Camping with Kids: Packing Checklist + 7 Best Campgrounds for Kids in the Czech Republic
Your first camping trip with kids is a bit like your first road trip. You’re nervous, you wonder if it’s a good idea and whether you should have waited a few more months or years—and then you realize it was the best thing you could have done. Camping with kids has become one of the fastest-growing trends in family vacations in the Czech Republic in recent years, and for good reason.
Kids at a campsite don’t need Wi-Fi; they don’t get bored and don’t demand to be in front of a screen. All they need is the forest, water, a campfire, and friends from the tent Další door. And parents often get more rest than they would at a five-star hotel.
In this guide, you’ll find a comprehensive checklist of what to pack, tips for your first camping trip with children of various ages, and a list of the 7 best family campgrounds in the Czech Republic.
Why go camping with kids?
The arguments against going to camp are certainly understandable (What if it rains? What if my child gets scared?). But parents who have already taken their kids to camp will debunk them one by one.
What children will gain at the camp:
- They’ll step away from the mobile phone screens, naturally and without being forced to.
- Time spent in nature and physical activity from morning to night.
- Social skills. Camp is a natural place to make new friends.
- A healthy respect for nature, the weather, and your own abilities.
- Memories that often stay with them for the rest of their lives.
What parents get:
- A vacation at a fraction of the price of a hotel.
- No dress code, no hotel restaurants—which are often a nightmare for parents with small children. No front desk.
- Simplicity: the fewer things, the better.
Packing Checklist (Children Ages 0–3, 4–10, 11–15)
Download the printable version as a PDF.
For all age groups
Sleep:
- [ ] A sleeping bag suitable for the season (minimum comfort rating of +5 °C for summer)
- [ ] Sleeping pad or inflatable mat
- [ ] Pillow or travel pillow
- [ ] Flashlight or headlamp (even for kids—having their own headlamp is a treat)
Clothing:
- [ ] Layering: base layer, fleece, waterproof jacket
- [ ] A change of clothes for each child + 2 extra sets
- [ ] Raincoat or poncho
- [ ] Sturdy hiking boots + sandals for the water
- [ ] Rubber boots (even in summer—morning dew and showers)
Hygiene:
- [ ] Toilet paper in a zip-top bag (just in case)
- [ ] Phosphate-free detergents (eco-friendly)
- [ ] Wet wipes — a lifesaver when camping without a shower
- [ ] Insect repellent and after-bite treatment
- [ ] Sunscreen SPF 50 (a must when near water)
Children ages 0–3
- [ ] Travel crib or portable bassinet
- [ ] Extra diapers (+50% compared to the estimate)
- [ ] Insect repellent for children (age-appropriate)
- [ ] Space heater/tent fan (summer)
- [ ] Children’s first-aid kit: fever reducer, teething drops, band-aids
Children ages 4–10
- [ ] A personal backpack with a “treasure” (the child decides what to put in it)
- [ ] Battery-powered headlamp
- [ ] Shovel and bucket (water, sand—endless possibilities)
- [ ] Books or cards for a rainy afternoon
- [ ] Spare shoes — wet today, dry tomorrow
Children ages 11–15
- [ ] Own tent (mini, for 1 person) — the feeling of independence is great
- [ ] Powerbank (for mobile phone, but camping is the main activity)
- [ ] nejsteebook or sketchbook
- [ ] Emergency blanket and survival basics (optional lesson)
Cooking and Food
- [ ] Camping stove + gas
- [ ] Pot, pan (stainless steel set)
- [ ] Dining set per person (plate, cutlery, mug)
- [ ] Enough water for the first day (you’ll reach a water source, but nejste right away)
- [ ] Crackers, canned goods, and non-perishable foods as a backup
- [ ] Trash bags — essential
The Top 7 Family Campgrounds in the Czech Republic
- Camping Panorama Lipno (South Bohemian Region)
An ideal location right on the Lipno Dam, with a private beach, a bistro, a playground, modern restroom facilities, and a wealth of tourist amenities in the surrounding area. Families will find a combination of direct access to the water, bike paths, and attractions such as Treetop Walkway. The offer includes both tent sites and RV sites.
For whom: Families with children ages 0–15, sports-oriented families.
- Campgrounds in Slapy (Central Bohemia Region)
The Slapy Dam is a popular destination for families from Prague. The campsites near Slapy offer direct access to the water, boat rentals, and reasonable prices. The downside is the heavy traffic on summer weekends.
Pro koho: Rodiny blízko Prahy, víkendové výlety.
- Camp Borný — Mácha Lake (Liberec Region)
Lake Máchovo is one of the cleanest lakes in the Czech Republic, featuring sandy beaches. Camp Borný is a well-equipped campground that is popular with families with young children thanks to its shallow water entry points.
Who it’s for: Families with toddlers and preschoolers, swimming enthusiasts.
- Autokemp Merkur — Pasohlávky (South Moravian Region)
Head to this campground if you want to enjoy a different kind of camping experience, thermal spas, vineyards, and the Novomlýnské Reservoirs. Pasohlávky combines camping with wellness and wine, and is also ideal for parents who need a little adult relaxation.
Who it’s for: Families with children ages 6 and up, families looking to combine camping and swimming, wine lovers.
- Campgrounds on the Berounka River — near the town of Beroun (Central Bohemia Region)
Camping along the Berounka River near the rocky areas of the Bohemian Karst. Perfect for families with older children who enjoy climbing, rock climbing, or kayaking.
Who it’s for: Families with children ages 8 and up, and adventure-seeking families with older children who enjoy climbing, rock climbing, or kayaking.
- Campgrounds near Třeboň (South Bohemian Region)
The South Bohemian ponds, bike paths, and historic center of Třeboň provide the perfect setting. Camping in the Třeboň Basin is peaceful and ideal for nature lovers who prefer to avoid crowds.
Who it’s for: Families looking for peace and quiet and a natural setting without the extra cost of a resort.
- Campingplätze in der Region Pootaví – in der Nähe der Stadt Písek (Region Südböhmen)
Camping along the Otava River near the historic town of Písek. Ideal for hiking, biking, and water sports. Smaller and more intimate than large resorts.
Who it’s for: Families who prefer smaller campsites with a personal atmosphere.
What can you do at a campground with kids in any weather?
When the sun is shining:
- Swimming and water games
- Biking or hiking
- Badminton, Frisbee, petanque
- Collecting and identifying natural objects
When it rains:
- Board games in the cabin or under the pergola
- Cooking at the campsite—even the kids enjoy it
- Reading books or comics
- Crafts: natural materials, making jewelry from natural materials
You can find a detailed list of tips for rainy days at Lipno in the article Things to do at Lipno when it rains
Are you planning your first camping trip with the kids and want to be sure you’ll have top-nejstech facilities, a beach right by the reservoir, and attractions within walking distance? Camping Panorama Lipno is the place where your family vacation won’t feel like a struggle for survival, but rather the best summer ever.
→ Tent and RV sites reservation online.
Sources: lipno.info | the editorial staff’s own experience
