Tent Camping with Littles

We have a camper. We love our camper. But sometimes, and especially in Glacier Park, campsites aren’t large enough to accomodate a travel trailer. So, we have rediscovered the joys of tent camping! Here, I offer you some suggestions and a gear list that may be helpful if you’re planning to go camping in a tent with your kids this summer. I recommend checking your gear thoroughly before packing it. Extra points if you take the time to air everything out! Also consider how rural/rustic the camping conditions will be and bring extra safety/emergency gear if you plan to go fully off grid. For those camping at the KOA, you might not need all the items below.

General Tips & Ideas:

• Relax about bedtime. The sun stays out later in the summertime here (a LOT later) and it’s basically impossible to get kids to bed before 9 or 10pm. I have spent way too many frustrated hours in the camper and tents trying to wrestle to bed overtired, punch drunk toddlers insistent on fighting bedtime as long as possible. This is a time to accept that bedtime schedules and routines will be disrupted and that it’s OK. They will nap on the drive home or recover after one cranky day as you adjust back to your routine. I promise it will be OK. Just enjoy the adventure, let them play ‘til they drop, and maybe even let them stay up late enough for star gazing! (I am the worst at all this, so no judgment if this process isn’t graceful or easy for you. I almost never see the stars. I am so tired by 8 pm! Give yourself some grace or - better yet - let your partner take over bedtimes on the next camping trip so you can get some rest.)

• Plan for one morning activity per day, like a hike, fishing, kayak, etc. We like to plan a big push/outing for the morning. Sometimes, just sometimes, this results in a nap and relaxing downtime for us grownups. This also leaves us the afternoon to explore the campsite area. Often, there are beaches, trails, or friendly neighbors to meet. A little bike gang sometimes forms with the campsite kids, though I’ve seen that more often around dinnertime. I just love the feeling of accomplishing whatever athletic goal/adventure we have set in the morning, so that I can try to actually relax in the afternoon. Putting out apps and drinks, listening to music, playing games… or moving the party to the beach is always fun.

• Having NEW/different arts and crafts, books, and toys while camping makes it extra exciting for kids. A scavenger hunt can also be a nice way to keep kids busy for a while. I have a special camping bin of activities - coloring books, markers, chalk, play dough, colored pipe cleaners and beads, etc. It always seems “new” when we bust it out on the first day of the camping trip, even though it’s basically the same stuff each time (I do replenish beforehand but I don’t let the kids help me with the task.)

• Buy a camping journal to keep track of your adventures. We use this one from Write It Down, and it’s great. I love looking back at the notes we made on previous trips.

• Don’t plan to relax. No matter how well you plan, camping with kids is like being home with kids but more work. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, they are so excited about the novelty that everyone is happier than usual. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, the other campsite kids help keep your kids busy and lessen your burden. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you just feel relaxed because you aren’t checking your phone and that makes life better than at home. But, most of the time, camping is a lot of work. It’s worth it. But it’s not a vacation. It’s traveling with kids. Without showers. So manage your expectations.

• I have a gear list below, but it’s worth underscoring the point that you should plan for bad weather and children getting their clothes wet. Always bring an extra change of clothes for the kids and layers, such as vests and rain gear, as well as extra wool socks.

Gear List - General:

• Tent with rain hood, stakes

• Mallet or hammer for tent stakes

• A tarp for under tent

• Sleeping bags, pillows, extra blankets (EXTRA EXTRA blankets if you don’t have sleeping pads or a mattress)

• Flashlights, lanterns

• Cooler with ice

• Extra potable water and water dispenser (if no potable water at campsite)

• Sunscreen and sun hats

• Bug spray

• Wood for campfire, including kindling

• Lighters or matches

• Camp chairs

• Tablecloth for camp table

• Extra table

• Axe

• Duct tape

• Rope/clothesline and clothes pins

• Hammocs

• Pop-up shade pavillion

• Swimsuits and swim towels

• Pajamas

• Sun-protective clothing, sunglasses

• Extra layers for cool nights, including a cap/beanie

• Extra change of clothes for each kid

• Rain jackets

• Sandals

• Swiss army knife

• Bear spray

• First Aid Kit

• Broom & Dustpan

• Kids bedtime books and stuffies

Food and Drink Gear:

• Camp stove or grate for cooking over fire

• Coffee maker (percolator that works over campfire is nice) and coffee filters or instant coffee

• Pot for boiling water over fire or on camp stove

• Campfire-safe pots and pans

• Plates, bowls, cups, flatware

• Dishwashing tubs (I use one for washing and one for rinsing)

• Camp-safe Dishwashing soap and scrubber

• Dish drying rack and dish towels

• Cutting board, knives

• Tongs

• Spatula

• Serving spoons

• Can opener

• Bottle opener

• Storage bags/containers and aluminum foil

• Skewers (for marshmallows)

• Oven mitts

• Food storage bin/bear-safe containers (if needed) - usually these are provided at campsite

• Salt and pepper

• Herbs & spices

• Cooking oil/spray

• Trash bags

• Paper towels

Hygeine/Personal Care Gear:

• Hand soap

• Bath towels and wash cloths

• Toothbrushes & toothpaste

• Dental floss

• Face wash & lotion

• Body wash & body lotion

• Shampoo, conditioner, hair brush (we usually skip these!)

• Baby wipes/hand wipes

• Glasses/contacts and solution

• Deodorant

Recreation Gear:

• Life jackets

• Kayaks, paddleboard, paddles

• Fishing gear

• Hiking backpack and water bottles

• Binoculars

• Board games

• Lawn games, frisbees, balls

• Arts & crafts bin for kids

• Musical instruments

• Music player & speaker

• Bikes, scooters, skateboards, etc.

• Grown-up books and magazines (wishful thinking!)

Meal ideas:

• Make-ahead pancake batter (just pour onto the griddle) or buy the kind you just have to mix with we water - be sure to pack butter & syrup! Pairs well with fresh fruit, bacon, and scrambled eggs for breakfast. Note: bacon can be hard to clean up at the campsite. May work best if cooked in a disposable pan and thrown away. Just make sure it’s thrown away in the official campsite dumpster, not left in a bag at your campsite!

• Make-ahead burritos. Any type of burrito works - just wrap in foil and heat over the griddle. Turn regularly. Don’t forget to pack sour cream and salsa. These are our favorite breakfast or lunch when camping.

• Hawaii bread ham & cheese sandwiches. We bring the fixins and make them at the campsite. My husband and I prefer the veggie version, with cucumbers, hummus, and cheese. The kids like good old ham and cheese. Pair with potato chips and fresh fruit.

• Easy breakfast of yogurt & granola with fresh fruit. Easiest if you bring the little yogurt cups and just put the granola and fruit directly into the yogurt cups - minimal cleanup!

• Soup and bread. I usually make soup and a loaf of sourdough and bring Ritz crackers for the kids.

• Make-ahead taco meat, to be mixed into tacos or quesadillas at the campsite. I usually make guac at the campsite, but try to bring everything else read to throw together: tortillas, cheese, sour cream, shredded cabbage, lime, etc.

• Stuff for s’mores, obviously!

Enjoy camping!! What a special way to make memories and spend time together and with nature.