or skill games
● Storybooks or magazines
● Sand toys
For transporting games & fun – discover our colorful children's backpacks:
Questions & Tips for Camping with Children
If you have never camped with your little ones before, you probably have many questions and would appreciate any practical tips that make your camping experience easier. We have compiled some questions and tips for you!
Where to go with children in a motorhome?
Are you still undecided about where to travel with the children in the motorhome? To the sea or to the mountains? Would you prefer to build sandcastles on the beach or explore nature while hiking? As a decision aid, we have compiled some of the most popular destinations for camping in a motorhome:
● North and Baltic Sea:
The German North and Baltic Sea offers not only mudflats, shells, and beautiful beaches but also lovely, family-friendly campsites with well-equipped playgrounds and swimming pools. In northern Germany, there are also beautiful routes to explore cities and countryside, such as the Mecklenburg Lake District or Hansa Park.
● Netherlands:
Wide sandy beaches, family-friendly campsites, and exciting amusement parks like the fairytale park Efteling or the Wildlands Zoo provide variety. Cycling tours through the dunes or excursions to national parks like De Hoge Veluwe make the holiday an experience for you and your family.
■ Switzerland:
Switzerland offers a perfect destination for family camping with its breathtaking nature: Campsites amidst mountains, by crystal-clear lakes, or in picturesque valleys are ideal for hiking, cycling, and boating. Here, there are highlights like the Rhine Falls or fascinating mountain railways for both young and old.
■ Italy:
"Bella Italia" is what you can expect from a camping holiday in Italy: from culinary discoveries to sunny beaches and dreamlike landscapes. Here too, you will find many family-friendly campsites with, for example, water parks, playgrounds, and recreational parks. Whether on the Adriatic coast, Lake Garda, or in the Dolomites – Italy is ideal for a camping holiday with children.
At what age can you go camping with children?
For camping in a tent, there is no prescribed minimum age for the little ones. You can even camp with your baby in a tent. Of course, especially with babies and toddlers, you should ensure to bring the necessary equipment so that your child lacks nothing. Camping with a caravan is often more comfortable, especially with younger travelers. There, for example, you can cook more easily and change your child. However, there are now also family-friendly campsites with appropriate sanitary facilities and even options to rent baby and child equipment, such as baby beds or high chairs.
Tip: To ensure that your child sleeps well in the tent, you can test this while camping in your own garden or in the grandparents' garden. This way, as a parent, you can also find out what equipment you might still be missing.
Keeping children entertained during the car ride
When will we finally be there? This question is certainly asked by parents more than once during a long car ride. With these tips for entertainment, you can make the journey more relaxing for your children and yourself:
■ Travel games and audiobooks:
Small travel games as well as age-appropriate audiobooks and podcasts are ideal companions on the car ride. The classic guessing game "I spy with my little eye" is also fun for the little ones while driving.
■ Snack boxes:
A box with healthy and child-friendly treats is a real lifesaver during the ride. A small surprise bag with toys or puzzle books can also provide some variety.
■ Movement breaks:
After several hours of driving, the little ones have built up a lot of energy. Therefore, regular breaks at, for example, rest areas with playgrounds, where the children can let off steam, stretch, and play, are important.
Conclusion: A camping holiday with children becomes an unforgettable adventure with the right preparation. A well-thought-out, compact packing list ensures that nothing important is missing on the family vacation. Every form of camping – from sleeping in a tent to a holiday in a caravan – has its own charm and requires suitable equipment. Off we go to an exciting adventure in the great outdoors!
