Just pack up your kids and go camping. It’ll get easier—and more fun—with practice.
Louisa AlbaneseJul 31, 2019.
Getting out the door is the hardest part, and a little organization goes a long way. We store our gear in clear, plastic tubs ($9; 2 lbs.) that are labeled and arranged on storage shelves—grab and go. For apparel, we each get our own color-coded compartment of the Mountainsmith Zip Top Hauler ($60; 2 lbs.) and Basic Cube ($28; 15 oz.). What makes the cut? The Reima Narvik Baselayers ($43) and the Helly Hansen Jr. Barrier Down Insulator ($85) for warmth, Sunday Afternoons Trucker Hat ($16; 2 oz.) for camp hair, and Babiators (Starting at $20) for sun protection. The BOGS Baby B-MOC ($65; 1 lb. 2 oz.) is the ultimate camp shoe in every season. Once we’re on the trail, it’s all about making camping fun, so we prioritize creature comforts. We love the NEMO Wagontop 6 ($650; 28 lbs.) for car camping because, well, it’s huge (two rooms), has supertall ceilings, and is bombproof. The YETI Rambler Colster ($25; 9 oz.) and Hydro Flask 12-oz. Wide Mouth Kids Bottle ($30; 10 oz.) ensure our beverages stay cold (or warm). We ditch plastic bags in favor of Beeswrap ($11; 1 oz.) for foodstuffs, and cook our homestyle meals using the Primus Tupike Stove ($230; 9 lbs.). To light up the night, we use the MPOWERD Luci Solar String Lights ($40), and when it’s time for s’mores, we break out the Firebuggz Fishing Pole Campfire Roaster ($23; 11 oz.), which boosts the fun.
