This camping checklist will take out all the uncertainty and provide you with an inventory of all the items you need to enjoy a comfortable night away from home with your family. We have young children – ages 7, 5 & 1 so we want to make exploring the outdoors and nature as relaxed as possible.
Camping Checklist
**You can find a printer friendly version at the bottom of the post.
HOME AWAY FROM HOME
1. Tent
Consider the size and height when purchasing as some are quite low inside.
2. Air bed / self inflating mattress – or some form of bedding.
You can go as cheap or as expensive as you like. You can purchase air mattresses from stores like Kmart for $10 or a $200 self inflating mattress from a camping store.
3. Sleeping bags / blankets & pillows
4. Camping Chairs
5. Flooring
This can be anything from shade cloth to foam pads so when you walk in and out of the tent you don’t take dirt/sand with you.
6. Awning / gazebo
This can be as lavish or as simple as you like. A pop up gazebo, framed awning or even tarp with 4 poles.
COOKING
1. Barbeque plate
If you are new to camping it might be a good idea to camp somewhere with amenities, tables, showers and barbeques. There are a lot of great options available for beginners. I have shared our experience on the blog previously about camping at Lake St Clair, it is one of our favourite places to camp with the kids.
2. Pan
3. Plates & cups
4. Cutlery
5. Utensils
6. Chopping board
7. Folding table
Not essential but once you have one you will never go without it.
8. Welding gloves
These are great if you are cooking over an open fire because they protect your hands from burns.
FIRE
1. Fire wood
2. Kindling
3. Paper
4. Matches/lighter
FOOD
1. No one is too good for a snag wrapped in bread and sauce but it is ultimately up to you what you eat.
2. Marshmallows
3. Oil
4. Condiments – sauces
5. Salt and pepper
6. Snacks
7. Drinks – including lots of water
8. Ice
9. Esky
TOOLS
1. Mallet
To hit tent pegs in.
2. Shovel
To stoke fire (turn coals/roll logs in the fire)
3. Axe
If purchasing pre-packaged wood and kindling this is not as essential. Use for wood preparation.
4. Torches / Lanterns
5. Marshmallow sticks
CLEANING UP
1. Bucket
2. Tea towels
3. Wetwipes
4. Paper towel
5. Spray & Wipe
6. Dishwashing Liquid
This is depending on your camping duration. If we only camp for 1 night we give everything a good rinse and wash it when we get home.
FOR THE KIDS
1. Frisbees
2. Bikes
3. Ball
4. Fishing gear
5. Cricket equipment
6. UNO cards
ESSENTIALS
1. Sunscreen
2. Aeroguard
3. ParaKito
4. First Aid Kit
5. Cash for camping fees
If you haven’t been camping before and are just starting to look into it – look for sales and research prior to making any purchases. You will be amazed at how much you can save.
I hope this camping checklist has helped you get organised and ready for your 1st or next trip away. You can print out a tick and flick version of my camping checklist (without the notes under items or images) so you can ensure you leave nothing behind.
Do you think there should be something else in my checklist?
Have you forgotten something when you went camping?
PRINT >> Camping Checklist – Printable Version.