We just bought a new (old, fixer upper) camper and I’m super excited to get it perfect for my family. There’s plenty of packing lists out there, and generally most people already know what to pack in their camper. But what do you pack in your camper for kids? Here’s a mega list of everything you might want to think about bringing along when camping with kids.
Camping with my 5 kids isn’t an easy feat. If we ever experience things like rain or bad weather it’s can completely throw off our whole camping trip. Never mind forgetting something and having to run into town to pick it up, or worse, buying it in the overpriced campsite store.
So here’s everything I can think of that you should pack in your camper for kids. Most of these things can just be kept in there, too, so it’s already ready to go when you need it.
You might also like these cheap ways to accessorise and older camper.
Health and Safety Products to Pack Camping With Kids
- A first aid kit stocked with lots of band-aids
- Children’s medicines including pain killers and stomach relief
- Nail clippers
- Tweezers
- Hand sanitizer or hand soap
- Kids’ 3 in 1 bath soap (perfect for shower or even just washing off with a hose)
- Baby powder (great for moisture and to remove sand)
- Kid-friendly sunscreen and bug spray
- Baby wipes (even for older kids)
- Life jackets if you’ll be boating or swimming
- Lotion and rash or bug bite cream
Kids’ Accessories to Keep in Your Camper
- Sunglasses
- A hat
- Extra jacket or hoodie
- More blankets than you think you’ll need
- Towels
- Kid-sized chairs
- Place mats
- Their own cups, ideally with lids
- Reusable water bottle
- Kid sized backpack
- Flip flops (especially if you’ll be showering)
- Extra hair accessories for tying hair back
Fun Things to Pack for a Kid-Friendly Camping Trip
- Colouring books and crayons
- Notepad and pencil
- Puzzles
- Board games
- A deck of cards
- Toys, including sand toys
- Scavenger hunts
- Bubbles
- Glow sticks
- Books for downtime (older kids) or bedtime (younger kids)
- A ball (like a soccer ball)
- Craft kits
- Play tent
Other Useful Things to Pack Camping for Kids
- Kid safe marshmallow tips (the ones that aren’t poky)
- Their own flashlight
- Something to put on the dirt (like a covered foam pad) for when they’re playing
- Kid-friendly snacks
- A backup charger for devices if it rains
- Their own camera, if they have one
- Binoculars, magnifying glass, etc
- Umbrella or sun shade
- Pop up laundry hamper (great for dirty or wet clothes)
- Face cloths for washing up
- Picnic blanket
- Clothesline and clothespin
- A wash bucket
- Biodegradable soap
- Plastic or non breakable dishes
- Side tables for around the campfire
- Firewood
- Hand towels
Kid Food and Drinks to Keep in the RV
- Hot chocolate
- Tea
- Juice boxes
- Fruit snacks or other packaged snacks
- Crackers (especially goldfish)
- Rice cakes
- Chips, cookies, and other treats
- Granola bars
- Small boxes or bowls of cereal
- Spreads like peanut butter or Nutella
- Marshmallows and stuff to S’mores
- Powdered milk
- Trail mix
What to Pack While Camping With a Baby
- Extra diapers and wipes (more than you think you’ll go through!)
- Swim diapers if you’ll be hitting the beach or a pool
- A camping highchair
- Portable crib
- Wearable baby carrier
- Baby food, breastfeeding accessories, or formula (with extra)
- Lots of pre-sterilized feeding supplies
- White noise machine (if you have power)
- Extra pacifiers or other soothing
Kids’ Clothes and Personal Care Items for Camping
- Enough clothes, plus spares
- Swimsuit if there will be water
- Extra socks
- Favourite blanket, stuffed toy, etc to help them sleep
- Warm clothes, especially if it gets cold at night and in the mornings
I’m sure I missed a bunch of things on this list, too, but it’s definitely a good start for things to pack in your RV or camper for kids. It seems like a lot, but if you’re going for a long haul camping or road trip it’s nice to be a little bit over prepared. Especially if your kids are younger.