Best Camping Destinations For Kids: Your Ultimate Guide to Camping with Children

Camping is an excellent outdoor activity that provides stories and lasting memories for the whole family. However, camping with kids is another wild story awaiting parents. It brings delight and fear for most parents—from sleeping conditions, wildlife encounters, kids whining, and more.

Whether you’re planning to take the kids this weekend to a nearby park, pitch your tent there for a night or go remotely, there are several pointers you’ll need to consider for a successful family camping trip. You may want to check this camping checklist for kids to prepare you ahead of what to expect during the outdoor escapade. 

First, you need to decide where you want to camp and who’ll be going with you. Do you plan to backpack everything? RVing, renting a cabin in the woods, or going more remote? What is the age of your kids? The questions will go on and on, so let’s begin! 

Best Places To Take Your Kids When Camping

Before packing all your camping essentials, you need to decide where to go. Picking your campsite is essential. When camping with children, your priorities change more than when you camp with adults. The campground should include;

• A fairly close bathroom for shy kiddos or those who are potty training to do their business outdoors
• With water features like a creek or beach but not a campground in the water for security purposes
• The volume of people it can accommodate
• Larger campsite location to ensure your kid’s sleep won’t be compromised
• Kid-friendly campsite amenities like playgrounds

Aside from the aforementioned features, you may want to plan what activities to do while outdoors. For instance, you can check whether the campsite provides short flat trails for little hikers who depend on their feet while exploring. 

If the whole family loves swimming, ensure that your campsite is near a lake to save time driving to another location to swim. However, you’ll need to be extra cautious for kids not yet comfortable swimming or can’t swim yet. 

Biking is another interesting camping activity that allows kids to circle without going too far from the base camp.

With plenty of enticing places to camp with your kids, the best destination is anywhere as long as they are close to you. Furthermore, here are several ideas you can check;

• Family camping grounds near you
• Parks 
• Beach 
• Creeks or lakes nearby
• Popular campgrounds nearby
• RVing 
• Backyard to build their confidence

Some of the most popular campsites ideas for kids are: 

• Flamingo Adventures at Florida Everglades
• El Capitan Canyon, Santa Barbara CA
• Camp Clearwater, White Lake, North Carolina
• Jellystone Park Larkspur, Colorado
• Fort Yargo State Park, Winder GA
• Ventura Ranch KOA, Santa Paula, California

Camping With Kids: Your Complete Guide

Before hitting the road and going to your chosen camping destination, here’s what you’ll need to prepare and expect. 

Check weather conditions 

Researching the current weather condition on your designated campground can help you prepare and pack the right essentials needed. Consider checking the local tourist information sites and centers or park rangers to provide you with the best advice of when is the best time to camp in the area. 

You don’t want to get stuck in your tent or cabin with inclement weather conditions in the area. Good weather can help improve your camping experience, especially when you have kids tagging along.

Prepare all camping essentials, including gadgets and gears.

Packing the right essentials without taking the whole house can help you enjoy camping with your kids, regardless of where you are heading. If it’s your first time camping with kids, check with relatives or friends who’ve done it before and collect all those golden nuggets to help you out. 

Test the camping gears, especially your sleeping mattress

You’ll never want to be in any situation, in a remote area, drive hours off civilization, to realize that your air mattress is leaking, broken, or unsleepable. Before you step out of your home, check all camping gear and ensure that they are all working. 

Check tent attachments are working.

Test your portable stove, cooking equipment and make sure they are clean

Refresh batteries, gas bottles, and light globes

Plan your meals

Since you’ll be camping with little humans, you’ll need to satisfy their tummies by bringing a massive supply of snacks, juices, and the likes. Your meal needs to be easy, and those that will last for days in the cooler without worrying about them getting all spoiled. 

There are plenty of kid-friendly recipes and camping ideas to help you out. All you have to do is be as creative without compromising nutrition.

Final Words

Considering the current weather condition or season can help you prepare a better camping experience with the whole family. Whether you prefer summer camping or layering down your clothes during the winter season, it’s all to your preference. Camping should be a great way to bond and de-stress yourself from work while staying close with the family and nature. 

The best way to improve your camping experience is to try it today and do better next time. Every camper has its distinctive ways of having fun and making memories. Make the most of it with your kids today; who knows, they’ll be looking forward to more of this activity while growing!