The Activity I Started Prioritizing When I Had Kids
It’s dirty and buggy but we always come home happier.
I wouldn’t describe myself as a big camper or a true outdoors person. Sure, I’ve done lots of hiking, and a desire to spend time outside is core to my identity. But I’ve never actually started a fire and can get confused when pitching a tent.
Still, I’ve somehow managed to plan seven camping excursions with my little kids in the past two and a half years.
Why? I have such vivid, happy memories from the bit of camping I did as a child. We’d race around on our bikes, wade in creeks, and roast foil-wrapped meals in the fire. I want to create those memories for my family. Plus, I’m passionate about the growing body of research showing the profound benefits children get from spending time outdoors.
And to be transparent, when we were planning our first family camping trip — right before my second scheduled maternity leave — I got wind that my well-paying corporate job would be coming to an unexpected end. I spiraled and decided that leaning into low-cost family fun was the way forward. That reactionary panic eventually subsided, but it’s been financially satisfying to replace a couple of our annual Airbnb getaways with camping trips. Our kids LOVE them, and it just feels like good parenting.
What keeps me motivated to continue planning these outings is the powerful reset they create. Camping gives you more bang for your buck per night away. It feels like we’ve been gone from our lives much longer than the two days we usually spend in the wilderness. When we return and start unpacking, there’s an atmosphere of satisfaction and contentment in our home.
And that’s funny, because the kids haven’t always slept well (and therefore neither have we) in the foreign tent environment. The overall experience is not so comfortable. We’ve encountered swarms of tiny mosquitos and biting ants and sacrificed showers. Yet there’s something restorative about immersing yourself in the natural world and connecting with the rhythm of sunsets and sunrises.
Am I selling this? If so, here are my tips so far for getting started camping with little ones.
Keep it easy.
Pick a campground close to home and near civilization. Roast hot dogs and marshmallows for dinner. Take advantage of any guided nature hikes or activities organized by the campground.
Sure, I’ve experienced wild and transformative backpacking trips, but in this era, we embrace ease.
Store all your camping gear in a large storage bin.
When you’re ready to camp, just shove the whole container in the car.
Pro: This hack saves a ton of mental energy you’d otherwise spend on checklists and sorting.
Con: It’s not the most efficient use of space in a vehicle.
It’s okay to cheat a little.
One of our camping trips was in a cushy yurt, which made for easy packing. In the end, it cost about as much as a hotel, but we brought my mom along and had an amazing time eating outside, exploring a nature playground, and swinging on a hidden rope swing.
And on the final morning of our most recent trip, we drove into the town of Idyllwild for breakfast at a trendy bagel spot. It felt luxurious not to deal with dishes and cleanup as we packed up camp.
Pack the fun stuff.
Kids get a kick out of sitting in their own camp chairs and wearing headlamps. They love zooming around the campground on bikes or scooters, and we all enjoy a game of Uno.
I pack a small speaker for camp tunes (personal favorites: Waxahatchee, Neko Case, and Kacey Musgraves) during dinner prep. Better yet, bring a friend who plays guitar.
And don’t forget a book — you might get in a few pages while the kids are sleeping.
It’s more fun with friends.
Invite another family to join you. You’ll save them the trouble of finding and booking a site, and the kids light up with the added company. Plus, having extra adults around can soften some of the tense family moments.
Don’t forget the details.
Learn from my mistakes and bring a handy dish-drying bag, sponge, trash bags, and comfy camp chairs — because the provided picnic tables are often on a slant or in full sun.
Bonus: Our favorite camping spots near San Diego
Green Valley and Paso Picacho Campgrounds, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
Just an hour from our urban neighborhood, but they feel wild and remote, with excellent hiking and a swimming spot.
Borrego Palm Canyon Campground, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Next to a family-friendly trail with a palm oasis; closed in the summer due to desert temps.
Stone Creek Campground, Mount San Jacinto State Park
Among towering pines and just a 10-minute drive from the mountain town of Idyllwild’s shops and restaurants.
Arroyo Campground, O'Neill Regional Park
A pristine Orange County spot near a sparkly Trader Joe’s.
San Mateo Campground, San Onofre State Beach
Biking distance to a famous surf beach.
I love the way everything slows down when you're camping, and I agree it feels a lot longer than it really is. On one our camping trips a raccoon ate my birthday cake. I just wrote a post on camping yesterday. We love the same things 😊
Love these photos and the article! The children look so happy! :D