camping tips - Pitstops for Kids

20 Awesome Camping Hacks to Make Your Next Trip Easier

October 8, 2024 By Amy Hagstrom

Camping can be a lot of fun, but it can also bring a lot of hassle. We have been camping for decades, and our experience in the outdoors has helped us learn some pretty great camping hacks along the way to help us spend less time on the hassle and more time enjoying the outdoors.

Glossy magazine covers and campground brochures highlight fun-filled days at the lake or river, restful afternoons lying in a hammock slung between two trees, roasting marshmallows by the fire, and snuggling into cozy sleeping bags at night.

If this idealized version of camping doesn’t exactly mirror your own family camping experiences, you’re not alone. My first few excursions into the great outdoors with my kids involved more work than play, more chaos than relaxation, and far more dirt (on everything) than I bargained for.

In the years since, I’ve learned some camping hacks that have turned my camping trips into the postcard version.

Want to ensure that your next camping trip is relaxing, stress-free, and focused on the fun, not the chores, in the outdoors? The following camping tips will ensure more time in the hammock and less time over a camp stove.

20 Camping Hacks to Make Your Next Family Vacation Better

1. Use Dryer Lint as a Fire Starter

Why buy fire starter or chemical-based gel? Use dryer lint as your fire-starter: simply save lint in cardboard egg carton pockets, pour candle wax over each pod, then bring along to start your fire.

Use can also use cotton pads soaked in melted wax or coated in petroleum jelly as fire starters. They ignite easily and will help you get your campfire going.

Here are some of our favorite RV rental tips.

2. Re-Purpose Your Shower Tote

Bring a cheap shower tote with you when you camp. You can use it to tote your toiletries to the bathroom but you can also use it to store camp kitchen supplies, such as spices or grilling tools. You can typically find these handy-dandy items at dollar stores, making them a very cheap investment for a little organization.

3. Keep a Shoe Organizer Hanging with Essentials in Your Tent

Shoe organizers also act as a great way to organize toiletries or any other small items you want easy access to. You can even hang them inside of your tent! It is like having your own little shelving unit while you camp.

We have found shoe organizer for storage to be good for when we van camp. Plus, they pack flat and take up almost no space when you pack. This one is from Amazon, but Home Goods sometimes has these as well for a bargain.

4. Cleverly Store Your Spices

Those days of the week pill organizers that you use to store you meds have more than one use- they are also a great option for spices! Pack all your favorite spices into one convenient carrier and skip the bulk of trying to bring all those bottles from home. You can find these at a dollar store as well.

5. Freeze Water Bottles

Instead of hauling bags of ice (and dealing with the mess), freeze plastic water bottles and let them slowly melt, first cooling your food, then ensuring hydration.

Simplification is the key to creating a relaxed camping atmosphere. Reduce clutter around the campsite and shorten your packing list by bringing a few ordinary objects that can double as useful camping tools.

If your family prefers to stick to reusable water bottles, buy blocks of ice instead of just cubes. Blocks take longer to melt. Another great option is to buy jugs of water, freeze them for your cooler, and then use that water in your refillable bottles as it melts.

6. Skip the Bulky Lantern

Skip the bulky camping lantern: instead, simply wrap a standard headlamp around a clear plastic water jug. It will light up the entire picnic area for games of cards after dark. You can also use a flashlight that is turned on with a milk or water jug placed on top of it.

7. Let Your Sleeping Pad Play Double Duty

Why bring sleeping pads and water floats? Sleep on plastic blow-up air mattresses or foam pool floats that can go straight from the tent to the lake. Float on them during the day (or take a nap!), then return them to the campsite each night.

8. Make Foil Packet Dinners

Cooking should be easy and mess free when camping. Create pockets using heavy duty aluminum foil and fill with sliced potatoes, zucchini, onions, bell pepper, pre-cooked sausage, and spices, and then let them cook in the coals.

Each pocket is customizable and fun to eat! When you are finished you can easily can ball them up and toss them.

9. Make My Family’s Favorite Lazy Camp Meal

I learned this trick when on a rafting trip with OARS. Simply grab a couple cans of canned, cooked chicken and mix it into a pre-made bag of Caesar salad that you can pick up at the grocery store.

We find this to be a great option when we have spent all day exploring and don’t want to bother with the camp stove or a fire and best of all, everyone loves it! If you want to get fancy, throw some cherry tomatoes into the mix.

10. Pack Milk Substitutes or Ultra-Pasteurized Milk to Save Cooler Space

Many milk substitutes like soy, almond, and rice milk don’t have to be refrigerated. They also can come in fun flavors which appeal to kids. If your kids are sticklers for moo juice, Organic Valley sells a shelf stable milk that comes in individual servings which are great for travel.

11. Use a Shower Cap to Cover Dirty Shoes

Dirty shoes can be a big problem while camping. Before packing your shoes, place a shower cap over them. Then, when you get back to camp after a day of exploring, use the shower cap to cover the shoe soles to keep the dirt and mud contained.

This will also keep your clothing from getting covered in dirt when you repack your shoes as well as keep your car cleaner if you come back and change your shoes after a muddy hike.

Shower caps can easily be picked up at a dollar store. We find these to work better than shoe covers because they stretch more and can handle my family’s large shoe sizes.

12. Make a Camp Pillow Using Your Clothes

Pillows take up a lot of room in the car and we have had different members of our family forget theirs on more than one occassion. Fear not! Take the bag your sleeping bag is stored in and fill it with clothes. Instant pillow!

13. Bring a Welcome Mat

Pack a small rug or welcome mat from the dollar store and keep it outside your tent or van entrance. It helps prevent dirt and debris from being tracked into your sleeping area.

14. Make Single-Use Soap Leaves

Single use soap leaves are a great camping hack

Use a vegetable peeler to shave small soap flakes off a bar of soap. Collect the flakes in a small container or plastic bag. Then you can use the leaves for handwashing or dishwashing. Dr. Bronner’s makes a soap that is good for dishes and heands and is environmentally friendly.

15. Create a Portable Handwashing Station

Hang a water jug with a spigot from a tree and tape a bag of soap leave to it. Drape a dish towel over the back of the jug. This allows you to wash your hands right at camp.

If there are no trees nearby, the edge of a picnic table can work. You can also purchase this collapsible, refillable water jug with a spout that is super duper cool.

16. Always Bring Ziploc Bags

I always fill a gallon-sized bag with more gallon, quart, and sandwich-sized bags when I travel. You never know what you might need them for- snacks to take on a hike, wet clothes, storage for potty accidents you can’t clean right away, leftovers, and so much more. Plus, they pack flat and take up hardly any space.

17. Store Eggs in Ziploc Bags

Speaking of Ziploc baggies, it is always a good idea to pre-crack your eggs and put the proper amount in a plastic bag for each meal you will be using them for on your trip. Then you will have that egg carton available for your fire starters (see #1)!

18. Use Your RX Bottles to Keep Matches Dry

I always love to reduce my trash and repurpose things. Plastic prescription bottles are water tight and the perfect thing to use to store matches.

Wet matches make it really hard to start a campfire and enjoy those S’mores! Be sure to throw a small piece of sandpaper in there to use to strike the matches against and light them.

19. Pack a Collapsible Bucket

Why didn’t I think to invent a collapsible bucket? They have tons of uses and are so easy to store! Use it as a wash basin for dishes, ice bucket for drinks, bucket for collecting kindling, or simply for the kiddos to play with at the beach.

20. Take Your Campfire to the Nest Level with Mystical Fire

I’m not gonna lie, my neighbors and I are kind of obsessed with Mystical Fire. It was a discovery we made during our bi-weekly social distance cul-de-sac fire pits that we still can’t get enough. Just throw a packet or two into your campfire (after you are done cooking) and prepare to be dazzled.

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RV vacation tips for the summer of 2021

May 13, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

Pit Stops for Kids is, at its roots, a resource for families who love to hit the road. We’ve evolved over the last decade to include destinations and vacations across the world, but during these uncertain times, we invite you to join us in returning to what we know best! For the summer of 2020, a road trip or camping trip might be the best vacation for your family. And we’re here to help you plan it safely.

As states slowly open up again to domestic travel, the challenge remains for families to be able to explore while social distancing. One ideal way to do this is with a camper van or RV vacation. Why? You and your family can social distance using your own:

dining area
bathrooms
sleeping quarters

You only patronize local restaurants and hotels when and where you feel it’s safe to do so. Get our RV camping tips here.

Tips for choosing where to go on a road trip or RV vacation:

Even if you can ensure self-containment within your RV or camper van for meals, bathrooms, and sleeping, you’ll want to vacation, right? This means picking a destination that’s open for tourism. Check national state park closure lists, but in the early planning stage, don’t be afraid to make campground reservations. Recreation.gov will cancel and refund you in the event that the campground is not yet open in time for your trip.

If you don’t want to camp at a designated campground, consider dispersed camping. Any BLM and national forest service land is free to camp on; pick up a local BLM map and call the ranger station for ideas. Remember that you’ll be off-the-grid while dispersed camping, so you’ll need to be self-reliant for power and heat, and will need to follow Leave No Trace principles.

A third option is HipCamp, which pairs RV campers and road trippers with private land available for camping. It’s like AirbnB for camping, and is a great way to socially distance while enjoying a new location. Check out our dispersed camping and HipCamp tips.

Once you have campground reservations or have decided on your dispersed camping option, do some research on your intended destination in general: are locals welcoming tourism to the area? Many are, but some regions are wary. Will local restaurants be open for take-out or delivery? Are local attractions, such as museums or parks, open? If not, think of alternative plans: are hiking trails in the area? Can you access greenways or bike paths?

We have successfully enjoyed a private campground experience, a HipCamp experience, and a Rec.gov campground experience since this spring, all while maintaining distance from others and utilizing our own kitchen areas, sleeping areas, and bathrooms in our camper van.

But what if you don’t own an RV or camper van?

You can rent one! RVshare is the first and largest peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace. Families can rent anything from a travel trailer to a luxury motorhome (and if you own an RV, RVShare is a great way to make some vacation cash while you’re staying at home). RVShare offers:

100,000 listings across the US
a worry-free rental guarantee
Rentals available in all 50 states
A safe and secure booking/payment platform
Instant bookable
24/7 Emergency roadside assistance on every booking
Pet-friendly options
Delivery and stationary options
Comprehensive Nationwide Protection: RVshare Rental Insurance covers both domestic and international renters and provides collision and comprehensive coverage

The average cost is $150/night and anyone with a valid driver’s license can drive. All drivers must be at least 25 years of age. By choosing an RV vacation this summer, you’ll save yourself the heartache of canceled airfare and have more control over your family trip during this time of uncertainty. Enjoy the outdoors!

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by RVShare. All opinions remain my own.

10 tips for camping with kids

May 7, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

Are you thinking of taking your kids camping? Whether it’s your first camping trip or 20th camping adventure with the whole family, these tips for camping may change the way you “rough it” when you go camping with kids in tow. Picking a great kid-friendly campsite for your next family vacation is the first part, but packing the right supplies is just as important to ensuring camping fun!

Tip One – Pack Everything in Clear Tubs

Organizing your items before you go out is key to a successful camping trip, whether or not you bring kids. The goal is to make everything easy to find once you get to your spot, so you want to group like items together. Have one tub for kitchen items, food and snacks, toys, bathroom and bathing, clothes and laundry, sleeping bags and tents, and music and entertainment. This is a huge time saver before, during, and when you get back home and have to unpack everything. Also, it makes it easy to protect your items from the rain.

Tip Two – Bring a Load of Antibacterial and Baby Wipes

Since you’re out in the woods, you won’t have a dedicated area to go and give your kids a bath or shower. These wipes allow you to get a lot of the dirt and grime off your kids as they play. Set a towel or blanket down in front of your tents to give your kids an area to wipe off. This can help keep your tent clean. Also, bring along bug wipes or bug spray for the mosquitos that come out after dusk.

Tip Three – Set up Comfortable Sleeping Arrangements

Baby care is a big factor when looking for tips for camping. If you’re bringing a baby that sleeps in a crib, bring along a pack and play. Tossing an extra sheet across the top can keep bugs out, and they’re easy to move around as you cook. Another option is a portable bassinet. For the bigger kids, consider investing in a double camping cot that looks like a bunk bed. Not only does it save space, but it’s versatile. If you want to sleep directly on the ground, get a thicker foam mat and put it down first for extra cushion. Don’t forget comfortable pillows and sleeping bags.

Tip Four – Bring Along Entertainment Items

Your kids won’t be able to entertain themselves 100% of the time. The biggest thing you can do is bring a tub full of toys that are electronic-free and camping-friendly. Things they might like include bubbles, squirt guns, coloring books, balls, card games, camping bingo kits, bug catcher cases, blocks, or musical items. You want to have a nice variety that the kids can use throughout your trip to stay entertained. Also, plan to take them on short hikes or walks around the campsite.

Tip Five – Set up a Bath Station

Kids get dirty at home. Just imagine how dirty they’ll get when you’re outside for two or three days straight. You want to be able to set up a small bathing station. To do this, you’ll need to bring a plastic bath for babies or an extra plastic tub you can fill with water. Fill the tub in the morning and let the sun warm it up throughout the day. You can also get a solar-heated shower bag if you don’t have any lakes nearby to take a quick dip in.

Cute little sisters and their father roasting marshmallows on sticks at bonfire. Children having fun at camp fire. Camping with kids in fall forest. Family leisure with kids at autumn.

Tip Six – Take Nighttime Safety Into Consideration

Glow sticks are very easy to find, and they make it easy to spot your kids after the sun goes down. They can easily string together several for a necklace, and you can set them around your campsite for light. Another option you have is to buy headlamps for everyone to wear. Invest in a few hanging lanterns for the tent. Another option is to make your own lantern by filling a jug of water and putting a headlamp around it with the light facing inward. It’ll create a soft glow.

Tip Seven – Plan Easy Snacks and Meals

Being outside all day is one fast way to work up an appetite. To keep the kids full, pack easy snack ideas like apples, grapes, cheese sticks, bananas, sliced cucumbers, crackers, baby carrots, and raisins. To make it easy on you for mealtimes, precook meat items at home, so all you have to do is warm them up. Bratwurst and chicken are easy, and you can bring along things for sandwiches. Pack a few different cold cuts, cheese, or peanut butter and jelly for quick mealtime options.

Tip Eight – Check for Local Park Programs

If you plan to camp in a national park, check out Junior Ranger programs. Almost every national park has one, and your kids can get involved in a range of activities. The ages range from 5 to 13, and they have a ranger book that allows your kids to earn badges. Local state campgrounds might also offer staff-led activities that your kids can participate in. This can give the parents a short break while the kids learn educational but fun things during the program hours.

Tip Nine – Pack a Smaller Tent for Play Space

Your kids may like to play in the tent, but this can easily end up dirtying up their sleeping space. Instead, you should pack a smaller tent for the kids to give them a space to play. You can even store their toys in here as a bonus. This comes in very handy if the weather takes a turn and it starts to rain. This doesn’t have to be another full-sized tent, but it should be big enough for the kids to enjoy themselves and move around.

Tip Ten – Bring Extra Clothing

Having a warm sleeping bag may be key when you camp, but your kids should also have extra layers. It’s hard for smaller bodies to generate enough heat to stay continually warm. Make sure you pack outfits for each day but don’t be afraid to bring extra clothing. Don’t forget a pair or two of shoes with warm socks. The evening temperatures can drop significantly, and you want to have enough clothing to easily go around. Also, it’s easy for clothing to get wet, so pack a small clothesline that you can string between two branches and hang the clothes out.

Bottom Line

These top 10 tips for camping with kids will help you pull off a memorable and fun trip, no matter how old or young your children are. The parents will be able to relax a little and enjoy the trip too. Start small and work up to a larger trip, involve your kids, and make memories that last a lifetime.

Camping recipe ideas and tips for fall

November 5, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

We enjoyed one of our last summer weekends on the Oregon Coast at Eel Creek Campground. It was cool and foggy, which meant fall camping conditions for us! We came to this part of the Oregon dunes to go sand boarding with a big group of tweens and teens, so we needed to really think through our meal lists. For all your year-round camping adventures, here are a few camping recipe ideas and tips from one camping family to another:

Camping meal tips:

Pack separate coolers: You don’t want your main meal ingredients, like frozen meat, sliced veggies, and staples like milk or eggs to get warm, so place these items in a separate cooler from the one you use for ice and drinks. That way, it’s not opened and closed continuously throughout the day.
Freeze plastic milk jugs instead of bringing blocks of ice: This way, as the ice melts, you have potable drinking water to use, instead of a soggy, leaking cooler. Bonus tip: wrap your headlamp around the milk jug (inwardly) in the evenings for a lantern that will glow brightly!
Pre-sliced or cut meat into the portions needed for your recipes before you leave home, then freeze them in zip-lock bags. Your meat will gradually thaw, and you’ll save a lot of time and energy once at camp if you don’t have to portion the servings. Choose meats that can pull double duty: for example Johnsonville fully-cooked sausage patties can be used at breakfast, then again in dinner tin foil packets or soups.
Bring milk that doesn’t need refrigeration: Consider using powered milk or boxes of milk that don’t require staying cold, like almond milk.
Place all your cooking items into one plastic storage bin: mark it as your ‘kitchen’ bin and keep everything together. For organization at camp, use a hanging shoe organizer to stow spices, utensils, and knives you need to keep out of kids’ reach.
Be sure to safely store food at camp: Use a bear locker or bin if provided by the campground, or hang food from a tree in a sleeping bag stuff sack if you’re in bear country. If not, store food in a locked car at night to prevent smaller critters from snacking.
Have a separate lunch bag that kids can dig into on their own. Keeping lunch and snack items apart from your dinner ingredients ensures foods don’t get eaten up early when they’re supposed to be part of recipes! Consider bulk foods for snacks to cut down on packaging and trash, such as trail mix, dried fruit, and nuts from bulk bins.

Fall camping recipe ideas:

Autumn is a great time to camp…the crowds have left your favorite campgrounds, and the weather stays nice in most areas long after Labor Day. Fall is the time for savory, warm camping meals between traditional BBQing sessions. Here are a few fall camping recipe ideas:

Egg scramble: Start with a layer of hash browns on your griddle (bring frozen hash brown patties for ease), then scramble with eggs, sausage, cheese, and any fresh veggies you’ve brought along. Serve on tortillas for breakfast burritos that reduce the need for plates…and dish duty.
Dinner tin foil packets: Anything goes in these fun dinner packets! Start with a square of tin foil for each person. Create a buffet of chopped veggies and sliced meats (pre-cooked is best for fast cook times), plus diced potato and any spices you want to add. Each person creates a customized packet, then places it over the grill (allow coals to get hot first…not over a new fire). Cook until potatoes are soft…this may require some checking by parents.
Potato soup or chili: Use the burner on your camp stove to make a big batch of easy-to-make potato soup or chili (or one of each!). We like to use soup starters that come in powder mixes when we camp, then we add cooked meat or veggies to the mix ourselves. Sausage, diced chicken, fresh corn, or red bell pepper work great in the soup, and any meat or beans can be added to chili mixes. When the weather is turning cool, it’s great to have soup on the camp stove! Bring a pan of cornbread from home to serve alongside!
Hot dogs over the fire…with extras: Have kids gather sticks and roast hot dogs over the fire, then add some extras. Remember that chili you served the night before? Reserve some for your hot dog night! Add diced onion (get it pre-packaged, or dice at home), avocado, shredded cheese, or roasted veggies to the mix.

Do you have a top fall camping recipe idea? A family favorite? Share in the comments! Note: comments submitted may be displayed on other websites owned by the sponsoring brand.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Johnsonville. The opinions and text are all mine.

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How to pack for a camping trip and organize your campsite

September 28, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

Camping with the family is supposed to be relaxing, but it can feel stressful if you don’t know how to pack for a camping trip, and set up your campsite efficiently. After all, no one wants to spend all their time unpacking gear, looking for things, and hauling stuff around their campsite! Read on to learn how to efficiently pack and set up all your gear!

How to Pack for a Camping Trip: Easy Set Up at the Campground

Start your packing process with stackable rubber storage totes. You’ll need at least three (one for each camping “section” of your campsite, including the kitchen, sleeping, and living areas). Larger families or those with extensive gear will probably need more than one tote for each section. Once you arrive at your campsite, simply set each tote in the designated area you’ll need it in, such as the area around your picnic table for the kitchen tote, your tent area for your sleeping tote, and near your campfire pit for your living area tote. Color code your totes to remember where each one belongs.

Try this kitchen packing hack: Store your kitchen tools and utensils in a toiletry bag or other small bag to keep them organized and clean between uses at a dusty campground. You can hang them from a tree branch for easy access when you’re at your site.

In addition to your three “main section” totes, assign a smaller tote to each family member. This tote will hold that person’s clothing and personal items. Using totes for this purpose, instead of duffel bags or suitcases, saves space in your car, trailer, or RV. This especially helps save up room in an RV for important items like an extra RV battery. You can read about which RV battery to buy here https://www.stayontrails.com/best-rv-battery.

Place items you’ll need at the ready in a mesh laundry sack (which can be re-purposed later for dirty clothes). These items may include swimsuits and towels you’ll want as soon as you arrive at the campground or jackets and boots if you’re camping in damp areas or in the off-season.

How to Find a Good Campsite and Set Up Efficiently

If you can reserve your campsite ahead of time, do so online as early as possible. Look at the campground map and note campsites that back up to the wilderness instead of other sites. In addition, look at the bathroom and shower locations (you may want to be close to one or you may want to be farther away from foot traffic). If you are camping at a campground that does not take reservations, arrive at the campground as early in the day as possible. When you arrive, look for a campsite that backs up to the forest or scenery to minimize noise from any neighbors.

Find a campsite with equal parts shade and sun to maximize your exposure and enjoy warmth in the mornings and cooler temperatures in the afternoon. Once you’ve selected a site, set up your sleeping area in the shade (so your tents don’t heat up during the day) on flat ground away from the fire ring and kitchen area.

Set up your kitchen adjacent to the fire ring and picnic table. You may want to consider setting up a screen dome or shade shelter over the table to reduce unwanted quality time with insects and mosquitos. Make sure you place your cooler in the shade.

How to Have a Safe Campfire

First, always make sure the campground permits campfires. Campfire policies can change seasonally, and they may be prohibited during peak forest fire danger periods. If campfires are permitted, make sure to gather sticks and wood from the ground around your site, taking care not to break branches off living trees. Dead wood is drier and better for burning.

If you need to buy firewood, buy it at your campground or at a local store. This practice saves space in your vehicle for your other gear, and it is far better for the environment. When you bring wood from home, you can unknowingly bring unwanted, non-native insects or parasites along with it.

Start your campfire with kindling or small sticks from around the campsite, combined with some newspaper or store-bought fire starter.

Always let your campfire start to die out one hour before bedtime. This is a great time to light a camping lantern and play a few rounds of cards or a board game. Of course, you should always put your fire completely out before leaving your campsite (for the day or at the end of the trip). To extinguish your fire quickly, separate the burned coals with a stick. Once they’re not touching, they will become cool to the touch within 15-20 minutes on average. After spreading the coals, ensure that the fire is fully out by throwing buckets of water or sand or them.

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Camping packing lists and tips

July 15, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

Family camping trips are an excellent way to spend time together in the outdoors and enjoy a vacation on a budget, provided you have some camping tips and hacks up your sleeve. Otherwise, it can take as long to prepare and pack for a camping trip as the trip itself! To ensure that you’re ready for that next weekend trip to the woods, use the following camping packing lists and tips.

The Camp Kitchen

Organizing and packing your camp kitchen is often the most complicated part of preparing for a camping trip. The workaround is having dedicated camping pots and pans, utensils, and kitchen gadgets stored apart from your home kitchen, which will save you time and effort in packing and unpacking daily supplies. Here’s what you need:

Kitchen Packing List:

Camp stove: Opt for a lightweight backpacking stove or traditional car camping stove.
Fuel: Make sure you have the correct propane fuel for your stove.
Plates, cups, and eating utensils (1 per family member): Use paper products or opt for reusable mess kits, which are available in outdoor stores.
Tablecloth: Buy a cheap one at a dollar store.
Dishwashing tub: Opt for a plastic tub or nylon, sealed, collapsible tub.
Dishwashing supplies: Paper or cloth towels or dishrags; dish soap; and sponge.
Matches
Fire starter
Ice
Cooler
Tarp
Grill (optional): Most campsites provide a grill over the fire pit.
Camp table (optional): Helpful for organization, but not necessary.
Kitchen tools/utensils: Spatula, all-purpose knife, potholders, serving ladle, butter knife, tongs, long skewers for s’mores or meat-on-a-stick, and tin foil.

Try this kitchen packing hack: Store your kitchen tools and utensils in a toiletry bag or other small bag to keep them organized and clean between uses at a dusty campground. It will be easy to hang them from a tree branch for easy use when you’re at your site.

The Camp Sleeping Quarters

Everyone wants to be warm and cozy at night! Whether you’re camping in warm or colder climates, everyone in your family will need the essentials to ensure that they’re safe at night. Store tents and sleeping pads in a second large tote, making it easy to pack up the car and head to the campsite at any time.

Sleeping Packing List:

Tent(s): Opt for one large family tent or 2–3 smaller tents. Larger tents have the advantage of space, but small tents fit in cozier campsites.
Sleeping bags: Buy sleeping bags rated at 20 degrees F, unless you know you’ll be camping in colder climates. A 20–40 degrees F bag works for most camping experiences. Down or down-alternative bags pack down smaller and are lighter and warmer than cotton or nylon/polyester bags.
Sleeping pads: Opt for thick blow-up mattresses for car camping, or save space with backpacking pads that inflate with just a few breaths of air.
Ground tarp: Don’t skip the ground tarps. They protect your tent floor and keep the dew and cold at bay.
Towels and personal hygiene items: One per family member!
Flashlights or headlamps: One per family member. Everyone should have their own light source for safety and convenience.
Lantern: One per family will do. Ideally, your lantern can transition from kitchen area to tent and back.

Try this sleeping quarters hack: Buy a ground tarp one size larger than your tent, and use the overhanging space as a place to take off shoes and wipe off feet before entering the tent.

The Campfire Area

Camping just isn’t camping without a comforting campfire, right? The campfire area is important, but there’s good news: it’s easy to pack for!

Campfire area packing list:

Firewood: Buy on-site, or save money by buying it at a local grocery store.
Matches and fire starter: You’ll already have these in your camp kitchen supplies. The type of fire starter you use is up to you; we like fire disks or fire cubes.
Axe or hatchet: Useful for breaking down firewood. Store away from children.
Camp chairs: Some campsites include a bench around the fire ring, but for most, you’ll want collapsible camp chairs. To save space in the car, opt for the smaller, lighter versions sold in backpacking stores.
S’mores: Be sure to bring the ingredients for this tasty campfire treat!
Deck of cards or board game: Everyone enjoys playing a game around the fire.
Lantern: This item is already with your sleeping supplies!

Try this campfire area hack: Never bring firewood all the way from home. It takes up lots of room in your car or truck, which could otherwise be used for other items, and it could be banned from your campground if you’re driving any distance. Campgrounds often require local wood to be burned in an effort to reduce foreign insect species from invading new areas.

Miscellaneous Items Campers Love

Think you have everything you need? Probably not! Read the list of extras below and decide what you can’t live without!

Insect repellent or wristbands
Sunscreen
Toilet paper and shovel (if you don’t have a campground restroom)
Inflatable wading pool for small children to play in
Playpen for babies to stay off the dirt (sometimes)
Clothespins and a clothesline to hang wet clothing
Extra sheet or towel to hang in the tent to create “rooms”
Hammock
Baby wipes to clean hands and faces
Camera
Water/wading shoes
Small net and bucket to use in streams
Small toys for kids to use in camp
Bikes or scooters for larger campgrounds

Source: Fix.com Blog

Dealing with camping mishaps: Camping tips for families!

July 11, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

It’s almost camping season! If you’ve been reluctant to enter the wilderness with your family because of worries or fears, read on! Our camping tips address the most common camping mishaps, and how to deal!

Those who camp regularly know it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Here’s what to expect from the unexpected and what to do when you encounter camping mishaps. Read on for camping hacks!

When The Weather Turns Against You

Bad weather is the most common mishap encountered by campers…even when car camping. Usually nothing more than an inconvenience or temporary delay of outdoor fun, weather can sometimes become dangerous. Here’s how to protect yourself from serious weather issues from mother nature.

Rain: It’s good to be prepared for rain when camping. Be sure to bring a reliable rain fly for your tent, rain jackets for everyone in the family and, if rain is predicted, an extra shelter or canvas tarp to put over eating and cooking areas. It can also help to bring an extra beach towel to use as an entry mat to your tent to wipe off dirty feet when campsites get muddy.

Wind: High winds can cause major problems for campers. If you are in a camper or RV, fold down all awnings and external structures in the case of high wind and, in tents, secure your shelter with guy lines and stakes. Beware of “widow makers” when pitching tents or parking RVs: these dead-yet-standing trees can fall over easily in high winds.

Heat: Always plan your tent site with shade in mind and look for campsites with trees, rocks, or vegetation that will provide some relief. Freeze jugs of water before departing home so you can have access to icy water along with homemade ice packs. Wet bandanas or other clothing to cool skin and camp near bodies of water for easy access.

Wildfires/lightning: A regular occurrence most summers in the western United States, wildfires can certainly ruin a camping trip. The good news: families in campgrounds will have advance warning of any needed evacuations. Check your state’s US Forest Service website for possible fires in the area of your campground and have a back-up plan in case of road closures or campground closures. To avoid lightning strikes, ensure your campsite is not the highest point in an open environment, and do not hike to vistas and peaks if lightning is possible. Cars and RVs (except canvas-topped or fiberglass), bathrooms wired with plumbing and electricity, and other wired buildings are safe places in a lightning storm. Tents are not.

Tip: For all weather-related issues, know the campground’s evacuation procedures before your arrival. You can find this information at a ranger station or check-in booth.

When Someone Becomes Injured or Sick

Minor illnesses and injuries are common while camping, and most can be addressed with a simple bandage or extra s’more for dessert. Prevent blisters before they start by wearing well-worn shoes and sandals while camping. If you’re prone to blisters, use moleskin or bandages specifically for blisters before you hike.

Because you’re in the outdoors with less access to sterile environments, cuts and scrapes should be treated immediately to prevent infection. Always carry a standard first aid kit with antibiotic ointment packets and antiseptic wipes in addition to various-sized bandages.

If your campsite does not offer running water, such as a hike-in or backcountry site, beware of Giardiasis. Also known as Beaver Fever, Giardiasis is an intestinal illness caused by microscopic parasites. It’s caused by drinking untreated water and can result in diarrhea and dehydration. Campers at a campsite with running water (in developed countries) will not need to worry, but those camping where water is sourced from lakes or streams (or in undeveloped countries) will need to treat water before drinking. Be sure your camping gear includes a filter or pump system for your water bottle.

Finally, deal with those annoying buzzing creatures in the outdoors with topical anti-itch cream or hydrocortisone for minor bites and stings. Always carry Benadryl (oral) in case of swelling or discomfort, even if you don’t think you’re allergic to any type of insect.

Tip: For all health-related issues, know where the closest hospital is located and have local emergency numbers on hand.

Addressing Common Camping Nuisances

There are always a few things we’d rather not deal with while camping but that are hard to avoid. Here’s what to do about the worst offenders.

Difficult neighbors: When car camping at popular campgrounds, you’ll often have neighbors. Usually these camping buddies are outdoor lovers like you and will be quiet and courteous. But if they turn out to be disruptive neighbors, they can ruin your trip. Here’s what to do when faced with loud, arguing, or partying campers:

Speak with them directly, in a friendly manner.
Talk to a campground host. Each campground will have one or more of these citizen enforcers; their campsites will be marked as host campsites. The host should speak with the offending campers.
Ask to move campsites (if hosts cannot control the situation).
Call the local authorities if the situation makes you feel unsafe.
Follow up after your trip with the campground owners or government agency (if it’s a national or state park). They can’t take action that will help to prevent this issue in the future if complaints aren’t lodged.

Mosquitoes: Always a pest, and now a danger in some regions for those susceptible to the Zika virus, mosquitoes need to be controlled (as much as possible) within your campsite. Have a secure shelter to use when necessary (such as a tent or screen room), wear insect-repelling clothing, and use natural repelling remedies around camp. At night, make a campfire and let the wood smoke repel mosquitos for you!

Some mishaps are bound to arise while camping, and they can even make for great stories! Anticipating them and following our camping tips and tricks means you will be prepared and won’t allow them to define your whole trip.

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Source: Fix.com Blog

New outdoor and camping gear for families

May 12, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

Camping season is almost here, and it’s time to gear up! I spent a week last winter at Outdoor Retailer, becoming acquainted with new camping and outdoor gear from backpacks to tents to camp kitchens. Here’s what’s new this year, plus a few favorites that have stood the test of time.

New camping gear for families:

New camping gear and outdoor gear divided into several categories below:

Day packs and bladders:

Camelbak Crux bladder: I know everyone is already familiar with hydration packs and reservoirs, but the new Camelbak Crux lumbar bladder is different. It sits on your lower back, horizontally, instead of upright along your spine. The result is less sloshing around, a more comfortable fit for your pack, and easier water access (I found less folding over of the hose, for a better flow). Pick up the Crux lumbar bladder for $35…it will fit in any standard day pack!

Cotopaxi Luzon: Want the kids to carry their own snack and water bottle on your next camping day hike? Buy the Luzon, which is a lightweight 18 liter pack that’s made from bright pieces of fabric. Mine was taken from me by the kids within about 15 minutes of our first hike. Pick up the Luzon for $35. Need something bigger and sturdier? Opt for my absolute, hands-down, favorite day pack, the Cotopaxi Cusco.

Dueter Fox 30 pack: No matter how many new packs we try, we always return to Dueter’s Fox 30 for kids who backpack. It’s the perfect size for kids about 6-10 years old, with all the bells and whistles of mom and dad’s pack, for a solid price of $99.

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Camp kitchen items:

GSI Outdoors Fairshare Mug II: You all know how I love multi-purpose items! The Fairshare mug is a measuring cup with a secure lid for camping meal prep and leftover storage, but also can be used as a personal mug or bowl. Did you know that when you ask for seconds with a bigger-than-average sized bowl, you get served a bigger portion? It’s true!

GSI Outdoors Macro Table: This table, along with its little sister, the Micro Table, is brand new this season and I love it! How many times while camping do I wish I had another clean surface on which to prep meals? The Macro Table is perfect for this, and stores small, too. The Micro Table is ideal for road trips, when you want to set up a snack or meal at a pit stop.

Primus camping fire pit and cook set: You know how sometimes, your campsite doesn’t have an established fire ring or cooking grill? Bring your own! Primus now makes a collapsible, portable campfire pit in two sizes. The Kamoto Fire Pit will be available this spring for $149, which is the one we recommend for families. Pair it with a Primus campfire cook set, designed specifically for the campfire.

Kelty Lowdown chair: Want to pamper yourself with a camp chair that’s actually comfortable? Invest in the Lowdown chair, which, at least in our household, has done double-duty as a sports viewing chair on the sidelines of kids’ games, too. The Lowdown is around $50, but worth the investment if you camp regularly.

Tents, pads, and miscellaneous items:

Toad and Co de-bug ground cover: Do you camp in areas with mosquitos or other pesky insects? How about picnic? We love this new ground cover, which is treated with Toad & Co’s insect shield technology, guaranteed for 70 washes. This blanket goes in the back of our car for every camping trip!

Sea to Summit self inflating pads: This one is really cool. We checked out the Comfort Light SI Comfort Light SI (self inflating) pad, which packs down to less than a pound and a half of carry weight, but once inflated, rises two inches off the ground…downright indulgent for a backpacker! The pad self inflates, as the name suggests. The way the core is designed, you get extra warmth and depth without extra weight.

To accompany Sea to Summit pads, check out the new Air Stream pump sack. The Air Stream is essentially a dry sack with an added valve plug and foot loop. The 20 liter Air Stream can be inflated with a single breath, and two to three cycles from the Air Stream are enough to fill Sea to Summit sleeping mats. Use it as a pump, a stuff sack, or both!

Sierra Design Divine tent: Looking for the latest in lightweight backpacking tents? The Divine comes in a one-person or two-person option, and is trekking pole compatible (which means you don’t have to carry tent poles!). It comes with Sierra Design’s night glow feature, too. Pick one up for under $400, a solid price for a lightweight, quality backpacking tent.

Kelty Camp Cabin: Is it a tent or is it a cabin? It’s a tent with the headroom of a cabin! If you’re car camping and like to have plenty of room, this is the new tent for you! The Camp Cabin is under $250, making it a solid investment for family camping trips!

EasyCamp Tornado 400 inflatable tent: You read that right…this car camping tent has inflatable tubes rather than poles. We set it up in under five minutes on our first try, and got it down to about three minutes after that. At first, I was skeptical whether an inflatable tent solved any existing problem in tent set-up and function, but now I’m sold on this tent for families with young kids. Here’s why: not only is it easy to set up (tip: stake it first, then inflate the tubes), it sleeps four with two spaces separated by a removable tent divider, and twin mesh doors. There’s a generous organizer built in for smaller items, and best of all, the vestibule in front is very large. It even features a detachable toggle-up ‘bathtub’ groundsheet with a tall lip to keep water out of the tent. Comes with an air pump.

Now that you’re geared up, check out Pit Stops for Kids’ campground listings and camping tips, as well as this guide to family camping!

Travel Gear We Use: family tents for camping

July 29, 2016 By Amy Hagstrom

This week in our Travel Gear We Use series, we’re talking about best family tents for camping. There are a mind-boggling array of family camping tents on the market, in a very wide price range. What’s best for your family will depend on where you’re camping, how often you camp, and the size of your family.

Best family tents for minimalists or backpackers:

All purpose: We love, love, love Kelty’s Trail Ridge tent.The Trail Ridge 4 is affordable yet high quality, making it a great double-duty tent: it can be used backpacking or car camping. It falls in the middle weight range for family backpacking–not the lightest tent you’ll find, but also not the most cumbersome-and it’s beautifully affordable at only $279. It technically sleeps 4, which to us, means it sleeps 3 (we always reduce the sleep number by 1 to be comfortable). Another solid option is the REI Half Dome tent, which is one of the easiest to set up of any we’ve tried.

Ultralight: Want to carry as little tent weight as possible? Camping with just one kid or as a couple? Try the Nemo Meta. The Meta is our go-to tent for these situations. It weights just two pounds, but is roomy for a two-person tent, with respectable height too. The catch: you set up the Meta with trekking poles (it does not come with tent poles at all). Set up takes some getting used to, but once you learn how to do it, it only takes about five minutes. You need to stake the tent every night, in order to keep it upright, and of course, you need to be hiking with trekking poles, which we do.

Only need a single person tent? Sometimes you have one extra person or are planning a solo adventure. Our teen checked out the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL1 during his PCT hike, and loved it so much, he uses it all the time now. Like the Meta, it’s just over 2 pounds, but on the Fly Creek, this includes the tent poles. If you want to get really posh, get the Fly Creek with Big Agnes’ light system, Mtn Glo. This LED light system illuminates the interior of the tent, freeing you up to go without a headlamp or flashlight inside. We’re spoiled now!

Best backpacking and small family tents at a glance:

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Best family tents for car camping or large families:

Best big tent: As our family grows (in height and age, not number!) we’ve found the need for a larger, less portable tent for family car camping adventures in campgrounds and state or national parks. Enter the Slumberjack Grand Lodge 8-Person Tent. Sounds pretty fancy, doesn’t it? And to our minimalist standards, it feels pretty fancy, too: the Slumberjack has room dividers, multiple entrances and windows, and great ventilation. We can even stand up inside it! The Grand Lodge comes in an 8-person or a mind-boggling 12-person. Even for the 8-person, you’ll want to make sure your tent space is large in your campsite! The downside of such a large tent is the set up time: it takes considerably longer to set up the Slumberjack than the Kelty, and it’s definitely not pack-ready. However, it does get easier with experience, and does pack down into its own (large) duffel for car or garage storage.

Six person or less: Don’t need the 8-person capacity of the Slumberjack? Try the Coleman Carlsbad. This six-person tent includes a screen room attached, PLUS has ‘dark room’ technology, which is designed to help kids fall asleep when it’s still light out (does the sun EVER set in summer?). We’ve found our kids, naturally early risers, also sleep in with this tent. It does feel dark when you’re inside, however, so this isn’t the tent to hang out in during the daytime. It also comes in a 4-person size.

All the bells and whistles: Want lots of storage space and technology in your tent? Try the Eureka Jade Canyon. This six-person tent has 10 x 10 feet of space, with lots of built in pockets and sleeves. It even has a media pocket, where you can prop up your iPad in a transparent pocket to view movies or TV. It also features E!Luminate, which is Eureka’s technology that enhances light. You simply place the provided panels on your ceiling of the Jade Canyon, and your headlamp or lantern light will shine brighter. It really does work.

Best large family tents at a glance:

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Want more camping info? Get Pit Stops for Kids’ camping gear list!

Coleman camping gear and #FindYourPark

May 11, 2016 By Amy Hagstrom

It’s camping season in most of the US and Canada, and I’m excited to spend time in the outdoors for the next few months. Most of us are now familiar with our National Park system’s #FindYourPark initiative, which is helping more families than ever discover outdoor recreation in state and national parks.

Most families are also familiar with Coleman, an outdoor gear brand with a long tradition of creating family-friendly camping equipment. We’ve been using Coleman gear since I was a kid. Right now, Coleman is partnering with #FindYourPark. Through 2017, Coleman will host a variety of outdoor experiences that will enable America’s youth and their families to connect with our national parks in unique ways.

Want more camping info? Get Pit Stops for Kids’ camping gear list!

To round out this partnership, Coleman will also offer a limited edition line of products including grills, stoves, lanterns and coolers that commemorate our national parks to ensure Americans are well equipped to head out to the parks. To kick off the camping season, we wanted to share reviews of some of our favorites, and let you know how to get them.

Coleman camping gear we’re using this summer:

Carlsbad Fast-Pitch tent:

The Carlsbad tent sleeps six and includes two living spaces: a 10 x 9 ft. tented space and a 10 x 5 ft. screen room. It’s roomy vertically too, with a ceiling of 5 ft. 8 in. Families can easily spread out, with extra sleeping space in the screen room if the weather is dry, or you can use that space for a few chairs, a game of Uno, or everyone’s shoes and gear.

A few features we love: The Carlsbad features Coleman’s ‘Dark Room Technology’, which means it stays darker inside than the average tent. When you have kids with an earlier bedtime or hope that you’ll all sleep in a bit, this is golden. You also get window awnings, which is more than just a cute feature: they allow you to keep windows zippered down, even in rain, which reduces condensation in the tent. Lastly, the Carlsbad is one of Coleman’s ‘Fast Pitch’ tents, which means that for its size, it’s very easy to set up. Forget the heavy, awkward set up stage: some of the poles are pre-inserted, and it really only takes five minutes to be up and running. Buy on sale for $169 on Amazon, or grab a 4-person model for only $134.

Big N Tall cot:

We’ve really fallen in love with cot sleeping when we’re car camping. To be honest, we sleep outside on cots much of the summer. Cots are more comfortable than air mattresses for us, and sleeping off the ground simply feels like a luxury when we’re camping. The Coleman Big N Tall cot is part of their Big N Tall line, which, in our opinion, isn’t just for bigger people. The oversized cot is simply more stable and wider, which is good news for anyone. It’s designed in a military style with an X frame, and is quick to set up.

A few features we love: The design on the Big N Tall cot is a manly yet understated topography map design in sand tones. I realize a cot’s selling feature isn’t its looks, but it’s always nice to have something nice looking in your campsite! It comes in a rolling carrying case, with is really good, since this baby is heavy! Pick up the Big N Tall for $135. You can also find standard-sized Coleman cots for $79 and under.

Mountain View Screen Dome Shelter:

Coleman’s 12×12 screen dome shelter went up in our yard in May and won’t come down until August, except to go camping! We use it daily for bug-free outdoor space and outside sleeping space throughout the summer months, and it’s a wonderful addition to car camping sites when you need a bug-free zone. It has an open bottom/floor, which means you can set it up around fixed picnic tables at campsites for mosquito-free eating or card games during the twilight hour. I won’t lie: set up takes longer than for your average tent (it took us about 15 minutes) and the poles are bulky and heavy.

A few features we love: You get 50+ UPF, and the roof is waterproof (we’ve tested it extensively). You get some side-panel ‘walls’ you can drape on one or more sides if you desire, which is helpful for keeping out sun on one side, privacy, or during rain storms. If you don’t need the shelter to be screened to keep out bugs, you can zip away the attached screens to use the shelter as just a sun dome (great for sporting events). The inside height is over 7 feet, so you won’t need to duck. Pick it up for $181 on Amazon.

Conquer 200L LED Headlamp:

Sorry, flashlights, but we’ve switched entirely over to headlamps for our illumination needs while camping. We love the hands-free convenience, and the way headlamps easily convert from pathway illumination to reading lights to lanterns (just wrap one around a large plastic bottle of water). The Conquer headlamp is bulkier than we’d like for backpacking, but ideal for car camping and for kids to take to camp. It’s rugged exterior can take a beating, and the headband can be adjusted to fit just about everyone.

A few features we love: The Conquer features BatteryLock, which stops battery drain. Believe it or not, you won’t be changing out the batteries constantly! It has five modes, including high spot, high flood, low spot, low flood, and red, and lumens ranging from 200 (high spot), 150 (high flood), 70 (low spot), and 20 (low flood). You need three AAA batteries, but the LEDs never need replacing. Pick it up for just $25. There are stronger, brighter models available as well, going up to about $45, but honestly, this is all you need.