How to Go Camping With Your Kids - A Guide For Young Families

We started at 3 & 6 years old. With a whole tent, weekend float trip! Teaching survival skills, outdoor education & confidence early.

Align With Anna®️

Aug 30, 2025

Camping with your family is one of the best memories!

Trees, bonfires, smores. The fresh air, cool breeze & lightning bugs. The hiking, float trips & games.

Making new friends & having great conversation. Sometimes it’s silent too, which is also nice.

You’ll see each other in a new light. It’s fun & endearing. It teaches you patience, resilience & so much about life.

It’s even better with friends! Share this in the group chat & make it a community/village moment! 🥳

Here’s what I’ve learned from successful young family camping trips:

Prepare by sending time outdoors. Go for hikes regularly. Watch movies about the wilderness. Go for a day float trip. Read books & share pictures of your personal camping experiences.
Choose a place that has showers & bathrooms. On your first couple of trips, you’ll be so happy to have real lights & plumbing. Especially a hot shower after a long day on the river. It’s also easy to wash dishes. Get a campsite as close as possible.
Pack your camping gear in clear plastic, rain-proof bins. Get all your kitchen supplies, lighting, batteries, chargers, coolers & ice packs together. Morning dew is real, everything outside the tent should be protected.
Invest in nice, origami-like gear. Be thoughtful with space & longevity so you can pack the car easily. Check out my Camping List to get my recommendations (including dog supplies!).
Go grocery shopping. Here’s my Camping Grocery & Meals List.

✨ Bonus Tip - Find a camping place that has river access, a pool, store and/or a horse riding situation. Depending on your level of comfort, you can even find camping sites with a whole hotel, cabins & restaurant.

📲 Check my IG Video from our first year!

The Day Before

Fill Up Gas/Carwash
Prep the Kids mentally for a roadtrip
Gather bedding (my boys have sleeping bags & I got my own packable blanket), sheets & pillows

The Night Before

Charge everything (including kid’s tablets)
Pack all the big stuff - tent, cots, beds, chairs, lighting + kitchen & swim
Pack clothes - packing cubes are great & super easy for the kids

The Day Of

Pre-chill the cooler (add ice first thing or leave it open & outside if it’s already chilly)
Pack toiletries (after morning tooth toothbrush)
Gather your dry food (chips, bars, fruit, etc.)
Stock your cooler (2:1 ice ratio)
1. I use reusable ice packs + refrigerator ice.
Get your hydration for the ride and/or purchase refillable jugs

Once You Arrive

Set Up Your Tent - Immediately & put the rain cover on
Open up the windows, hang lights, set up your beds
Put long pants & socks on, hit the water or start the fire 🔥
- Never been on the water? 📲 2024’s Float & Summer 2025

Parent Tips

Make it cute & homey for your kids - especially if they’ve never camped before
Give them space to chill & acclimate - let them relax, play outside or walk around to get the lay of the land
Show them where their headlamps, flash lights & bathrooms are
Teach Tent Etiquette:
- No shoes in the tent (place on a towel by the door)
- Always zip up - so no bugs get in
- Close the windows when changing
- Use inside voices (because everyone can hear you)
Let them know cooking can take longer than usual
WiFi may or may not be available, download your movies/shows

✨ Pro Tip - Make a kid’s cooler/insulated bag, with quick pre-washed fruit & snacks

Packing Up

Leave an extra towel out - to help wipe/clean your tent
Pack clothes, personal items, tech & bedding
Take down cot & tent
- If it’s wet, shake off the top, let the rain cover hang dry in the sun, as much as possible
- Wipe down any other wetness or dirt
Pack up kitchen items
- Add all dirty dishes to your sink & wash in the bathroom
- Put all the supplies back in your bin
- Consolidate food & coolers
Throw your garbage away & take your recycling
- Make A Note - what could/would have made your life easier