National Camping Month- Best Walkie Talkies for Kids and Families

June is National Camping Month. Whether you're headed out to the local campground for a weekend with friends, planning a cross-country RV trip with the kids, or hitting the national parks, preparation is key.

We're taking a look at KOA's 2026 Camping & Outdoor Hospitality Report and sharing our recommendations for the best walkie talkies for kids and families.

Number of Campers

According to KOA's report, the number of active camper households in 2025 was almost identical to that in 2024, including over 52 million households that took at least one trip in 2025.

In 2024, KOA found there were 52,500,000 active camper households. That number in 2025 was 52,160,000.

There was a surge of first-time campers between 2020 and 2022, likely in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This introduced millions of new households to the outdoors as most other travel wasn't available. KOA said that most of these campers are still active today, even if they're camping less frequently.

Frequency of Camping

The report said that as more campers enter the market, more households are incorporating it into their broader leisure and vacation plans. It's result in a larger, more diverse audience.

Those camping 3 or more times a year has declined since 2020, but stayed relatively the same in previous years. Here's a look at the percentages of campers going 3+ times a year:

2020: 47%
2021: 45%
2022: 48%
2023: 35%
2024: 32%
2025: 33%

Those camping 2 times a year has also followed a similar trend, but has seen a spike in more recent years. We breakdown the numbers below:

2020: 25%
2021: 29%
2022: 29%
2023: 28%
2024: 31%
2025: 33%

Those camping 1 time a year has seen steady growth over the last several years. KOA found that while there's a larger, more diverse audience of campers, camping frequency has dropped. Take a look:

2020: 28%
2021: 26%
2022: 29%
2023: 37%
2024: 37%
2025: 34%

Generational Camping Trends

KOA's report found that participation of among adults 65+ has risen to its highest level in 8 years. This signals increased interest from older travelers looking to make the outdoors a priority as they vacation. However, millennials are still camping as part of their leisure travel.

In 2020, here's a look at the generational breakdown of campers:

Silent: 4%
Baby Boomer: 15%
Gen X: 30%
Millennial: 37%
Gen Z: 11%

Let's compare those numbers to 2025:

Silent: 1%
Baby Boomer: 28%
Gen X: 29%
Millennial: 29%
Gen Z: 11%

KOA said 25% of all new campers in 2025 belong to the Baby Boomer generation, increasing about 10 percentage points since 2024.

Camping Household Ethnicity

Despite camping and outdoor hospitality becoming more inclusive over the past 10 years, KOA's report found that diversity amongst campers continued to decline in 2025. It showed a downward trend since 2022. New campers are the most diverse.

Here's a look at the ethnicity of camping households in 2025:

White: 70%
Black: 11%
Hispanic: 10%
Asian: 3%
All Other: 6%

Household Income in Campers

With the camping increase during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was also a rise in higher-income campers. However, that's changed since the end of the pandemic.

Here's the breakdown on household income in campers in 2024 vs 2025 in the United States.

2024:

19% of campers had a household income of less than $25,000
26% of campers had a household income of $25,000-$49,999
23% of campers had a household income of $50,000-$74,999
14% of campers had a household income of $75,000-$99,999
18% of campers had a household income of $100,000 or more

2025:

16% of campers had a household income of less than $25,000
24% of campers had a household income of $25,000-$49,999
23% of campers had a household income of $50,000-$74,999
15% of campers had a household income of $75,000-$99,999
22% of campers had a household income of $100,000 or more

Barriers to Camping

According to KOA's report, here are the top reasons people in the United States aren't camping, listed in order of likelihood:

Personal financial reasons prohibited travel
Health reasons
Stayed at hotels or motels while traveling
Stayed with family and/or friends
Family didn't want to camp
Camping is too expensive now
Traveled internationally

RV Camping

The pandemic also brought RV usage to the spotlight, increasing the percentage of campers who owned an RV.

However, the number of people camping in an RV has returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Percentage of RV Campers Borrowing an RV From Friends or Family:

2017: 26%
2020: 12%
2023: 7%
2025: 21%

Percentage of RV Campers Renting RV:

2017: 13%
2020: 5%
2023: 4%
2025: 8%

Percentage of RV Campers Traveling In RV They Own:

2017: 56%
2020: 74%
2023: 77%
2025: 67%

In 2020, there were 13,026,000 households who camped by RV with that number at 9,910,400 in 2025.

KOA found the following reasons in order of popularity for purchasing an RV:

Camping trips (80%)
The ability to work remotely while traveling (5%)
Temporary housing (5%)
Permanent housing (3%)
Guest housing on their property (1%)
To rent out (1%)
Other (5%)

Importance of Walkie Talkies for Kids and Families While Camping

National Camping Month is the perfect time for families to unplug, explore the outdoors, and make lasting memories together.

Whether you're hiking trails, setting up camp, riding bikes around the campground, or keeping track of the kids during outdoor adventures, having reliable communication can make every trip safer and more enjoyable.

The best walkie talkies for kids and families help everyone stay connected without depending on a cell service, giving parents added peace of mind while encouraging independence and fun for younger campers.

Before heading out on your next camping trip, it's important to note that the best walkie talkies for kids and families are easy to use, durable, and built for outdoor adventure.

Best Walkie Talkies for Kids and Families

ClipTalk Micro Two-Way Radio

When it comes to the best walkie talkies for kids and families, portability and simplicity matter most. That’s why CLIPTALK stands out for camping trips, hiking adventures, neighborhood bike rides, and family outings.

This wearable mini two-way radio is incredibly lightweight at less than 1 ounce, making it easy for kids and adults to clip on and go. Its compact design moves seamlessly with everyone in the family, while delivering reliable communication wherever the adventure takes you.

CLIPTALK features automatic noise cancellation for crystal-clear sound, even in busy campgrounds or noisy outdoor environments.

With up to 8 hours of battery life on a single USB-C charge, families can stay connected all day long. Plus, the Midland mobile app lets you customize settings, create groups, and set privacy codes to help eliminate unwanted chatter.

Best of all, CLIPTALK is universally compatible with existing FRS and GMRS walkie talkies, making it an easy addition to your family’s camping gear setup.

Whether you're keeping track of the kids at the campsite or staying connected on the trail, CLIPTALK delivers portable communication anywhere your adventures take you.

T71 X-Talker FRS Walkie Talkie 2-Pack - T71VP3

Midland's T71s are a classic, must-have option, making them some of the best walkie talkies for kids and families.

The T71s are incredibly easy to use, ensuring that everyone in the family can figure them out for seamless connection on any adventure.

Not to mention, these walkie talkies are durable so they'll hold up when your kids inevitably drop them along the way.

One of the reasons we love these walkie talkies is because they have great battery life, plus they come with rechargeable battery packs, a desktop charger, wall adapter, and micro USB charging cable, allowing you to power them up quickly and efficiently.

Featuring NOAA Weather Radio, the T71s will keep your family safe with the latest information straight from the National Weather Service, making them an excellent choice for camping trips.

T10 X-Talker FRS Walkie Talkie 3-Pack Multi-Color - T10X3M

The T10s always make our list of best walkie talkies for kids and families.

No, it's not just because they come in 3 fun colors, but because they're so easy to use. Simply make sure everyone is on the same channel and send your kid out for exploration around the campground, knowing you can reach them in an instant.

The T10s also feature NOAA Weather Radio, so if severe weather rolls in, you can easily call the kids back in to ensure safety.

These simple radios are great for the whole family!

GXT3000 GMRS Walkie Talkie 2-Pack - GXT3000VP4

The GXT3000 is one of the best walkie talkies for kids and families because of how reliable it is.

Because it's a GMRS two-way radio + repeater capable so it goes further. This means you can communicate with your crew across longer distances, important if you're on a hike or splitting up to explore.

The GXT3000 also has a super impressive battery life of up to 27 hours so you won't have to worry about recharging too many times throughout your trip. When it is time to recharge, it charges quickly (within 4 hours) with a USB-C cable.

It's great for camping because it is water resistant so if you find yourself in rain or splashing water, you can trust that you'll still be able to communicate when you need it most.

Featuring NOAA Weather Radio and a LED flashlight, this set of walkie talkies is all about safety around the campground.