Family Camping Essentials Checklist

Family Camping Essentials Checklist that you may never want to forget.

This listing includes essentials that you and your family may need when heading out on a camping holiday.

Family Camping Essentials Checklist

This list features the items that you may never want to forget when you go camping with your family.
I like that this list also features the things that are essential and that I may easily forget to pack.

Did you see my article 25 Ways to Make Family Hikes Fun?

Going camping usually means that there will be some family hikes.
Those 25 tips can come in handy for you.

There are many great ideas out there that may make your camping trip easier and more enjoyable. You can find some good camping items here.

This checklist is for anyone asking how do I go camping with my family.

Even if you have camped or even been on vacation before as a family, it is always a good idea to have a list.
This is because we all know how confusing and chaotic things can get when planning an event such as a family trip.

Keeping a list of what to pack for your camping trip helps to keep things organized.

You can easily check things off from the list as you pack them.
Also, you can easily edit the list, adding or removing items as needed.

Packing is a balance of including essentials while not overpacking.

Pack the essentials first.
Then pack the extras that may be nice to have with you.
 
Do your research first to find out if there is electricity, what kind of bath and bathing is available and if there are stores nearby if needed.
 
Plan your menu ahead of time to determine what pots, pans, and utensils you will need to cook those meals and leave the rest at home.
Lastly, do a dry run of packing before you pack for the actual trip to determine how much room you have left after packing the items that you are taking with you.

Tips for packing for a camping trip.

 
Besides making a list and planning meals a head of time, consider the needs of your family.
That is, what essential items does your family or a family member need that other camping families may not need.

 
The five categories for packing for a camping trip.

1. Campsite Gear- this includes what you will need for sleeping, sitting and seeing (lights).
2. Eating Gear- everything needed for eating. Includes food, cooking items, items needed for eating, and fire building items.
3. Clothing and Hiking items- extra clothing for weather and elements such as socks, long sleeved shirts and undergarments.
4. Self Care Items- includes items that you may use or have in your bathroom at home including emergency first aid kits, toothpaste, and of course, toilet paper.
5. Activity items- your hiking items, puzzles, bikes, etc.

Essential Campsite Gear for family camping.

This is focused around sleeping and living. Think sleeping bags and tents here.

Include the essential items that your family needs.

• Sleeping Bags
• Tent(s)
• Mallet
• A tarp or other kind of ground cover.
• Linens such as towels.
• Pillows.
• Blankets.
• Camping Chairs.

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You may also be interested in these ideas.

Eating Gear essentials for camping.

This includes everything that you will need to cook, prepare, and eat meals.
While it is not something that you should eat, I would suggest that you have plenty of sanitizer or handwipes to keep things as sanitary as possible.
 
These items can be stored in a large bin that go with you every time you go camping.
 

• Camping specific plates, cups, napkins, and utensils.
• Dish soap if you are not using disposable.
• Garbage bags.
• Prep knives, spoons, ladles, a collapsible dish drainer, and cutting boards that can be easily cleaned.
• Cooking Gear such as easily packable pots and pans.
• Camping stoves, propane or butane.
• Coolers.
• Matches, lighters and similar items for campfires.
• Water (possibly the one thing you can never have enough of).
• Food, especially the nonperishable kind.
• Do not forget the can openers too!

 
Bringing bottled water is the easiest way to carry water on your trip.

 
If you plan on using a campground water source, you may need to sterilize it first. This can be done by simply boiling the water or bring a portable water filter.
 

Clothing and Hiking Gear essentials.

 
Think about the weather when packing.
Pack great for rain, sun, bugs, cold, or warm weather as needed.
 
Clothing to include for a camping trip.
 

• Weather appropriate clothing (check the forecast)
• Waterproof jacket or windbreaker
• Waterproof thermal leggings and long sleeve shirts are always great to have.
• Shirts in different sleeve lengths.
• Swimsuits.
• Extra undergarments.

 
Hiking essentials.

• A whistle is still something good to have .
• Binoculars.
• String.
• Hiking boots and socks.
• Sunglasses.
• A knife or a multitool.
• A small first aid kit is a must for family hiking!
• If needed, snakebite anti-venom

Self Care Items to bring on a trip.

If it is something that you keep in your medicine cabinet or bathroom, it is probably an item that could fit this category.
 
Remember these items if needed.
 

• Bug Spray.
• Sanitary items.
• Shampoo for camping and Soap.
• Toothpaste and brush.
• Hair brush and comb
• Medications including antacids, allergy meds, acetaminophen, etc.
• Phone chargers, extra cords, and backups.

Also do not forget to pack these items...

• Pocket Knife
• Firewood.
• Clothesline and clips if you will be staying a while.
• Tablecloth.
• Duct tape (put this in your bin that always goes with you).
• Pocket Knife.
• Camping Flashlights and Lanterns.
• MultiTool.
• Batteries.
• Insect Repellant.
• First Aid Kit.
• Sunscreen.
• Umbrellas.
• Roasting Sticks.
• Hats.
• Swimsuits.
• Anything needed to prepare wood for a fire.

Family Camping Essentials Checklist, an essential listing of most everything that you should not forget when camping as a family.