Best Family Camping Checklist (Free PDF & Editable Doc)

If you’re planning a family camping trip, this family camping checklist is the ultimate tool to help you stay organised and pack with confidence.

It’s fully comprehensive, printable as a PDF, and comes in an editable doc format, so you can customise it to suit your trip—and check items off easily as you go.

Because while tent camping with your family isn’t rocket science, it does require some smart preparation—especially if it’s your first time or you’re aiming for a smooth, low-stress outdoor experience.

💡Want more help with the full setup? Check out our tent camping setup guide for families for a walk-through of all the key components and smart ways to keep things simple.

1: Tent and accessories

A campsite should provide weatherproof shelter for privacy and protection from the elements. This could be in the form of a tent fitted with a large awning, or something smaller with additional shelter in the form of a separate tarp or marquee.

Also included in your tent camping essentials list should be accessories to help enhance your experience and protect your equipment from damage.

2: Tools

Every camping trip is different, but you should always have the right tools for your trip. Compact and lightweight camping tools can really help you deal with the various issues that may arise during your trip and on your travels. More often than not, you won’t need to use these tools, but they will be there in case of emergencies.

3: Electronics

Technological improvements over recent years have really worked in our favor in terms of pack size and cost. While some campers still endeavor to limit the use of devices and get back to basics, for others, devices are becoming an integral part of their camping experience.

4: Camp Lighting     

Campsites don't need to be lit up like a sports stadium, but a good lighting setup should still provide adequate lighting for the various camping-related activities, including general tasks, reading/cooking/playing games, spotting nocturnal animals, and finding the way in the dark.

5: Camp Kitchen Essentials Camp cooking doesn't have to be elaborate, and a well-equipped kitchen doesn't need to take up a lot of room. The most important thing when putting together your tent camping list is that you focus on what you can cook with the equipment available to you and if necessary have the recipes on hand. 

You will also need to consider the availability of camping supplies in the local grocery stores for fresh food as well as ice and other things you may need while you are out there.

How you organise the camp kitchen and furniture (below) may differ significantly if you are in bear country, or other areas where wildlife are likely to want to get at your food. 

Gas and Campfire cooking

Cookware

Dinnerware / tableware

Kitchenware

Cutlery/cooking utensils

Camp Food And Refreshments

Cleaning

6: Refrigeration    

Your refrigeration for camping options range from lower-cost iceboxes and eskies and absorption fridges to the more expensive compressor camping fridge. Smaller cooler bags can also store smaller items with lower temperature requirements such as fruit and vegetables that don’t necessarily require refrigeration but benefit from an environment of a cooler temperature.

• 1-2 soft or hard esky's
• Icebox / fridge stand
• Icebox / fridge

7: Bathroom and Laundry

Your bathroom and laundry-related gear will depend on the types of facilities you have available to you as well as the length of your stay. With access to a shower, toilet, and laundry facilities, you might only need standard items like toiletries, towels, and basic supplies. Camping in areas without toilet and shower facilities becomes much more complicated for car campers. Your tent camping packing list should include:

8: First aid / H&S

The importance of having a well-equipped first aid kit on hand shouldn't be underestimated, especially if children are involved. Also important is knowing how to administer first aid, especially in an emergency.This list is comprehensive, and you wouldn't typically include everything in your first-aid kit. Simply read through the list and include only what you would need for your particular camping trip.

9: Furniture   

The options for camping furniture range from simple to extravagant and cater for all comfort levels. Some campers prefer to use a simple fold-out table and chair, while others prefer to go all out and make their campsite as comfortable as possible.

Some campsite facilities will include picnic tables on each site, which will reduce what you need to take.

• Camp chairs - one each
• Dining table @ seat set
• Collapsible shelf/pantry (long stays)
• Folding camping table / stand for cooking stove
• Another camp table (or 2) for food preparation

10: Bedding and towels  

For most people, creature comforts are important when comes to sleeping gear and comfortable sleeping arrangements, second only to the quality of your tent. So, within reason don't skimp on comfort.

• Sleeping bag each
• Quick-drying towel each (bath)
• Swimming towel each
• Woolen blanket
• Sleeping mat / inflatable mattress each
• Air pump (if required)
• Bath towel each
• Linen sheets as required
• Hot water bottle

11: Clothing

The first thing to consider when you're looking for camping clothing is the type of outdoor adventure you plan on going on. Are you going to be doing a lot of bushwalking and hiking or are you going to relax around the campsite?

Of course, the expected weather conditions will play a big part in deciding what to take, as well as other planned activities.

12: Sports / entertainment / other activities

Every good family tent camping checklist needs a variety of options for sports and entertainment, especially if you are camping with kids. While space might be limited for transportation, you still will have plenty of options:

13: Cars and accessories

Whether you own or hire your car, it is really the key to comfortably and safely transporting you, your camping gear, and your loved ones.

• Tie-down straps
• Cargo box or bag
• Bike rack
  
  

14. Eco-friendly and Sundry Items          

And last but not least, every tent camping checklist should include eco-friendly items to help reduce the amount of waste produced while we are camping.

• Water bottle each
• Reusable containers
• Reusable coffee cups
• Reusable straws
• Reusable shop bags
• Trip information
• Umbrella
• Hand luggage