Camping guides
Camping with a baby checklist
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Ready to load up the campervan and hit the road with your little one in tow? From stunning mountains to sweeping lakes, New Zealand offers the perfect setting for your first family holiday! But what should you bring with you? Consult our camping with a baby checklist to know exactly what to pack for a smooth trip!
Camping with a baby requires a little extra planning (along with a touch of overpacking when it comes to those essentials!). But with must-have items and top tips under your belt, you’re guaranteed a fun family adventure that you will treasure for a lifetime. Check out our detailed camping with a baby checklist below to help you prepare for your getaway.
Checklist for camping with a baby: 5 must-have items
1. Camping high chair
This is the first thing you need to put on your camping with a baby checklist! Depending on the age of your little one, a camping high chair is a must. Without it, mealtime can become a stressful mess. Food will go everywhere, your infant will crawl straight through it, and it can be really difficult keeping them in one place while eating.
Although many campgrounds will have high chairs available, others won’t. A camping high chair not only keeps them still, but also contains the chaos in the process. You don’t have to worry about where you feed them either - take them outdoors and enjoy the fresh air!
Shop here: Kiwi Camping, $109
2. First aid kit
Another important item to add to your camping with a baby checklist is a first aid kit. Babies are mini explorers and you can never predict what they’re going to get into next, which is why it helps to come prepared.
From baby medication to bandaids, antihistamines and even teething gels, take a look through your medicine cupboard at home and start stocking up. There are plenty of baby first aid kits available on the market, but be sure to add any of your own essentials to the pile.
3. Baby carrier
One of the best parts about camping is getting outdoors and discovering your surroundings. That’s why your camping with a baby checklist needs to include the all-important baby carrier.
Most terrains in the outdoors aren’t suitable for pushing a pram around, and your arms are going to get very sore, very fast, if you’re carrying your little one everywhere. A baby carrier is invaluable for even the smallest hikers. Once they reach a certain weight, you can even opt for a backpack carrier that is better for longer hikes.
Shop here: Macpac Possum Child Carrier, $399.99
4. Travel bassinet
One thing you won’t find in many campervans is a place for your baby to sleep. So another essential to add to your camping with a baby checklist is a travel bassinet.
You want to find something small that folds up and is portable, so your little one has the opportunity to sleep no matter where you are. Take it out with you to dinner and place them under your watch a safe distance from the campfire to sleep while you enjoy the great outdoors, or bring it to the beach so they can slumber away while you sunbake.
Even better if you can find one with a mosquito net that goes over the top to protect from bugs during the day and night. Some of the best caravan parks for families may even have one you can rent during your stay.
Shop here: Babyhood Travel Bassinet, $299
5. Thermos
If your baby is still taking bottles, then this one is important to include on your camping with a baby checklist. You can fill it up with hot water to bring out with you on a day trip, making it easier to feed on the go. Simply mix with formula when they’re due for a bottle and let it cool slightly.
A thermos is also very handy for babies who are on solids. You can mash up lunch for them in the morning, pop it in the thermos and keep it warm no matter where you end up during the day. It means you can venture out without stressing about mealtimes for your infant.
Tips for camping with a baby
1. Go with the flow
If you went out camping before you had a baby, then it’s important to remember that things won't be the same. You might have to cut short that day hike, or head back to the campervan earlier than intended. It might mean missing a couple of sights at one stop, or returning to camp for sleep time. By accepting this before you go, you’ll enjoy yourself much more on the trip. And the little bundle of joy you get to bring with you makes it all worthwhile!
2. Forget the stuffed toys
It’s tempting to gather up your little one’s cuddlies and throw them in the campervan for your trip, but stuffed toys get dirty very easily. Within a day or two, you won’t want your baby near them! Instead, opt for plastic toys that can be washed after each use and are clean and ready to go each day.
3. Embrace the mess
Babies love exploring, so let them (within reason, of course)! Be sure to pack a spare pair of baby clothes in your day trip bag, but don’t stress if you go through them. Babies learn by touching and doing, so as a parent the best thing you can do is embrace the mess. And nature is the ultimate playground.
4. Find a family-friendly campsite
Do your research before you go and look for a family-friendly campsite. This way, you can sleep under the stars near other parents (and share plenty of tips and tricks), with all the amenities you need for an enjoyable stay with your baby.
5. Take lots of photos!
Your little one may not remember this trip in years to come, which is why it’s so important to capture all the moments you have together. Put together an album that you can pull out when they’re older to share some of the adventures you had together. It’s the perfect way to create some family memories that will be treasured for years.
Hire a van for your family camping trip
With this camping with a baby checklist in hand, you’ll be ready for your family adventure in no time. Arrange campervan hire on the North Island and make your way through amazing destinations like Auckland, Northland, Lake Taupo and Wellington, or sort out campervan hire on the South Island and visit bucket-list spots such as Queenstown, Wanaka, Akaroa and more.
With these tips plus all the other family road trip essentials ready to go, you’re assured a fun-filled holiday with your little one. Get started and hire a van with Camplify today!
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