After a long year of staying inside, you and your kids are probably ready to enjoy the great outdoors again! Taking the family camping can be a huge stressor, but you can also make special memories for your family for the rest of your lives. One of the key things to remember is to bring high-quality camping gear along—not just for yourself, but for your kids as well.
Here are the best camping gear for kids this spring and summer:
- Pacific Pass Kids Sleeping Bag
- Coleman Kids 50° Sleeping Bag
- Coleman Kids Quad Chair
- Mountain Warehouse Kids Mini Character Chair
- Osprey Daylite Kid’s Backpack
- Everest Junior Backpack
- Champion Kids’ Youthquake Backpack
- CamelBak Eddy Kids Water Bottle
- YETI Rambler Jr. 12 oz Kids Bottle
- Hydro Flask 12 oz Kids 2.0 Water Bottle
- Wakeman Outdoors 2-Person Tent
- Coleman Kids LED Adventure Mini Lantern
- Motorola T100 Talkabout Radio
- Arres Marshmallow Roasting Sticks
- Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Sunscreen Spray
This article will highlight several different products that will help you make your camping trips into adventures for your kids of all ages.
Sleeping Bags
A great sleeping bag means the difference between a great night’s sleep and a horrible night’s sleep. And it doesn’t matter how old or young someone is, as everyone needs a great sleeping bag when camping, including your kids.
Let’s take a closer look at two of the best sleeping bags for kids.
1. Pacific Pass Kids Sleeping Bag
This mummy-shaped sleeping bag has a kid-friendly lining and offers protection from temperatures as low as 30°F (-1°C). Plus, the cuffed design will make sure that only soft material surrounds your child’s face.
It also comes with a compression sack that will help you fit it among all the rest of your gear.
Pros
- Soft, kid-friendly lining.
- Protection from 30°F (-1°C) temperatures.
- Lining around the face.
Cons
- Must be hand-washed.
- Only comes in one color: Violet.
2. Coleman Kids 50° Sleeping Bag
The Coleman Sleeping Bag features ThermoTech insulation that insulates your kids as they sleep. There are three different glow-in-the-dark designs, as well as an interior tuck pocket that fits a flashlight or anything else you might want to grab in the middle of the night.
This sleeping bag is not as warm as some others on the market, but kids love the fun design, and the Roll Control System makes it much easier to roll into a ball.
Pros
- Protection from 50°F (10°C) temperatures.
- The soft lining around the face.
- Lightweight design.
- More space to spread out inside the sleeping bag.
Cons
- Not as warm as other sleeping bags on the market.
- Some reviews mention defects.
- Not machine washable.
Camping Chairs
Sitting around the campfire is one of the greatest pleasures of camping, including for kids. However, if they don’t have their own chair, it might not be as pleasant for them. Let’s take a look at some great kids’ camping chairs.
3. Coleman Kids Quad Chair
For a comfy place for your kids to sit around the campfire, this Coleman chair is sturdy enough to seat teenagers and small adults. It holds up to 160 lbs (73 kg) and features a locking steel frame to prevent it from buckling in on itself.
Pros
- Holds 160 lbs (73 kg).
- Mesh cup holder.
- Glows in the dark.
Cons
- Limited designs to choose from.
- More expensive than other kids’ outdoor chairs.
4. Mountain Warehouse Kids Mini Character Chair
This chair comes with a vivid picture of either a dragon or a unicorn on the back and is sure to make your kids enthusiastic about spending a few days under the stars with mom and dad. However, it will hold a maximum weight of 110 lbs (50 kg), so it will only work for your youngest kids.
They’re also machine washable, making it much easier to clean off after a few days of roughing it.
Pros
- Holds 110 lbs (50 kg).
- Mesh cup holder.
- Machine washable.
Cons
- Lower weight limit than other kids’ outdoor chairs.
- Only two designs.
- Might be too small or childish for older kids.
Backpacks
When camping, everyone needs a great backpack to hold their gear. Let’s take a look at a few of the better backpacks for kids.
5. Osprey Daylite Kid’s Backpack
This kids’ hiking backpack comes in bright shades of green, blue, and red, making it much less likely for your kiddo to leave it behind. In addition, this bag is small enough that it won’t get overloaded but large enough to keep a small jacket inside.
The Daylite features dual mesh pockets on the sides and an interior sleeve and valve for water storage.
Your child can keep a water bottle and extra water in the backpack itself.
Pros
- Interior sleeve for hydration.
- Multiple pockets.
- Not too large.
- Has most of the same features as an adult hiking backpack.
Cons
- One of the more expensive backpacks.
- Not many color or design options.
6. Everest Junior Backpack
This backpack comes in nearly ten different design options and colors, so if you have more than three kids who insist on having different backpacks, this is a great option for you. It weighs only 8.8 oz (.25 kg), so it won’t weigh your child down any more than it has to.
The front pocket has a hidden zipper enclosure and is the perfect size for young kids.
Pros
- Multiple styles and colors.
- Small and light.
- Front pocket with zipper enclosure.
Cons
- It has limited space and won’t fit more than a moderate amount of gear.
- No hiking extras like hydration pocket or mesh pockets.
7. Champion Kids’ Youthquake Backpack
Champion backpacks are always in fashion and have many unique color and pattern options. So if you have a fashion-forward hiker, this backpack will make them happy.
It has a padded adjustable strap, padded panels, and a padded back, leading to a much more structured backpack than some of the others available. It also includes a laptop sleeve and a zip pocket in front, so if your kids need to bring electronics along on your camping trip, they’ll have a safe place.
Pros
- Reliable brand.
- Mesh pockets.
- Multiple style options.
- More structure than other backpacks.
Cons
- No hiking extras.
- Might be too small for a multi-day camping trip.
Water Bottles
Hydration is very important on camping trips, and all campers need their own water bottles. There are several great options for kids, so let’s take a look at a few of them.
8. CamelBak Eddy Kids Water Bottle
If you’re camping with the whole family, you’ll want a separate water bottle for everyone.
The CamelBak Kids’ Water Bottle will accomplish that no matter how big your family is, with over 30 different designs available. Whether your child likes music, dinosaurs, or elephants, you’ll be able to find a design they love here.
This bottle also has CamelBak’s patented “bite” valve.
While the bite valve is great for preventing leaks, it also is prone to damage from excessive biting, so if you have a young child that’s teething, you may want to get them something else.
Pros
- Over 30 pictures and designs for your kids to choose from.
- Comes with a CamelBak bite valve.
Cons
- Made of plastic, which is prone to breaking.
- Not machine washable.
- Bite valves can be damaged.
9. YETI Rambler Jr. 12 oz Kids Bottle
This water bottle from YETI is stainless steel, and it is so tough that it’s almost indestructible, which is perfect for young kids. The bottle and cap of the Rambler are both dishwasher safe, making cleanup much easier.
The Rambler comes in seven unique colors, including Chartreuse and Harbor Pink.
Pros
- Made of sturdy stainless steel, difficult to break.
- Dishwasher-safe.
Cons
- Limited amount of design options and colors.
- Pricier than other water bottles.
10. Hydro Flask 12 oz Kids 2.0 Water Bottle
The popular Hydro Flask is now available in a size made for kids!
Hydro Flasks keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours with stainless steel technology if the lid is securely fastened. This water bottle also has a dishwasher-safe powder coating that doesn’t slip out of little fingers easily.
There are only four color combinations available, so if you want a water bottle with more personality, a Hydro Flask may not be for you.
Pros
- Slip-proof powder coating.
- Sturdy stainless steel body.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Keeps drinks cold or hot for up to 24 hours.
- Lifetime warranty.
Cons
- Not many color combinations.
- More expensive than other water bottles.
Other Essential Camping Stuff
Of course, no camping trip is complete without all the extras, such as a tent and lantern.
11. Wakeman Outdoors 2-Person Tent
Most tents for kids available online are impractical or not meant for outdoor use. After all, your kids will usually be in the same tent as you if you’re all camping together. If you want to give your kids a little more space on your outdoor adventure, this two-person tent is the perfect size for kids. It’s easy to set up, with fiberglass poles and a rain fly.
It also has ventilation, so you’ll be able to rest easy knowing you can hear your kids in the tent.
12. Coleman Kids LED Adventure Mini Lantern
You probably have a lantern to light up your campsite as the stars come out, but a child might appreciate having a lantern to themselves since the woods can get scary in the dark. These Coleman lanterns come in green, blue, orange and red, and have LED lightbulbs that will never need replacing.
They run for 16 hours on AA batteries, which aren’t included.
13. Motorola T100 Talkabout Radio
Even if your kids have cell phones, there’s nothing quite like calling your sibling from a walkie-talkie while you’re out on a hike. These Motorola radios have 22 channels for communicating and have easy-to-read screens that tell you when the battery gets low.
They have a range of 16 miles (25.7 km.), so if you’re concerned about your kids being separated from you in an area without cell phone service, they are a great option.
This kit comes with two radios and two belt clips.
14. Arres Marshmallow Roasting Sticks
When you have a fire roaring, you can always go hunting for sticks to roast marshmallows on, but that can be unsanitary, and you might not find any. These marshmallow roasting sticks come in packs of five and are multicolored.
They have a telescopic arm that you can extend to different lengths, and they can also handle roasting hot dogs. Adults will love these roasting sticks too!
15. Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Sunscreen Spray
Your kids might not think that sunscreen is fun, but if you’ve ever driven home from a trip with sunburnt kids, you know how important sunscreen is to having fun in the great outdoors. This sunscreen is made to withstand water and sweat and will protect your kids for up to 80 minutes with 70+ SPF.
Make sure to spray liberally all over, and then spread it on the skin evenly by hand.
Wrapping It Up
Having the proper gear for your child is essential to enjoying the great outdoors. Kids want to have their own gear when they camp. I know that was the case with my kids. Always fighting over a chair to sit in. Solved that issue by allowing them to pick the type of chair and color they wanted and purchasing it for them. It gave them a sense of ownership when it came time to set up camp and tear down.
