There’s never a time when making a checklist is more appropriate than before embarking on a family camping trip. Unless you’re going to a campsite, you’ll likely be pitching up your tent in the great outdoors – away from civilization. In this case, you won’t be anywhere near a store to top up your supplies! For this reason, it’s important to have all your essentials in order before heading out. With such a vast array of essential items to remember, packing for a camping trip may appear to be daunting. This ultimate family camping checklist will help make your trip run as smoothly as possible!
Camping Gear – the most important items in the family camping checklist
Without remember the following, you may as well turn around and head back home! This is the main section of our family camping list as without camping gear, you cannot camp!
No matter if you’re wild camping or taking advantage of a comfortable campsite, you will need the following to get by.
Camping gear essentials include:
- Tent(s): This may be obvious, but you’d be surprised at one some people leave behind! Make sure you have sufficient tent space for the size of your family. It’s worth pitching up in the garden and trying your tent out for size before setting out for the camping site.
- Tent poles and stakes: Again, it’s worth pitching your tent before leaving to see if you have all the essential parts. Tent poles and stakes are vital to the structure and stability of the tent, so buy spares if required.
- Tent repair kit: This can help cover up patches or repair damaged tent poles – a very helpful piece of kit.
- Sleeping bags: Enough for the whole family. Again, test these out priorly, as kids tend to grow out of sleeping bags quickly. Especially if you’re heading somewhere with a cool night climate.
- Sleeping pads: Of a comfortable length, ideally so that the entire body has padding.
- Pillows: Although they may not appear to be essential, you will thank yourself for bringing them!
- Lantern: Phone lights do not suffice in the middle of the night – you need a camping light to see properly.
- Blankets: Plenty of. Unforeseen chills can occur when camping under the stars, and you’ll want to keep your family as warm as possible. Sometimes, sleeping bags do not do the job.
- Camping chairs: Another often forgotten essential. There’s only so long you can sit on rocks and logs! Camping chairs are a must-have for wild camping.
- Matches/lighter: Presumably, you’ll be needing to light a fire.
General camping must-haves
The following items could be included in any family packing list but are even more befitting on this family camping checklist. These are items that keep the family entertained, solves problems as they arise, and generally ensure that your camping trip goes as smoothly as possible!
- Portable charger(s): If you’re not going on a digital detox, you and your family will have plenty of digital items that require regular charging. Especially when wild camping, you want your phone to be fully charged throughout, in case of emergency.
- Batteries: In case your flashlight, or any other electronic item, goes out in the middle of the woods.
- Disinfectant spray: There are no sinks in the woods, so be sure to top op on plenty of disinfectant spray as well as wipes.
- Bug spray: You’ll likely meet plenty of mosquitos while camping – be sure to have the right supplies to deter them.
- Sun cream: For summer camping trips, sun cream is a must-have. Sleeping in a hot tent can be difficult enough, let alone when you have sunburn!
- Map of location: Nobody wants to be lost in the wood, especially while lugging camping gear around. If you have an ideal camping area in mind, be sure you know how to get there directly.
- First-aid kit: The wild is home to all kinds of unforeseen hazards. It’s best to be extra stocked up in medical supplies.
- Water bottle: You’ll most likely encounter plenty of drinking water sources while out camping.
- Camera: Capture your best camping spots to preserve the memories and reference to later.
Toiletries
Personal hygiene can and should still be maintained, no matter if you’re in the middle of a campsite or the great outdoors.
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Dry/ biodegradable wash soap
- Toilet paper
- Prescription medicine
- Cosmetics
- Washcloth
- Face wipes
- Lip balm
- Waterproof toiletries bag
Clothing – a family camping checklist for all seasons
What clothing to bring depends on what season you’re going camping. Given that this is a family camping trip, you are unlikely going to be pitching a tent in a dead of winter, it is assumed you will be going in the summer months. Or, at the very most, late spring or early autumn.
Reference this family camping checklist for a general insight on what to pack clothes-wise.
- Underwear: Not just pants and socks. Be sure to pack extra thermal underwear. This can help both in the day and at night if things get too cold.
- Waterproof clothing: Waterproof jackets, trousers, and shoes. You’re camping trip may be a washout, but it doesn’t have to ruin it! A padded waterproof jacket would be a good idea, in case it gets cold at night.
- Hiking boots: Especially if you’re camping out in the woods. Something durable that has traction on a variety of terrains.
- Crocs/flip-flops/sliders: Footwear that can be easily put on for walking around the campsite.
- Hats and gloves: Especially with unpredictable weather, hats and gloves can be a huge help.
- Swimwear: If near a lake, river, or the ocean! There’s nothing like starting the day in the water after a night in the tent.
Kitchenware
While camping, you can’t exactly whip up a gourmet meal – but you can make some pretty tasty basics, which is what this family camping checklist aims to reflect.
- Stove: Making a fire is an intrinsic part of the camping experience, however, if you need something boiled quickly, or cooked separately from the rest of the food, a portable stove is a handy device to have.
- Frying pan and pots: To be used over the fire or on the stove.
- Kitchen utensils: A cheap spatula, cooking spoon, and tongs will do.
- Reusable cutlery and plates: Cut down on your waste as much as possible by avoiding paper plates.
- Tinfoil: For cooking extra special campfire dishes.
- Portable cafetiere: Waking up in the woods to a fresh coffee is a great sensation.
- Travel mugs and cups: To drink the coffee in!
- A sponge and kitchen soap: Don’t forget that you’ll have to clean the kitchenware too!
- Bottle and can opener: So that you don’t have to resort to using a rock to open your tin of beans!
- Roast sticks: For meat or marshmallows.
Enjoy your camping trip!