Camping Checklist – 150 Things To Pack For Camping
Looking for a camping checklist? Here’s a comprehensive list of 150 essential camping items to consider packing.
Let’s chat about a camping checklist.
Approximately eight years our family ventured on our first camping trip and it was a DISASTER.
We had torrential rain that weekend, which saw my kids stomping in puddles that were almost knee-deep for my toddler (you can imagine how much I loved that – NOT!).
Then we went again the following year and this time we experienced gale force winds, which howled like a wolf all through the night and saw my kids and I literally praying that our tent wouldn’t get swept away while we were sleeping in it (gosh, who I am kidding? No one was getting any sleep that night).
It was almost enough to turn me off for life, but nope.
Instead I caught the camping bug, after turning a blind eye to those first two crappy trips. Ever since then our family has packed up our bags (and everything else we can’t live without for a week) for a biannual camping trip with more than a half a dozen other families.
We honestly now love it. It’s our escape from the rush-rush lifestyle, our chance to relax and do nothing more but explore, play games and hang out with our friends and family.
Life seems to exist on a different level when we are away camping. The air feels fresher, the days feel longer.
Time especially seems to take on a new meaning when you are away from the daily grind and a home that needs constant attention to keep it in order (nope I don’t miss the non-stop cleaning, ironing, washing up etc. at all).
If it’s your first time camping, please have no fear!
My best advice is: have an open mind about it and enjoy the break.
Go and make some memories with your family.
Relax.
Do nothing.
Stargaze.
Be adventurous.
And most important of all HAVE SOME FUN!
150 THINGS YOU NEED TO TAKE ON YOUR CAMPING TRIP
CAMPING CHECKLIST
BIG ESSENTIALS
TENT – THE MOST IMPORTANT ITEM YOU WILL NEED TO PACK!
NOTE: These are the two Coleman tents I have used and LOVED because I can pretty much set them up on my own! Or at least with minimal help. We started with this 4 person tent and now use this larger 8 person tent.
Tent Pegs
Mats for tent entrance
Hammer/Mallet
Dust pan and brush
Gazebo
Air Mattress/camp stretchers
Sleeping Bags
Sheets
Pillows
Extra Blankets
Trestle table for eating
Smaller table for food prep
Camping chairs
Ground mat
Camp Cupboard
Beach chairs
Extra Tarp & Rope
Gear Repair Kit
CAMPING CHECKLIST
LITTLE ESSENTIALS
Sunglasses
Baby wipes
Plastic bags for dirty laundry
Laundry Detergent
Insect Repellent
First aid kit (see below for more info)
Swimming bag
Swiss army knife
Cash
Credit Card
Daybag
Shower bag/basket
CAMPING CHECKLIST
GADGETS STUFF
Torches
Lantern
Electric Air Pump
Electric power board
Extension cord
Gazebo lights
Phone Charger
Extra Batteries/Electronic Chargers
Video Camera
Digital Camera
Walkie- Talkies – 2 Way Radios
Headphones
Solar powered LED lights
CAMPING CHECKLIST
CLOTHING STUFF
Swimmers
Warm jacket
Long sleeved top
Long pants
T-shirts
Shorts
Comfortable Dresses
Pyjamas
Hat
Bras/Underwear
Extra Socks
Shoes including flip flops and runners
Shower shoes
Beach towels
Bath Towels
Swimming Rash top
Rain gear
Rope for Clothes line
Clothes pegs
CAMPING CHECKLIST
TOILETRIES STUFF
Sunscreen
Body Wash
Shampoo
Conditioner
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Hair Ties
Brush
Deodorant
Razor
Feminine Products
Toilet Paper
Beauty bag (with cleanser/moisturiser)
Scissors
Tweezers/Nail file and clippers
Aloe Vera Cream
Paw paw cream/lip balm
CAMPING CHECKLIST
KITCHEN STUFF
Easy-to-wipe-down Tablecloth
Plates
Bowls
Cups
Serving bowl/dish
Mugs
Forks/Knifes/Spoons
Cooking knife
Frying Pan
Pots If Required
Serving Utensils
BBQ Utensils
Kettle
Toaster
Cutting board
Cling wrap
Aluminium Foil
Aluminium Trays
Napkins
Tissues
Main meal ingredients
Snack foods
Sugar/Salt
Olive Oil Spray
Water bottles
Other drinks
Condiments
Herbal tea
Ziploc Bags
Paper towels
Camp stove
Extra Butane bottles
Matches
Plastic wine glasses
Washing up tub
Washing up liquid
Tea towels
Disinfectant Spray for wiping down table
Garbage Bags
Hand Sanitizer
Cooler / Ice
Water Jug (or 10Litre Water Container for week)
Bottle Opener
Food storage containers
CAMPING CHECKLIST
FUN STUFF
Board Games
Card Games
Books/Magazines
Bikes & Helmets
Scooters
Paper/Pens
Puzzle books
Bluetooth speaker
iPad
Beach boards
Swim floatation toys
Sports Equipment
Sand Mat
Beach umbrella
CAMPING CHECKLIST
BONUS STUFF
Ear plugs
Binoculars
Citronella Candles
Whistle
Mirror
Spade/Bucket
Radio
Picnic rug
Hammock
Umbrella
CAMPING CHECKLIST
FIRST AID KIT ESSENTIALS
This First Aid Kit Essentials list was first included in my post WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY FOR KIDS – a great reference for you too before you and your family go away camping.
Please make sure to include any other important medications that you may need while you are away camping.
-Adhesive bandages in various sizes
-Sterile gauze pads or dressings
-Antiseptic cream or ointment
-Alcohol wipes
-Anti-histamine
-Pain Relievers
-Thermometer
-Elastic bandage
-Pair of scissors
-Non-latex disposable gloves
-Tweezers
-Safety pins
-Insect repellent
-Saline/Distilled water for cleaning wounds
-Cold pack (disposable and instant)
-Hand disinfectant
-Multi-use tool (such as a Swiss Knife)
-List of personal medications
-Notepad and pencil
-Small torch
OOPS!
DID YOU NOTICE SOME UNEXPECTED ITEMS ON THIS CAMPING LIST?
If you are reading this list and thinking “WOW! HER CAMPING EXPERIENCES ARE OBVIOUSLY VERY DIFFERENT FROM MINE IF SHE HAS ACCESS TO ELECTRICITY OR POWER!” I want to put your mind at ease.
No we aren’t just glampers.
While our annual summer camping trip takes place on a powered site, we have absolutely no access to power on our second annual trip.
Oh and have I mentioned the fact that my son has a power wheelchair that needs to be charged every night to run?
To deal with this issue (and the fact that we all want to keep our phones charged in case of an emergency – even though there’s no reception down in the valley) we bring along a generator with us, which has been a total lifesaver.
So please don’t the lack of power stop you from camping. A generator will keep your phone charged, kettle boiling, toast popping, air beds pumped and every other gadget that requires electricity running in the case of an emergency.
Wishing you the best of luck on your camping trip!
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I’m Frances Vidakovic – a mindset & action coach for quietly ambitious women who want to stop overthinking and finally take aligned action. I help women achieve their goals and follow through on what matters, without sacrificing their sanity or soul.
