The ultimate camping list for a family trip – free printable
There’s a lot to be said for a family camping trip. The bonding effect of getting back to nature in a tent can be a great way for the family to re-connect. And it’s a budget friendly means to enjoy new sights and experiences together. Being prepared is key to a happy family camping holiday. Whether you go for a summer adventure or a quick weekend away you’ll still need to plan ahead for a trouble-free trip. So here’s our ultimate camping list: a checklist of family camping essentials that’s free to download and print.
Spring and summer is the perfect time to get in touch with nature and the countryside on a family camping trip. Even in the autumn, a weekend away, scrunching through leaves on woodland walks or catching a glowing sunset at the seaside is a brilliant antidote to term time stress.
Halfords got in touch to tell us about the family camping guide on their website. It includes places to stay, recipes for campfire cooking, even a playlist, with tips for beach lovers, sightseers and adventurous families.
The Essential Family Camping Checklist
We haven’t done much camping ourselves, unless you count campervan’ing, which arguably is cheating as it doesn’t involve a tent. But, some of Map and Family’s contributors are practically professionals! So with their help I’ve drawn up the ultimate everything-but-the-kitchen-sink family camping checklist for a holiday of a week or more.
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This isn’t any old packing list for camping. It’s the tried and tested result of years of holidays in the UK and Europe with children and teens. And we road-tested it during one of Cornwall’s famous four-seasons-in-one-day summer weeks. Here are a few tips to give you a taster:
Family Camping Checklist Top Tip #1
If you’re camping in the UK always pack wellies for everyone. No matter how sunny it might be when you’re loading the car.
Family Camping Checklist Top Tip #2
Prepare a simple meal in advance and pack it last. This way it will be easy to reach so you can eat effortlessly when you arrive at the campsite.
Family Camping Checklist Top Tip #3
Pack a big flask of hot water so that when you arrive you can have a decent cup of tea before you set about pitching the tent.
Family Camping Checklist
Getting ready for any trip can be stressful. But a proper packing list for camping will go a long way to speeding up the process. Our list of family camping essentials is printable so you can carry it around the house or even take it shopping. Then on departure day tick off items as you load them into the car so you don’t leave the torches or wet wipes behind.
For online shopping help, Halfords stocks lots of camping essentials too.
Is there anything we’ve forgotten? Please check out our list and tell us in the comments below.
With special thanks to Rachel and family for their expertise in drawing up the list. And to Yvonne and family who road-tested it!
Click here to download and print MapandFamily’s ultimate Family Camping Checklist
This is a sponsored post in association with Halfords. All content and opinions are my own and I will only ever mention products and services which I believe are relevant and useful to mapandfamily.com’s readers.
I love the idea of preparing your first meal in advance – makes that first night so much easier 🙂
Thanks Helen, yes it just means it’s one less thing to worry about when you’re setting up. Especially if it’s something you can heat up easily 😀
I have been suggesting this to people for ages! So glad to see that there are other people who also think ahead 🙂 It just makes setting up that much more peaceful. We usually make past to take with as the sauce can easily be heated in a pot as can the pasta. I just “Pre cook” the pasta so that it take 2 minutes instead of 15.
Love this handy list! Definately something we will be using
Ah,thank you Mary, glad it’s useful
I loved going camping with my son when he was younger, just never done it once my twins came along! Great list and very helpful
Thanks Stephanie, after putting the list together I’m quite keen to give it another go!
I haven’t been camping in years but this looks like a fab list and super useful for anyone planning on going with their family x
Glad you think it’s helpful, thanks Nadia!
This is a great list. My Husband keeps trying to talk me into camping by our car is just too small at the moment.
Thanks and yes, you’d need a bit of space in the car if you’re taking all the contents on the list plus people! But this is for a longish trip – you could edit it down for a weekend away?
We are yet to camp as a family. I am looking forward to that. Halfords is great for camping essentials.
Yes, they stock lots of things that are on the list. Hope you have a great trip when you do go!
Great tips. I always forget something important no matter how prepared I am
Oh Kara, so do I! Usually it’s something small but really obvious – it’s why I rely on lists!
I love a good list! Another one won’t hurt especially since it helps me save time!!!
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I love a list too! It makes me feel extra-organised even if it’s a long list of things to do!
The perfect check list for me as we are off camping in a few weeks for the weekend.
Excellent! I hope it’s helpful and that you have a lovely time.
I’m not much of a camper, but these have actually made me want to go. I love the idea of getting back to nature and spending quality time as a family!
Thanks Emma, that’s great to hear!