Camping with 2 kids (ages 6 and 9) for 4 days. Packing list is getting long already. We've got tent, sleeping bags, cooking stuff... what's that one thing everyone forgets?
Also pro tip request: how do you keep food from getting absolutely destroyed by squirrels? Last year was a disaster.
wet wipes. SO many wet wipes. dirt, bug bites, spilled food, bathroom emergencies - you'll go through like 300 of them
The thing nobody mentions is a small first aid kit with blister stuff. My 6yo got a blister on day 2 from new hiking shoes and it was miserable for everyone. Now I bring mole skin pads just in case.
wait your post got cut off mid-sentence - were you asking about meal prep? bc honestly for 4 days with little kids I'd say prep as much as you can beforehand. We do like breakfast burritos you just heat up and sandwiches prepped the night before
Entertainment for downtime is key. We bring a deck of cards, a travel game, maybe a small book. Kids get bored sitting around the campfire way faster than you'd think.
did you cut your kids' nails before you go? sounds weird but long nails + tent sleeping = scratches everywhere. learned that the hard way lol
Entertainment for the car ride there. Sounds obvious but we always underestimate how much screen time we're ok with in the car vs at home lol
The one thing we always forget is a small first aid kit beyond bandaids. My 6yo got a splinter at our last trip and I had literally nothing to get it out with. Now I keep a dedicated camping med kit that goes in the car.
This is gonna sound dumb but a headlamp for each kid. They'll want to explore at dusk, read in the tent, whatever. Game changer and mine were like $8 each.
Honestly? A headlamp for each kid. Sounds dumb but when you're trying to find stuff in the tent at night or someone needs the bathroom at 2am, it's a lifesaver. Plus kids think they're cool.
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Wet wipes. Literally everyone forgets extra wet wipes. You think you have enough then by day 2 you're rationing them like they're gold. Get like 2-3 packs more than you think you need.