Planning & Packing for a Whole Family Camping Trip

Family Camping Checklist

Once you’ve found a great camping destination and blocked off your family calendar, creating a camping checklist is the next step to planning a perfect family vacation. Whether you’re an experienced camper or are camping with your kids for the first time, you’ll want to make sure you have all your basics covered. Making a vacation packing list is important for any trip, but especially before venturing into the great outdoors.

• First aid kit. Safety should be a top priority when camping, and a first aid kit will take care of any minor cuts and burns.
• Tent. Unless you’ve booked a cabin or plan to bring a trailer, you’ll need to choose a tent to fit your family. Practice setting it up at home before your family camping trip.
• Pocketknife. A pocketknife comes in handy often on a camping trip and many knives come with other handy tools like corkscrews.

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• Flashlights and extra batteries. Staying outside in the dark can be scary, especially for kids. Flashlights allow you to see your surroundings at night and when getting ready for bedtime.
• Maps. Your smartphone might have GPS but it’s a good idea to pack a physical map as well. You might not have a strong signal where you’re camping or hiking.
• Sleeping bags and pillows. Make sure to bring everything you need for a comfortable camping bed.
• Matches and lighters. Matches and a fire starter make setting up a campfire easy. Keep these items away from your kids while packing and on your trip.

Clothes

The clothes you bring on a family camping might be different than your everyday outfits. Prepare for a variety of activities and weather conditions with comfortable clothes and shoes.

• Clothes for walking or hiking. Pack clothes you can exercise in and that you won’t mind getting dirty. A good rule of thumb is to pack one outfit for each day of travel per family member.
• Sleepwear. Don’t forget to pack pajamas. Include options for warm and cool weather, as the temperature can change easily.
• Swimsuits and rainwear. If you’re camping near a lake or stream, your kids will love being able to jump in after a hot day. Don’t forget to bring a rain jacket and an extra outfit in case of bad weather.
• Hiking shoes. Depending on where you’re camping, you might be able to wear comfortable athletic sneakers instead.
• Extra layers. Even during the summer, many camping spots cool off significantly at night. Bring extra layers like vests or jackets and smaller items like gloves and hats.

Personal Care

When you’re camping miles away from the nearest town, you won’t be able to purchase essential items easily. Remember to pack all of the personal care items you might need for the day and for getting ready for bed.

• Sunscreen
• Insect repellant
• Hand sanitizer
• Prescription medications
• Over-the-counter medicine like pain relievers
• Toiletries like toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and shampoo

Food and Cooking

Depending on the campsite you choose, you might need to bring supplies to cook your own meals. Look online to see if some items will be available at the site or in your cabin.

• Stove and fuel
• Firewood and fire starters
• Frying pan and pot
• Sticks for roasting marshmallows, hot dogs, and vegetables
• Spatula and other cooking utensils
• Cooler with ice
• Plates, cups, and cutlery
• Aluminum foil
• Corkscrew
• Trash bags
• Dishtowels and paper towels

You should also pack plenty of food for your trip, including camping snacks your kids will love.

• Meals. Choose prepackaged camping meals or bring a variety of meat and veggies. If you bring a pot with you, you can even make items like pasta or rice.
• Water. Your campsite might have a water source, but if not you’ll want to bring a large supply of water jugs and reusable water bottles.
• Snacks. You’ll want a variety of snacks for your family camping trip, including options that won’t go bad after a few days. Bring chips, crackers, nuts, fruit, granola bars, or trail mix.
• Other items. Once you’ve packed the basics to fuel your family, don’t forget the items that make camping even more fun. Remember all of the ingredients for s’mores and instant hot chocolate or coffee.

Entertainment

A good camping with kids checklist isn’t complete without considering fun. Although the campsite and nature will be plenty entertaining, it’s a good idea to bring games and activities for the whole family to enjoy.

• Fishing gear
• Bubbles
• Books
• Colorful chalk
• Soccer or footballs
• Card games
• Binoculars

Family camping trips make for fun vacations with plenty of quality time, but whether you stay close to home or plan a multi-country trip, you’ll need to be prepared before heading into the great outdoors. Plan for a successful trip by packing with a family camping checklist.