What do i need to pack for my 5 year old who's going camping?

Question

My son is going camping with my parents and family for the first time for 5 days. What are some things i will need to pack for him? Any other tips and hints will help too. They will be in New Mexico if that helps. Thank you

Answer 1

Make it easy on all the adults and pack a set of clean shorts, underwear, tee-shirt, and socks in gallon zip lock bag.  This way he know what he is wearing each day and you won't have the problem of "I can't find my..." as they are all together.  I would also pack some spare sets as well as a bag that has just socks and underwear.

Pack an extra pair of sneakers, long pants, and a couple of sweat shirts, and rain gear if it gets chilly in the evenings.  Sun screen, baseball cap, and toiletries.  Target has some great travel size toiletries for $.99 and he can pick out some soap and stuff that he can take along.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Believe it or not, I love camping almost as much as I love packing! One of the most important things about camping is to limit the amount of stuff you bring; so, I have divided the list into essential and optional.

Essential:

- Weather appropriate clothing: Since the temp can change rapidly in NM, he will need a variety of types of clothing. I would suggest t-shirts, long-sleeve t-shirts, at least one sweatshirt, several pairs of shorts, at least one pair of long pants, underwear, pjs, a rain suit, socks, tennis shoes, flip flops, bathing suit if they are camping near water, and a hat.  

A word about pajamas: Most people who are hard-core campers don't sleep in their day clothes when camping in areas where bears may be present. (They do this mostly because if you spill food on your clothes during the day, the smell can attract bears at night.) If your family is like this, and they are camping in a part of NM with bears, you will want to make sure he has enough clothing that he never has to wear the same article at night as he wore during the day.

Personal hygeine items: soap (liquid is best), toothpaste, toothbrush, washcloth, sun tan lotion, shampoo, hairbrush, bug spray, and wet wipes (especially if they are camping somewhere without bathroom facilities!).

I would recommend getting the travel sizes. (A cheaper way to do it is the buy some small bottles and fill them with liquids from the bottles of stuff you probably already have at home.)

Personal comfort/sleeping items: This will depend on how your family camps. He will most likely need at least a sleeping bag and pillow. You may also want to send at least one towel with him, especially if they will be swimming.

Food: Again, this will somewhat depend on your family. If your son has no dietary restrictions, and is fine eating whatever they cook, you may not need to send anything. However, a couple of his favorite snacks from home might be a good idea.

Safety: any medications he currently takes, a small first aid kit with band-aids, splinter remover, burn ointment, etc.

Optional:

- A disposable camera

- Personal comfort items such as teddies, pictures of you, etc.

- A favorite game or toy

- Books

- Flashlight (all kids LOVE having their own flashlight!)

- Anything else that might keep your child occupied while the adults are cooking, cleaning, etc.

I'm sure your son will have a GREAT time!

Answer 3

Hey,

im 17 and ive been going to camp since i was really young.

major things you need to bring,

start off with how your getting the things there, preferably i got a little storage bin..like this (http://www.amazon.com/Sterilite-Storage-...

its really roomy, and ive foudn i can fit everything i need in there for up to 3 weeks of camp!

first off the clothes

shorts, pants, tshirts,tanktops, pjs, underwear, SOCKS . the normal things youd wear at home.

for shoes,

bring flip flops for the shower

sneakers

maybe a pair of boots for rain days etc.

and if you have them, bring crocs. they are comfortable, and you can wear them just about anywhere

toiletries, deodorant, toothbrush/toothpaste, hair brush, anything for your hair that you need.

. also, bring a package of those neutrogena face cloths that clean your face, hand sanitizer, and bring neutrogena face cloths because i doubt camp water is very clean so i wouldnt wash your face in it.

for showers, id bring a small separate bag and soap, facecloth, shampoo/conditioner and whatever else you use for showers.

and also, get your friends/families adresses and some stationary and stamps so you can write to them!.

a sleeping bag, one or two pillows, and maybe a comforter, to make you feel more at home

also i recomend one of those pop out hampers! they really come in handy

also dont forget the essentials bug spray, towels, bathing suits, and sun screen!

hope you have a good time at camp!