Camping with Kids: Headlamp or Flashlight?

Back when I was a kid and went camping with my family, headlamps weren’t popular. Instead, we used bulky flashlights that ran on alkaline batteries which inevitably burned out each night. Camping flashlights have come a long way since then, and there are now also tons of options when it comes to headlamps for camping.

While having choice is great, it also means you’ve got to make a decision about which to get for your kids.  Let’s break it down so you can decide whether a headlamp or flashlight makes more sense for your kids.

Fun Factor

Winner: Flashlights

No childhood would be complete without playing a game of flashlight tag. There are also tons of other games, like flashlight charades, hide and seek, and flashlight “freeze and dance.” 

All of these games can be played by holding a headlamp. However, it’s arguably a lot easier to hold a flashlight in your hands and control the beam, so flashlights are the clear winner here.

Hands-Free Use

Winner: Headlamps (by a longshot!)

Headlamps are the clear winner here, and the benefits of hands-free use can’t be understated.

Hands-free means you can:

• Carry things in the dark with both hands. Like when you need to lug your food boxes to the campsite’s bear vaults or get gear from your car.
• Walk at night without tripping. And, if you do trip and fall, you can catch yourself with your hands instead of splatting on your face.
• Do camp chores more easily. Seriously, make your older kids do the dishes!
• Go to the bathroom.Without getting into details, the whole wiping part is much easier when you don’t have to hold a flashlight in your hands.

Because of these benefits, most campers use headlamps instead of flashlights now. Experts advise against using flashlights to travel at night in the wilderness, and if you want to do something like night orienteering with kids, you’ll need a headlamp.

Beam Options

Winner: Tie

Headlamps are typically designed with backpacking, night hiking, and hunting in mind. That means they have more beam options, such as various brightness levels, red light mode, and SOS modes. You can sometimes find these on flashlights, but it’s not as common.

All the beam options on a headlamp are great to have, but it means headlamps can have a higher learning curve. 

For example, some headlamps have a “memory mode” so that, when you turn it on, the headlamp goes into whatever mode you had it on last. To turn it on in a different mode, you typically have to press down on the button for a few seconds. My five-year-old (and some of my adult friends!) have trouble figuring this out.

Because of this learning curve, flashlights and headlamps are tied when it comes to beam options.

Blinding Factor

Winner: Flashlights

Headlamps illuminate whatever is directly in front of you. That’s fantastic when you are walking around camp at night, but not so fantastic when you are talking to someone! The beam will shine directly into someone’s eyes, potentially damaging their eyes.

Most (good) headlamps can be tilted downwards so they won’t shine directly in someone’s eyes. But good luck having your kids remember to use this feature! By contrast, they are much less likely to shine a flashlight right in your face when talking to you.

Durability

Winner: Tie

Compared to headlamps, flashlights tend to be much more durable. Little kids aren’t exactly known for being careful with gear, so you wouldn’t want to give them a sensitive headlamp that will break the moment they drop it on a rock. By contrast, even cheap flashlights can usually withstand a mild beating.

However, because headlamps stay around a kid’s head or neck, they are less likely to drop it, and also less likely to lose it. So, despite being more sensitive, headlamps are tied with flashlights for durability.

Comfort

Winner: Tie

This is a matter of preference: some kids prefer to hold a flashlight whereas others like to wear them on their head. However, it’s worth noting that most headlamps are made for adults and can be uncomfortable for kids. For younger kids, choose a smaller headlamp with a thinner strap, such as the Everbeam H5 which has a slimmer profile than the more powerful H6 Pro headlamp. 

The Verdict:

Headlamps are almost always the better choice for older kids because they can use them hands-free. However, for little kids who will inevitably blind you with a headlamp, a flashlight is often the better choice. If packing space and weight isn’t an issue, you might want to bring both on your camping trip so your kids can have the functionality of a headlamp but still play flashlight games.

About Author:

Sam Jacobs is a writer, and chief historian, at Ammo. As a self-proclaimed outdoorsman, it’s his responsibility to use his knowledge and experience to educate others about ammunition, the outdoors, and conservation.