With school holidays upon us we know many families will embark on that old favourite holiday staple - camping. So we’ve put together our essential family camping checklist to help make this busy time a little easier for you. The great outdoors. It's a place underappreciated by many families in today's day and age - whether it's school commitments, work deadlines or extra-curricular activities, it seems like there's always something pulling us away from spending time together in nature. That's what makes camping as a family all the more special - it provides a much-needed opportunity to unplug from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and just enjoy your family in a beautiful setting.
But before you can enjoy all that nature has to offer, there's one important thing you need to do: pack. Camping trips require a bit more preparation than your average weekend getaway, and forgetting even one essential item can ruin the whole experience. That's why we've put together this essential camping checklist to help you remember everything you need to pack for your next trip.
The Essentials
Regardless of the size of your family or camping trip, there are some basic necessities everyone ought to bring when camping.
Gear
Gear refers to the functional equipment needed for camping. In almost all cases, you'll want to pack the following.
Tents (including poles, stakes, and a ground cover)
Hammer and pegs
Air mattresses and pumps
Sleeping bags
Tarps
Torches
Hanging lanterns
Pillows and blankets
Fold-out chairs
Batteries
Kitchenware
No camping trip is complete (or survivable) without some good old-fashioned campfire cooking.
Make sure the following items are on your camping checklist:
Cooking pots and pans
A portable grill or stove
A propane tank
Cooking utensils (spatulas, tongs, knives, forks, etc.)
Dishes and cups
Can opener
Rubbish bags
Cooler
Car refrigerator
Firewood
Lighter fluid
Matches
Cooking oil
Clothing and Bedding
Of course, you'll need to pack clothing and bedding for every person in your family. Make sure to pack for both warm and cold weather, as well as rain.
Jeans or long pants
Shirts
Sweaters or jackets
Undergarments
Socks
Hats
Rain gear
Boots or comfortable shoes
Thongs
Sheets and blankets
Personal Items
Just because you're out in the woods doesn't mean personal hygiene and comfort should go out the window.
Be sure to pack the following:
Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.)
Soap or body wash
Towels
Insect repellent
Sunscreen
First Aid kit
Medical prescriptions
Miscellaneous Essentials
These items are a bit too random to group into a sole category but are important nonetheless.
Storage bags
Compass/GPS
Camera
Duct tape
Umbrella
Notepad and pen
Bikes and toys
Campsite reservation and phone number
Map and area information
The Fun Stuff
Now that you have the essentials covered, it's time to focus on the fun stuff. These items will help make your camping trip more enjoyable for everyone.
Games and Activities
Camping is the perfect opportunity to unplug from technology and enjoy some quality time with family and friends.
Be sure to pack games and activities everyone will enjoy, such as:
Board games
Cards
Wrapped lollies or small toys (for prizes)
Outdoor games (frisbee, cricket, etc.)
Horseshoes
Badminton
Bubbles
Books
Food and Snacks
No camping trip is complete without toasted marshmallows, sausage sizzles and a whole lot of snacks!
In addition to the obvious food items, don't forget to pack:
Condiments (sauce!)
Spices
Marshmallows (and sticks or skewers)
Chocolates and lollies
Crackers and chips
Paper towels
Campfire Stories
One of the best parts of camping is sitting around the campfire telling stories. Make sure you think of some good, scary stories to tell around the fire. If you're feeling extra prepared, you can even bring a portable speaker to play spooky music in the background.
Circumstance-Specific Items
In addition to the essentials and the fun stuff, there are a few other items you may need to include on your list for camping, depending on your specific camping circumstances.
If You're Camping with Kids
If you're camping with young kids, be sure to pack the following and put your dangerous items in childproof containers as you pack:
Extra snacks and drinks
Toys and games
A First Aid kit
Nappies and wipes (if necessary)
Extra clothes
If You're Camping in a Caravan
If you're camping in a caravan, you may not need to pack as many essentials, since your caravan will already have many of the items you need.
However, you'll still need to pack:
Clothes and bedding
Food and snacks
Kitchenware
Games and activities
Toiletries
A First Aid kit
If You're Camping With Pets
If you're camping with pets, don't forget to pack:
Pet food and water bowls
A leash and collar
Bedding
Toys
A First Aid kit
Poop bags
Phew! That's a lot of stuff to remember to pack for your next camping trip. We (naturally) recommend using the Eggy app to both keep track of and set reminders to pack and purchase all the items on this camping packing list. Doing so will help ensure you don't forget anything and that your next camping trip is a great success. Happy camping!