The Ultimate Guide to Kids Backpacking Gear

Setting out on a wilderness adventure can be a very enriching experience for both adults and children. When planning a family backpacking trip, equipping your young adventurers with the best camping gear for kids is essential to ensure their safety, comfort, and enjoyment. This comprehensive guide is your go-to resource for navigating the array of children's camping gear, guaranteeing that your next outdoor excursion is unforgettable.

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Table of Contents

Understanding the Importance of Proper Gear

The Backpack

Clothing & Footwear

Sleeping Gear

Hydration & Nutrition

Safety Essentials

Fun & Educational Gear

Final Thoughts

Understanding the Importance of Proper Gear

Before diving into the details of each essential item, it's important to grasp the significance of selecting the best kids camping gear. The appropriate equipment does more than just keep your child snug and secure; it cultivates an appreciation for nature, while promoting independence and responsibility.

The Backpack

Choosing the Right Backpack

At the top of our gear list is the backpack, a cornerstone for any adventure. It's important to choose a hiking pack that's tailored for young explorers, ensuring it's a perfect fit for their wilderness journey. Deuter Junior 18L Pack or the Osprey Jet These youth camping gear backpacks are designed to be lightweight, featuring adjustable straps for a snug fit and providing ample storage space for all the necessary outdoor gear and hiking gear your child will need.

Clothing & Footwear

Clothing for Different Weather Conditions

The clothing your child will need for your trip depends on the season and destination. In cooler environments layering is key, get a lightweight base layer made out of synthetic or wool, a warm mid-layer like a fleece or a puffy jacket, and rain jacket as a shell. While in warmer climates, opt for breathable shirts, I'm a big fan of sun hoodies and light quick-drying pants. Always include a rain jacket and sunscreen to protect against unexpected weather and the sun's rays.

Footwear for Comfort & Safety

Proper footwear is a cornerstone of your child's comfort and safety while hiking. Select hiking boots or shoes that offer robust traction, ankle support, and waterproofing to keep little feet dry. These are essential components of children's camping gear for any outdoor adventure. Keen and Merrell offer a variety of kids' hiking footwear. Remember that waterproof shoes usually won't dry very easily if the inside gets wet. In summer months I usually opt for breathable hiking shoes that will dry quickly rather than waterproof boots but that's largely my personal preference.

Sleeping Gear

Sleeping Bags

The REI Co-op Kindercone 25 Sleeping Bag - Kids' and the Teton Junior 20 Sleeping bags, are some of the few decent kids-sized sleeping bags I could find. You may want to consider getting an adult-sized sleeping bag of better quality than you can usually find in kids' sizes. Some companies will make bags for women that are a little shorter which may work better for kids like the Kelty Cosmic which is a down sleeping bag that comes in a womens size (5'8") and a short size (5'6")

Sleeping Pads

A sleeping pad, like the REI Co-op Kindercamp Sleeping Pad or the Klymit Static V short sleeping pad - Finding a kids' sleeping pad is far more difficult than you would expect. Adult sleeping pads pack down just as small if not smaller and don't usually weigh more.

Hydration & Nutrition

Water Bottles & Hydration Packs

Maintaining hydration is key during backpacking trips. Equip your child with a durable, water bottle that's easy for them to carry and use on the trail. CamelBak Eddy+ Kids' Water Bottle.

Snacks & Meals

For your young adventurer, pack nutrient-dense, easy-to-eat snacks like trail mix and energy bars, and explore simple camping recipes for easy camping meals that are both lightweight and quick to prepare in the great outdoors.

Safety Essentials

First Aid Kit

You don't need a special first aid kit for your kids, Bring a good first aid kit like the Adventure Medical Kits .5 and add some fun band-aids and make sure that you have antibiotic ointment and bio-degradable soap instead of just alcohol wipes so they'll actually sit for you to clean a wound.

Sunscreen & Bug Spray

Safeguard your child's skin with kid-friendly sunblock and insect repellent, providing protection from the sun's UV rays and pesky insect bites during their outdoor activities. My favorite bug repellent to use for kids is Picaridin Lotion, it helps keep away mosquitos, ticks, and biting flies.

Fun & Educational Gear

Binoculars & Compass

Outfit your child with binoculars and a compass for their outdoor camping trip, infusing camping activities with fun and educational opportunities to learn navigation skills.

Games and Media

Bring some compact games that can be played in the tent if the weather turns bad for a while. Consider also bringing a device with a few downloaded shows or movies that your child enjoys on it and some headphones if the nature sounds are scaring your child into not sleeping making everyone exhausted.

Nature Journal

Keeping a nature journal can transform your child's camping experience, encouraging them to observe and document their surroundings with mindfulness and a deeper appreciation for the natural world.

Final Thoughts

Providing your child with the appropriate gear is crucial for their camping comfort and safety, ensuring a positive and unforgettable family camping excursion. Balancing functionality with enjoyment is key, and involving your child in choosing their gear can heighten their excitement and sense of ownership over the adventure.

No matter if you're novices or veterans in family hikes, this guide offers an extensive camping checklist and camping tips to ensure your child has everything they need for a triumphant experience in the great outdoors. So gear up, strap in, and embark on the trails with confidence.