Camping is such a fun exercise, and it’s even more so when you go with the entire family! There are so many things you’re going to want to take with you, however you need to distinguish between what you want to take and what you need to take. In order to make the most of the limited amount of space you have, have the entire family come up with a list of things that are needed for the trip. That way, everyone feels like they’re contributing towards the fun trip ahead. Here are just some of the things that are essentials to pack.

Tent

An obvious one, the tent will house you and your family for the entire trip. If this is your first time camping, make sure you choose a tent that can house all of you comfortably, is durable and sturdy enough to endure all weathers, and is portable. You don’t want your tent to be too heavy so that it’s nearly impossible to walk or hike with.

The tent also includes everything it takes to set it up, like poles and stakes. Usually these are included in the overall tent package, however they’re also packed away in separate bags. This can potentially lead to the poles or stakes not being packed for the trip. Double check to make sure that you’ve packed these for your trip.

Sleeping Bags

The second most essential thing you’ll want to take with you are the sleeping bags. If you have an air mattress that you want to set up so that multiple people can share, that’s great. However if you don’t, sleeping bags are the next best thing. You can always accompany bags with ground pads or camping cots so that you’re not on the immediate ground. Pillows are also good things to bring, so factor in how large those are. There’s the option of getting proper camping pillows if you’re regular campers and want to invest in those.

Toiletries

You definitely don’t want to forget things like toothbrushes and toothpaste. If you’re camping in an area where a convenience store is within walking or driving distance, you’re safe. If you aren’t you definitely don’t want to be deprived of these. Shampoo and conditioner as well as body wash is a necessity, as well as towels and flip flops to protect your feet in the shower stalls. Special camping towels are usually quite small but they’re very absorbent and dry extremely quickly. You can also get special camping soaps that are multipurpose tripling up as a shampoo and conditioner as well.

Cooking and Cleaning Utensils

Cooking utensils take time to clean, especially if you’re not in an area where there’s an abundance of water available. If there is, you have little to worry about. Again, there are things like camping soaps that can also be used for showering, and are also good for cleaning up dirty cutlery. If you plan your meals in advance, you can probably skip some things, such as plates or spoons, to save room on. That way, you have more room to take things like pans and portable stoves.

Drinking Water

Of course, this should come as no surprise. If you’re venturing out into the wilderness and you know you won’t have access to drinking water for a while, make sure you have enough drinking water with you to last. If you don’t, make sure that you pack purification tablets so that the water you come across will be free of any bacteria or microorganisms. Of course, you can always boil the water, but have the purifying tablets there just in case.

Lighter

If you’re thinking about building a campfire, you’ll want to bring a lighter or matches along to make things a little easier. You can bring along your own firewood but if there’s wood around your camping area, there’s no reason why you can’t use it. You might need kindling in order to bring along the fire more quickly, since there’s only so much firewood and sticks can do. You could make this a family activity, where you and your children can look for firewood, or place the kindling in the centre of the firepit as you build up the campfire. A fire extinguisher is also a must on this trip if you don’t know how to properly put out a campfire.

First Aid Kit

There are many things that can happen while camping, so it’s best to come prepared. A first aid kit is one of those things you must bring along. You don’t want to have something occur and not be prepared for it, so it’s best if it stays with you. If you want to be extra prepared, have 2 or more kits brought with you, as well as a larger one in your vehicle for more specialized cases. Here is the basic contents of a camping first aid kit:

● Antiseptic cream

● Adhesive bandages of various sizes

● Butterfly bandages

● Rinse solutions

● Bandaids

● Gauze pads of numerous sizes, and gauze roll

● Medical pads

● Pain medication

● Eye drops

● Sterile wipes

● Scissors

● Tweezers

● Hand sanitizer

● Sunburn relief

● Anti-diarrhea medication

● Antihistamines for allergic reactions

● Triple antibiotic ointment

There are other bits that you can add to this basic kit, like epipens and duct tape, but the above listed are the necessities that you’ll want to have, as they can be adapted and used in most situations. Remember to check your first aid kit before and after your trip so that you can replenish anything that has been used.

While this list is just the beginning, it’s a great starting point and will really get you thinking about all the things you need to bring with you on your camping trip. Remember to pack plenty of snacks because the children will love and appreciate them while you’re hiking out in the wilderness. It will also take their minds off of longer hikes you might do, and pick up their spirits. When you’re not in the camping mood, you can always store it away for the season. Remember to pack clothing for all kinds of weather and have fun enjoying nature with your family!

Contributed by Irene Gotley, Content Manager at Spacer and Parkhound

Camping Essentials For All The Family