A Camping Packing List

Packing for your first (or any) family camping trip can be a bit overwhelming. Here's an abridged version of the list I use when our family of six goes camping. You can use it as a jumping off point for your own list, just save it to your computer, customize it, and print it out.

I have it in an Excel spreadsheet, in 3 columns. [Item], [Got] & [Packed] (Where [Got] & [Packed] are tick boxes.)

Shelter

• Tent
• Stakes, poles, mallet for pounding stakes
• Sand stakes (if you’re camping near the water)
• Doormat: For wiping off muddy feet before entering the tent. (We often use an old towel for this)
  
• Ground cloth: To put under the tent to protect the bottom. (As well as keeping the thorns out of your air mattress)
  
• 2 tarps: You can never have too many tarps. You can use them to protect the floor of your tent or create an awning over a doorway or picnic table.
• Broom/dustpan: For keeping your tent clean
• Gazebo (We have an "instant up" one)

For Sleeping

• Sleeping bags, sleeping pads or airbeds (Remember to include the air blower for your mattress)
  
• Pillows & extra pillowcases
• Sheets: for light warmth on a hot night, or they can double as a picnic blanket.
• Extra blankets/comforters: For cold nights.
• Air mattress patch kit

Utility

• Lantern with fuel or batteries: Take your pick or bring both kinds. (If you choose a fuel lantern, a chain to hang it from a tree is a nice extra).
• Extra lantern bulbs, flashlight bulbs, lantern mantles etc.
• Flashlights: Bring smaller sizes for the kids.
• Battery-operated radio: Good for checking the weather.
• Hatchet/folding shovel/folding saw/bow saw: You may or may not need these. (I have an all in one)
  
• Bungee cords
• Duct tape (An essential. Put a roll in your car now!!)
  
• Lantern funnel
• Leatherman / Swiss army knife
• Compass
• Adjustable wrench & pliers (If you don't have a Leatherman)
• Scissors
• Rope (I take 3 or 4 x 10 metre lentghs of ski rope here)
  
• Seam sealer

Kitchen Stuff

• Cadac gas bottles & stove top (we have 2 of each)
• Cooler & ice
• Thermos
• Tablecloth & clips
• Bottle opener/corkscrew/scissors
• Spatula /vegetable peeler/cheese grater/serving utensils
• Utensils-forks/knives/spoons: Look for heavy duty plastic ones in the camping section
• Plates/bowls/cups & mugs: We usually bring plastic and wash them, you could also use paper
• Aluminum Foil
• Rubbish bags (big & small)
• Nylon or copper scrubber: For scouring pots, these work better than steel wool.
• Paper towels
• Pot holders
• Kettle: Makes it easier to boil and pour water for hot chocolate, tea, and coffee. (Note: If you get a big kettle, it will take about 15 minutes to boil.... The smaller, the better)
  
• Pots with lids: Pack at least two.
• Frying Pan: Get a cast iron one if you can, it’ll be worth it
• Funnel
• Big stainless steel bowl: For mixing, serving, washing, serving crisps, you name it.
• Cutting boards: For both meats and vegetables.
• Braai fork/spatula/tongs: If you’ll be cooking over the fire, bring the right tools.
• Sharp knife
• Biodegradable dish wash soap
• 2 dish pans: One for washing, one for rinsing.
• Dish towels & dish cloths

For the Campfire

• Matches or other flame starters
• Fire lighters: Buy them or just stuff empty paper towel rolls with newspaper.
• Heavy gloves
• Wood: If you can spare the car space to pack your own, you’ll save money.

Keeping clean

• Nail brush
• Toilet paper
• Bath towels & washcloths
• Small mirror
• Solar shower: If your campground doesn’t have a shower, these are great. Even if the campground has them, the kids love ours.
  
• Biodegradable soap/shampoo
• Toiletries
• Clothesline & clothespegs (Our emergency ski rope doubles as a clothes line)

First aid/Safety

• Cell phone & charger (Remember that 2 pin plug - We have car chargers for all of ours)
  
• Water filter
• Bugspray & citronella candles
• Calamine lotion
• Lip balm
• Sunscreen
• Instant cold pack
• Hand sanitizer
• Whistles
• Eye wash
• Safety pins
• Emergency blanket
• Maxi pads/gauze pads: Good for large wounds.
• Tweezers
• Butterfly closures/bandages/tape & non-adhesive bandagesc ointment & wipes
• Tylenol/infant Tylenol
• Ear buds
• Safety pins

Entertainment/Toys

• Reading material
• Ball
• Games/cards
• Toys
• Glow sticks
• Frisbee/kites/other sports equipment
• Pen & paper/markers/crayons/stickers/other craft supplies
• Camping chairs

Nature

• Binoculars/small telescope/water nets
• Fishing gear
• Bug jars. Buy or make your own out of a peanut butter jar (punch holes in the lid).
• Nature guides
• Hiking packs
• Hiking boots

We start camping planning about 10 days before we leave, with lists and menus. We dedicate a part of the lounge to our "Camp Pile", making sure whe have everything before we pack it in the trailer. I also check all the electrical bits and make sure we have gas in the Cadac bottles.......