Camping with children turns small routines into moving parts. A tent needs pitching, dinner needs cooking, and tired bodies need somewhere to sit. Washing hands can become another challenge when the campground washroom is busy, the water is cold, or an adult is trying to help several children at once.
A portable stool for washing hands is a simple solution with a worthwhile purpose. It gives children a stable place to reach the tap, helps adults keep the washing area tidy, and makes handwashing part of camp life instead of a struggle we try to hurry through.
At many Australian campgrounds, showers and washrooms are shared facilities. They may have limited hot water, charge for shower tokens or keep only a few washbasins. At popular places such as Kakadu, the Blue Mountains and Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain, busy weekends can bring long queues and plenty of wet, muddy feet.
The need for a portable seat becomes clearer at a basic wash station. The taps may be fixed high on a wall, while the basin is too deep for a small child. An adult can lift a toddler, but that is tiring when the routine happens before breakfast, after the toilet and whenever sticky hands need attention.
We used to improvise with a camp chair or a tipped-up cooler. Both felt awkward, especially on sloping ground. A folding stool sits securely, occupies almost no space when packed and stays available whenever the children want to wash their hands.
The main benefit is comfort. A child can stand on the stool with both feet supported, rather than stretching upwards or balancing on one leg. That makes it easier to reach the soap, scrub properly and rinse without an adult taking over every movement.
It also builds useful independence. Children can take responsibility for their own routine while an adult remains close enough to supervise. We explain where the stool goes, how to keep the bucket steady and when not to climb. When everyone has practised at home, camp handwashing becomes much calmer.
There is an environmental benefit too. Washing at the designated station, rather than beside a creek, keeps soap and dirty water away from waterways. A portable stool helps us stay at the proper place while still making the experience comfortable enough that nobody tries to skip it.
Start with stability rather than price. Look for a wide base, non-slip feet and a sensible weight limit. The seat should be tall enough for a child’s feet to rest flat, but not so high that the stool can tip when the child leans towards the tap. Sharp edges and pinch points are worth checking before the first use.
Before buying, compare the options in this camping stool options guide, then check the packed size against your existing camp kit. Australian outdoor retailers such as BCF stock folding camp furniture, while a plastic washing tub from Bunnings or an online marketplace can complete the setup. Comparing weight, folded length and carrying handles matters when one adult is managing most of the gear.
Height and weight also depend on the children using it. Our stool works for our family because the youngest can still stand safely, while an older child can wash independently. We keep it beside the bucket rather than inside a communal tent, where it might collect damp sand. For camping in heat, dust or persistent coastal humidity, a washable plastic seat is easier to clean than one with a loose fabric cover.
Our routine begins with the toilet, followed by a wash using clean, potable water and soap. We carry a bucket with enough space for hands to move freely, set it beneath the tap and place the stool on dry, level ground. Adults stay within reach whenever there is water involved, and children never use the bucket as a play space.
The items we keep together make the routine quicker:
A few smaller comforts make the wash station more pleasant:
Afterwards, we empty the used water according to the campground’s rules. Soapy water is greywater and must not be poured into a creek, lake or onto vegetation. Some sites provide a specific disposal point; if the instructions are unclear, we ask a campground attendant or ranger. We also avoid filling an open bucket near the tent, where insects or curious children could find it.
Treat the stool as part of the wash kit, not optional furniture. Once it is packed beside the bucket, the whole setup is ready whenever the children return from a walk, touch an animal or prepare to eat. We usually organise the camp kitchen in the arvo, after the heat has eased, and keep the handwashing supplies together so nobody has to search through several boxes.
Campground bookings in Australia are commonly made online, with powered sites often costing more than basic unpowered sites. Families who want particular locations or dates need to plan early, then pack efficiently. A stool that folds into a bag is particularly handy for those trips, and many families understand the local shorthand BYO when the campground asks them to bring their own washing supplies.
Good habits begin before the trip. Let the children practise washing with a timer, pack the soap where they can reach it safely and explain that creek water is not for washing hands. If you collect water yourself, treat it according to the product instructions and keep it separate from greywater. These small steps make the familiar camp routine much easier to follow.
For more ideas for relaxed days outdoors with children, Hope Post Kids shares family-focused travel inspiration and practical camp guides. Choose a stable folding stool, pack it with the washing supplies and make clean hands one of the first habits you set at camp.