Camping and Fishing With Your Kids: A Father’s Honest Guide to Making It Actually Happen
By David W. | Mission Ready Father
Camping and fishing with kids doesn’t have to be complicated – here’s everything our family learned from finally making it happen.
Getting your kids outside this summer isn’t just good for them. If you let it – it’ll remind you how to be a kid again too. Here’s how to make it happen.
The Promise I Almost Kept Putting Off
My kid had been asking to go real camping for almost two years. Not backyard camping – real camping. A tent in the forest. A fire. A lake nearby.
I kept putting it off. Were they ready? Was I? Did I have everything we needed? Life moved fast and the promise kept getting pushed.
Here’s the honest truth about why it kept getting delayed – and I suspect I’m not alone in this.
Somewhere between career responsibilities, household chores, after-school activities, and the endless mental checklist of adult life – I had quietly stopped thinking like a kid. Planning a camping trip had become just one more thing on a list that never seemed to get shorter. Another task. Another obligation.
What I hadn’t considered was what it actually meant to my kid. Kids don’t always have the words to communicate the real weight of what an experience like camping means to them. They just know they want it – and they keep asking – and somewhere in the asking is a message most busy parents don’t fully hear until they’re standing at a lake watching their child reel in their first fish.
Spring break changed that. I made a reservation two weeks out, confirmed my gear, and we went – and this time we invited my kid’s best friend from school and his dad to join us. More on that in a moment.
Within fifteen minutes of casting our lines at the lake’s edge right near our campsite – my kid had a Blue Gill on the hook and came running back to help reel it in. I watched their face. I remembered something I hadn’t felt in years.
The next morning, just before we started packing up, they asked if we could stay two more days.
We couldn’t. But I’m already planning the next trip – two nights this time.
Here’s everything you need to make it happen for your family.
What I Remembered Out There
I’ve been a responsible adult for a few decades now. Career. House. Kids. The rhythm of daily life pulls you forward relentlessly – laundry, dishes, homework, the thing you’ve been meaning to fix for three weeks, running from one after-school activity to the next.
Somewhere in all of it – I forgot how to be a kid.
What I rediscovered at that campsite was something I didn’t know I was missing. The moment I stopped treating the trip as a logistical task and started experiencing it the way my child was experiencing it – the excitement of the tent going up, the smell of the campfire, the possibility of what might be on the end of that fishing line – something shifted.
I got excited. I remembered.
And that shift – from responsible adult mode into genuine, present, childlike engagement – created the conditions for one of the best shared experiences of my parenting life.
That’s what getting outside does. Not just for your kids. For you.
Don’t miss it because planning it felt like a chore.
The Essential Gear List – What You Actually Need
The good news: you don’t need much. The better news: what you do need is more affordable than most people assume. Here’s exactly what we brought – and what I’d recommend for any family’s first camping and fishing trip.
🏕️ Camp Setup
Coleman Carlsbad Dark Room Tent with Screened Porch
A 4-6 person tent is the right call for a parent and child – plenty of room to move, store gear, and not feel cramped. The dark room technology blocks sunlight for better sleep, and the screened porch adds a bug-free zone outside the tent. Bought it, used it, recommend it.
👉 Coleman Carlsbad Dark Room Tent on Amazon
Frelaxy Tent Footprint – Waterproof Camping Tarp
A footprint goes under your tent to protect the floor from moisture, abrasion, and ground debris. This is one of those items that feels optional until you don’t have it. One note – getting the exact size right can be tricky if your tent manufacturer doesn’t make a dedicated footprint for your model. Measure your tent floor and buy accordingly.
👉 Frelaxy Tent Footprint on Amazon
EnerPlex Camping Air Mattress with Built-In Pump
A queen-size air mattress is plenty of room for a parent and child sharing a tent. The EnerPlex’s built-in pump is the key feature here – you are not hand-pumping an air mattress at a campsite. Trust me on this. We borrowed a battery-powered pump from the gracious neighbors at the next campsite over because the cord on our pump wasn’t long enough to reach. Don’t make that mistake – get a mattress with a built-in pump or bring a separate battery-powered one.
👉 EnerPlex Camping Air Mattress with Built-In Pump on Amazon
ETENWOLF AIR 3 Portable Air Pump with Battery and Camping Light
If your mattress doesn’t have a built-in pump – or you want a backup – this battery-powered portable pump with a built-in camping light solves two problems simultaneously. I didn’t have one on our first trip. I won’t go without one again.
👉 ETENWOLF AIR 3 Portable Air Pump on Amazon
MalloMe Sleeping Bags – Cold Weather and Warm
Solid quality at an accessible price point, available in multiple temperature ratings. One per person. Bought them, used them, slept comfortably.
👉 MalloMe Sleeping Bags on Amazon
Amazon Basics Camping Pillow – Memory Foam Travel Pillow
We forgot pillows on our first trip. We rolled our hoodies into balls and used those. It worked. But having an actual pillow would have been significantly better. A camping pillow compresses small and weighs almost nothing – there is no reason not to bring one. Learn from our mistake.
👉 Amazon Basics Camping Pillow on Amazon
💡 Lighting
FRIZCOL 3-in-1 Camping Fan – Portable Rechargeable
Functions as a fan, light, and USB charger simultaneously – genuinely useful on a warm tent night. Bought it, used it.
👉 FRIZCOL 3-in-1 Camping Fan on Amazon
Energizer LED Headlamp PRO – 2 Pack
Buy the 2-pack. One headlamp for you and one for your kid. We brought one headlamp on our first trip and took turns using it after dark. The 2-pack exists for exactly this reason. Water-resistant, bright, and a camping essential.
👉 Energizer LED Headlamp PRO 2-Pack on Amazon
Lichamp LED Camping Lantern – 4 Pack Battery Powered
A lantern on the picnic table transforms the campsite at night. The 4-pack gives you coverage across the site without worrying about running out.
👉 Lichamp LED Camping Lantern 4-Pack on Amazon
🔥 Campfire
Fiskars X7 Small 14″ Hatchet Axe with Sheath
Compact, well-built, and appropriately sized for splitting kindling and processing firewood at a campsite. Comes with a protective sheath.
👉 Fiskars X7 Hatchet Axe on Amazon
Electric Dual Arc Windproof USB Rechargeable Flameless Plasma Lighter
Starting a campfire with a standard lighter in any kind of wind is a frustrating experience. A flameless plasma lighter works in wind, recharges via USB, and eliminates the dead-lighter problem entirely. I have one and won’t camp without it – also featured in my Father’s Day Gift Guide for the Outdoorsman Dad.
👉 Electric Dual Arc Windproof Plasma Lighter on Amazon
32″ Heavy Duty Campfire Roasting Sticks – 4 Pack
Longer metal skewers keep you and your kid at a safe distance from heat and smoke – significantly better than shorter wooden alternatives. The 4-pack covers the whole group.
👉 32″ Heavy Duty Campfire Roasting Sticks on Amazon
🧊 Food and Comfort
Coleman 316 Series Wheeled Cooler
A wheeled cooler is worth every penny when you’re hauling gear across a campsite. Keeps ice for days, built for real outdoor use. Bought it, used it, still using it.
👉 Coleman 316 Series Wheeled Cooler on Amazon
Coleman Portable Camping Chair with 4-Can Cooler
A camping chair with a built-in 4-can cooler in the armrest. Comfortable, practical, and earns its place on every trip.
👉 Coleman Portable Camping Chair with Cooler on Amazon
🧹 Cleanup
Dawn Ultra Dish Soap – 7oz
Small bottle, handles campsite dish cleanup without taking up space.
👉 Dawn Ultra Dish Soap on Amazon
Non-Scratch Dual-Sided Sponges
Non-scratch on one side, scrubbing on the other – exactly what you need at a campsite.
👉 Non-Scratch Dual-Sided Sponges on Amazon
Mama Bear 99% Water Baby Wipes – 216 Count
One of the most versatile items you can bring camping. Quick cleanup before meals, hands after handling fish, muddy knees, face wipes before bed – they handle all of it. 216 count is the right quantity for a weekend trip.
👉 Mama Bear Baby Wipes on Amazon
🩹 Safety
Adventure Medical Kits Sportsman Series Medical Kit
My homemade first aid kit worked – until it didn’t. When my kid scraped their knee falling off a bike at the campsite, I discovered my kit was missing the items needed to properly clean an abrasion. Not all injuries are small enough for a standard bandaid, and not all cuts stay clean without proper treatment. A purpose-built camping first aid kit like the Adventure Medical Kits Sportsman Series has what you actually need – not just what comes in a standard household kit. This is on my list for the next trip.
👉 Adventure Medical Kits Sportsman Series on Amazon
The Fishing Setup – Simple Is Better
Here’s the single most important thing I can tell you about fishing with kids: keep it simple. The goal is not to catch the most fish or use the most sophisticated gear. The goal is to get a line in the water, keep your kid engaged, and let the lake do the rest.
Our setup was basic. It worked perfectly.
Zebco 33 Spincast Reel and 2-Piece Fishing Rod Combo
Zebco has been making reliable fishing equipment for decades. The 33 spincast combo is the ideal starter rod and reel – affordable, durable, easy to use, and forgiving for beginners. I have a Zebco rod and reel that has never given me a single issue. For a kid’s first fishing experience, this is exactly the right starting point.
👉 Zebco 33 Spincast Rod and Reel Combo on Amazon
Smaky Fishing Tackle Kit – 80 Piece Beginner Set
Starting out, you really don’t need much. This kit includes hooks, bobbers, sinkers, and everything else you need to get started – except the bait you put on the hook, which you can buy at a bait shop near your fishing destination for a few dollars. In my experience, a simple float, hook, weight, and live bait catches more fish than any lure or artificial bait – especially in freshwater. The basics work.
👉 Smaky Fishing Tackle Beginner Kit on Amazon
Fishing Pliers – High Carbon Steel Hook Remover
Two jobs: removing hooks from fish and crimping fishing weights onto your line. Both are significantly easier and safer with pliers than with your fingers.
👉 Fishing Pliers Hook Remover on Amazon
5-Gallon Bucket with Airtight Lid
This one surprises people – but a 5-gallon bucket is one of the most versatile items you can bring fishing with kids. Use it to store your tackle and gear on the way there. Use it as a portable seat at the water’s edge. And when your kid catches a fish – fill it with lake water and let them watch and touch the fish they just caught before releasing it back. That moment of holding the fish, really seeing it up close – is one of the things they’ll remember. Just don’t keep the fish in the bucket too long – release it promptly so it can swim away healthy.
👉 5-Gallon Bucket with Airtight Lid on Amazon
Sunscreen – Minimum SPF 30
Non-negotiable for a full day at a lakeside campsite. Apply before leaving the campsite and reapply throughout the day.
Sun Hat
Not required – but strongly encouraged. Protects the face, neck, and ears during long hours at the water.
⚠️ Don’t Forget Your Fishing License
Before you cast a single line – make sure you’re legal.
Every state requires a fishing license for adults, and regulations vary by state. Many states allow children 15 and under to fish for free without a license – but here’s an important nuance most parents don’t know:
If you assist your child by holding the rod, casting, or baiting the hook – even briefly – you are legally required to have a valid fishing license. Simply watching doesn’t require one. But actively participating does.
You can typically purchase a license online through your state’s fish and wildlife agency website, at a local sporting goods store, or at bait shops near your fishing destination. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides a helpful starting point to find your state’s specific licensing portal. Options usually range from a single-day license to an annual pass — if you plan to fish more than a few times a year, the annual license pays for itself quickly.
Don’t let an avoidable oversight cut your trip short.
Nice to Have – The Camp Kitchen Upgrade
We roasted hotdogs and made s’mores over the campfire on our trip – and honestly, it was perfect. But having a portable camp stove would have opened up more meal options, particularly for breakfast. Scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage – the kind of camp breakfast that makes waking up in a tent genuinely exciting.
If you’re the kind of person who wants real meal options at the campsite – these two additions are worth considering:
Coleman Triton+ 2-Burner Propane Camping Stove
Two adjustable burners, wind guards, and InstaStart ignition – a reliable camp stove that handles real cooking without complication. Not a requirement, but a meaningful upgrade if cooking at the campsite matters to you.
👉 Coleman Triton+ 2-Burner Camp Stove on Amazon
10-Inch Nonstick Frying Pan with Detachable Handle
The detachable handle is the key feature for camping – it packs flat and takes up minimal space. If you have a pan at home you don’t mind bringing, that works too. But a dedicated camping pan with a removable handle is a clean solution.
👉 10-Inch Nonstick Camping Frying Pan on Amazon
Camping and Fishing With Kids – What Happened When We Got There
One of the best decisions we made was inviting my kid’s best friend from school and his dad to join us. It wasn’t something I had originally planned – but it made the trip significantly better for everyone. The kids had a built-in companion for every activity. The dads had someone to sit with by the fire at night. If you’re considering your first family camping trip, inviting another family you’re comfortable with is worth serious consideration. Not a requirement – but it worked exceptionally well for us.
The tent went up and my kid’s eyes lit up watching it take shape. There were no “I’m bored” comments – because there was too much to do. Rocks to skip on the lake. Sticks to collect for the fire. The campsite to explore.
After we got settled – it was time to fish.
We cast our lines right at the lake’s edge near our campsite. It wasn’t more than fifteen minutes before my kid had a fish on the line and came running back to help reel it in. A nice-sized Blue Gill. The excitement of that moment – both of ours – is something I can still feel when I think about it.
That evening: hotdogs roasted over a campfire. S’mores for dessert. A lantern glowing on the picnic table. Settling into the tent with the camping fan running quietly overhead.
The next morning: up early, productive fishing session, breakfast back at the campsite.
Not a dull moment.
The kids rode bikes together around the campsite – which is one of those things that happens naturally when you take screens out of the equation and put kids in an environment where the outdoors is the entertainment. Friendships that started at school deepened over a campfire and a fishing line.
Just before we started packing up to head home – my kid asked if we could stay two more days.
We couldn’t. But I made a promise to come back – two nights next time.
I’m already planning it.
How to Make Your First Trip Actually Happen
The biggest barrier to camping with your kids isn’t gear or money or time. It’s the planning friction – the feeling that it’s one more complicated thing to figure out.
Here’s how to remove that friction:
1. Pick a campsite close to home first
Your first family camping trip doesn’t need to be a remote wilderness adventure. Find a campsite within an hour of your home – ideally with lake or river access for fishing. Reserve it 2-3 weeks in advance, especially for summer weekends.
2. Make a gear checklist from this post
Everything you need is listed above. Work through it once, check what you have, order what you don’t. Give yourself a week before the trip so nothing arrives late.
3. Get your fishing license before you go
Purchase online through your state’s fish and wildlife agency website. Takes five minutes. Don’t forget it.
4. Keep the first trip simple
One night before you commit to two. A nearby lake before you plan a remote river. Hotdogs over a fire before you pack a camp stove. Simplicity on the first trip means more success, more fun, and more motivation to go back.
5. Go
This is the only step that actually matters. The trip doesn’t have to be perfect. The gear doesn’t have to be complete. Your kid doesn’t need a perfect experience – they need you, outside, present, and willing to remember what it felt like to be a kid.
The rest takes care of itself.
The Part I Didn’t Expect
I went on that camping trip for my kid. I came back having gotten something back for myself.
Somewhere between the tent going up, the fish on the line, and the campfire crackling that evening – I stopped being the responsible adult managing a checklist and started being a person who was genuinely present in a genuinely remarkable moment.
I remembered what it felt like to be excited about something simple. To not be thinking about what needed to be done next week. To just be there – at a lake, with my kid, with nowhere else to be.
That’s the thing about getting outside with your children. It doesn’t just give them memories. It gives you back something you didn’t realize you’d lost.
Don’t put it off another summer.
— David W.
Coming next: The books that shaped how I lead, parent, and think – a reading list for anyone building a better life.
Mission Ready Father participates in affiliate marketing programs including Amazon Associates. If you purchase through links in this post I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use or would confidently recommend.
Filed under: Parenting | Outdoors | Camping | Fishing | Family | Summer
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