Taking the Family Camping – a Gear List to Consider

So you're taking the family camping – terrific! Hopefully, you'll take all the gear you need. If you're going to buy camping gear, be sure you get a decent price – some things can be bought online for less than in brick and mortar stores.

What kinds of camping gear does a family need? Listing them is easy – you get to gather them together and fit them in the car. They can be broken down into categories – let's take a look at shelter, safety, sustenance.

Shelter Is A Priority

When you take the family camping, the gear list had better include a shelter of some kind – usually a tent or a tent trailer, or an RV, if you call that camping! When you buy a tent, keep in mind the number of people they say will fit in the tent, and think that through in relation to the number of people the tent needs to hold, as well as their size. Sure, when the kids are little you can fit more of them in a smaller space, especially when they like to sleep cuddled up close anyhow, but as they grow, their legs get longer and the “stuff” they want to bring along will also grow. Try to not have too many people crowded into one tent.

The tent will likely also come with a tarp that can be put over the top in case of rain. Even if it doesn't look like rain, take it with you and set it up as designed. Condensation in the morning can act a lot like rain – you'll be glad for the tarp over top.

You might want to add to your family camping gear list an extra plastic or tarp to lay in front of the door of the tent. This can help keep the tent cleaner, as the extra sand or dirt has a better chance to stay out of the tent if there's some plastic near the door to walk on.

Safety Is A Priority, Too

The biggest item in the “safety” category of a gear list for a family camping trip is – of course – a first aid kit. Kids are notorious for getting bumps and bruises, and a long way from the family medicine cabinet is no exception. Be prepared for the inevitable and carry a first aid kid.

Include in it some bug repellent – mosquitoes can be legendary in size, and can make young ones miserable – the older folks hate them, too.

Sustenance? Yes, A Priority

You won't get very far – especially with kids – without having some food along. Healthy snacks can be as simple as some meal replacement bars and trail mix, or fruit, or you can plan to catch and cook your meals – in which case, bring along your fishing pole and net. With bait, of course! Camping trips are a good time for kids to learn to like to eat different foods than they're used to, like a new kind of fish, but don't count on them eating as you will and bring some of their favorite foods, too. Add them to your family camping gear list. You'll be glad you did.