Camping for Beginners – The Ultimate Guide

Planning your first family camping trip can feel like you’re packing for a wilderness expedition.  And if you’re anything like we were, you’re wondering if you can pull this off without losing your sanity, forgetting a kid, or waking up soaking wet in a leaky tent.

The truth is that camping doesn’t have to be complicated.  You don’t need to own a truckload of gear.  

You don’t need to have been camping since you were “knee high to a grasshopper” to make great memories outdoors.  

You just need a good plan, a sense of humor, and some patience.

Let’s take a look at this.  I’ll lay out below how to plan your first trip.  It will be easy, I promise.

Choose the Right Type of Campground

The most important decision to make for any camping trip, especially your first, is picking the right campground.  This single decision will impact everything from how well you sleep to how much your kids complain…or don’t.

There are three types of campgrounds you can pick from: primitive sites, standard sites, and Glamping sites.  There are goods and bads about each of them.  

Let’s look at the differences between them and then I’ll give you my recommendation of which one is best for a first timer.  Then we will look at some features you need to be aware of.

Primitive vs. Standard vs. Glamping: Know Your Comfort Zone

Here is a more detailed look at each of these.

Primitive Camping

• Pros:  Super cheap, secluded, and full-on wilderness vibes
• Cons:  No bathrooms, no showers, no water, no electricity, no Wi-Fi
• Verdict:  These can be great if you know what you are doing.  As a beginner, stay away from these sites.

Standard Campgrounds (This is what you will hear referred to as car camping)

• Pros:  Designated spots, flush toilets, showers, fire rings, picnic tables, and maybe a ranger to answer questions
• Cons:  Busy during peak season, can be crowded, and noisy neighbors
• Verdict:  These are perfect for beginners.  You can drive right to the site, bring more stuff, and leave quickly if your trip goes sideways.

Glamping

• Pros:  All the comforts of home, sometimes with A/C and Wi-Fi, don’t need to buy a ton of gear
• Cons:  Very expensive, books up fast, not as rustic as a tent
• Verdict:  A nice way to experience camping with the comforts of home.  Think hotel room at a campsite.  Great for beginners as there is less to prepare, but I feel these types of sites don’t provide the closeness of a standard site.

Finding Your First Campground: State Parks, Private Campgrounds, or National Forests?

After deciding which type of site you want, you need to figure out which type of campground you want to stay at.  

State Parks

• These are affordable with cost ranging from $20-40 a night
• These usually have clean restrooms with showers, ranger stations, family-friendly programs and activities
• These often are on lakes or rivers with trails and playgrounds to explore.  These are great for kids.

Private Campgrounds

• These range from from basic sites to all inclusive luxury style retreats
• These are convenient if you want more comfort or are near tourist attractions
• Need to read the website carefully to see what is available and if the extras cost more
• Standard sites are affordable, but expect the cost to increase with more amenities.

National Forests

• These are a great balance between wild and accessible
• Types of sites vary greatly.  Check before you go.  Many sites in National Forest are primitive.  
• These are generally very budget-friendly.  You can find sites for as low as $5 a night.  
• These generally have very few to no amenities.

Verdict:  For beginners State Parks are going to be your best bet.  They are affordable, have plenty of amenities, usually have rangers or campground hosts that will help if you have problems.  They usually have plenty of amenities and clean restrooms.  Everything you need to have a great weekend.

What to Look for in a Beginner-Friendly Campground

Your first family camping  trip should feel like an adventure and not a survival challenge. Remember you are going for simple and fun.  You are not trying to become the next winner of Alone.  

When browsing campgrounds, look for:

• Flush toilets and clean bathrooms:  Check reviews.  “Bathrooms available” can mean anything from a real restroom to a toilet over a large hole in the ground.
• Water access:  Potable (safe to drink) water nearby saves you hauling jugs from home.  It also makes cleaning up much, much easier.
• Shade:  This is important for comfort during hot days.  You will not believe how hot a tent can get on a sunny day in August.
• Family amenities:  Access to hiking trails, beaches, or playgrounds will go a long way preventing boredom.
• Decent cell signal:  Yes, I say a lot about no screen time while camping, but the peace of mind that a cell signal brings matters on your first trip.

Dad Hack: Choose a site close to home for your first trip. I’m talking no more than 2 hours away.  The closer the better.  This way if disaster strikes and everything turns head over heels, you’re not far from a hot shower and takeout.

Booking Your Site – Get it Done Early

I can remember just driving to a campground and getting a site without reservations.  Those days are no longer with us.  These days, if you wait until the last minute, your “campsite” might be a patch of gravel next to the dumpster, if you are lucky.

The last time we went camping without a reservation, we ended up with a campsite on the grass beside the road.  No fires allowed.

Family camping is becoming more popular.  This means the best spots go fast and are reserved months in advance.

If you want the peace of mind a great site brings, you’ve got to plan ahead.  

How Early Is Too Early to Book a Site?

The answer is “It is never too early to book a site.”

If you want a decent site during camping season, you will need to make your reservation earlier than you think.  Be prepared to be surprised.

Here’s a general rule of thumb:

• National Parks:  You need to book 6 months out, Reservations generally open six months early.  Be on the computer and ready to go the minute reservations open.  Everyone else is doing the same thing and these sites go incredibly fast.    
• State Parks:  You need to book at least 3 – 6 months ahead
• Private Campgrounds:  You will usually need to book 2 – 3 months ahead.
• Holiday Weekends:  As soon as humanly possible.  I’ve set my alarm clock to wake up early to make sure I could reserve a site on the Fourth of July.  It can get insane.
• Less Popular Spots:  1–2 months ahead for weekends, 2–3 weeks for weekdays
• Anything Close to a Tourist Site:  This would be close to the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, etc.  You need to book 6 – 12 months, believe it or not

Most reservation systems (Recreation.gov and ReserveAmerica are two of the biggest) open sites at 8:00 AM local time, six months in advance.  Have Siri set a reminder.  Brew strong coffee.  Be ready like you’re trying to buy concert tickets for your teenage daughter.

Hard Earned Tips: 

• Try to Stay During the Week:  There will be more availability, quieter neighbors, and no Sunday checkout traffic
• Standard Sites Book Early:  The better the site, the faster it will be gone.  Sites with electricity, water, and WiFi will be grabbed up first
• Primitive Sites:  While not recommended for your first trip, primitive sites are the last ones to get taken.  If you want to go camping soon, this may be your best bet 

Basic Tent Site vs. Electric vs. Full Hookup

Now that you understand how critical it is to book your site early, let’s cover the next step.  What type of site do you need?

This can be overwhelming to a beginner.  I know we were confused when we got started trying to figure out what we needed.

There are three basic types of sites you will find at campgrounds: basic, electric and water, or full hookup.  Here is a breakdown.

Basic Tent Site ($15–25/night)

• Flat spot for your tent
• Fire ring and usually a picnic table
• No electricity or water.  There will sometimes be water close to your site, but it is not guaranteed.
• Perfect for most beginner setups, just make sure you bring water

Electric and Water Site ($25–35/night)

• Includes a power hookup (20/30/50 amp)
• Great if you’re bringing a fan, medical gear, or charging devices
• Will have a water source at your site that you don’t have to share
• This is what I recommend for your first trip.  The access to water alone makes it worth it.

Full Hookup Site ($35–50/night)

• Designed for RVs with power, water, sewer hookups
• Overkill for most tent campers
• Skip it unless there are no other options
• You will look strange as the only tent in a sea of RVs

How to Pick a Good Site (and Not Regret It)

A map of the campground should be your first stop.  This will show you where your potential campsite is in relation to all the amenities, the office, and the restrooms.  They are helpful, but don’t rely on them alone. 

Here are a few tips on picking a good site.  

• Avoid spots right next to the bathroom.  There will be a steady stream of people walking by your site.  And the smell can become overwhelming
• Stay away from dumpsters and campground entrances
• Look for shaded sites, especially in hot weather
• Choose sites on the outside edges since they are usually more private
• Check for flat ground and some kind of tree or natural barrier for comfort and privacy

Call and Ask

Don’t be afraid to call the ranger station or campground office.  They have answered all the questions you have for other people.  I’ve always found them to be patient and willing to help.  Ask questions like:

• Which sites are the most private?
• Do any sites tend to flood in the rain?
• Are there quiet spots away from big groups or playgrounds?

These folks know the campground better than anyone else and they’ll usually be happy to steer you toward the better options.

Make a Simple Meal Plan 

Time for a bit of honesty here.  Real life is not Instagram.  

The photos you see on Instagram make it seem everyone is cooking Dutch oven lasagna, cast-iron cinnamon rolls, and espresso over an open flame.

But here’s the truth: your first family camping trip is not the time to release your wilderness gourmet.

Keep it simple.  Keep it familiar.  And for the love of all that’s holy, don’t try a brand-new recipe at a campsite with hungry kids running around.

Here are some simple, yet delicious ideas for meals.  These are easy to prepare and will quiet the wild beast within quickly.

Breakfast Ideas 

• Instant oatmeal packets:  Just add hot water.  Add fruit or nuts and pretend it’s gourmet
• Bagels with cream cheese or peanut butter
• Breakfast burritos:  Make them at home, wrap in foil, reheat in a pan on the stove
• Shelf-stable milk and cereal:  Kid-approved and cleanup-free
• Muffins and fruit:  No prep needed, bonus points for chocolate chips

Easy Lunch Options

• PB&J or turkey sandwiches:  There’s a reason why this classic is a stable
• Wraps with deli meat and cheese
• Chicken salad or tuna pouches and crackers
• Pasta salad:   Make ahead and stash in the cooler
• Hummus with pita and baby carrots:  To satisfy the gourmet inside

Dinner That Won’t Stress You Out

• Hot dogs:  Bonus points if you cook them on a stick over the fire
• Foil packet meals:  Throw in meat, veggies, seasoning, wrap in foil, cook on coals
• Pre-shaped burger patties:  Cook on the stove or grill
• One-pot pasta dishes
• Tacos with pre-cooked seasoned meat:  Assemble and devour

Pro Tip: If your dinner plan involves multiple pots, more than one burner, or a complicated spice mix… save it for Trip #3.

Cooking Methods for Beginners

• Campfire with a grill grate:  Great for dogs, burgers, foil packs, and s’mores
• One or Two burner propane stove:  Reliable, quick, and easier than fire.  Great when no campfires are allowed
• No-cook meals:  For when everything’s gone sideways and you just want peace

Tip:  If it is your first family camping trip and you are staying one night, you can have a sandwich for lunch on Friday, hot dogs and smores for dinner, instant oatmeal for breakfast on Saturday, and premade tuna salad pouches with crackers for lunch before you leave.  That would make your meals easy and frustration free, and still give you the experience of cooking over a fire.

The Prep That Actually Matters

Prepping food and home will be much easier than prepping in the field.  I highly recommend doing as much prep as possible at home before you leave.  

Think of this, every minute of prep you do at home is five fewer minutes spent wrestling a dull knife on a wobbly picnic table while swatting mosquitoes.

Here are some examples of what you can prep at home

• Chop all your veggies and bag them by meal
• Pre-cook your meat like chicken and beef for tacos.
• Crack eggs into a bottle with a screw on lid (trust me on this one)
• Mix pancake batter into a squeeze bottle
• Portion out spices, label and bag them by meal.  

Kid-Friendly Snacks

Want to know the fastest way to ruin a perfectly peaceful afternoon at a campsite?  Four kids running around screaming about how hungry they are.  Been there and done that!

Here is your solution.  Ignore this at your own peril. 

Make a box of snacks that everyone can help themselves to.  Things like:

• Trail mix
• Granola bars
• Dried fruit
• Peanut butter crackers
• Fruit leather
• Single serve bags of chips

Backup Meals for Your Peace of Mind

You’ll be glad you packed backups when:

• The firewood is too wet to light
• The gas canister for the stove is empty (Once again, don’t ask how I know about this one)
• Someone knocks the skillet into the dirt
• You forget a key ingredient
• Everyone’s just too tired to cook

Be sure to take some back ups that don’t require heat or hot water.  Here are some backup meals we have taken.:

• Shelf-stable soup or chili
• Ramen noodles or instant mac
• Freeze-dried meals 
• Good old PB&J
• Tuna or chicken packets

Pack Smart, Not Perfect

One reason people never go camping is they think they need to own every gadget REI sells.  Truth is, you don’t need all that gear.  Most of that stuff looks great in the store, but in reality you don’t need it and if you did take it with you, you wouldn’t even use it.  

You just need the basics.  A way to stay dry, something to sleep in, something to keep food cold, something to cook on, in, and with.  And most importantly a mindset that says, “We’ll figure it out.”

As you get more experience, you will build your gear stash. For now, focus on comfort, safety, and keeping the kids fed and warm. That’s all you need.

Build Your Own Family Camping Checklist

A checklist saves you from realizing at six am that you forgot the coffee. The easiest way to do this is to start with a pre-made list and modify it to suit your own needs.  Just don’t start thinking that because something is on the list you need to go buy it. 

• Download a starter checklist (we’ll link one here soon)
• Add your own family-specific items like medicine, baby supplies, etc.
• Organize it in sections: sleeping, food, kitchen, clothes, safety, extras
• Create the list on a computer so you can print out a new list each time you go camping.  It takes a long time to rewrite the list.  

Update your list after every trip.  Get rid of items you didn’t use or didn’t even take.  Add items you needed but didn’t have.  After a few trips, you’ll have a perfect list that works for your family.

The Gear That Actually Matters

Some gear is non-negotiable.  These are items that you don’t even think of leaving home without.  You can survive without a camp toaster or a solar shower, but if you skip these, I promise you will have a rough time and turn everyone off from camping.

Shelter & Sleeping

• Tent:  At least one size larger than your family size.  If there are four of you, make sure your tent sleeps 6.  Just trust me on this.  Double check you have all the poles and stakes.  Then triple check.  Seriously, don’t forget these.  Check again.  
• Sleeping bags:  While we’ve used sheets and blankets, sleeping bags are much easier.  Check that the bags are rated for the expected weather.  
• Sleeping pads or air mattresses:  You need something between your sleeping bag and the ground.  This will keep you from feeling every pebble on the ground.  It also provides insulation between the ground and you.  The ground has the amazing ability to suck every bit of warmth from your body.  Forget the sleeping pad and you will wake up shivering in the middle of the night.  Even in the middle of the summer.  
• Real pillows:  Yes, I mean the same pillow you use on your bed each night.  We all have inflatable camp pillows, but we sleep the best with our own pillows.  Just wash the pillow case when you get back home.  
• Groundsheet:  This is a tarp that goes under your tent.  This will help prevent your tent bottom from getting torn on rocks or branches. 

Food & Cooking

• Cooler and ice to keep food and drinks cold
• Food storage containers
• Camp stove and fuel
• Cookware: 1 pot, 1 pan, spatula, tongs
• Plates, bowls, cups, utensils
• Trash bags
• Water: If you don’t have water at your site, take at least one gallon of water per person per day

Lighting & Fire

• Headlamp for everyone
• Lantern for the table or tent
• Lighter/matches for the fire
• Extra batteries

Safety & Comfort

• First aid kit
• Sunscreen and bug spray
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Rain jacket
• Light sweatshirt or jacket
• Camp chairs
• Pocketknife or multitool
• Power bank 

Extras That Make Life Easier

• Toilet paper, you’d be surprised how often the restroom runs out
• Hand sanitizer and baby wipes
• Towels for drying off, sitting on, or cleaning spills
• Gorilla tape (you’ll thank yourself)
• A mallet or hammer for pounding stakes

Don’t Overpack (You Will Anyway, But Try)

I already know how this is going to go.  Your first trip, you’re going to bring too much stuff.  That’s okay.  But here’s how to try to minimize it.

• Choose multi-use items:  One pot can boil water, cook pasta, and heat soup
• Don’t pack for every weather outcome.  Check the forecast and pack smart.  Just take a rain jacket and a light sweatshirt no matter the forecast.
• Your gear only needs to be good enough.  It doesn’t need to be expensive or look pretty, it only needs to work
• If your car looks like you’re moving to a new house, you’ve packed too much.  It’s time to downsize and eliminate what is not needed.

For me one outfit and an extra pair of socks can make it all weekend.  This is not the case for the womenfolk in our family.  This is the formula I came up with for my wife and daughters.  And I make them stick to it.  

• One outfit per day
• One extra warm layer
• One waterproof layer
• Double the socks
• Half the shoes you think you need

A Quick Word About Firewood

Some campgrounds will not let you bring in firewood due to pests.  If the campground allows it, bring your own.  It will be cheaper and you can make sure you bring clean dry wood.  

Most campgrounds that allow fires also sell wood.  The issue we run into is the stuff they sell is often green, always overpriced, usually gone by the time you arrive.

Remember this:

• Check the rules before you go
• If allowed, bring your own seasoned wood from a local source
• If not, show up early to buy bundles before they sell out
• Worst case?  Skip the fire and cook s’mores over the camp stove.

Do a Test Run at Home

I can’t stress this enough.  Before you take your family on their first family camping trip, do a dry run in the backyard.

Why? 

Because there is absolutely nothing that squeezes the excitement out of your camping trip faster than discovering your tent is missing poles, your sleeping bag zipper is broken, or your kids can’t handle being outside after dark.  A test run gives you a chance to troubleshoot all of this.  And with the comfort of your own bathroom just a few steps away.

Pitch the Tent in the Yard

Set your tent up just like you would at a real site.  Don’t skip steps.  Don’t cut corners.  

This is about learning how to set up the tent correctly and finding problems while still in the comfort of your backyard.  This is so you don’t have the pressure of figuring out how your tent works while battling mosquitoes the size of your hand and trying not to scream when the kids ask, “Is it ready yet?”

• Make sure all the tent parts are there: stakes, poles, rainfly
• See how long it actually takes to set up
• Practice staking it down, especially if it’s windy
• Check for holes, broken zippers, or funky smells
• Practice getting the tent back into the small bag.  Good luck with that.

Have a Backyard Sleepover

Once you’ve got it set up, you might as well make it a sleep over and spend the full night outside.

• Use the same sleeping bags and pads you will take camping
• Try your actual lighting setup with headlamps, lanterns, etc.
• Turn off the devices

This is your chance to test everything.  You will find out a lot of information that will help when you go on your real trip.

• Discover who gets cold at night.  The truth is everyone does eventually.  This is why you take a light sweatshirt.
• If your air mattress deflates by 2 am, you can figure out why.  Is there a hole or did you not put the cap on tight?
• Is your toddler is cool with nighttime sounds or are they screamers.
• How many bathroom runs happen during the night?
• What is the best sleeping arrangement?

And if it goes off the rails?  You’re ten steps away from the safety of your own bed.  

When it does work?  You head into your first real trip feeling like a pro.

Run Through Your Kitchen Setup

As long as you are setting up your tent and sleeping outside, you might as well go all in and do all your cooking outside too.

Finding out you don’t know how to use your camping stove while you are still at home is miles better than finding out at the campsite with hungry youngins running around.  

Cook the exact same meals you plan to cook at camp.  And cook them the same way.  This does two things for you:

1. Makes sure you are able to actually cook your planned meals, and
2. Makes sure everyone will actually eat and enjoy them.

Get started testing everything.

• Fire up your camp stove and cook dinner.
• If you have a fire pit in the back yard, start a fire and cook hot dogs or make s’mores
• Wash your dishes with the same gear you’ll take camping
• Test your coffee method.  Please trust me on this.  I bought a new fancy camping coffee maker once and did not try it until we went camping.  I could not make a cup of coffee in that thing to save my life.  Luckily I had my back up instant coffee packets.  

Let Everyone Practice

This is important.  Make sure you’re not the only one who knows how to use the gear.  Show your spouse and older kids how to light the stove.  Let the kids turn on their own headlamps.  Have everyone roll up their own sleeping bag.  

Knowledge is power.  The more they learn now, the smoother it goes later.

This also makes it easier to give kids camp jobs to do.  When they have a job and they know how to do it without help, it will make setting up and taking down camp better.

And don’t be surprised if the backyard camp out becomes a thing all on its own.  Mine turned into a regular summer tradition.  No packing required.

Plan Simple and Flexible Activities

Want to know a huge mistake I see first-timers make?  Overplanning.  They show up with a full-color itinerary and a dozen crafts they found on Pinterest

Here’s the truth:  the best camping moments happen when there’s nothing scheduled.

This is not a summer camp.  You and your kids don’t need to have every minute of your day planned.  The kids need space to explore and play.  They need to get a little dirty without hearing “don’t touch that” every five minutes. 

What do you need to do?  Bring a few ideas and let the magic of camping happen naturally.

Good Activities for First-Time Campers

Here’s a short list of activities we have used with great success.  These require zero prep and almost no gear.  They also make sure you have something to do during that sudden summer shower.

• Nature walks, slow ones where kids can stop and poke stuff with sticks
• Rock collecting or leaf hunting
• Flashlight tag or hide-and-seek as it gets dark
• Skipping stones at the lake
• Marshmallow roasting—bonus points for double-decker s’mores
• Campfire storytelling, the scarier, the better 
• Card games or Uno at the picnic table
• Drawing or journaling with whatever nature’s doing that day

These are for fun.  No pressure.  If the kids don’t want to do something, don’t stress about it.  Let them do what they want to do.  

Your kids will amaze you at just what they can come up with to occupy the time between meals and bed.  Give them a lot of slack while making sure they stay safe.  This is NOT the time to be a helicopter parent.

The Power of Boredom

Sounds like a contradiction, doesn’t it?  Power in boredom.  Bear with me a minute and let me explain.

At some point during the trip, your kids will say, “I’m bored.”

That’s a good thing.

I believe our kids get bored because they are addicted to the rush of dopamine they get from their screens.  Once they detox, their brains kick into gear and their imaginations start working again.  Suddenly, sticks become swords, a pile of leaves look like a fort, and that little trail behind your tent becomes a jungle expedition.  You don’t have to entertain them—you just have to give them space.

As a side note, our girls broke the phone rules and my wife and I took away their phones (they ended up losing them for six months.)  There was some grumbling and moping, but it didn’t take long until we had our girls back.  They were cheerful and happy.  They started doing more around the house, spent more time outside, started mountain biking with us, and were generally much more pleasant to be around.  

Bring a Few Backups

There will be times when things don’t go as expected.  It will rain.  Someone will just hit a wall.  

It’s smart to pack a few “quiet time” activities.  Things like:

• Coloring books or activity pads
• Mad Libs or story dice
• Books, real ones and not the audio kind
• Travel-sized board games or cards 

I try to keep a “secret” in my pack.  Something like a mechanical brain teaser puzzle or a game we have never played.  I only break this out in dire circumstances when nothing else seems to help.  It works like a charm, every time.

Safety Basics and Emergency Prep

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to be Bear Grylls or Les Stroud.   You don’t need to be a survival expert to keep your family safe.  You only need a basic plan. 

Most injuries are 100% preventable with a little preparation and some common sense.

Let’s cover the stuff that matters, without getting into full on doomsday-prepper mode.

First Aid Kit: Don’t Leave Home Without It

A good first aid kit is a must.  Don’t even think about leaving home without one.  You can buy one or you can put it together yourself.  Make sure everyone knows what it looks like and where it will be.    

We take two kits with us.  I have a larger one that stays in the tent and a smaller one with a few essentials that lives in my backpack that we take on hikes.

Here is what you need in your kit.  You can always add more to suit your family’s needs.  

• Bandaid of all sizes
• Gauze pads and tape
• Antiseptic wipes and neosporin
• Tweezers for splinters and ticks
• Antihistamines
• Pain relievers in kid and adult strength
• Aloe vera for sunburns
• Moleskin for blisters
• Any personal medications your family needs
• If you have an Epi pen for allergies, make sure you have an extra one

Hygiene in the Wild: Keep It Simple

True statement:  everyone is going to get dirty.  

That’s camp life.  It’s a part of what makes it fun.  Your job is to keep everyone safe and healthy.  

You will need some basic hygiene.

Your first couple of trips should be to campgrounds with showers and a shower a day helps immensely.  There are some other items to consider to help during the day or when you can’t shower.

• Hand sanitizer on the picnic table.  Use it before cooking, eating, and going in the tent
• Baby wipes are a life saver.  They are good for hands, faces, and everything else
• Toothbrushes and a cup for brushing
• Small quick-dry towels for drying hands or wiping off sweat
• A trash bag, NOT A MESH BAG!, just for dirty laundry (trust me)

Even if you’re not at a primitive site, bring your own toilet paper in a Ziploc bag.  At a primitive site bring a small trowel to dig your cat hole. 

Be Prepared for the Weather 

Before you leave, check the forecast. It amazes me how many people don’t do this.  Check before you leave and then check when you arrive at camp.  Then check again every morning you are there.

You need to be prepared for everything.

• Rain:  Bring rain jackets, a tarp, and pack clothes in dry bags or garbage bags
• Thunderstorms:  Don’t stay in the tent during lightning—retreat to your vehicle
• High winds:  Stake down everything or fold it up and put it in the car
• Cold snaps:  Pack extra blankets and warm layers even if in the summer

Bad weather doesn’t have to ruin your trip, but it can if you’re not ready.

Teach the Kids Some Boundaries

Camping with kids is amazing and it’s better when they understand the rules.

Here are some simple rules we use to keep everyone safe:

• Younger kids always stay in sight of the tent
• Use the buddy system for bathroom trips or short walks
• No running or horseplay near the fire
• There is no 5-second rule, if it hits the ground, it’s in the trash
• Older kids have to check in regularly if they go out exploring

Bright-colored clothes make your kids easier to spot.  Remember what they are wearing or better yet, snap a photo of them in the morning.  This will help if someone gets lost and you need to describe what they’re wearing.

Expect Things to Go Wrong—and That’s Okay

Time for another truth nugget.  Something will go wrong.  It could be something insignificant like forgetting the marshmallows.  It might be something more serious like waking up in a puddle. 

This doesn’t mean the trip’s ruined.  It means you’re on the right track.

Camping isn’t about being perfect.  It’s about figuring it out together.  It’s about facing difficulties, beating them, and laughing about it when your plan goes right out the window.

Imperfection Is Part of the Adventure

Think back about all the “best camping stories” you’ve ever heard.  How many of them are about a perfect camping trip?

Probably none or a very few.  The best stories are about:

• The time you set up the tent in the pitch black and set to door away from the fire
• When the squirrels broke into your food bags and destroyed everything
• The s’mores that turned into flaming sugar torches
• Everyone squeezed under a tarp while it was raining cats and dogs

These kinds of stories are made from memories that will stick with you forever.  Not because it was a perfect family camping trip, but because you had a great time in spite of the problems.

How to Handle Curveballs

What you do when faced with these problems matters the most and will be the legends you tell around the campfire for years to come.  

Here are some pointers:

• Stay calm, your kids are watching how you react.  If you start running around like your pants are on fire, they will too!
• Make light of the situation.  Try to make it into a joke or a challenge
• Focus on the good things like the fresh air and together time.  Simply making it to the campsite is a great accomplishment
• Don’t be afraid to throw in the towel.  Sometimes the best move is calling it and heading home early

Build Traditions, Not Stress

Perfection fades.  Traditions stick.  Figure out something you can do at camp and turn into a tradition.

• Make a special breakfast that only happens at camp
• Snap a family photo at each new site you visit in your silly hat
• Have everyone share their favorite moment of the day around the fire
• Let your kids pick one goofy “camp nickname” on each trip

It is little rituals like these that don’t seem like much, but they are the things your kids will remember when they’re grown.  They will not remember if the tent was clean or what was for dinner.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve made it this far, you’re more prepared than you think.  You don’t need to know everything.  You don’t need fancy and expensive gear.  In the words of Nike, you just need to do it.

Even one night outside, eating a hot dog cooked over a fire from a paper plate and falling asleep to crickets is a great win for you and your family.

So give yourself some breathing room, pack a few extra snacks, and get out there.

TL;DR – Planning Your First Family Camping Trip

Feeling overwhelmed by your first family camping trip? Don’t be. Here’s the short version:

• Pick the right campground. Start with car camping at a state park or family-friendly site and not deep woods survival.
• Book early. Campsites fill up months ahead, especially on weekends and holidays. Don’t wait.
• Keep meals simple. Think hot dogs, sandwiches, and foil packets and not a five-course wilderness feast.
• Pack the essentials. You don’t need every gadget. Focus on shelter, sleep, food, lighting, and safety.
• Do a test run at home. Pitch the tent in your backyard, cook a meal outside, and sleep out with the kids before you hit the real thing.
• Plan a few easy activities. Nature walks, s’mores, and unstructured play go a long way.
• Prep for safety. Bring a real first aid kit, teach kids basic camp rules, and check the weather often.
• Expect things to go wrong. They will. Roll with it, laugh about it, and call it a win.

You don’t need perfection. You need a plan, a little patience, and the guts to give it a try.

Next Up:Next Steps on Your Camping Journey

[Check out our Beginner’s Gear Guide for Families]
[See our printable Family Camping Checklist]
[Get inspired with 15 Easy Camping Meals That Actually Taste Good] 

Frequently Asked Questions