Family Camping Checklist

We have just returned from a six day car camping trip with our three little children (ages 5, 3 and 1) at Kokanee Creek Provincial camp ground for the awesome Jam Camp! It was our longest camping trip as a family of five and while camping with little children has its challenges it really helped to be organized. A couple weeks before leaving I purchased two large clear plastic bins. One bin was for food prep items and the other was for daily living items and dry food. Below I’ve compiled a list of items that we brought (*or wish we had brought) on our camping trip. Keep in mind that the list below is a for car camping with little children so it isn’t your minimalist packing checklist.

Sleep + Shelter
Waterproof tent + footprint + stakes
Mattresses
Sleeping bags + an extra bag or blanket (accidents happen)
Pillows
Portable lights (lantern, flashlight and headlamp)
Bed to contain the baby (playpen or Peapod)
Rug (for outside the tent)
*Free standing bug tent

Food Prep
Camp stove
Propane (two small canisters for a weekend or three for a week should be enough)
Long reach lighter and matches
Frying pan
Pot + lid
Strainer
Mixing bowl
Cutting board
Plates, bowls, cups
Utensils
Knife
Flipper
Spatula
Ladle
Tongs
Can opener
Bottle opener
Vegetable peeler
Aluminium foil
Roasting sticks
Water jug
Small bags for garbage
Wash cloths + towels (one per day)
Bin + biodegradable soap (for washing dishes and babies)
*Small spray bottle of vinegar (for disinfecting)
French press coffee maker
Water bottles + sippy cup
Herbs + spices
Salt + pepper
Tablecloth
Pot holder
Extra ziplock bags

Tips: Check the local thrift stores for eating ware and cooking items that can be delegated to the camping bin and whatever you don’t find use what you already own. If you have a smaller plastic bin use it to store the utensils.

Daily Living
First aid kit
Tweezers
Medication (Children’s Benadryl and anti-itch ointment are what we ended up using)
Bug repellent
Sunscreen
Potty (for toddler)
Toilet paper
Collapsible bucket
Cooler + ice
Tarp + rope
Laundry pins
Large garbage bags for laundry
Axe
Small broom and pan
Towels + face clothes
Baby carrier
Stroller
Camera
Instruments (guitar, violin)
Portable high chair
Folding chairs (one for each child and adult)
Beach blanket
*Hammock
*Bikes

Clothing
If you happen to be living in a warm area don’t underestimate how many long sleeved shirts and pants you might need while camping. We sure did! Camping in the forest can be cool and there are plenty of bugs. Because camping is dirty pack old comfortable clothes and don’t be afraid to rewear clothes from day to day.

Long sleeve shirts
T-shits
Pants
Shorts
Socks
Underwear
Fleece coats
Pyjamas (2 pairs/each)
Rain gear + boots
Swim gear + life jackets
Hats
Toques or Buff