What to pack for a family camping trip with kids

There’s nothing quite like a family camping trip to make the most of the summer months. Time spent outdoors is the perfect way for your family to relax and create new memories. Yet when you’re camping with babies and children, knowing what to pack is central to a smooth and easy camping break.

This guide will help you pack everything you need so you can focus on making memories during the school holidays, rather than worrying about what you might have forgotten.

Sleeping essentials for restful nights

A good night’s sleep can transform your camping experience, especially with young children. Packing the right sleeping gear will ensure everyone can settle after a busy day in the fresh air. A pro tip for new campers is that you will need different sleeping bags depending on the weather.

For your baby, this means packing a travel cot as well as extra blankets for cooler nights. New parents also find that blackout blinds or covers can help with daytime naps.

If your child needs a dummy to sleep, you want to pack a few spares to be on the safe side! It’s also a good idea to know how to keep a dummy clean, as camping trips are often synonymous with outdoor play and dirt.

Feeding and sterilising on-the-go

Feeding your baby or toddler while camping doesn’t have to be stressful if you plan ahead. One of the biggest concerns for parents is how to keep bottles and cups clean when you don’t have access to your usual kitchen. Milton’s cold water method will make sterilising simple, even on a camping trip.

You need a travel steriliser to be able to properly clean bottles and teats without electricity or boiling water. Just pop a anti-bacterial tablet into cold water to sterilise bottles, spoons and soothers in 15 minutes.

It is a good idea to always pack extra bottles and feeding gear. You don’t want to be caught short if a bottle goes missing while camping. With the right prep, you can feed your little one safely and enjoy your camping trip together.

Hygiene must-haves for campsites

Camping may be all about fresh air and muddy adventures, but good hygiene is non-negotiable. Babies and toddlers love to explore, so it’s worth packing extra wipes for cleaning surfaces and toys. They are handy for quick clean-ups on the go.

If you are camping with a baby, you also need to think about nappies. It is perfectly possible to go camping with cloth nappies, but depending on the weather, these can take a long time to dry. So, this is something to bear in mind, and you may need to use different nappies for the holiday.

Cooking, food and hydration tips

Simple and easy meals work best on a camping trip, so pack plenty of easy-to-cook ingredients and sealed containers for leftovers. You will also need a cool box to keep milk, drinking water, and baby food fresh. Bear in mind that little ones can lose fluids quickly in the heat. So, it’s important to make them drink plenty to avoid dehydration.

Clothing and weather preparation

Camping means being ready for all kinds of weather. Essentially, you want to pack layers that can be added or removed easily. You need to plan for sunny and rainy days, so wear hats and waterproofs. It’s also worth bringing enough spare clothes when travelling with a baby.

For active adventurers, sturdy shoes are a must. For beach camping, you may find jelly sandals are helpful to keep them comfortable on soil and in water.

At Milton, we’re here to help you take care of your family with hygiene and sanitising tips and solutions to make your camping trip smoother. A family camping trip can feel simple and stress-free with the right essentials. You can plan ahead and trust Milton to help keep feeding equipment clean and safe wherever you are.

Naturally, before taking the road, you may want to sterilise baby bottles properly so you know you are bringing a safe feed kit that’s ready to use. If you need any hygiene and sterilising products ahead of your camping holiday, remember to browse our range.

Shop the Milton range at Woolworths, Coles, Chemist Warehouse, BIG W, Baby Bunting, IGA and other major supermarkets.