Story by:
Claire
Prepare Your Little Ones for Big Adventures with a Camping Packing List for Children
A camping trip is the perfect family adventure. From nurturing a healthy love of the outdoors to making memories in beautiful places, camping is what the best childhoods are made of. As with any outdoor adventure, what you wear can make a difference to the quality of your experience. Follow our camping clothes advice to make sure you pack the essentials for little adventurers. Get head-to-toe children's camping clothes tips and shop the children's camping clothes shopping guide to stock up on clothes that work for comfort and protection so children can enjoy uninterrupted play.
Shop All Children's Clothes >
Children's Camping Clothes: Head-To-Toe-Tips
Sun Care Starts With a Hat: There are two essentials when it comes to children's sun care on camping trips: a wide-brimmed hat and an effective sunscreen. And remember - sun protection is as important when it is cloudy and overcast as when the sun is out.
Pack Wool for Warmth: Camping trips usually involve chilly conditions - from dawn around camp and sitting under the stars at night to winter camping trips or sudden mercury drops. Our Thusk™ knitwear is made from sustainably sourced South African wool and every item is lovingly hand-knitted by a Zulu grandmother in South Africa as part of our community project.
Always Pack a Long-Sleeved Shirt in Technical Fabric: Technical fabric offers a range of benefits for the outdoors that can make a big difference to your days. We've carefully developed, tested, and refined our BUGTech™ anti-insect fabric over many years. The result is a lightweight ripstop fabric that provides insect defence, built-in sun protection, and an anti-microbial finish. Why long sleeves? We recommend long sleeves so children can cover up during the day - if the mornings or evenings are chilly or if the sun gets too intense. Our BUGTech™ children's anti-insect shirts have a variety of camp-friendly features for children. Don't forget to throw in a T-shirt or two as an extra base layer or for comfort around camp.
Children's Fleece Jacket for Camping: When it comes to warmth, a fleece is a top item of camping outerwear for children. The Rufiji™ Bonded Fleece Jacket is our top choice for boys and girls, offering snugness and comfort whenever it gets cold on camping trips and outdoor adventures.
Choose a Packable Waterproof Layer: Don't let rain ruin the fun by packing a waterproof layer for your children. These don't have to be bulky. Our children's waterproof jacket and Waterproof Poncho are the foldaway mac-in-a-bag that's the perfect, compact camping option for children.
Convertible Trousers: When it comes to packing light for camping, convertible trousers are a winner for versatility. By zipping off the trouser legs, longs become shorts no matter where the day's adventures take you. In BUGTech™ technical fabric, these trousers also have insect defence, sun protection, and quick drying benefits that are a must for time on the trail.
The Best Camping Socks: A blister is never fun - especially if you have active days planned in and around camp. Your best blister prevention strategy is a pair of double layered blister-free socks.
Ankle Gaiters: Without question, ankles seem to attract insects and blackjacks. One of our favourite essential trail accessories is a pair of ankle gaiters. These camping accessories slip over the lower trouser leg and tops of shoes and boots to protect ankles from ticks and insect bites, as well as blackjacks and debris.
Get The Full Camping Checklist >
Relax While Your Camping Clothing Does the Work: BUGTech™ Children's Anti-Insect Clothing for Camping
Insect Defence and Moisture Wicking: Our anti-insect clothing offers insect defence without compromising on the moisture wicking properties of the fabric. This means bite-free, cool, and comfortable days of play in the great outdoors.
Quick Drying: The quick drying properties of BUGTech™ are convenient for a quick wash when you're on a camping trip. Together with moisture wicking, this feature also keeps kids dry and cool even during warm-weather and energetic activities.
Sun Protection: BUGTech™ also has built-in sun protection to take care of young and sensitive skins on outdoor adventures.
Anti-Microbial: BUGTech™ is treated with SilverPlus anti-microbial treatment, which keeps clothing fresher for longer during busy days outdoors.
Quick Wrinkle Release: Children will enjoy worry-free time outdoors in wrinkle-free clothing. On top of BUGTech™'s other features, these lightweight clothes are compact and release wrinkles fast when set free from backpacks and daypacks.
Clever Designs: Our BUGTech™ clothing range has been designed for versatility that matters in outdoor conditions. Convertible trousers and roll-up sleeve tabs on shirts give little adventurers flexibility throughout the day - and contribute to the simplicity of packing every parent will appreciate.
Camping Clothes Advice >
Children's Camping Clothing Guide: What to Wear Camping
Use our children's camping checklist and pack these adventure essentials for your next camping trip. Give young explorers the freedom to play in cool, comfortable camping clothing.
Children's Wide-Brimmed Camping Hats and Beanies
Children's Explorer Leather Hat for Camping• Made from genuine suede leather.
• Packable, with a wired brim for shape retention.
• Comes with a detachable suede leather chin strap and adjustable internal drawstring.
Shop now >
Children's Explorer Canvas Hat for Camping• Made from packable, water resistant canvas with a mesh crown for breathability.
• Adjustable internal drawstring for fit.
• Comes with a detachable suede leather chin strap.
Shop now >
Children's Panama Hat for Camping• SPF50+, 360-degree sun protection.
• Adjustable internal drawstring for fit.
• Comes with a detachable suede leather chin strap.
Shop now >
Mara&Meru™ Indie Hat for Camping• 360-degree brim and SPF50+ sun protection.
• Internal drawstring for adjustable fit. Detachable suede leather chin strap.
• Wooden and bead trim.
Shop now >
Mara&Meru™ Serengeti Hat for Camping• 360-degree brim and SPF50+ sun protection.
• Internal drawstring for adjustable fit. Detachable suede leather chin strap.
• Leather hat band with buckle design.
Shop now >
Rufiji™ Adventurer Hat for Camping• 360-degree brim, SPF40+ sun protection.
• Internal drawstring for adjustable fit. Detachable chin strap.
• Floatable, foldable, with flip-and-clip sides.
Shop now >
Thusk™ Cable-Knit Beanie• Hand-knitted by Zulu grandmothers as part of our community project.
• Made from 100% sustainably sourced South African wool.
• One size fits all.
Shop now >
Thusk™ Rib-Knit Beanie.• Hand-knitted by Zulu grandmothers as part of our community project.
• Made from 100% sustainably-sourced South African wool.
• Can be worn in foldover, fisherman beanie style or as a woolen slouch cap.
Shop now >
Thusk™ Knitted Bow Scarf• Hand-knitted by a team of Zulu grandmothers as part of our community project.
• Made from 100% sustainably sourced South African wool.
• Unique rib-knit thread-through design that's snug and warm on chilly camping days and nights.
Shop now >
Thusk™ Knitted Head Band• Hand-knitted by a team of Zulu grandmothers as part of our community project.
• Made from 100% sustainably sourced South African wool.
• Warm woollen design that keeps hair out of the way for play.
Shop now >
Thusk™ Knitted Button Scarf• Hand-knitted by a team of Zulu grandmothers as part of our community project.
• Made from 75% wool, 25% acrylic with coconut husk buttons.
• Wrap-around design that's snug and stylish.
Shop now >
Mara&Meru™ Vintage Print Head&Neck Scarf• Fabric incorporates nanoweave technology. UPF50+ and windproof.
• Eight ways to wear it.
• Four-way stretch and quick-drying.
Shop now >
Layer Up in Children's Camping Jackets, Fleeces, and Shirts
BUGTech™ Children's Anti-Insect Camping Shirt• Made from anti-insect, moisture wicking, anti-microbial, UPF50+, technical fabric.
• Roll-up sleeve tabs, +Vent system, two chest pockets with a zipped security pocket.
• Quick drying and fast wrinkle release for simplicity.
Shop now >
Mara&Meru™ Girls' Young Ranger Camping T-Shirt• For any young ranger who cares about nature, wildlife, woodlands, and wilderness.
• 100% cotton T-shirt in a v-neck design.
• Embroidered with the Young Rangers Club logo.
Shop now >
Mara&Meru™ Young Rangers Boys' T-Shirt for Camping• For any young ranger who cares about nature, wildlife, woodlands, and wilderness.
• 100% cotton T-shirt with a round-neck design.
• Embroidered with the Young Rangers Club logo.
Shop now >
Rufiji™ Children's Bonded Fleece Jacket• Made from soft, warm premium double-bonded fleece.
• Full-length zip with storm flap.
• Adjustable elasticated waist and elasticated cuffs for draught-proof warmth.
Shop now >
Children's Waterproof Packaway Camping Jacket• Waterproof and breathable with a water repellent zip and detachable hood.
• Elasticated cuffs and adjustable waist.
• Mac in a bag that folds up compactly for camping trips, day trips, and camping activities.
Shop now >
Packaway Children's Waterproof Poncho• Waterproof and breathable with waterproof taped seams and a three-piece hood.
• Snap button fastenings on the sides and adjustable elasticated toggle at the hood.
• Lightweight and compact, packing into a small bag that's perfect for camping.
Shop now >
Children's Convertible Camping Trousers, Gaiters, and Socks
BUGTech™ Children's Convertible Camping Pants• Made from lightweight, anti-insect, sun protective, and anti-microbial ripstop fabric.
• Trouser legs zip off at the knees to easily become a pair of shorts.
• Elasticated waistband with belt loops for a comfortable fit.
Shop now >
Mara&Meru™ Children's Ultimate Blister-Free Socks• Double layered for reduced friction and blister prevention.
• Moisture wicking and quick drying.
• Hydrovent outer with cotton terry cushioning, Tactel liner.
Shop now >
Rufiji™ Canvas and Leather Ankle Gaiters• Made from safari-grade canvas with leather and brass detail.
• Elasticated fit on lower leg, velcro and press stud closure at the back, with front shoe clip.
• Also available in suede leather.
Shop now >
Children's Camping Accessories
Bushman Insect Repellent• Safe and effective 40% DEET content. Repels mosquitoes for up to 5 hours.
• Safe for children. Recommended for children aged three and over.
• Cover up for protection in boys' and girls' BUGTech™ anti-insect clothing.
Shop now >
Mosi-guard Extra Natural Insect Repellent• Safe, DEET-free, plant-based formula.
• Up to 10 hours' protection.
• Suitable for children aged three and over.
Shop now >
Camping Lanterns, Headlamps, and Flashights• A camping lantern is a must as a central, hands-free camp light.
• A headlamp torch is essential for tasks after dark around camp.
• Take along a trusty LedLenser hand torch for powerful light as you need it while camping.
Shop now >
Shop the Rest of the Camping Packing List
Build a Never-Fail Camping Wardrobe For Comfort and Protection
- Made for the outdoors: Find out more about camping clothes and shop the men's camping clothes and women's camping clothes essentials. Go directly to the full camping packing list
- Advice on all forms of camping apparel: The right gear is a strong start for the success of your camping adventures. Read our camping shirts advice, camping pants advice, and camping jackets advice.
- Top camping accessories: No camping trip is complete without insect repellent, sun protection, and a good torch. Read our advice and shop the essentials: insect and mosquito repellent for camping, sun care for camping, and torches and camp lanterns
- That's a wrap: Never get cold on a camping trip. Find out our top choices of beanies, scarves, and head and neck tubular scarves and shop the recommendations on our beanies and winter scarves advice page.