Car Camping with Kids: The Essential Packing List

Quarters, for those restorative coin-operated showers!

Tent with rainfly: Don’t scrimp on this — borrow or rent a good one when starting out

Sleeping bags and pads (“character” overnight bags don’t cut it)

Pillows (bring ‘em — you’ve got the room)

Camp chairs (one for everybody)

Lantern (with kids, stick to LED lights rather than propane-fueled)

Tarp(s) to use as a ground cloth in front of the tent, to create shade and repel rain

Clothesline/clothes pins (to hang wet towels and clothing)

Small broom (to sweep out the tent)

Firewood (collecting firewood is prohibited in most campgrounds; check to see if a burn ban is in effect)

Newspaper (for fire starting)

Duct tape (believe me, you’ll find a use for it)

Carabiners (to attach things)

Scissors (that can cut rope and duct tape)

First-aid kit (make sure you have kid-friendly doses of contents)

Flashlights and/or headlamps (most campgrounds do not have “street lights”)

Toilet paper (bring a roll, just in case)

Fire-starter (I like the long, lighter-type)

Large ice chest (tip: freeze water in empty 2-quart juice jugs in advance to use as “ice” — no mess when they melt, and you can use the water if needed)

5-gallon water container (if your campsite has water, you can fill it there)

Plastic table cloth

1–2 gallons of drinking water (always tastes better than campground water)
Pots/pans (depending on what you plan to cook) and cooking utensils

Coffee pot (Melita’s cone-drip system works great right on your cup)

Plastic and/or paper plates/bowls (depending on the availability of water for clean-up)

Cutlery (metal or plastic)

Plastic cups and insulated mugs

Marshmallow toasting sticks (not always available at the campground)

Paper towels (lots)

Aluminum foil

Trash bags (kitchen size is great, trashcan size is good to keep things dry if needed)

Assortment of Ziploc bags

 Clothes and accessories

Wool or nylon socks (stay away from cotton)

Fleece (jacket and pants if you’ve got ‘em)

Warm hat and gloves (even in summer, depending on where you go)

Brimmed hat and sunglasses

Bathing suit (if swimming is a viable option)
Water shoes (if camping near water)

Sturdy shoes (hiking shoes or other lace-ups are best)

Flip flops (essential for public showers to avoid picking up athlete’s foot)

Jammies (unless you like sleeping in your clothes)

Toiletries (toothbrush/paste, hairbrush, soap, etc.)

Necessary medications (be sure to bring a few days extra, just in case; also a great idea to bring a fever reducer/pain reliever)

 Nice-to-have extras

Field guides (whatever you’re interested in)*

Binoculars (they don’t have to be expensive)

Area maps (of the trails and/or locale)*

Camera (keep in a Ziplock bag when near sand)

Mosquito repellent (anything with DEET is best, but can be hard on kids)
Refillable water bottles (metal is ideal)

Whistle (to call for help)

Compass (know how to use it)