Family camping essentials [+ free checklist to download]

Even though I am a late adopter of family camping, and our very first experience of camping as a family was an absolute farce (I’ll tell you more about that another time) I want to make similar memories to those I have from my childhood for my three children. I have such fond memories of making friends and camping and caravanning spots around the east coast of the UK and northern France.

After a painfully steep learning curve, we usually camp without electricity for maximum adventure, and we love those sites around the UK where you can pitch where you like, and make your spot into your little home from home. Think bunting, fairy lights, kitchen area, washing area, sleeping area. We do make sure our trips are as comfortable and hygienic as possible, so we always take a few home comforts like a portable toilet and nice bedding.

However, we do not have infinite room in our car boot, so we have to be clever with what we take, and everything has to have a purpose! Our family camping essentials checklist will come in handy whilst packing your absolute don’t forget items, so make sure you pin this post or download the checklist to print out for yourself. It’s absolutely free, so scroll down to get your copy or download below…

Free family camping essentials checklist

Download this free checklist with all your essential camping items so you never forget anything ever again!

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The ultimate checklist for family camping essentials

What absolute essential items do you need on a camping trip? Instead of you having to think of your own list, this is mine that I use time and time again to make it easier to pack! So, let’s get stuck in…

Setting up your camp

Tent
Tent poles (if they are in a separate bag to the tent – easily forgotten!)
Tent pegs
Mallet
Tent Carpet/Rug
Awning/Porch
Windbreak
Doormat
Dustpan & brush

Sleeping essentials

Sleeping bags
Pillows
Spare blanket per person
Your beds of choice (i.e airbed, camp bed, self-inflating sleeping mat)
Air pump (the ones you can plug into your car are good, and save some sweat!)
Equipment repair kits

Camping furniture

Camping Chairs
Folding Table
Storage Unit
Toilet (I don’t go anywhere without my portable loo! They are so handy when camping with a family – who wants to treck to the toilet block at 3am?)

Kitchen and cooking essentials for camping

Kitchen
Water carrier
Thermal flasks
Stove
Fuel (gas, coal, wood, etc.)
Matches or lighter
Plates and bowls
Cutlery
Kitchen foil
Paper towels
Bin bags
Washing up liquid
Containers for food
Tupperware boxes for leftovers
Pots and frying pans
Kitchen knife
Wooden spoon
Seive/colander/sieve spoon
Serving spoon
Tin opener
Bottle opener
Corkscrew – we used tent pegs and a mallet to un-cork a bottle of wine last time when we forgot the corkscrew – so unless you want to look like a desperate alcohol-swigging crazy person, don’t forget the corkscrew 😀
Scissors
Vegetable peeler
Oven glove
Mugs/cups
Salad/Mixing bowl
Cutting board
Cool box
Ziplock bags
Washing up bowl
Tea towels
Scourers
Cooking oil
Seasonings/spices/condiments/sugar (I find small sachets or tiny pots very handy – I save them up over the year for our camping trips!)
Hot chocolate/teabags/coffee

Camping clothing must-haves

Wellies
Flipflops or sliders (for the showers!)
Sun hat
Rain gear
Swimming kit

Family camping cleaning essentials

Towels
Face cloth (get one that removes dirt and makeup with only water – very handy indeed.)
Normal Shampoo
Handwash
Shower gel
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Deodorant
Comb/brush
Razor
Sunscreen
Lip balm
Toilet paper
Hand/baby wipes
Nappies

Don’t forget these other camping essentials

Camping towels (the ones that are thin and dry really quickly)
Water bag with a tap (great to set up a hand-washing station)
Portable potty
Medication
Supplements
Cards/games/toys/balls/frisbee
Tablet
Device chargers
Bluetooth speaker
Bikes/helmets
Electric hook-up cable
Battery power packs
Notepad/pen
Torches/Lanterns/solar fairy lights/head torches (I find you can’t take too many lighting solutions!)
Extra batteries/bulbs
Insect repellent/candles
Water filters/purification
Rucksack
Washing powder
Clothes Pegs
Collapsible clothes drying rack
Rope/clothesline
Safety pins
Sunglasses
First aid kit
Pocket knife/multi-tool
Water bottles
Umbrella
Pocket sewing kit

Download our free family camping essentials checklist

This family camping essentials checklist comes in very handy when you’ve got excited children flying around; trying to sabotage your packing mission!