Camping Must-Haves: Primary Aged Kids

1. Sleeping Bag and Pad
Make sure the rating for the sleeping bag matches the temperatures you will usually be camping in (not too hot or too cold for your area). Pads that self inflate vs. a foam mat take up less space and are lighter.

2. Goggles
As kids become proficient at swimming and spend more time underwater, goggles can help protect their eyes from bacteria and debris in the lake water. Plus, it seems like most kids LOVE goggles!

3. Kids' Card Games
I like to have a few options for when kids need a break during the day or as they begin to stay up after dark. UNO Splash (waterproof cards) and Aquarius are two games that can be modified for preschoolers but are fun to play even as adults.

4. Kids' Poncho
Even with a clear forecast you can never guarantee the weather. Instead of bringing full rain gear, kids can pile on sweaters, pull on a poncho which takes up little space and stay dry.

5. Water Bottle
Hiking, beach days, meal time, around the camp fire, it's just easier to have liquids contained as much as possible.

6. Outdoor Sports Activities
There are so many options under this category. I suggest finding 1 or 2 your child(ren) love and would play every day. For us, a frisbee and the ogosport minis are current favourites. If you're camping somewhere with sand, sand toys are an obvious choice.

7. Roasting Sticks
Is there anything better than cooking on an open fire? Marshmallows, s'mores, spider dogs, sausages, they're all delicious.

8. Craft Supplies
A rainy day  activity or for some much needed quiet time, craft paper, scissors and glue go a long way. We also forage for nature items (pinecones, moss, acorns, sticks) and make some awesome crafts with them.

9. Hat
A good quality hat that has a large coverage area is a must-have for me. Constantly reapplying sunscreen on kids' faces/necks is not my idea of a good time, so I don't. The kids wear their hats even in the water unless they're swimming underwater (in which case we do sunscreen). The linked hats come in three different sizes, are completely bendable, water resistant and the string to secure them on their heads works super well in strong winds.