Best Tent Camping Checklist for Families – And Editable

Camping in a tent isn't complicated, but you do need to be well prepared, especially if you are camping beginners, or at least are family first-timers, and want a comfortable outdoor experience.

That starts with a good tent camping checklist to make sure that all of your essentials are accounted for before you head off on your adventure.

Our checklist of what to take camping is especially designed for families camping with a tent, and while the document includes Australian terminology, because we are based in Australia, it should also be of interest to our international friends. Please let us know if you have any suggestions for the document.

To complement this article, also check out our tent camping setup for families article for a detailed look at all of the various components of a typical camping setup together with links to related articles and our recommendations.

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 checklist should be accessories to help enhance your camping 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: 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 Camping food 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 checklist is that you focus on what you can cook with the equipment available to you and if necessary have the recipes on hand. Here are our suggestions for your camp kitchen checklist:

Gas and Campfire cooking

Cookware

Dinnerware

Kitchenware

Cutlery/cooking utensils

Camp Food

Cleaning

6: Refrigeration    

Your refrigeration options range from lower-cost eskies and absorption fridges to the more expensive compressor fridges. 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 checklist 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. 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.  I think you will find our suggestions are somewhere in between, but erring on the side of comfort.

• Camp chairs - one each
• Dining table @ seat set
• Collapsible shelf/pantry (long stays)
• Folding table/stand for cooking stove
• 1-2 camping tables for a benchtop

10: Bedding and towels  

For most people, comfortable sleeping arrangements are so important, second only to the quality of your tent. So, within reason don't skimp on comfort.

• Sleeping bag each
• Swimming towel each
• Camp pillow each
• Woolen blanket
• Sleeping mat/mattress each
• Pump (if required)
• Bath towel each
• Linen sheets as required

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 forecast plays 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