The Ultimate Family Camping Checklist

Camping season is upon us. The time when you pack up and head into the great outdoors for a little getaway with those you care about. There’s something magical about roasting marshmallows around a campfire, fishing on a quiet morning, taking a hike in the woods, playing in the water, lounging in a hammock, and enjoying some laughs with those you care about.

As you prepare for your next family camping outing, here’s a comprehensive checklist to help ensure you’ve got everything you need for a memorable time. Keep in mind, this isn’t a list for intense backpacking, it’s meant for good, ol’ fashioned tent camping at a campsite with your family or friends.

It’s not suggested you take all 300+ items on the checklist. It simply serves as a reminder to help you make the call on what you and your family need to take along. Whatever you choose to bring, pre-pack and organize most of your gear into storage bins. It will make a world of difference when it’s go time.

Before you leave your house, make sure you…

• Notify someone (family member, friend, neighbor) of your whereabouts and how long you expect to be gone.
• Secure your home. Lock all windows and doors.
• Turn off lights and electronics.
• Check your vehicle (oil, gas, tires, brakes, belts)
• Leave food and water for any pets you leave behind. Have someone check on them.

Things to keep on you

• Cash
• Campsite reservations
• Map
• Any required licenses
• Cell phone
• Driver’s license/ID card
• Watch

Shelter

• RV, camper, or tent (Large enough for your family, suitable for conditions; waterproof)
• Ground Tarp
• Tent poles and stakes (include extras)
• Hammer or rubber mallet
• Sleeping Bag for each person
• Sleeping pads/air mattress/cots for each person
• Air pump
• Pillows
• Extra blankets
• Mat for entrance/exit of tent
• Stake puller
• LED Tent lights

Cooking Supplies

• Coolers for food and drinks
• If fishing, a separate cooler for your catch
• Enough food and drinks for length of outing + number of people
• Plenty of ice
• Large water carriers
• Skewers
• Tin foil
• Can opener with bottle opener
• Camp stove
• Coffee pot
• Mugs for coffee and hot chocolate
• Long butane lighter
• Lighter fluid
• Eating utensils (Stainless steel or plastic – your preference)
• Paper plates
• Paper towels
• Pot holders
• Set of kitchen knives
• Cutting board
• Paper or plastic cups
• Dutch oven
• Griddle
• Spatula
• Large serving spoon
• Measuring cup and spoons
• Mixing bowl
• Tongs
• Frying pan
• Cooking oil/spray
• Tablecloth with clips
• Small funnel
• Food storage containers
• Whisk
• Firewood
• Kindling (I prefer cotton balls dipped in petroleum jelly)

Food Suggestions

(Go for simple, portable, and easy to cook)

• Hot Dogs
• Chips
• Fruit and dried fruits
• Carrots, celery, and other snack-size veggies
• Peanut butter and jelly
• Eggs
• Bacon
• Bread
• Buns
• Butter
• Cheese
• Granola
• Trail Mix/GORP
• Dry cereal
• Bottled Water, sodas, sports drinks, juice boxes, beer
• S’mores – marshmallows, Hershey’s chocolate bars, graham crackers, (Peanut Butter!)
• Sunflower seeds
• Coffee (and any extras you put in it). Try Starbucks Via packets for its convenience.
• Hot chocolate
• Mac-and-cheese
• Salt and pepper
• Preferred spices
• Popcorn (season with salt and/or pepper)
• Condiments (mustard, ketchup, mayo, relish, hot sauce)
• Beef jerky
• Nuts
• Gum
• Lemonade mix
• Pop tarts
• Pancake Mix
• Oatmeal
• Syrup
• Apple Cider
• Herbal Teas
• Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
• Instant oatmeal
• String cheese
• Sandwich Meat
• Pita Bread
• Cooking Oil
• Peanut M&M’s
• Tortillas
• Pepperoni
• Ramen Noodles
• Gum

Gear

• Bungee cords
• 550 Paracord (can never have too much)
• Axe for splitting wood
• Camping saw
• Multi-purpose knife
• Flashlights (1 for each person plus spare batteries)
• Extra batteries for flashlights and other electronics
• Waterproof matches
• Lantern (and lantern fuel or batteries depending on type of lantern)
• Compass or GPS device
• Extra tarps in case of rain
• Whistle
• Insect spray
• Radio
• Folding chairs
• Folding table(s)
• Hammock and rope to hang it up with
• Garbage bags
• Nalgene water bottles/canteens/Camelpack
• Binoculars
• Duct Tape
• Safety pins
• Work gloves
• LED headlamp
• Sewing kit
• Scissors
• Zip-lock bags of various sizes
• Car cell phone charger (charge with engine running)
• Camera
• Tripod
• Citronella candles
• Paper and sharpened pencils
• Portable shower (if campsite doesn’t have one)
• Small shovel
• Map of area
• Clothesline
• Clothes pin
• Basic tools (Pliers, hammer, wrench, screwdriver, scissors, small saw, nails, screws)
• Walkie Talkies
• Sunglasses
• Trekking poles
• Daypack

Clothing

• Bandanna (Read 87 Uses for a Bandana)
• Hiking hat
• Ball cap
• Beanie
• Rain jacket
• Sunglasses
• Sandals
• Wicking underwear
• Wicking undershirt
• Quick drying pants
• Long sleeve shirt
• Fleece top
• Hiking boots/shoes
• Wicking socks
• Hiking sock liners
• Shorts
• Thermal, synthetic long underwear
• Belt
• Heavy coat
• Gloves
• Laundry bag
• Tennis shoes
• Athletic socks
• Running Shorts
• T-shirts
• Sweatshirt
• Swimsuit
• Towel

Cleaning

• Broom
• Dust pan
• Dish soap
• Dish pan
• Dish rags
• Sponge
• Pot scrubber

Toiletries

• Prescriptions
• Vitamins and supplements
• Toilet paper
• First Aid (see below)
• Hand sanitizer
• Gold Bond Powder (You’ll thank me)
• Hand warmer packets
• Pee bottles (for dudes)
• Cotton balls
• Q-tips
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Shampoo
• Floss
• Mouthwash
• Anti-bacterial soap
• Deodorant
• Wet wipes
• Feminine products
• Brush/Comb
• Tissue
• Sunburn ointment
• Diarrhea medication
• Antacids
• Pain reliever
• Chapstick (with sun protection)
• Contact lenses, solution, and case.
• 1 Pair of eyeglasses
• Your personal beautification supplies
•  Wash clothes
• Shaving cream and razor
• Body lotion

Swimming

• Swimsuit
• Flip flops/sandals
• Beach Towel
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Water
• Lounging chair
• Inflatable swimming toys
• Eye goggles
• Swimming fins
• Snorkel

Small Children

• Stroller
• Sippy-cups or bottles
• Clothing (include extras for eventual accidents)
• Diapers
• Baby wipes
• Small bag of favorite toys
• Age-appropriate food and snacks
• Carrier
• Blanket
• Baby/toddler sunblock
• Formula/milk/pump
• Hat (to block sun)
• Coloring books and crayons
• Pack-n-Play
• Back/front baby carrier
• Diaper Bag
• That one toy you can’t go anywhere without

Pets

• Leash
• Food
• Treats
• Collar with tags
• Water dish
• Bone/Toy
• Crate (if used)
• Chain to tie around tree or fixed object

First Aid

• Any personal medications
• Bandages
• Adhesive tape
• Gauze pads
• Water purifying tablets
• Tick kit (tweezers, magnifying glass, film canister (to put tick in), alcohol wipes)
• Bee sting kit (tweezers, wipes, syringe extractor, instant ice pack, and gel-treated pad)
• Safety pins
• Scissors
• Antibiotic ointment
• Allergy medication
• Pain reliever
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Eye drops
• Nail clippers
• Petroleum jelly
• Tongue depressors
• Latex gloves
• First aid manual

Entertainment (Based on your preferences)

• Guitar
• Kayak/Canoe/inflatable boat
• Books and magazines
• Deck of cards
• Cornhole set
• Board games
• Water guns
• Bikes (and helmets)
• Football, baseball gloves and ball, volleyball, basketball, wiffle ball & bat, playground ball
• Kite
• Glow sticks (also helpful for emergency situations)
• Frisbee
• Jump ropes
• Mason jar with lid – For catching bugs
• Puzzles
• GPS for geocaching
• Hackysack
• Art supplies and canvas
• Horseshoes and poles
• MP3 player and headphones
• Pipe, tobacco, tampering tool (For those who enjoy the finer things)

Survival Kit

• Compass
• Map
• GPS device
• Waterproof matches in waterproof case
• Flint striker
• Fire starting tender (cotton swabs with petroleum jelly)
• Whistle
• Paracord
• Space blanket
• 2 large garbage bags
• Lighter
• Metal cup
• Water purification tablets
• Zip lock bags
• Duct tape
• Tea candle
• Safety pin
• Fresnel lens
• Signaling mirror
• Needle and thread
• Wire
• Multi-Tool
• Small flashlight
• Unlubricated condom (for emergency water storage)
• Antibacterial wipes
• Small photo of loved ones

Did you see something we missed? Share it with us in the comments below.