Camp together without overplanning
Start with one night and a short drive. Pick a site with a restroom and water, then give everyone one small job. The best part can be telling stories after dinner.
Find a campsite
Search campgrounds near your city or destination. Confirm reservations, access, fire rules and current conditions with the campsite before going.
Before you leave
- Check the forecast and any alerts; choose a nearby indoor backup if rain or heat changes the plan.
- Confirm check-in times, restroom access, water, quiet hours and fire restrictions.
- Practice setting up the tent at home if this is your first family campout.
- Plan easy food: sandwiches or a simple dinner, fruit, breakfast and plenty of water.
Pack together
- Reservation and directions saved offline
- Tent, stakes, sleeping bags, pads and warm layers
- Water, meals, snacks, cooler and food storage
- Headlamps, first-aid kit, sun protection and insect protection
- Weather-appropriate shoes and extra clothes
- Trash bags and any required permits
Three simple camp games
- Color hunt: Find five different colors in nature without picking anything.
- Shadow stories: Use a flashlight against the tent and take turns making shapes.
- One-sentence story: Each person adds a line to a story around the campsite.
Keep children close to an adult near water, fire and trails. Leave the site as you found it.