A Complete Camping Supplies List for Family Trips

A tent and sleeping bags should be at the top of any camping trip list, but there are several other items to consider when it comes to your sleep and shelter setup.

• Tent with stakes
• Ground sheet
• Tarp or canopy
• Sleeping bags
• Pillows and pillowcases
• Extra blankets
• Sleeping pad or air mattress
• Rope
• Small broom and dustpan

Sleeping and shelter essentials

A campsite needs more than just a tent. Don’t forget to add items for seating, shade and lighting to your list of essentials.

• Camp chairs
• Hammock
• Sun shelter or bug shelter
• Battery-powered lantern
• Extension cords (for sites with electricity)
• Wagon
• Clothespins
• Insect repellers
• Plan for firewood

Campsite essentials

You’ll work up an appetite while spending time in the great outdoors, so don’t forget anything on your camping kitchen essentials list.

• Camp stove/grill and fuel
• Charcoal for public grills
• Lighter and/or matches
• Camping cookware (pots, frying pan)
• Pot holder
• Kettle and/or coffee maker
• Can opener
• Corkscrew and bottle opener
• Knife and cutting board
• Cooking utensils (spatula, wooden spoon, tongs)
• Mixing bowl
• Roasting forks
• Grill brush
• Camping dishes and utensils
• Tub for washing dishes
• Biodegradable dish soap
• Dishcloth and towels, pot scrubbers
• Water jug, filter/treatment and water
• Water bottles
• Food, drinks, condiments, spices, salt and pepper
• Cooking oil
• Cooler with ice
• Aluminum foil and sandwich bags
• Food storage containers
• Garbage bags and recycling bags
• Paper towels
• Tablecloth
• BBQ gloves

Camp kitchen essentials

When planning your camping essentials list, don’t overlook the importance of clothing. You’ll want to include items for everything from warm, sunny days to chilly, rainy nights.

• Underwear, socks and bras
• Day clothes (tops, shorts, long pants)
• Warm layers (mittens, hats)
• Sleepwear
• Rain gear (umbrellas, waterproof jackets)
• Sandals (for beach and communal showers)
• Hiking shoes
• Two bathing suits per person (one wet, one dry)
• Sunhats
• Sunglasses
• Backpacks or dry bags
• Laundry bag

Clothing essentials

Your family camping checklist shouldn’t only include personal care items like toilet paper and toothpaste, but first aid necessities like bandages, pain relievers and insect bite treatments.

• Towels and/or beach towels
• Washcloths
• Toothpaste and toothbrushes
• Toiletries (shampoo, skin care, soap)
• Hairbrush and comb
• Small mirror
• Extra set of contacts or glasses
• Feminine products
• Antibacterial wipes
• Hand sanitizer
• Bug spray
• Sunscreen
• Sunburn remedy
• Insect-bite treatment
• First-aid kit
• Personal prescriptions
• EpiPen or inhaler
• Antihistamine
• Pain medication
• Toilet paper
• Tissues
• Tweezers

Personal care and first aid essentials

Arrive at your campsite prepared to set up your tent, tarps, canopies and more by remembering a kit of must-have camping tools.

• Mallet
• Multi-tool (e.g. Swiss Army knife)
• Flashlights and/or headlamps
• Extra batteries
• Air pump
• Patch kit or duct tape
• Axe or hatchet
• Bungee cords
  

Tool kit essentials

Depending on factors like your camping crew, location of your campsite or planned activities, here are some additional items to consider adding to your camping checklist.

• Water toys and sand toys
• Personal flotation devices (PFDs)
• Beach blanket and umbrella
• Bluetooth speaker
• Cards and games
• Binoculars
• Bikes and helmets
• Pet gear (food, leash, poop bags, PFD)
• Power bank
• Phone
• Carabiners
• Totes/storage containers
• Coins

Nice-to-have items

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Travelling with a little one? Here are some camping necessities for baby.

• Two baby blankets
• Travel crib or other safe-sleep area
• Pack ‘n Play and netting
• Stroller or infant carrier
• Portable bath and lotion
• Portable high chair
• Baby food
• Bottles
• Breast pump
• Diapers, rash cream and wipes
• Sealed container for dirty diapers
• Infant-safe sunscreen
• A few favourite toys

Infant essentials

Make the most of your family camping trip by including these extras for the younger kids in your group.

• Kids camp seating
• Colouring supplies
• Kids’ books
• Favourite snacks
• Bottles
• Training potty
• Stroller

Kid essentials

Make sure you have the correct passes and permits before you hit the road.

• Maps
• Campsite confirmation
• Park pass
• Boating license
• Fishing permit
• ID and health cards
• Cash and credit cards
• Pet vaccination/health records
• Passport

Read on for expert tips to keep everyone safe and comfortable on your camping adventure.

Sleep and Shelter

• Tent(s): Whether you have a young baby with lots of gear or older children who like their independence, opt for more sleeping space rather than less. This tactic could involve packing a 10-person tent for only five people or pitching one tent for adults and one for kids.
• Sleeping bags: Sleeping bags are rated by the temperature for which they’re recommended and are sold according to season (summer, three-season or winter). It’s best to choose a sleeping bag that promises to keep you warm in the coldest temperatures you might camp in—or even a few degrees colder. Keep in mind: These ratings assume you’ll be sleeping in long underwear and on a sleeping mat or air mattress.^[2]
• Tarps: Tarps are a versatile piece of camping equipment that you can lay on damp ground to keep a tent or picnic blanket dry. You can also hang a tarp over your tent or picnic table to divert rain or even string it up between trees to create a shady oasis.

Clothing

• Waterproof gear: Be prepared for any type of weather by packing lightweight layers and a waterproof shell or jacket for every member of the camping trip—even babies. Stick with wool or synthetics and avoid cotton in colder temperatures, as it tends to hold onto moisture from sweat, rain and humidity.^[3]
• Sleepwear: Also remember to pack extra layers for bedtime, including warm socks, hats and mittens or gloves, especially when camping early or late in the season. Extra sleepwear will also come in handy in case of accidents. If any little ones aren’t fully toilet trained, be sure to pack night diapers.

Camp kitchen

• Storage: Separate your campsite into three separate zones: camp kitchen, sleep and storage. The scent of food, garbage, dishes and toiletries may cause wildlife to wander over to your campsite. To keep your family safe—and prevent animal break-ins—store food and other scented items in a designated storage locker or inside your vehicle.^[4]
• Food: Pre-plan each meal and snack ahead of time and pack more food than you need in case you can’t run to the store. Pack easy-to-eat items like pre-washed and cut fruit and veggies, canned goods, granola bars, crackers and jerky. Don’t forget essentials like salt, pepper, spices and oil.
• Cooler: When buying a cooler, check how long it keeps things fresh and that it’s easily transportable. Some models will keep food cold for three days, which is convenient for weekend trips. Depending on the size of your family, you may need more than one cooler to store everything properly.
• Meal clean-up: It’s neither safe nor considerate to wash dishes in the bathrooms and showers or at the water tap because dishwater contains food particles that can attract animals.^[5] After scraping food off your dishes and into a garbage bag, fill a large, handled container as your “sink,” boil water and add biodegradable soap. Be sure to dispose of the dirty suds away from your site and according to park rules.
• Bug shelter: If you are particularly bothered by bugs, you can purchase a screened dining tent and place the picnic table inside.

Tool kit

• Multi-tool: A Swiss Army knife or pocket multi-tool device is a camper’s best friend—especially the scissors add-on that can be used to cut rope and open food packages (like freezies!).
• Mallet: To avoid bent tent spikes from hammers, bring a mallet instead.
• Air pump: Trust us, you don’t want to be stuck blowing up a unicorn floatie for two. You just need to decide if you want to go for an electric pump that connects to your car’s lighter (to save your energy) or a manual pump that the kids can stomp on during set-up.
• Patch kit: It’s a smart idea to bring a patch kit for minor holes or tears in your tent, air mattress or water toys.

Personal care

• Soaps and cleansers: Minimizing your use of soaps and cleansers—even biodegradable formulas—and keeping them away from natural water sources will help protect the environment. Biodegradable products break down in soil, but they can still harm algae and aquatic plants, so don’t wash dishes in a lake or waterway and keep shampoos and body washes out of the water, too.^[6]
• Bug spray and sunscreen: For a pleasurable and safe camping trip, bug spray and sunscreen are necessities. Dispose of all washing up water safely according to park rules, which often means either dumping dirty water at the trailer sanitation station or pouring it down a toilet.
• Wipes and washcloths: You may want to bring biodegradable wipes or washcloths (that you dampen with water only) for wiping down sticky kids.

For information about booking a campsite, local fire rules and safety info, visit your province’s parks website or plan your visit to a national park with Parks Canada.

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It will help you keep track of everything you need to stay organized whether you’re shopping or packing.

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