Quick answer: The best camping gifts for kids are things they can use themselves: their own lantern or headlamp, a kid-size bed, a nature kit, and a few campfire treats. Pick gear that fits small hands, survives being dropped, and gives the child a job at camp. Below are 15 ideas, from stocking stuffers to bigger presents, for kids who already love camping and kids about to try it.
Kids do not want the same gear as adults. They want their own light, their own bed and something to explore with. This list sticks to gifts that get used on real trips. A few are products we make or sell at Hazli, and we say so where that is the case; the rest are described by type so you can find them anywhere.
Camping gifts for kids at a glance
| Gift | Good for | Budget |
|---|---|---|
| Their own lantern or headlamp | All ages | Small |
| Kid-size foam camping mattress | Ages 4 and up | Bigger gift |
| Nature explorer kit | Ages 5 to 10 | Small |
| Camp pillow | All ages | Small |
| Kid-size sleeping bag | Ages 3 and up | Medium |
| Walkie-talkies | Ages 6 and up | Medium |
| Cozy blanket for camp and home | Kids who can take it off alone | Medium |
Gifts that give kids their own light
1. A lantern of their own
A small rechargeable lantern is often the most-used kids camping gift. It makes the tent less scary, it is easy to hold, and it gives the child something to be in charge of. We sell a rechargeable camping lantern and a solar camping light that both suit small hands.
2. A headlamp
Hands-free light for night walks to the bathroom and reading in the sleeping bag. Look for an adjustable strap and a red-light mode so it does not blind everyone at the picnic table.
3. Glow sticks or clip-on lights
Cheap, fun and useful: clip one to a jacket zipper and you can spot your child across the campsite after dark.
Gifts for a better night in the tent
4. A kid-size foam camping mattress
Kids roll off thin pads and wake up on the tent floor. A foam mattress stays put and cannot go flat. Our memory foam camping mattress comes in a Kids size (62 x 26 x 3 inches) that rolls into its own carry bag, with a waterproof cover that zips off for the wash. It also works for sleepovers at home, so it gets used all year. Like every Hazli product it is CertiPUR-US and OEKO-TEX certified.
5. A camp pillow
A small pillow that packs down is an easy win. Ours is a self-inflating foam camping pillow.
6. A kid-size sleeping bag
An adult bag has too much empty space for a small body to warm up. A bag sized for children is lighter to carry and easier to stuff back in its sack, which means they can pack it themselves.
7. A cozy blanket for camp and home
For cabin trips, the car and the couch, a soft blanket is a gift kids keep using after the trip. Our kids weighted blanket has a minky cover that zips off for the wash. It is not for babies or toddlers and only for children who can take it off on their own; choose the size by the weight of the child. More in our weighted blanket gift guide.
Gifts for exploring
8. A nature explorer kit
Binoculars, a magnifying glass, a bug viewer and a small notebook. Kids aged about 5 to 10 will disappear into the bushes for an hour.
9. A compass and a simple map
Teach one skill per trip. A basic compass and a printed map of the campground turn a walk into a treasure hunt.
10. Walkie-talkies
They give older kids some freedom and give parents a way to call them back for dinner.
11. A field guide or camping journal
A regional bird, track or tree guide, or a blank journal for drawing what they saw. Light, cheap and screen-free.
Gifts for camp life
12. Their own mug and plate
An enamel mug with their name on it makes hot chocolate an event and ends the argument over whose cup is whose.
13. A campfire treat kit
Long roasting forks, marshmallows, chocolate and crackers in a tin. Always used with an adult at the fire.
14. A picnic mat for the campsite
A clean place to play cards, build with blocks or eat lunch. We sell a waterproof picnic and camping mat that folds flat.
15. Card games and a deck of cards
Rainy afternoons in the tent happen. A waterproof deck of cards or a small travel game weighs almost nothing.
What to choose by age
| Age | Ideas |
|---|---|
| 3 to 5 | Lantern, glow sticks, own mug, kid-size sleeping bag |
| 6 to 9 | Headlamp, explorer kit, Kids size mattress, journal, card games |
| 10 to 12 | Walkie-talkies, compass and map, field guide, camp pillow |
| Teens | Bigger mattress size, solar light, a blanket for the car and the couch |
Tips for choosing a kids camping gift
- Give them a job. Gifts that make a child the lantern keeper or the map reader get used most.
- Check the size. Kid-size gear is easier to carry and pack. For a mattress, measure the tent floor first.
- Think about home use. A mattress that doubles as a sleepover bed, or a blanket for the couch, earns its space.
- Add a plan. Wrap the gift with a date for the first trip. Our free camping checklist generator makes a packing list in about 30 seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good camping gift for a child?
Something they can use on their own: a lantern or headlamp, a kid-size bed or sleeping bag, or a nature explorer kit.
What do kids need for their first camping trip?
A warm sleeping bag, something soft to sleep on, a light of their own, layers for the evening and one comfort item from home.
What are good camping stocking stuffers for kids?
Glow sticks, a small flashlight, a compass, a deck of cards and a mug. See our camping stocking stuffers list for more.
What can I give a family that camps with kids?
A family-size gift such as a picnic mat, a lantern for the table or a mattress the kids can share. Our gifts for car campers guide has more ideas.