After a ton of camping this summer I’ve learned a thing or two about what to bring… and what to leave behind! Sample mistakes: On our big trip in June I packed way too many clothes – we spent 90% of the time in swim suits. The next trip I forgot the frying pan AND sauce pan so we couldn’t cook at all.
And on our latest camping weekend our drivers licenses weren’t where they were supposed to be and we’d no other photo ID on us, so it was a real headache checking in to the camp site.
I’ve had a list from the start, been adding and scratching out for months now, and have finally whittled it down to the essentials.
Your essentials list will depend on:
This list is based on 2 adults plus 3 children (aged 2 to 6 years old), temperatures of Max: 30C, Min: 15C, cooking breakfast and lunch ourselves (eating dinner out), planning lots of swimming, snorkelling and walking, and staying at a camp site with all facilities.
Basics
Tent
Ground sheet
Rubber hammer
Extra pegs
Bedding
2 double duvets (bulky yes, but worth it for the comfort. We shove them in the space between the back and front seats so the kids can lean forward and rest their heads on them on a long car journey)
2 double and 1 single inflatable mattresses, air pump
5 small cushions (for pillows)
2 double sheets, 1 single sheet
Furniture
2 folding chairs
Fold-away table and chair set (seats 4)
Camping stove
Folding table for stove
Kitchen stuff
Gas for stove
Toaster
Glasses, plates, cereal bowls
Spoons, forks, knives
Can opener, bottle opener, scissors, tongs, vegetable peeler
Chopping board, sharp knife
Frying pan, saucepan
Coffee pot
Cooler with ice packs
Tea towels, paper towels, tin foil
Basin, scrubber, dish soap, wire scrub
Basic food
Pre ground coffee beans, teabags
Nuts/snacks/fruit
Olive oil in plastic bottle
Salt, pepper, sugar
Breakfast cereal
Tins of beans, olives, tomatoes
Wine!
Gallon of water
Clothes
Obviously this will depend on the expected weather but generally I would make sure everyone has at least:
One good warm top
Rain jacket
Sun hat and glasses
Extra pair of footwear
If there are laundry facilities where you are going you might as well plan to make use of these and cut down on the amount of clothes you need to pack.
Activities stuff
Swim suits
Beach umbrella, buckets, spades
Masks, snorkels, arm bands
Hiking boots
Child carrier for hiking
Personal
Towels
Shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, tooth brushes and paste, moisturiser etc.
Nappies, wet wipes, bum cream
First aid
Suncream
Insect repellant
Small mirror
Misc.
Small dustpan and brush
Extension cord (optional)
Torches
Matches/lighter
Toilet paper
Pack of cards, toys, books, frisbee
Phone chargers
Plastic bags
Rope / clothes line
Washing powder
Clothes pegs
Kids backpacks
Maps, guide books
Good to have
Extra gas, spare batteries
And don’t forget!
Your passport or other photo ID – essential for checking-in anywhere in Spain.
Hi there,
Great article about camping. We’ve been putting it off but someday soon. This list you’ve put together is well worth hanging onto, for camping amateurs like our family.
Linda 🙂
Thanks Linda. Good luck with future camping adventures, bet you’ll be a pro in no time! Gra x
Good list. It’s all that little stuff that makes all the difference when far from home.
Great list thanks for taking the time to put it together. Think another essential is picnic blanket for outside tent and also those large yoga type mats for under blow up beds, for cold weather. I’m excited to get our first camping trip organised soon and will certainly be returning to your list.
Thanks.
Cloda.
Good thinking Cloda on mats and picnic blanket. Enjoy your first trip, hope ye get the weather! xx