If you are planning a family camping trip then you want to rock up with the right camping equipment. Whether you are checking your camping gear ahead of the season or are going camping for the first time, here is our family camping checklist with everything you need for your UK holiday under canvas.
I’ve even included the following FREE camping packing printables:
- Family camping equipment packing list
- Family camping groceries checklist
- Things to pack for camping with babies, toddlers and kids
You can download these separately or in one document.
*This post contains affiliate links*
What do you need for camping?
It’s a good question that anyone planning their first camping trip should ask. You may be carrying your own equipment or have very limited space in your vehicle.
Overpacking is a real problem.
I’ve put together this list with that conundrum in mind.It’s split into the essential equipment you need for camping, some extra luxury items, groceries and things you’ll need to consider packing when camping with kids.
Essential camping equipment list
This is your list of essential camping equipment – don’t leave home without these!
Camping checklist: sleeping gear
If you are camping in a tent you’re going to need more of these items than you would if you were camping in a van or caravan.
Here’s what you need for camping in a tent:
Check out my caravan packing list and camper van packing list for alternative sleeping gear.
Luxuries to pack for camping in the UK
If you don’t mind filling your car with camping equipment, here’s some extras you might like to add to your family camping checklist for comfort and convenience:
Check out our 10 simple camping tips for advice on how to pack your car.
Print my family camping checklist
I like making life easier for readers so I have created a printable family camping checklist.
Download and print my camping equipment checklist using the button below or scroll to the end of this post for my packing list including camping groceries and essentials for camping with babies and kids.
Groceries for your camping trip
It’s easy to pick up groceries on the way to your campsite or when you get there, but you can save yourself time and money if you take some groceries from home.
Here’s some of the kitchen basics on our camping essentials list:
- Kitchen roll
- Toilet roll
- Tea and coffee
- Condiments
- Cooking oil spray
- Squash/fruit cordial
- Cling film
- Tin foil
- Margarine
- Breakfast cereal
- Washing up liquid and sponge
- Antibacterial wipes or spray
- Bin bags
- Hand wash
- Washing detergent.
If you are planning your menu before your trip take a look at these camping food ideas.
Print my camping groceries checklist
Here’s my suggested camping groceries checklist. Download and print it using the button below or scroll to the end of this post for my full packing list including camping equipment and essentials for camping with babies and kids.
Must-haves for family camping in the UK
If you are camping with kids then we can recommend adding these practical items to your family camping checklist:
Must-haves for camping with toddlers and babies
Some of our first family holidays were in our caravan.
Here are the essentials for camping with toddler and babies that we always packed:
Printable checklist for camping with babies, toddlers and kids
Here’s my suggested checklist for camping with babies, toddlers and kids.
Download and print it using the button below or scroll to the end of this post for my full camping packing list including camping equipment and groceries.
For more packing lists for travel with babies, toddlers and children take a look at my ultimate guide to family holiday checklists.
Tips for camping with kids
If you are new to camping and even if you’re not, that first trip of the season needs some forward planning.
Here’s some of our top tips for camping with kids:
- make sure you seal or reseal your tent each season
- practice pitching it at home – you can check you have all the pegs and poles
- pack your tent last – it will mean it’s easy to get out the car when you arrive at your campsite
- don’t forget torches and spare batteries
- bring a potty and avoid nighttime dashes to the toilet block if you don’t have your own porta-potti.
Find more things to help you smash camping with kids in my full camping tips post.
Full family camping checklist – UK version
Here’s my full family camping checklist – three pages including camping equipment, groceries and all those bits and pieces you need for camping with kids.
More family camping checklists
Camping comes in many different shapes and sizes. If you are going glamping or away in a caravan, motorhome or camper van then you might also like to check out these other camping packing lists:
You might also want to check out these common camping mistakes you can easily avoid.
More camping blog posts
Here’s some more caravan and camping blog posts you might enjoy:
Want more ideas for family holidays and days out? Read my tips for smashing family travel and sign up for my newsletter.
Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links marked with *. If you click on one of these and make a purchase I may earn some commission. This does not affect the price you pay.
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