Download My FREE Complete Family Camping List
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We just returned from our annual backcountry camping trip, so I thought it was time I shared my complete packing list for camping with kids. A lot of friends and family are surprised that we can enjoy our time camping with 3 kids in tow, but it really is one of our favourite traditions. As I've said in previous posts about Camping with Kids (found here & here), preparation is key to your enjoyment. There is nothing worse than forgetting a vital piece of equipment that means you're left wet, or uncomfortable, or hungry. In an effort to make sure this doesn't happen to any family, I'm sharing my Complete Family Camping List.
Going camping the first time can feel a bit overwhelming due to the sheer amount of gear required. Don't forget you can save your budget by borrowing equipment from friends and family, buying gently used gear from neighbourhood buy and sells, or renting from places like Mountain Equipment Co-op. We registered for camping gear from MEC for our wedding, and have been using it for the last 7 years. It’s amazing to think how many memories these gifts have given our little family.
I really hope this list makes you feel a little more prepared for camping with a young family, but remember nothing is perfect. You will be bug bitten, covered in grime and smelling less than peachy, but seeing the look on your little one's face when they catch their first crayfish, bite into a perfect s'more, go skinny dipping in a warm lake, or drift off to sleep in your arms watching the sun set, makes it all so worth it. There will probably be tears (for everyone), but trips like this build resiliency and help connect our kids to nature and the environment. For all of those who would prefer to glamp it up in a hotel or cottage instead, have fun! Whatever you do with your littles, know you're doing an awesome job.
CAMPING GEAR: 3 Day Family Trip
Canoe, Paddles & PFDs (Can be rented at most parks and marinas)
Collapsable Wagon (Great for hauling kids or gear to walk in sites, or over simple flat portages)
Container for gear, clothes, toiletries & bedding (Large waterproof dry pacs are ideal or rubbermaid bins for car camping)
Dry Food Storage (Barrel with Harness or Rubbermaid Bin for cap camping)
Cooler (pre-freeze water bottles to save ice pack space in the cooler, and have cold clean drinking water)
Tent, Vestibule & Footprint (or large tarp for underneath tent)
Sleeping Pad (We use 1 Family Sleeping Pad + 2 Regular Size Sleeping Pads, makes perfect size bed for our family)
Large bed sheet (Or appropriate for your size mattress)
Sleeping Bags (Since we sleep with the kids all together, we typically lay out a sheet on the sleeping pad and then use the sleeping bags on top as blankets)
2 Large Tarps (for rain shelter, covering gear at night etc)
2 Ropes (for tying tarp up to create a rain shelter, hanging food, towing a canoe, clothesline etc)
2 Bungee Cords (for attaching stuff to packs or keeping gear closed etc.)
Lightweight Fold Up Chair for each person
Booster Seat (lobster style is ideal for attaching to picnic tables)
Headlamps/Flashlights (*Always check batteries and pack extra. Headlamps and handsfree options are ideal when you have to help small children. Lantern style are also handy)
Sippy Cups/Bottles for little ones
Cutlery set for each person
Lightweight Cutting Board (not a flimsy one)
Flipper, Tongs, Mixing/Serving Spoon, Bottle Opener
Sharp Knife x2 (I wrap them in the dish cloth and tea towel with an elastic around them and put them in a bag together before packing into the gear bag)
Camping Stove with Gas Canisters (Even if you love to cook over the fire it's important to pack a stove in the case of rain, or a sudden fire ban)
Ove Gloves (or oven mitts)
Lake Eco Dish Soap (not for use in lake)
Dish Cloth & Drying Cloth
Duct Tape
Tin Foil (for using on grill when cooking veggies etc)
Paper Towels (In a large ziploc bag to avoid getting ruined from water)
Ziploc baggies (a few large and small, very useful for keeping things dry if it's a wet trip, putting your map into, or putting leftovers away etc)
2 Green garbage bags + a few smaller Kitchen catcher garbage bags for collecting garbage around site and covering things to keep dry if needed.
Matches/Lighters (Packed in a ziplock bag to keep dry. I typically pack an emergency lighter and matches in our 1st Aid Kit too)
Pelican Case for valuables e.g. cell phones, car keys, permits, wallets
CAMPING TOILETRIES: 3 Day Family Trip
Eco-friendly shampoo/body wash (for shower, no soaps are safe for lake use)
Hair Brush
Toilet Paper (2 rolls, in separate large ziploc bags to avoid water damage + backup)
Portable Fold Up Potty (much easier than trekking to the outhouse in the dark)
Sunscreen, Aftersun
Diapers
Baby Wipes (for easy hand and face wipes etc)
Swim towels (Turkish towels and travel towels pack well)
2 Face Cloths
1st Aid Kit *Get My Downloadable Complete Family First Aid Kit List!
OPTIONAL ITEMS: 3 Day Family Trip
Baby Carrier (eg. mesh water sling, favourite regular use carrier *consider what carrier would be ideal if you need to rock/walk your little one to sleep in it, backpack style etc.)
Hammock
Binoculars
Utility Knife
Camera
Cards/Dominos/Travel Backgammon
Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
Books
Picnic Blanket
Water Toys (Boats, Pails & Shovels)
Rainy Day Activities *Check out some great ideas in Part 2 of Camping with Kids
CLOTHING: 3 Day Family Trip
2 Bathing Suits & UV Shirts (or full piece UV suits)
2 Pants
2 Shorts
3 T-Shirts
2 Long Sleeve Shirts
1 Sweatshirt
2 Socks
3 underwear
Rain Coat & Pants (or full piece rain suit)
Sunglasses
Wet Shoes (eg. Keens)
Dry Shoes (eg. Running Shoes)
Hope this list helps you have a great time in the outdoors. Happy Camping!
Care
This post is not sponsored but I have linked some of our absolute favourite pieces of gear in case you're looking for some. *Please note that we backcountry camp for about 3 days eg. portage and paddle in site with no running water, no flush toilets, no electricity etc. If you're planning a less rugged trip, feel free to scale back and omit some of these items or pack in any bags or bins you have. You will need to add some items if you're planning a longer or more rugged trip.
