Car camping with kids is a great way to explore the outdoors and spend time as a family – but it can also be quite a hassle if you’ve got a variety of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers to care for. Not only are there safety issues at play, but packing enough supplies to keep everyone happy, healthy, and having a good time can be quite an undertaking.

What is Car Camping?

Car camping is basically any camping activity that allows you to drive up to your destination (as opposed to hiking to a location far up in the woods). State parks are an ideal location for this, since you can often rent a site for a few days, complete with running water, park rangers, and even bathroom facilities nearby. Although this might not be your idea of “roughing it,” these types of situations are ideally suited for camping with kids.

What to Take Car Camping

Any car camping family trip should involve all those camping basics like tents, cooking and eating materials, and a sturdy pair of hiking boots. However, if you’ll be taking small children along, there are a few must-haves that won’t make an appearance on a traditional camping checklist.

• Pack and Play Cribs: These portable play areas are great for infants or toddlers who are just learning to be stable on their feet. Even the most modern camping grounds have hazards related to fires,  rocks, sticks, and other debris. A portable play area can provide a safe spot for your kids to enjoy the activity of camp as well as a great sleeping site later on.

• Extra Everything: Almost all campgrounds are located a fair way out from neighboring cities. This means that a late-night run for diapers or your child’s favorite breakfast item isn’t likely to happen. Although you’ll likely end up with a very overpacked car, you’ll be grateful when you don’t run out of baby and toddler necessities.

• Clamp-On Booster Seats: These belt-able highchair/booster seat options typically attach directly to a table to create a versatile dining area no matter where you are. While camping, these can serve a dual purpose for feeding and for times when your child needs a safe place to sit for a few minutes.

• Toddler/Infant Carriers: If you plan on doing any hiking or sightseeing while you camp, you may want to invest in either a toddler backpack or a front-carrier for a younger child. These will free up your arms and make the trip a little more comfortable for everyone. Of course, very strenuous routes will probably still be a bit much for your young travelers.

Any vacation with a child adds more stress and planning than simply staying at home, but that doesn’t mean you and your family can’t create lasting memories together. As long as you keep your infants and toddlers on a fairly consistent schedule and you keep car and child travel safety in mind, car camping can be a great family destination.