Backwoods Mama
  • Home
  • Raising Outdoor Kids
    • Cooking & Crafting

      How to Make Birdseed Ornaments for Wild…

      November 27, 2020

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      Beautiful Spring Picture Books for Children

      March 28, 2020

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      Playing in Nature Protects Our Children During…

      March 17, 2020

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      50+ Spring Nature Activities for Kids of…

      March 3, 2020

      Crafting

      How to Make a Willow Nature Crown…

      July 2, 2019

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      9 Special Ways to Celebrate Summer Solstice…

      June 1, 2019

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      A Beginner’s Guide to Pond Dipping with…

      May 20, 2019

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      How Pokémon Can Get Kids Bird Watching

      April 30, 2019

      Nevada, USA

      Rock Climbing and Hiking Around Las Vegas…

      April 24, 2019

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      Signs of Spring Nature Walk for Kids…

      April 5, 2019

  • Spring Outside 2020
  • My Nature Adventure Journal
  • Printables
  • Canadian Adventures
    • All Alberta British Columbia Lower Mainland Northern Interior Okanagan
      British Columbia

      Hiking and Camping with Kids at Kokanee…

      July 30, 2018

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      December 1, 2017

      British Columbia

      Family-Friendly Adventures on BC’s Sunshine Coast

      November 8, 2017

      British Columbia

      A National Park Reserve in the South…

      November 3, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      November 1, 2017

      Okanagan

      Hiking Spion Kop with Kids in Lake…

      October 10, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      September 28, 2017

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      August 30, 2017

      Alberta

      Rock Climbing with Kids in Jasper National…

      August 8, 2017

      Alberta

      Family Adventures in Jasper National Park: 10…

      July 26, 2017

      Alberta

      Shaw’s Point Resort

      August 6, 2015

      Alberta

      Apiaries in Northern Alberta

      August 5, 2015

      Alberta

      St. Isidore, Alberta

      August 4, 2015

      Alberta

      The Hoodoos

      July 29, 2015

      Alberta

      Royal Tyrrell Museum

      July 28, 2015

      Alberta

      Bow Valley Campground

      July 27, 2015

      British Columbia

      Hiking and Camping with Kids at Kokanee…

      July 30, 2018

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      December 1, 2017

      British Columbia

      Family-Friendly Adventures on BC’s Sunshine Coast

      November 8, 2017

      British Columbia

      A National Park Reserve in the South…

      November 3, 2017

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      November 1, 2017

      British Columbia

      Hiking Spion Kop with Kids in Lake…

      October 10, 2017

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      September 28, 2017

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      August 30, 2017

      Lower Mainland

      Visiting the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in…

      March 7, 2017

      Lower Mainland

      Outdoor Family Adventures in Metro Vancouver

      August 2, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Biking the Stanley Park Seawall

      July 27, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Exploring Deep Cove and Quarry Rock Trail

      July 25, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Visiting Queen Elizabeth Park

      July 22, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Biking Through Pacific Spirit Regional Park

      July 20, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Exploring Lynn Canyon Park

      July 18, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      1001 Steps to the Beach

      April 19, 2014

      Northern Interior

      Life at Ness Lake

      September 1, 2016

      Northern Interior

      McMillan Creek Regional Park

      October 8, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Ferguson Lake Nature Reserve

      October 6, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Eskers Provincial Park

      October 5, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Autumn in Northern British Columbia

      September 28, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Wildflowers in Northern British Columbia

      June 6, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Visiting Barkerville Historic Town

      June 2, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Travelling North

      June 19, 2013

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      December 1, 2017

      Okanagan

      A National Park Reserve in the South…

      November 3, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      November 1, 2017

      Okanagan

      Hiking Spion Kop with Kids in Lake…

      October 10, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      September 28, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      August 30, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      August 1, 2017

      Okanagan

      5 Tips for Visiting Kangaroo Creek Farm…

      July 18, 2017

  • Okanagan Trail Map
  • About Me
    • Contact Me
    • Partner with Me
  • Home
  • Raising Outdoor Kids
    • Cooking & Crafting

      How to Make Birdseed Ornaments for Wild…

      November 27, 2020

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      Beautiful Spring Picture Books for Children

      March 28, 2020

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      Playing in Nature Protects Our Children During…

      March 17, 2020

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      50+ Spring Nature Activities for Kids of…

      March 3, 2020

      Crafting

      How to Make a Willow Nature Crown…

      July 2, 2019

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      9 Special Ways to Celebrate Summer Solstice…

      June 1, 2019

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      A Beginner’s Guide to Pond Dipping with…

      May 20, 2019

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      How Pokémon Can Get Kids Bird Watching

      April 30, 2019

      Nevada, USA

      Rock Climbing and Hiking Around Las Vegas…

      April 24, 2019

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      Signs of Spring Nature Walk for Kids…

      April 5, 2019

  • Spring Outside 2020
  • My Nature Adventure Journal
  • Printables
  • Canadian Adventures
    • All Alberta British Columbia Lower Mainland Northern Interior Okanagan
      British Columbia

      Hiking and Camping with Kids at Kokanee…

      July 30, 2018

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      December 1, 2017

      British Columbia

      Family-Friendly Adventures on BC’s Sunshine Coast

      November 8, 2017

      British Columbia

      A National Park Reserve in the South…

      November 3, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      November 1, 2017

      Okanagan

      Hiking Spion Kop with Kids in Lake…

      October 10, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      September 28, 2017

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      August 30, 2017

      Alberta

      Rock Climbing with Kids in Jasper National…

      August 8, 2017

      Alberta

      Family Adventures in Jasper National Park: 10…

      July 26, 2017

      Alberta

      Shaw’s Point Resort

      August 6, 2015

      Alberta

      Apiaries in Northern Alberta

      August 5, 2015

      Alberta

      St. Isidore, Alberta

      August 4, 2015

      Alberta

      The Hoodoos

      July 29, 2015

      Alberta

      Royal Tyrrell Museum

      July 28, 2015

      Alberta

      Bow Valley Campground

      July 27, 2015

      British Columbia

      Hiking and Camping with Kids at Kokanee…

      July 30, 2018

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      December 1, 2017

      British Columbia

      Family-Friendly Adventures on BC’s Sunshine Coast

      November 8, 2017

      British Columbia

      A National Park Reserve in the South…

      November 3, 2017

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      November 1, 2017

      British Columbia

      Hiking Spion Kop with Kids in Lake…

      October 10, 2017

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      September 28, 2017

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      August 30, 2017

      Lower Mainland

      Visiting the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in…

      March 7, 2017

      Lower Mainland

      Outdoor Family Adventures in Metro Vancouver

      August 2, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Biking the Stanley Park Seawall

      July 27, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Exploring Deep Cove and Quarry Rock Trail

      July 25, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Visiting Queen Elizabeth Park

      July 22, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Biking Through Pacific Spirit Regional Park

      July 20, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Exploring Lynn Canyon Park

      July 18, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      1001 Steps to the Beach

      April 19, 2014

      Northern Interior

      Life at Ness Lake

      September 1, 2016

      Northern Interior

      McMillan Creek Regional Park

      October 8, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Ferguson Lake Nature Reserve

      October 6, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Eskers Provincial Park

      October 5, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Autumn in Northern British Columbia

      September 28, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Wildflowers in Northern British Columbia

      June 6, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Visiting Barkerville Historic Town

      June 2, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Travelling North

      June 19, 2013

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      December 1, 2017

      Okanagan

      A National Park Reserve in the South…

      November 3, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      November 1, 2017

      Okanagan

      Hiking Spion Kop with Kids in Lake…

      October 10, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      September 28, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      August 30, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      August 1, 2017

      Okanagan

      5 Tips for Visiting Kangaroo Creek Farm…

      July 18, 2017

  • Okanagan Trail Map
  • About Me
    • Contact Me
    • Partner with Me

Backwoods Mama

Raising Outdoor Kids

Make Family Camping Way More Fun – Pack Less!

May 1, 2018

“When are we going camping?” asked my son just the other day. Camping is a much anticipated activity in our household. As a child, I loved camping too. My parents couldn’t afford luxurious trips abroad, but it didn’t matter. Our summer camping trips were filled with the best kind of adventures: discovering forests, climbing rocks, playing in streams, eating marshmallows, and listening to bedtime tales. Camping was magical and I wanted to share that magic with my own children.

I approached our first family camping adventures with zest. I prepared for everything. I packed, repacked and packed some more. I stocked up on those “ultimate” family camping checklists and created an elaborate system of bins. Instead of feeling well-prepared and ready for our camping adventure, all the lists, bins and plans left me feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. Camping became a logistical nightmare.

Minimalist Family Camping

A couple years ago I was wrestling my way through our pile of camping gear. “I hate packing,” I grumbled to myself while pulling out bin after bin. With my frustration rapidly mounting I looked at the huge pile of stuff and declared, “I don’t have to pack all this crap!”, and then I realized – I truly didn’t!

Why go camping?

Why do we bring our family camping? Is it to spend time with our loved ones? Disconnect? Reconnect with nature? All of the above?

For our family, camping is a time to connect with nature, one another and our friends. It’s a time of unfettered play. We get dirty, make fires, roast marshmallows and fall asleep with dust on our feet and smoke in our hair. Camping is a break from our complex lives and an opportunity to live simply, even if only for a few days.

Every family might have a slightly different reasons for why they camp, but I can guarantee that virtually nobody will say: “I bring my family camping so that I can pack an obscene amount of stuff”.  Said no parent ever.

Want Happy Campers? Pack Less!

Why are we so obsessed with those “ultimate family camping lists”, system of bins and piles of stuff when we go camping? The fact is we can make do with much less. Camping is suppose to be simple, that’s the beauty of it.

Every year when I sort through our camping supplies, I ask myself “what can we do without?”. Packing less means it’s easier to go on those last minute camping trips. Less stuff also means we’re better able to enjoy our time camping. There’s less stuff to unpack at the campsite, less stuff to manage, and more opportunities for creative fun!

What if I forget [fill in the blank]? Some of our best memories only happened because we didn’t have something. Try opening a corked bottle of wine with a shoe (it can be done!) or brushing your teeth without a toothbrush. One time we even forgot our stove! It’s amazing how creative and adaptable we can be when given the chance.

The “Ultimate” Minimalist Family Camping Checklist

  • Tent (poles, pegs, ground pad and fly)
  • Sleeping bags and pads
  • Headlamp
  • Matches/lighter and hatchet
  • First aid kit
  • Sunscreen and bug repellent
  • Cooking stove and fuel
  • A pot (like a Primus Pot)
  • A knife
  • One cup or water bottle per person
  • One bowl per person
  • One spoon/fork (or spork) per person
  • Small cooler for perishables
  • Multipurpose soap
  • A rag
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Weather appropriate clothes (hats, raincoats, fleeces…)
  • Easy to prepare food that keeps well (oatmeal, bagels, hard cheese, dried sausage, marshmallows, foil wrapped meals).

Get your FREE PRINTABLE: The Minimalist Family Camping Checklist

Keep Packing Simple

It’s always possible to add items to the list. You might want to bring one or two towels if there’s swimming nearby, an AeroPress for your caffeine fix, or your camera to capture those magical moments. However, keep everything as simple as possible. Don’t worry about bringing toys (not one!). Let kids play with rocks, dirt and sticks instead. Leave the electronic gadgets at home too (keep your cell phone tucked away for emergencies only). There’s also no need to bring a cutting board, pan, spatula, can opener, measuring cups, measuring spoons or even a plastic tablecloth. Plan for meals that don’t need these things, or do your prep at home in advance.

More Minimalist Camping Tips

Packing simply is the first big step towards fun, easy and stress-free family camping adventures, but here are a few other great ways to keep camping fun and easy to pull off on short notice:

  • Camp close to home.
  • Discover what the campground amenities are available before leaving (potable water, bathrooms with toilet paper, picnic tables, firewood).
  • Go for a short camping trip (a couple days).
  • Leave the sport gear at home (bikes, SUP, kayaks, climbing).
  • Have one small backpack per child for their clothes and any little extras they want to bring.

Disclaimer: This page contains Amazon Affiliates links and I may earn a small commission from your purchases made through them. 

Make Family Camping Way More Fun – Pack Less! was last modified: April 30th, 2018 by Josée
Campingfamily campingless stuffminimalist camping listminimlism
5 comments
2
Facebook Twitter Google + Pinterest
previous post
7 Parenting Lessons from Mother Nature
next post
How to Nurture Your Young Budding Naturalist: Books, Tools and Resources

Related Articles

50+ Spring Nature Activities for Kids of...

March 3, 2020

How to Make a Willow Nature Crown...

July 2, 2019

Positive Ways to Talk to Kids About...

January 13, 2019

Using Loose Parts for Free Play

February 28, 2018

Stop Telling Kids to “Be Careful” and...

February 6, 2018

5 Reasons Why I Don’t Register My...

October 12, 2017

Five Natural Cold Remedies for Children

October 19, 2017

Keeping Kids Warm in the Winter with...

December 14, 2017

Stop Hating Winter: Unleash Your Inner Yeti with...

January 3, 2018

5 comments

Annette, Four Acorns / Quatre graines de chêne May 2, 2018 at 7:19 am

Exactly what I need before this weekend’s wild camping adventure! Couldn’t be more timely. Thank you! 🙂

Reply
Maria May 2, 2018 at 2:38 pm

I am glad that I stumbled on this website, even though I have seen it before, I totally forgot about this. Will be back for more.

Reply
Elnore Macey October 3, 2018 at 3:00 am

Minimize your tent packing by investing in a pop up tent. Seriously – Life changer for us. Takes up less space in the car, is light weight and literally only requires you to take it out of the bag. No heavy poles. We own one very similar to this 2 man coleman tent : https://www.camp4.com/best-pop-up-tents. Only ours is a camp master tent.

Often toiletries take up a ridiculous amount of space. We use an all in one body soap for the entire family that can be used to wash hair as well. I make do with body cream for the weekend as facecream – It does no harm. Also avoid chucking in extra clothing. I am always tempted to pack in 2x the amount I actually need

Reply
Ryno Tuff Sleeping Pad Set December 24, 2018 at 10:17 pm

Yes, we should consider these things before camping. Thanks

Reply
sarah August 13, 2019 at 9:08 pm

thank you!!!!! i was overwhelmed and filled with anxiety before i read this post…. all the fun sucked out of camping. i can definitely work with this minimal camping list. now, how to not be a helicopter parent so everyone can enjoy themselves.

Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Recipe Rating




Sign up for the Backwoods Mama Newsletter!

My Nature Adventure Journal

Okanagan Trail Map

© Backwoods Mama 2009-2020. All Rights Reserved.


Back To Top