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Tent camping setup - family sitting in a tent

THE Best Tent Camping Setup for Families Plus Our Camping Essentials Breakdown

BY JO SIMON

Last modified: May 19, 2023

Are you thinking of becoming a camping family and feel excited but also daunted at the prospect of working out what the camping essentials are and the type of camping setup to suits you for your family trips.

While it’s a fun activity for everyone and has many benefits, there are a lot of things you need to consider before heading off to the campsite, especially when you heading out into the great outdoors with kids.

Whether you are a beginner tent camper or experienced, this guide to your camping essentials will help you to achieve a great tent camping setup for a fun, enjoyable, and safe family trip.

Be sure to click on the links below for more details and camping setup ideas.

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We discuss below the various components of a family tent camping setup. These related articles may also interest you:

What Makes Up A Great Camping Setup (Plus Our Top Camping Essentials)

1: Tent and shelter

A great camping setup

A functional camping setup for a family. This image contains one of many options available.

The most important camping essential when you are starting out is a reliable tent. And it's usually the most expensive item in your camping setup, so you want to get it right.

It goes without saying that a campsite should provide adequate internal shelter from the weather and for privacy, but it should also provide adequate outdoor shelter to protect you, your outdoor gear as well as your gas cooker from the sun and rain.

Your tent

There are many on the market but our personal preference is one more suited to touring. You will find, however, plenty of other tent options, from smaller dome style tents just large enough to accommodate the number of people in your family as well as room for gear storage, to larger ones with two and three-room  incorporating living space as well.

Outdoor shelter

Every camper should also provide adequate outdoor shelter in their camping kit, if only to protect the gas cooking stove and outdoor gear from the rain as well as the dew formed during the night-time. This could be in the form of a tent with a larger awning, with an annex attached, a separately constructed tarpaulin shelter or, if you can transport one, a separate marquee or screen room.

The larger open-air shelters will also provide a much more comfortable escape from the rain and hot sun than the shelter of an enclosed tent


Tent and shelter essentials:
  • Tent(s)
  • Marquee / tarp / shelter
  • Spare tent poles
  • Spare tent pegs
    • Loose wall panels and flooring accessories
    • Tent floor saver

     Further reading on this site: How to choose your ideal tent

    2: Campsite tools

    Camping tools packed in bag,

    Camping tools are easy to get together and don't need to take up a lot of space. Just head down to the local hardware store.

    Another camping essential is a good set of tools can really help you to deal with the various issues and dilemmas that might arise around the campsite and on your travels, and there are plenty of compact and lightweight options that don’t take up a lot of space.

    Hopefully, you won’t need to use many of them, but they will be there if and when you do.

    Further reading on this site:  Camping tools

    Camping Tools Essentials: General
    • 2 mallets/hammers
    • Multi-tool
    • Extra pegs/stakes
    • Screwdriver
    • Dustpan/brush
    • Spare guy ropes
    • Bucket
    • Spanner
    • Cable ties
    • Broom
    • Tent repair kit
    • Peg/stake puller
    • Duct tape
    Camping Tools Essentials - Campfire:
    • Compact folding saw
    • Small axe
    • Long handle shovel
    • Bucket


    3: Power and Fuel

    Camping power

    Power and fuel options vary greatly from a simple ice and gas or campfire combination to an elaborate solar panel and large battery setup.

    There are a variety of things you need to take for camping that need power or fuel - your lighting setup, refrigeration, cooking stoves, the campfire and our seemingly ever-growing list of devices and appliances.

    A simple arrangement on an unpowered site might only require ice for refrigeration, gas and/or the campfire for cooking, some batteries and smaller batter chargers for lighting and devices, and access to a power supply from time to time to recharge the batteries and chargers.

    When on an unpowered site, a portable dual battery pack or a larger power bank with solar panels will be required for the more energy-hungry devices and appliances, such as compressor fridges.

    While technological improvements over recent years have worked in our favour in terms of pack size, these larger banks and solar panels can still be very bulky and heavy to transport together with everything and everyone else.

    Camp Power and Lighting Essentials
    • Electronic devices
    • Charger cables 
    • Powered site: Hook up cable / extension lead, Power board
    • Portable speaker
    • Battery chargers and cables
    • Solar panels
    • Power banks/batteries
    • Extra batteries

    Further reading on this site:  Camping power and fuel options.


    4: Camp Lighting

    Tent lighting

    Camp lighting can be a simple as rechargeable tent lights. Include in your daily tasks the process of recharging them and you will never be left in the dark.

    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 or ambient lighting for the kitchen, tent and living areas
    • task lighting for reading / cooking / playing games
    • directional lighting for spot lighting and pathway

    While some products are particularly bulky for transportation, there are plenty of compact torch, headlamp and lantern options to choose from to meet your needs, and many are now rechargeable.

    Camp Lighting Essentials
    • Camping lights for tent, awning and living area
    • Spare batteries as required
    • Hand and head torches

    Further reading on this site: Lighting options for camping.


    5: Camp Kitchen

    Camp kitchen

    A simple camp kitchen without the bells and whistles but with all of the functionality you need.

    For many, enjoying delicious food is a big part of being in the great outdoors, and having a well-equipped camp kitchen is a camping essential.

    The good news is, you don't need to bring half the kitchen in order to be able to prepare any one of hundreds if not thousands of easy and quick meals and snacks in our camp kitchen.

    And experienced as well as beginner campers are equally able to create some delicious family camping favourites with a minimum of fuss.

    A basic camp kitchen should include a two-burner stove and/or a campfire, dinnerware, cookware, utensils, ingredients, as well as a fridge or icebox, a small folding pantry, an area for food preparation, access to a fresh water source and a way to store it at the campsite.

    A functional kitchen doesn’t need to take up a lot of room if you choose neatly stackable items, although some campfire cookware can be bulky and heavy.

    Camp Kitchen and Cooking Essentials

    Cookware / utensils

    • Frying pan and lid
    • Kettle
    • Large and small saucepan / pot
    • Flat toaster
    • Strainer
    • Chopping board
    • Tongs
    • Veggie peeler
    • Utility knife
    • Grater
    • Small scissors
    • Can opener
    • Small paring knife
    • Serving spoon
    • Egg flip
    • Gas lighter / matches
    • Paper towels
    • Bottle opener
    Cooking
    • Camp stove
    • Gas bottle/canisters
    • Required gas fitting
    • Aluminium foil
    Dinnerware
    • Cups: coffee / wine / water
    • Plates: Dinner, desert, side
    • Serving bowls: Small / large
    • Cuttlery: Knives, forks, spoons
    • Water bottles 
    Cleaning and Other
    • Tea towel, dish cloth, scourer
    • Dish soap
    • Dishwashing / collapsible sink
    • Garbage / trash bags
    • Water container
    Campfire Cooking Essentials
    • Long tongs
    • Campfire frying pan
    • Long-handled fork
    • Jaffle iron
    • Camp oven
    • Wooden spoon
    • Heatproof gloves
    • Gas cooking stove
    • Camp oven lid lifter
    • Wood / fuel for fire 

    Further reading on this site: Easy camp kitchen setup


    6: Camp Refrigeration

    Camp refrigeration

    If you want to avoid the expense of a camp fridge, try an ice box backed up by a padded cooler bag.

    Your refrigeration options for camping range from the relatively light weight esky / iceboxes and 3-way or absorption fridges through to the heavier and more power-hungry compressor fridges. Smaller cooler bags can also take items that benefit from a cooler environment but don’t necessarily require refrigeration. 

    Larger fridges and iceboxes are not generally an option because of our size and weight restrictions, and in any case we don't believe they are necessary if you are smart about how you manage your fridge. Fridge stands are also very handy as well to elevate the fridge off the ground for easier access.

    Camp Refrigeration Essentials
    • Icebox / fridge
    • Power supply (see 3. Power and Fuel)
    • 1-2 soft or hard esky's
    • Icebox / fridge stand

    Further reading on this site: Refrigeration options for camping.


    7: Bathroom and Laundry

    Camping bathroom and laundry ideas

    Camp without bathroom facilities with a portable toilet and solar shower. 

    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 shower, toilet and laundry facilities, you might only need the standard items like toiletries, towels and basic laundry supplies.

    Camping in areas without toilet and shower facilities becomes much more complicated for car campers, especially if you want to make room for a portable toilet and shower as well as a privacy tent. Areas requiring fully self-contained campers (who are required to carry out all of their waste, including wastewater) would be off-limits to car and tent campers.

    Camp Bathroom Essentials

    Toiletries          

    • Toothbrush / toothpaste / holder
    • Deodorant
    • Lip balm / moisturiser / sunscreen
    • Shampoo/conditioner
    • Toilet paper
    • Soap and soap holder

    Bathroom

    • Portable shower
    • Portable camp toilets
    • Waterproof sandles / thongs
    • Towels

    Laundry     

    • Clothes pegs
    • Laundry powder
    • Washing bag

    Further reading on this site: Bathroom and laundry.


    8: First Aid and Safety

    Components o a first aid kit for camping

    Be prepared for most emergencies with a well equipped first-aid kit.

    It goes without saying that a well-equipped first aid kit is one of the most important camping essentials, especially when children are involved. Also important is knowing in advance how to administer first aid, especally in an emergency.

    Camping First Aid and Safety Essentials
    • Personal medications
    • First aid kit
    • Insect repellant
    • Sunburn cream
    • Remote communication as required (whistle, mobile phone, satelite phone, AM radio, distress beacon)
    • Directions (compas, maps, GPS tracking)
    • Extra drinking water

    Further reading on this site:  First aid and safety.


    9: Camp Furniture

    Three generation family sitting around a table

    Camping is so much more comfortable with the right type of furniture.

    Your tent camping setup should provide for a table or benchtop for food preparation and casual dining, as well as a camp chair and a table or stand on which to rest the cooking stove. You might not necessarily need a separate table for each of these functions, but the longer your stay the more convenient that extra bench and table top space will be.

    It probably goes without saying that everyone should have a camping chair, but if packing space is limited, give preference to those with a smaller pack size. That goes for the other items as well. Other useful items include shelving or a kitchen pantry to raise items off the floor and to help organise your gear.

    Camp Furniture Essentials
    • Camp chairs – one each
    • Camping tables (folding tables) (1-2)
  • Stand for gas cooker
  • Collapsible shelf/pantry (long stays)
  • Further reading on this site:  How to choose a camping chair.


    10: Sleeping and Bedding

    Sleeping bags and sleeping mats

    Pick your bedding well and get a good nights sleep.

    Arguably the second most important item after the tent is your bedding. In fact, we can’t stress enough how important it is to have good quality and reliable sleeping gear in your camping kit that can provide you with the best possible night of sleep.

    Sleeping gear can be notoriously bulky and difficult to transport. A family of 4 camping trailer free with the type of setup for beginners outlined in The Campus doesn't necessarily need extremely compact hiking style gear, but you will most likely need to compromise.

    If you want to defer costs in order to invest in a better quality sleeping mat, the doona / quilt off your bed may suffice instead of a sleeping bag.

    Further reading on this site: Sleeping bags and bedding as well as Sleeping mats and pads.


    Camp Furniture Essentials

    11: Clothing

    Which clothing to choose for camping

    Some of us love looking smart in our outdoor gear but at least make sure it is comfortable and practical and follows the three-layer rule in cold weather.

    Your outdoor wardrobe will vary greatly depending on your planned activities, the expected temperature and weather conditions and your personal preferences. The important thing to remember when you have limited for car space is to choose compact and lightweight but comfortable clothing that you enjoy wearing AND that serves a specific purpose. To reduce the amount of clothes you need to pack, limit everyone to a certain volume of clothing (say the size of a reusable shopping bag each) and footwear.

    Camp Furniture Essentials
    • General                                        
      • Underwear / Socks
    • For cold/wet weather
      • Nightwear
      • Gloves
      • 1 outer layer (water/windproof jacket)
      • Thermal leggings
      • Head beanie
      • 2 insulating layers (jumpers/jackets)
      • 2 long pants
      • Woolen socks
      • 3 base layers (thermal/other tops)
      • Scarf
      • Rain gear - Rain poncho, waterproof jacket / rain jacket, umbrella

    For warm weather

    • Summer wear
    • Nightwear
    • Sun hat
    • Swimming goggles
    • Bathers / Swimming top
    • Sunglasses

    Footwear

    • Water shoes
    • Thongs/flip flops
    • Sandals
    • Walking/hiking shoes or boots


    Further reading on this site:  Outdoor clothing options.


    12: Entertainment

    Entertainment options for camping

    Camping is certainly one of the best ways to get kids of the screens and back to traditional games.

    And, last but not least, the fun things to bring camping. When children are involved, entertainment options are really important, not only to keep the kids active and off the screens, but also to provide some welcome relief for the parents.

    Even with our limited packing space, there are plenty of entertainment options to choose from. You really just need to focus on what you can take rather than what you can't.

    You might not be able to take the basketball but there are plenty of other easier to pack possibilities - tennis racks / cricket bats and balls, cards, compact games, pencils / writing paper, small toys and inflatable items. And then of course a couple of bikes could easily go on the tow / hitch bar, weight permitting.

    Camp Entertainment Essentials: Examples include:
    • Bike(s) / helmets
    • Rackets / bats
    • Small board games / toys / balls / books
    • Colouring in book / colour pencils etc
    • Beach towels
    • Playing cards / instructions
    • Life jackets
    • Water toys

    13: Your car

    Which car to choose for camping

    The type of car you choose is really a key part of the three trailer free camping essentials - right next to the physical camping setup and how to pack the car.

    There's no point having a great camping kit if you can't transport it safely. Your choice of car is therefore the key to comfortable car and tent camping and the safe transporting of you, your family and your gear to and from your outdoor destination - trailer free. 

    There are many different types of vehicles to choose from, and if you do your homework you can avoid for buyers regret - that is, paying a lot of money for something that is either bigger than you really need, or worse still, not big enough.

    You don't necessarily need the biggest car on the market either. We have identified a number of cars in the mid-size range that would generally be suitable for families or groups of up to four people. If you don't own a car, or the right type of car, all is not lost - consider renting or hiring one.

    Further reading on this site:  Best car styles for camping review


    Putting Your Camping Setup Together

    Camping setup and car packed for camping

    The before and after - a family of four safely travelling to the campsite for a wonderful family camping adventure and an example of a trailer free camping setup.