Fall is the perfect season for family camping. The cooler weather makes sleeping outside a little more comfortable for kids and you may find many campsites around the US to be less crowded. Camping out with kids is a childhood right of passage, but it’s important to be prepared and make sure you have all of the camping essentials. We’ve put together a camping checklist for families with some of our favorite products for your youngsters to make sure they are as comfortable as possible in the outdoors. From child-sized sleeping bags, headlamps to junior water bottles, here’s your list of camping gear for families this fall.
We hope you love the camping gear we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you make a purchase. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
Veer Basecamp Shelter
Photo: Veer/REI
This shelter is ideal for little ones. It comes fully assembled and can be folded down quickly and popped into the back of the car with ease. A perfect shade for fall afternoons, this little den comfortably sits three to four kids.
Price: $179
REI Co-op Down Time 25 Down Sleeping Bag
Photo: REI
This little sleeping bag is designed for people under 5’6″ tall. It’s lightweight and made from repellent 600-fill-power duck-down insulation. This bag will work for both summer and fall camping.
Price: $149
Morrison Outdoors Little Mo 20 Baby Sleeping Bag
Photo: Morrison Outdoors/REI
This cute little sleeping bag is super lightweight and reduces down to the size of a water bottle, earning its spot on any camping checklist for families with small children. The bag is designed for infants and toddlers aged six to 24 months. It is not recommended for children younger than six months. Morrisons also have a slightly larger option for toddlers aged two to four years old.
Price: $159
Staheekum Viben Booties
Photo: Staheekum/REI
These indoor/outdoor booties contain recycled materials and are ideal for wearing within a tent and around the campsite. They have soft padded insulation and slip on and off with ease.
Price: $19.43
REI Co-op Kingdom 6 Tent
Photo: REI
This roomy six-person tent splits down into two rooms, making it a great option for families. The structure includes a backpack carry bag that neatly carries all poles and stakes and makes transporting the tent from the car a breeze. The market for larger tents is competitive, but REI’s make a trusted addition to any list of camping essentials for the family.
Price: $499
Black Diamond Wiz Headlamp
Photo: Black Diamond/REI
The Black Diamond Wiz headlamp is super kid-friendly. The touch works regardless of how it is worn — right-side-up or down — it shuts off after two hours and it has a breakaway strap and child-safe clip.
Price: $24.95
REI Co-op Camp Chair
Photo: REI
Camp kid’s chair is super lightweight, portable and sturdy — so you don’t need to be too worried about the ground being completely level. The armrests also feature kid-friendly pockets for snacks and beverages.
Price: $29.95
YETI Rambler Jr. Vacuum Water Bottle
Photo: YETI/REI
This double-vacuum junior water bottle comes in four fun colors. The leak-resistant design takes hot or cold drinks and is sturdy enough for the most adventurous member of your family.
Price: $30
Hydro Flask Kids’ Packable Bottle Sling
Photo: Hydro Flask/REI
If you are concerned about water bottles going missing, you might want to consider investing in a handy sling. This carrier in particular makes it easy for your child to take their bottle wherever they go. A personalized name tag makes sure if the sling goes misplaced, it can be easily returned.
Price: $17.95
Disc-O-Bed Kid-O-Bunk with Organizers
Photo: Disc-O-Bed/REI
The Disc-O-Bed might seem like a luxurious spend, but making sure your kids are as comfortable as possible will make the trip easier for everyone. The cot is also super simple to assemble and folds down into a neat carriable size — ideal if you have a little trek from the car park to camp.
Price: $350
Osprey Poco Plus Child Carrier
Photo: Osprey/REI
The Osprey Poco Plus Child Carrier is some of the best camping gear for families with young children. It comes in two colors, royal blue and black, and is customizable to fit all body types — for child and adult.
Price: $330
REI Co-op Kindercamp Sleeping Pad
Photo: REI
This sleeping pad is a more affordable option than the previously mentioned bunk cot. It’s self-inflating and promises a comfortable and warm sleep. Its insulation will make sure that your little one is warm, even if the fall weather has started to turn chilly.
Price: $49.95 