10 Essential Items You Need When Camping with a Baby

As naive as we were before having our daughter, my husband and I would talk about all of the things we couldn’t wait to do with her when she arrived like take her to the zoo or go to Disney World. One aspect of our lives we were most excited to share with our baby was our love for the outdoors. It’s such an important part of who we are as a couple, we couldn’t imagine not sharing the same passion with her once she arrived. 

Then we had a newborn and boy did that seem like an impossibility! Sleepless nights, long days, being scared out of our minds that we were responsible for this tiny human all day long; it felt like it would never be possible for us to get back to the woods that felt more like home than our home did. But thankfully, both my husband and I are pretty stubborn (mostly in a good way) so we were determined to still enjoy that part of our lives with a baby in tow. We spent many hours researching (mainly my husband) and developing lists on lists (definitely me) of what it was going to take to make our first camping trip successful. I’m happy to report, it paid off and our first camping trips with our daughter were wildly enjoyable (even if she did end up eating a bug or two at camp. Whoops!)

So after a bit of trial and error (lots of error), we wanted to share what worked for us with you with the hope that it won’t be nearly as daunting as it was for us to get back to the great outdoors

1. Travel Bottle Warmer

If your baby drinks formula or breast milk, a travel bottle warmer is a must-have. Many models work with USB chargers or insulated designs to keep milk warm, making late-night feedings in the tent or RV much easier. I love this USB powered bottle warmer because the temperature is easy to read and displayed right on the front, not to mention it heats fast! It can easily be charged in your car if you don't have electricity at the campsite. We honestly used this so much when our daughter was a baby whether running errands or boondocking in the woods for a week.

2. Travel Bottle Brush Set

Clean bottles and sippy cups on the go with a compact travel bottle brush set. Camping can get messy, and having a way to properly wash your baby's feeding gear ensures hygiene and safety. Look for sets that include a drying rack for added convenience. I found this brush set on Amazon before a camping trip last year and it always made it onto my travel list! The brush is sturdy, it's compact, and there are plenty of places to place bottle parts, even those pesky Dr. Brown's bottles that have one million pieces #iykyk. 

3. Baby Camping Chair

A portable baby camping chair keeps your little one secure while eating or just hanging out by the fire. Many models come with a tray, cup holder, and harness, making mealtimes much easier outdoors. My sister actually got this camping chair for us as a baby shower present. This saved us while camping because we mainly used it as a highchair! Our daughter wasn't big enough to sit in a regular chair just yet so having this inside the camper was great. It folds up to easily place it out of the way when not in use. I imagine now that she is older she can even use it to join us around the campfire. 

4. Portable Sound Machine

Nature sounds can be soothing, but unexpected noises like rustling leaves or distant animals might disturb your baby's sleep. A portable sound machine drowns out distractions and helps maintain their sleep routine even in a new environment. Our daughter has an earlier bedtime than us, so after she went to sleep inside the camper, we would continue the fun outside by the fire. We always left a window open so we could see and hear her easily but that also meant she could hear us too. This portable sound machine really helped drown out the environment and make the RV nice and cozy for sleeping. It has a lanyard so you can hang this up if you want. This small sound machine is always on my travel packing list. We love it so much that I actually bought a second one for myself! 

5. Dog Potty Bags

Even if you don’t have a dog, potty bags are essential for handling dirty diapers and keeping your campsite clean. They seal in odors and make disposal much easier when you're away from trash bins. We actually use these even at home. Our fur children also accompany us while camping so these are just double-duty (no pun intended). The scented amazon dog bags are the best for the price!

6. Portable Outdoor Play Yard

A portable play yard gives your baby a safe, enclosed space to play while you set up camp or cook meals. It protects them from bugs, uneven ground, and any campsite hazards, giving you peace of mind. This Outdoor Play Yard was a scramble purchase last year as my daughter was not walking just yet, only crawling, and we were spending a week in the woods. I wanted her to enjoy the great outdoors with us but in a safe way, without letting her crawl all over the forest floor. She loved this outdoor play yard. We piled some toys in there and placed her next to our chairs. She loved looking up at the trees and leaves, watching wildlife from afar, and attempting to feed her fur brother and sister from behind the mesh wall. I especially loved that I could fully enclose her if the bugs were too bad. 

7. Pack and Play

Bringing a pack and play on camping trips is a total must! Not only does it give our little one a safe, familiar place to sleep, but it also means we actually get more room in our bed—no more squeezing into a tiny sleeping bag with a wiggly toddler or attempting to share a small queen size RV bed (our camper has a king 😎). Plus, we don’t have to sweat even more by cuddling up in the heat of summer.

One of the biggest perks? We can stick to our baby's bedtime routine. She can go down at her scheduled time without us worrying about waking her up when we crawl into bed later. Whether we're hanging out by the fire or settling in after a long day of adventure, knowing she’s sleeping soundly in her own space makes camping so much easier. The pack and play fits perfectly in our dinette so it takes up no extra space in the camper. 

8. Osprey Baby Carrier

One of my favorite parts of camping is the scenery and hiking. Regular baby carriers are not meant for long hours outdoors sweating and carrying a child. The Osprey baby carrier is a game-changer. It’s designed for comfort and support, making it easy to carry your little one on trails while distributing weight evenly. Many models also include storage compartments for snacks and diapers. We have this osprey carrier which comes with tons of storage, feels safe and secure, and allows my husband to carry our daughter for hours on a hike easily. We saw a ton of other parents with the same carrier holding kids from all ages on our last hike!

9. Toddler Travel Plate and Utensils

A travel-friendly plate and utensils make outdoor meals much easier. When our daughter was smaller, I would even bring this to restaurants with us. We used this a lot last year while camping though. It folds up small and takes up almost no space, comes with utensils that fit easily inside, and is easily rinsed out and washed. I know most kids want to eat food off the ground anyway, but we can try! 

10. Take and Toss Spill-Proof Cups

These affordable, spill-proof cups are great for camping. They’re easy to clean, have a spout lid, and you won’t stress if one gets ruined. Perfect for keeping your little camper hydrated on the go! They come in fun colors and can easily be tossed (or recycled) if they become broken or too dirty. 

Camping with a baby might seem overwhelming, but with the right gear it can be an enjoyable and stress-free experience for the whole family. Whether you’re heading out for a weekend in the woods or a longer adventure, these essentials will make life easier and keep your little one happy and comfortable.

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We know it can be a pretty big investment for all of this gear which is one of the main reasons we offer the Baby Bundle add-on package with RV Rentals which includes all of the above items mentioned here. Check back soon as we aim to launch tent camping rentals to include a baby bundle package!