Family Camping Packing List (Printable)

Camping with kids is a fun family activity in the summer but preparation is 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 list below (scroll down to the bottom) or download it as a printable here.

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

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

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.

- Glow sticks
- S’mores kit
- Hula hoops
- Guitar
- Song book
- Ghost stories
- Glow frisbee
- Juggling balls
- Camping hammock
- Carabiners
- Rope
- Magnifiers
- Binoculars
- Sky night map
- Bug box
- Drawing kit
- Wildlife guide
- Swim suits
- Towels
- Sunscreen
- Sun hats
- Floaties
- Sun glasses
- Lip balm
- Hand cream