The season is here to pack up the clan, escape that house you have been sheltered in for over a year, and set up camp out in the woods. Here’s the best gear to keep the family happy–and you sane.
Morrison Outdoors
Big Mo and Little Mo
Bringing your little bundle of joy out into the wild can be challenging when it gets chilly—but these adorable wearable sleeping bags (available in 20-degree and 40-degree options) will both keep that kid snuggly warm and rack up some serious Instagram likes when you post shots of them in camp. The Little Mo fits ages 6 to 24 months; the Big Mo accommodates kids 2 to 4 years old. The brand even partnered with Rerouted (reroutedcoop.com) so you can trade them in for cash in when your little ones get too big. $85-$180; morrisonoutdoors.com
Yeti
Tundra 65
Roomy enough to keep all the eats and beverages you need for a long weekend on ice but not so big it takes up the entirety of your vehicle, this cooler proves extremely useful on camping trips. Plus, we have been using it to stash produce after big grocery runs at home. $350; yeti.com
Eddie Bauer
Olympic Dome 8 Tent
Ringing in at a family friendly price but providing all the reliability you want in the wild, this eight-person shelter offers up all you need for that big trip. Eight may be a squeeze, but it excels for a family of four with plenty of space to play games and the ability to create separate compartments for some privacy. A waterproof fly battens down when the storm hits and plenty of mesh brings in the breeze on hot days. $249; eddiebauer.com
ENO
DoubleNest Hammock Prints
The perfect size for you and a kid to get cozy with a book on a lazy day, this easy-to-set-up hammock should be mandatory gear any time you go camping with the family. Rest assured that the sturdy nylon lounger will hold up to 400 pounds–and colorful prints add some style to your camp. $80; eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com
Lava Linens
Classic
We can’t undersell the importance of a good camp towel when you bring the fam into the woods—for everything from drying off after a swim to mopping up the inevitable mess. At a svelte 17 ounces and packing down to the size of a water bottle, this fast-drying, anti-microbial French linen towel will soon become your best friend. $98; shoplavelinens.com
GCI Outdoor
Freeform Zero Gravity Lounger
Exhausted from, you know, hauling your whole family around and setting up camp in between breakdowns, whining, and assorted mishaps? Be sure to pack this bad boy that can switch between standard legs-up lounging mode and fully extended “zero gravity” mode in which you can just stare up at the sky. $100; gcioutdoor.com
Snow Peak
Takibi Fire and Grill
This packable stainless steel fire pit from Japan allows you to create a safe leave-no-trace campsite anywhere you can legally park your rig (and obey local and seasonal fire regulations). It’s simple to set up and keep a controlled fire going—and grill dinner on top—with far less worry and mess than a nasty old fire ring. $320; snowpeak.com
Rovr
KeepR
Organizing your cooler can be an exercise in futility, but the handy KeepR can help you organize and carry your stuff to the picnic table without having to rummage around. It all stays cool thanks to a stainless steel container that nests inside and will hold ice to keep goodies chilled. $150: rovrproducts.com
