Family car-camp
A tent you can stand in, kid sleep, and a lamp that is not yours.
Who it is for. Families testing a short, warm, close-to-the-car weekend.
- Stop while it is fun.
- Pad under the kid, not a pool float.
- Cook away from the tent.
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Packing list
From this kit on Amazon: Coleman two-burner camp stove.
Check current price on the listing.
Tall family tent
REI Co-op Kingdom 6
The Kingdom is a living room. It is miserable to carry, and you will not carry it. Stake it well because tall walls catch wind. A footprint saves the floor from the campground gravel that eats cheap tents.
Who should buy it. Families car camping for several seasons.
Pros
- Stand-up height
- Room for cots
- Real doors
Cons
- Heavy
- Windage
Not sold on Amazon US.
Closest on Amazon: Kelty Wireless 6-Person Camping Tent. A freestanding family camping tent from Kelty, sold in 2-, 4- and 6-person sizes. Choose the 6-person size. It sits in a lower price band than the Kingdom 6.
Check current price on the listing.
Kids' mummy
REI Co-op Kindercone
A child in a too-big bag is cold. This is the right shape. Check the rating against the night you actually expect, then add a layer and a pad with a real R-value. No cotton pajamas.
Who should buy it. Parents packing a first trip for a child.
Pros
- Kid-sized
- Hood
- Less dead air than an adult bag
Cons
- Not a winter bag
- They will outgrow it
Not sold on Amazon US.
Closest on Amazon: Kelty Mistral Kids 20 Sleeping Bag. A kids' synthetic sleeping bag from Kelty with a 20°F rating.
Check current price on the listing.
Kid headlamp
Petzl Tikkid
Give them their own light. It keeps the evening from being a negotiation and it keeps your hands free. Show them the lock so it does not die in the duffel. It is not a searchlight, and it does not need to be.
Who should buy it. Families car camping or doing short overnights.
Pros
- Simple
- Kid scale
- Replaceable batteries
Cons
- Not very bright
- Easy to lose
Not sold on Amazon US.
Closest on Amazon: Black Diamond Wiz Kid Rechargeable Headlamp. A rechargeable headlamp for kids from Black Diamond, in a similar price band to the Tikkid.
Check current price on the listing.
Kids' day pack
REI Co-op Tarn 18
Put the child's jacket, a snack, and a small water bottle in it. Do not add rocks to make a lesson. If the pack is bigger than their torso, it is the wrong pack. A day hike is the test before any overnight.
Who should buy it. Kids on day hikes and very short overnights.
Pros
- Light
- Kid torso
- Cheap enough to outgrow
Cons
- Tiny volume
- Not a frame pack
Not sold on Amazon US.
Closest on Amazon: Osprey Jet 18 Kids' Hiking Backpack. An 18-liter kids' day pack from Osprey for ages 5 to 13, about the same size and weight as the Tarn 18.
Check current price on the listing.
Best car-camping stove
Coleman two-burner camp stove
Pancakes and coffee at the same time change the morning. Bring a spare propane cylinder. Check the regulator before a holiday weekend. Keep a canister stove as a backup for coffee if this one fails, not as the main cooker for a family.
Who should buy it. Car campers cooking for more than one person.
Pros
- Two burners
- Familiar
- Enough heat for a group
Cons
- Heavy
- Not a backpacking item
Check current price on the listing.
Best camp chore tool
Collapsible wash bins, set of three
A single dirty bucket is how camp kitchens fail. Three collapsible bins cost less than a gadget and change the cleanup. Strain food scraps. Use a sanitizing step if you are out for more than a night. The bins are also the under-$50 item that belongs in the car every time.
Who should buy it. Anyone cooking for a group away from a sink.
Pros
- Cheap
- Collapsible
- Solves the real chore
Cons
- Needs a routine
- Not exciting
Check current price on the listing.