Family Camping Checklist

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We’ve spent time over the past few years collected camping gear and making our family camping checklist which is super helpful when it comes time to packing. I hope sharing this camping packing list will help your family as you prepare for your future adventures and future camping trips!

Camping Gear

There are so many little things that can greatly improve your camping experience. Leaving one or two things behind can be annoying when you’re in the woods with little access to buy them. We hope using this camping checklist will help you avoid that.

Not every item on this list will apply to everyone. Some people might like sleeping in sleeping bags on the ground while others prefer using sleeping bags on top of an air mattress. Adjust this list to fit your family’s needs.

TIP: Buy a paracord it can be very helpful in hanging tarps, making a clothes line or even making a dog run.

Tent and Stakes
Small Broom and Dustpan
Paracord
Duck Tape
Lighter
Pocket Knife
Extension Cord (50ft or less)
Headlamp
Extra Batteries
Lantern
Flash Lights
Fire Wood
Hammer
Sleeping Bags
Blankets
Pillows
Air Mattress
Tarps
Fire Starter or Starter Logs
Toilet Paper or Flushable Wipes
Camping Chairs
Cooler
Rain Ponchos
Ziploc Bags
Baby Wipes
Paper Towels
Bug Repellent
Bottle Opener and Cork Screw
External Battery
First Aid Kit
Bluetooth Speaker
Sleeping Pads
Kids Sleeping Pads

TIP: When looking for a first aid kit be sure to purchase one that has everything you might need for an outdoor adventures. This is a great one from Amazon.

BUY NOw

Clothes/Toiletries

Hiking Shoes
Flip Flops
Swim Suits (for summer)
Coats, Gloves, Hats (for winter)
Quick Dry Clothing
Socks
Underwear
Hair Bands
Dry Shampoo
Toothbrush and Toothpaste
Hair Brush
Shampoo/Conditioner
Lip Balm
Lotion
Make-up
Floss
Sunscreen

For Cooking

Salt and Pepper
Spatula, Thongs, Spoon, Kitchen Knife
Toothpicks
Foil
Trash Bags
Paper Towels
Utensils
Cups (reusable ones work great)
Coffee Pot
Camping Stove with Propane
Cast Iron Skillet
Tub
Dish Soap
Cleaning Sponge
Dish Towel
Grill Brush
Cooking Spray
Ziploc Bags
Water Bottles or Water Jugs
Reusable Water Bottles

TIP: A camping stove is worth the investment. You can buy a single burner propane stove that will allow you to cook even if you run out of fire wood or if your fire wood gets wet.

For The Pets

Food and Water Bowl
Leash
Ball/Toys
Bed/Blanket

Camping With A Family

Taking the entire family camping is a lot of work but it’s also a lot of fun. We’ve learned over the years that there are so many teaching opportunities that arise when camping. Our girls have learned how to start a fire, pitch a tent, and identify poison ivy. Some life lessons that may be valuable to them one day.

Not included on this list is camping games. We love playing card games like UNO, Phase 10, and Skip-Bo in our tent at night with only the light of our lantern. It’s been a great way to bond together as a family and enjoy our time spent disconnected from electronics.

We hope your family has an incredible time camping together. Please leave a comment below and share your camping stories with us.

TIP: Buy plastic tubs to store all of your camping gear in. This makes it easy to pack and unpack. The tubs are easy to store until our next camping trip. This is also useful if you get rain while camping, all of your gear will be easy to store and protect from the elements.

We hope you’ll enjoy using this camping packing list! Over the years we’ve learned what things are a must-have when camping, especially with a family.