Camping with kids has always been on my bucket list as a parent. I imagine us visiting as many National Parks as possible, camping our way across the country. As someone who lives for travel and adventure, camping is an easy way to share that with my kids. I have such fond memories from my own childhood of sleeping in a tent, roasting marshmallows, and singing songs around the campfire, and I want to pass that along to my own children.
One thing I realized right off that bat was that if I was going to camp with my three young kids – a preschooler, a toddler, and a baby – then I would need to invest in the right gear. When I had the chance to try out the Kelty Sequoia 6, I knew it would make our next camping adventure a home run.
About Kelty
Kelty is an outdoor gear company dedicated to getting you outside to play.
Kelty gives you the easy and spontaneous excuse you need to get out there and escape from the mundane. We build great gear that’s made to last and inspire you to rediscover the joy of spontaneous play. Every. Day.
You’ll find tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, and more camping gear on the Kelty website. I received the Kelty Sequoia 6, an extra tall 6-person tent. It’s very roomy, and the perfect size for a family of five like mine to spread out and get comfortable.
My Review of the Kelty Sequoia 6
My family decided to give the Sequoia tent a test-run in our backyard so we could really get a feel for all the features and how to set it up.. My husband and I both watched the video on Kelty’s website that walks you through the setup process before we got started. It couldn’t have been easier! It only took a few minutes to set up thanks to the video and the color-coded webbing on the clips.
The first step is to set up the inner tent. The body of the tent is a cross between a dome and a cabin, with a height of over 6 feet to accommodate most adults. The inner tent’s walls and ceiling are mostly made of mesh to keep out bugs, a must for those camping with young kids and babies! I like that you could sleep looking up at the stars if you wanted to, or watch the sunrise from the comfort of your sleeping bag. Notice the large D-door to make getting in and out of the tent super easy – a must for parents holding squirmy little ones!
If you want to keep the tent a bit darker so your kids sleep better, or in case of rain, you can set up the rain fly. This keeps out the elements in addition to adding extra storage space outside the body of the tent. The fly can zip completely to keep your belongings safe and protected. There is also a vent in the back to get some air flowing through the tent.
One of my favorite features of the Kelty Sequoia 6 are the mesh pockets inside to hold cell phones, flashlights, or other personal items. It’s such a great feature for families with young kids. A small lantern or flashlight in one of the storage pockets would make for the perfect night light for middle-of-the-night feedings or bathroom trips.
Overall I thought this tent was perfect for a family of our size! There is plenty of space, and I like that there’s room to stand up for getting dressed inside the privacy of the tent. We could easily fit a pack-n-play alongside our sleeping bags. Most importantly, though, is that it’s kid-approved! Our 2 and 4-year-old didn’t want to leave and requested to take all their meals and toys into the tent.
Knowing my husband and I can easily set up or take down the tent within minutes gives me so much peace of mind about our upcoming camping trips this summer. After all, the quicker we get the tent set up, the more time we have to enjoy the great outdoors with our kids.
Tips for Getting Outside with Kids
Getting outside with little ones can feel like a huge hassle. However, nature is a place where they can learn, play, and grow. It’s good for their health to be in the fresh air, and teaches them courage and respect for the earth. So I’m determined to facilitate outdoor experiences with my kids from hiking, to camping, to just playing outside. Here are a few tips to get you started!
- It starts in your own community! Explore all the parks your city has to offer and check to see if there are walking trails nearby. Many walking trails are stroller-friendly which will be an easy way to get your feet wet when hiking with kids.
- Be prepared! While the free spirit in me would love to just leave the house with nothing but the sandals on my feet, I’ve found that it’s a guaranteed way to have a miserable time. Keep a small box or ziplock bag in the car with diapers and wipes. Bring healthy snacks and water bottles in your purse or bag. Finally, keep a clear container with sunscreen, bug spray, a change of clothes for the kids, and sun hats that you can easily take to and from the car.
- Depending on the age of your children, it’s important to invest in the proper gear to enjoy the outdoors. Babywearing can really come in handy when you have a crawler or new walker on your hands. With my mobile child contained I can focus on the older kids to make sure they’re safely enjoying the outdoors. Check out this hiking carrier from Kelty!
- Last of all, if you’re considering camping as a family for the first time, my best tip is pack smart! Use large clear plastic bins for everything and label each one. Have one for the food, one for cooking gear, one for sleeping bags, and one for outdoor fun. Bring squirt guns, bubbles, and a magnifying glass to explore outdoors. (Oh…and lots of towels and baby wipes for cleanup!) Give each child their own flashlight, and set up battery operated string lanterns around your tent. Prepare to the best of your ability, but be flexible and willing to have a positive attitude even if things go wrong. You’re guaranteed to walk away with great memories – or at least a good story to tell later!
The Kelty Sequoia 6 is a wonderful tent for moms looking to explore the great outdoors with their kids. Don’t forget to check out the Woobie Sleeping Bag for kids, too! Kelty definitely had parents in mind when they designed their outdoor gear.
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We’ve added Kelty to our 2018 Mother’s Day Gift Guide! Check it out here!