Family Camping Packing Check List (Free Printable)

Camping with kids is a fun family activity in the summer, but the camping packing checklist and preparation are definitely not the best part. What should you take and what do you need? If you’re camping for the first time or camping infrequently, a checklist is the best way to keep track of the essentials and not forget what you need. Obviously, every family is different and you will want to add or remove items but this family camping packing list includes the most popular items. It’s a good starting point if you’re camping with school-age kids. Depending on where, how long and in what weather you are camping, this list is entirely flexible.

I’ve sorted items in four categories. You can view the full camping packing check list below (scroll down to the bottom) or download it as a printable here.

Camping Food | Kitchen

Food is the soul of a family camping trip. Whether you’re cooking at dinnertime or prepping breakfast in the morning, you need to have everything you need handy. My kitchen packing list includes:

Cooktop (make sure you try it at home or bring instructions, in case you don’t know how to connect the fuel or switch it on)
Fuel (Propane)
Matches
Family pot (1 quart/liter minimum)
Skewers
Camp cups
Frying pan or griddle
Knife
Salt & Pepper
Olive oil
Cutting board
Cutlery
Camp plates/bowls
Refillable water bottles
Cool box
Kitchen cloths/paper towels
Food (here’s a list of camping breakfast ideas)
Sugar/Cinnamon
Tea/Coffee/Chocolate
Pancake mix (store-bought or DIY)
Ziploc bags
Garbage bags

Camping Tent

This section of the packing list includes everything you will need to set up camp and sleep, apart from the tent.

Inflatable mattresses
Sleeping bags
Lantern/night light with hook
Head lamps
Pillows
Bug repellent
Books/Kindle
Underwear
Quick dry outfits
Socks
Windbreaker
Fleeces
Blanket
Crocs/Slip-on shoes
Wool hat
Gloves
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Deodorant
Small bath towel
Bar soap/shampoo

Camping Gear

This section of the camping packing list includes everything that you will need in terms of hardware and outdoor gear.

Camera/extra batteries
Portable charger
Head lamps
Multitool
Duct tape
Scissors
Rope
Hiking boots
Backpack
Maps
Water bottles
Climbing gear
Fishing gear
First aid kit
Emergency blanket
Tweezers
Rain poncho
Waterproof camera
Walking sticks
Knife
Compass
Toilet paper + Ziploc bag

Fun

Last but not least, this section of the camping packing list is all about having fun. Whether you’re planning on hiking, swimming or stargazing, you deserve to kick back and relax.