Are you struggling to find gifts for the camping children in your life? Maybe you have a Girl or Boy Scout in your life. Well, look no further than our guide to children’s camping gifts. We have an assortment of all the children’s camping items that will set your favorite camper off on the right foot.
With so many options out there how do you know what to find? Is it something new or an upgrade to something they already own? Well, our children’s camping gift best-of-list will put you on the right path!
Remember that the best gifts are not always the most expensive. Camping can be a pricy activity. This children’s camping gifts guide will provide you with some affordable options for the camper in your life. Don’t get too worked up over the present though. In honesty, most children who like to camp aren’t looking for super expensive things anyways. They just want to be outdoors!
Looking for a camper in your life? Check out this camping gear for under $50!
1. The Camping Tent
The number one item on our children’s camping gifts list is agreeably the most important. You need to have some sort of shelter when you venture out into the wild. This is because even if you prefer to sleep out under the stars, weather or other unforeseen circumstances could pop up. This may force you inside.
A shelter could be a camping tent. Preferably a sturdy and waterproof one like the one in the picture. This depends on personal preference as many people enjoy camping the more traditional way with a tent. With a four-person tent like this, the child in your life can be prepared for their campout and have space for gear as well. Check out the other options below!
Find out how to pick a tent now! Looking for some family tent recommendations? Look no further!
2. Navigational Tools
We’re used to having signs, dedicated roads, and people that know the area to help us get around. So in our day-to-day lives, it’s easy to avoid getting lost and even easier to find our way back if we do. But that’s all a bit different in the wilderness because we’re in an environment that we’re just not used to. You especially don’t want your child getting lost in the wilderness.
So before you go camping, make sure to add a map and compass to your gear. These will help you to stay on track, and make your way back to your campsite if you do get a bit turned around. If you can, bring a charged GPS, as this will be even better! Don’t forget extra batteries or a way to charge on the go for longer hikes! The below GPS options are great children’s camping gifts for you to choose from.
Find out how to pick the best campsite!
3. First Aid Kit
There is nothing more essential than a first aid kit. Especially for accident-prone children. Unfortunately, these can often be on the pricey side of things. I have you covered in this children’s camping gifts guide though. I have found you a kit that still has everything they will need but is budget-friendly.
The TrekProof Compact First Aid Kit is a great option for child campers on a budget as it is only $18 and it contains 100 different pieces. These include antiseptic wipes, scissors, bandages, disposable gloves, and more. It also comes in a durable nylon case that is hardy enough to withstand their camping journey.
4. A Pocket Knife
Remember how we’re looking for items that will serve diverse purposes? Our goal is to not only pack less but also spend less. Well, a pocket knife is another one of those children’s camping gifts items that is a necessary weight addition! It serves a lot of purposes while hiking like preparing food, cutting rope, cutting down hanging vines and other things in your way, etc. This is also always the most favorite part for young campers. However, you will want to make sure that they are properly trained to use a knife.
Want to see our go-to list of multi-tools under $25?
The best part is that you can find a good pocket knife for well under your budget. For instance, the Grand Way Tactical Folding Knife for only $14. This knife also includes some extra features that could come in handy as well such as a fire starter handle and a whistle. Just make sure your hiker knows how to take care of your tool!
5. Flashlight
Have you found yourself waking up in the middle of the night to find that you can’t find that one little thing you need out of your pack? What about out on a long trail as the sun starts to set? Wouldn’t having a small lightweight light be just the ticket for finding what you need in your pack without waking up everyone else in your camp? Now think of how frustrating it can be for a young camper to go through these things.
The next must-have camping gift guide item I want to recommend is a flashlight. You can find less expensive options like this one from Walmart which is only 27 grams! However, this 10,000-lumen rechargeable light is sure to light the way for your hiker. It also provides a range of options for you.
Check out these great trails in Arizona to shine this light on!
This is one of the easiest pieces of gear that you can find that’s ultra-light which is great for hiking. It is more powerful for night hiking or spending a lot of time doing stuff at night. So if your hiker needs a little backup light with them when the moon just isn’t cutting it, then this is the one.
These two additional options below are similar to the one above but get your hands-free. They also come in multi-packs. Therefore, you will have backups in case something happens to you during a trip. Having a handy ultralight flashlight like this handy will make nighttime on the trail that much easier.
6. MSR PocketRocket Ultralight Stove Kit
The MSR PocketRocket Ultralight Camping and Backpacking Stove kit includes all your cooking necessities. A cooking pot, dishes, and utensils for two people, while also including the stove that you will need to cook with.
This all-inclusive kit does have a nesting feature, which includes space for your stove. You will save time, space, and money by getting it included with your cooking set.
One of the concerns that I first came across when camping was whether or not my cooking set was safe for use on my stove. With this set, you do not need to worry about it. In fact, since the stove comes with a pan you can be assured that it is safe. You will still need to buy your fuel can though.
Having everything all in one like this means that your child camper is all set to cook those trail meals. No need to worry whether they will be prepared to do so or not.
7. Bug Spray / Bug Bite Thing
One of the things that children often complain about in the outdoors is bugs. Whether it is mosquitos, gnats, or ticks, it is important to have some protection from insects out in the wild. That is why having bug spray is so important. In fact, the prevention of bug bites can help protect you from getting diseases and illnesses like malaria and lime disease. It is so important to ensure you prevent as many bites as possible and bug spray is very effective.
Don’t just stick with on-body spray though. If you are sitting around a campsite or picnic table then invest in other bug-repellent items. These could include citronella candles or other tabletop repellents as well. In the event you do get bit you will need some relief. The Bug Bite Thing is a game-changer that is sure to give your child some relief quickly.
8. Kelty Cosmic 0
Even when the temperature teeters on the 0 mark this sleeping bag will keep your young camper cozy and warm. However, the Kelty Cosmic 0 is heavy and has a large packing size as well as little weather resistance. This may mean that your camper has to forgo some other items in their pack. You can rest assured though that they will be quite comfortable as they sleep.
It’s a less expensive and more affordable option but won’t be much good for longer treks with less predictable weather. This bag would work fine for car camping but if they venture out more than that we’d recommend a more comfortable, lighter sleeping bag within the same price range.
Your camper needs to have a warm place to sleep even in the winter. If you get them this sleeping bag then they are sure to stay comfortable no matter when they go camping.
Learn how to survive a winter storm.
9. Tools To Start A Fire
What says camping like a warm campfire to roast marshmallows at? Nothing! This is exactly why you never forget to pack everything you need to start a fire. Learn how to become an expert at building campfires. This could be whichever type of fire starter you choose, options include things like flint and steel, Ferro rod, matches (make sure they’re waterproof), or a cigarette lighter.
Now you may be wondering why this is an important item for a camper. Well, we can never be too prepared. Having a few fire-starting items tucked away in your day pack may be the difference between life and death when lost overnight. Not to mention it will simply make starting the evening campfire that much easier.
Now we hope your child camper doesn’t get lost overnight. Make sure to practice using these tools with them in a controlled environment. That way if they ever get lost they will know exactly how to stay warm at least until they are rescued.
This is a fantastic way to get your fire going quickly.
Additionally, pack some kindling for the fire as well because you don’t want to leave it to chance and try to find all of it in the woods. Use a waterproof container and pack it with dry tree bark, strips of newspaper, or other types of kindling.
10. USB or Battery Fan
Battery-powered fans are so useful when out camping in the heat. They can help to move air around while pushing warmer air out of the tent or RV. Having it battery-operated means that you can take it with you while you are out hiking. Think of how much more enjoyable it will be to have all of the sweat blowing off of you as you hike.
A small fan like this can also be used when it is time to start a fire. If you didn’t pack a lighter (shame really) then once you get your embers going in the fire pit you can use the fan to stoke the fire. Your now roaring fire is all thanks to that tiny fan! That is why I have added it to the children’s camping gifts list and why you should buy it for the young camper in your life.
11. A Source Of Clean Water
Your child needs to have clean water when they are out in the wilderness. Even if their plan is to camp near a source of fresh water, that water could still be contaminated with countless dangerous bacteria in it. So it’s always best to avoid those sources of water unless you have some way to filter and purify it. This will also help for those longer overnight excursions into the back country they may do with their scout troops.
There are many options available for purifying water on the trail. One of these is the LifeStraw. It quickly purifies the water so that you can have clean drinking water when you need it. So keep the camper in your life hydrated and healthy by giving them this as a gift.
12. Nature Journal
When I was growing up I loved taking pictures and notes of all the things I saw. Many kids are like scientists in that regard. Not only is it fun to record but it makes a record that they can reference later to remember their trip. So getting your young camper a nature journal to log their trips is a fantastic idea. You will want to make sure that they can add pictures and notes. Heck having a place to press some flowers and leaves would be a great addition too.
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13. Scary Stories
Speaking of books to take along camping for your child. Don’t forget to purchase some scary campfire stories. Having a book full of options will make those campfires a little extra spooky. Not to mention it gives them a chance to practice public speaking. If they are not that into campfire presentations don’t worry. These scary campfire books will give them something to do on a rainy afternoon or to hide in their sleeping bag before lights out. In any case, having a good book to read while out camping is a boredom killer.
14. Reference Books
We aren’t done with the books yet. There are so many books that are handy while out camping. The best ones to take along as a young camper are ones that help identify plants and animals. This is because as with the log children are little scientists. They want to know everything about the world around them. Unfortunately, the internet isn’t always available in the woods. So having a plant and animal identification book handy will mean the world to them. I know that my children love being able to easily look things up. They even track how many of each insect or animal they see!
15. Tactical Rope
This next children’s camping gifts item I suggest you give your camper to pack is a durable rope. They can use it to act as a makeshift tent rope, a clothesline, and much more.
Paracord has so many uses. It is probably one of the most versatile items that you can have with you when outdoors. It is so light and easy to carry around that it just makes sense to have some with you when it is time to head into the outdoors.
This Gear Aid utility cord should do the trick and it’s budget-friendly as it only costs about $7. For this amount, you’ll get 50 feet worth of this 325 paracord made out of 100% nylon!
Be prepared for any camping trip with these Top 15 Camping Tips!
What things do you bring camping with you that didn’t make our list but should be on our list of children’s camping gifts? We would like to hear about them in the comments, on our Facebook, or on Reddit!
Don’t forget to share on your favorite social media so your friends know what to get you this year on your next hiking adventure!
**All prices shown are at time of writing and are subject to change.**
