Family Camping Made Easy: PLUS Free Printable Packing Essentials Checklist
Image courtesy of Clarisse Meyer - Unsplash
SHARING IS CARING!
UPDATED POST: May 10, 2022
I’m not your camping kinda girl. Yes, I know this is a camping post but hear me out here. The thought of being eaten alive by bugs and not being able to properly shower before bed sends shivers down my spine. That being said, Bogey loves camping so I have learned to love
like accept it.
Want to know the secret to this change of heart? Well, apart from believing in that old saying “A family that camps together, stays together”, I have learned that organizing and packing the right camping gear is KEY! I have decided to put our camping bloopers to use by creating a camping checklist for newbies. Camping doesn’t have to be a nightmare anymore. I hope this checklist will help make packing less stressful and your trip more comfortable and enjoyable for the family.
Shelter Essentials
Tent - Unless you like sleeping exposed to the elements and being a midnight snack to vicious mosquitoes, you have to invest in a tent. Well, technically, you could camp in your car (which we have done) but if you don’t have a truck or a big SUV, I promise you, you will wake up with aches and pains from a cramped sleeping position. That won’t make for an enjoyable start of the day. Before we got our rooftop tent, we used an old Columbia Grant’s Pass 4-person tent similar to this. It is made of a water-repellant fabric, has mesh windows, an inside storage pocket, and a rainfly (tent cover for privacy and the rain). Our tent has proven very reliable for us and we were very happy with it. Our friends swear by this pop up Coleman cabin tent and I’ve actually seen it set up so quickly (not sure about 60 seconds because I wasn’t counting lol). It comes in 4, 6 or 10 person options.
Steal: If you are unsure about camping being a regular family activity and don’t want to invest in a higher priced tent for now, this Coleman Sundome tent has consistently received pretty good ratings. We had a Coleman tent a while back and it served us well, too.
Meeks Bay Camping in a 2-person (and 1 fur baby!) Coleman tent
Splurge: Bogey got major pushback from me about getting a rooftop tent because of the price but he is an avid camper so he thought it would be a worthwhile investment. We have used it a lot since we got it and ok, ok, it IS much more comfortable AND it did allay my gigantic fear of snakes. So, don’t tell Bogey he was right… 🤫
Dispersed camping in Alabama Hills
There are so many different tent options out there (dome, cabin, geodesic, tunnel, ridge, with compartments, without compartments, etc) so choose what is best for your family. The important thing is to practice setting up your tent at home before your trip. You really don’t want to have to struggle setting up your tent when you are losing precious daylight in an unfamiliar location.
Tent stakes and mallet - Tents usually come with stakes but if yours doesn’t, I like that this tent kit comes with all the things (and then some) you need to set up your tent and keep it clean (woohoo! for the dustpan and broom). It even comes in a handy mesh bag so you can keep them organized. It would also be a good idea to invest in these longer stakes when the regular stakes are not enough to keep your tent on the ground (high winds). You can also use these on both ground, sand and apparently, even snow (calling all hard-core campers out there!)
Ground sheet/footprint - A waterproof ground cover provides an extra moisture layer and protects the underside of your tent. This waterproof tarp comes in different sizes. Get the size that is slightly larger than your tent to ensure enough coverage. When not being used as a footprint, you can also use this tarp as a sunshade or canopy
Tent repair kit - This is a clear elastomer material so it looks slightly better than duct tape when you have to repair holes in your tent
Sleeping bags - If you can, try to invest in a 3 season sleeping bag as you have more opportunities to use it. I am currently using this Marmot Trestles mummy sleeping bag. I like that it’s very warm and super light. If you are an active sleeper, though, the mummy bag might be constricting so here is one that has more leg room that you might want to consider.
Meeks Bay Campground
Steal: If you don’t want to invest in a higher-priced sleeping bag, this Coleman Brazos sleeping bag has good reviews. With a 20-40 degree temperature rating though, you might have to bring extra blankets to keep you warm in cooler areas/seasons.
Splurge: When it’s time to upgrade, I will likely get this North Face One Bag sleeping bag. I really like the interchangeable layers you could configure according to the temperature.
Alaina likes having blankets and a stuffed animal inside her sleeping bag so she uses an adult sleeping bag but for smaller kids who like to feel cozy and snug in their bags, this REI Kindercone sleeping bag is a good choice because of its adjustability so kids can grow into it.
I am looking into getting a queen sleeping bag so the three of us can all sleep in one bag (yes, all 3 of us can fit in a queen lol) so this Sleepingo sleeping bag is in my cart right now. What I find cool about this sleeping bag is you could use it as two individual sleeping bags too. It comes with two pillows, a carrying bag and what’s best, a lifetime warranty! I have used this brand’s sleeping pad and so far, I have been happy with it.
My kind of camping - GLAMPING!
Sleeping pad/air mattress - In my opinion, this will make or break your camping trip. I can’t really recommend the foam pads/mats because we have tried them and I wasn’t really happy with them. Although we just use sleeping bags in the rooftop tent now, we have used both the ultra light (0.9 lbs!) Sleepingo sleeping pad and an inflatable queen air mattress depending on the ground condition and the time of the year. The air mattress is more suited for cooler temperatures when you desire a thicker layer. This air mattress comes with a pump and isn’t too high so it should fit nicely in a 4-person tent. As with the tent, it is always a good idea to test your sleeping bags and air mattress at home before your trip.
Pillows and extra blankets - I don’t like taking our home pillows to camping so we bought camping pillows similar to these. Each pillow comes with a carry bag and is washable (woohoo!). These are somewhat flat which we don’t really mind but take note if you prefer fluffier pillows.
Glamping in Mendocino county
Kids’ favorite sleeping items
Fur baby travel bed - We have this Coleman dog bed and I love that it’s light, foldable and washable.
Thrifty Tip
Rent these big-ticket items before purchasing. Try them out on your first camping trip and then you can decide what works well for your family and just purchase what you need. REI offers camping kits/outdoor gear for rent. Check if rentals are available in your area at https://www.rei.com/rentals
Bowman Lake Car Camping
Gear Essentials
First-aid kit- We just keep one of these kits in each car so we are always prepared for emergencies. Medicine for diarrhea, headaches, cough and colds are in the kit as well.
Multi-use tool - Instant tool kits are not only functional for camping but also a good idea to have in your home survival kit and in your daily commuter vehicle. We have this Gerber tool and it has been a really great tool for 15 years now.
Steal: We don’t really need another tool but I saw this pretty cool (and cheap!) tool and now, it is sitting in my cart. It has an axe and hammer so this would be useful when you need to hammer down tent stakes or cut small wood chunks. If you have this tool, please let me know if it’s a good one in the comments below :)
Splurge: There are a lot of multi-use tools with so many other options and configurations out there but this Leatherman tool would probably be more than enough for your camping and daily needs.
Duct tape - Use it as an emergency band-aid (if your first aid kit runs out), tent patch (if you don’t mind the “patchy” esthetics), flashlight holder, mend shoes and clothing, repair water bottles, and so much more. Check out this interesting post on the Outdoor Life website on survival uses of duct tape.
Lanterns/Flashlights - We have both collapsible lanterns and solar inflatable ones. The collapsible one is battery-powered, packs well and emits a really bright light. We also keep one in each of our survival backpacks. The solar lantern is extremely light and great to hang inside your tent.
Headlamps - Headlamps are essential for hands-free navigation in the dark. Trying to balance wash bins loaded with dirty plates and pans and a lantern is a recipe for disaster. I have this which is very similar to Bogey’s headlamp but at a more affordable price point. Alaina’s headlamp is way cooler because of the different strap choices lol.
Navigating a lava tube using headlamps
Compass/Maps - This is an easy one because almost all phones now have a digital compass and the ability to access maps anywhere in the world.
Travel Tip
Download all the maps you will need before your trip on your phone as most campsites/campgrounds and national/state parks have spotty wifi.
Parachute cord - Paracord has so many uses when camping (eg. rope, clothesline, tying tarp and bear bags to trees, etc.) so it’s always a good idea to have it on hand.
Camp chairs - We have super old Eddie Bauer camping chairs that we have had since forever. I love that it has cup holders and storage pockets because some camping chairs don’t have those. Here are similar ones that have great reviews and a bunch of pockets.
Camp table - When you book a campsite, it will usually have 1 picnic table. For us, that single table is not enough because we need a spot to park our camp stove and food items while cooking. An extra camp table (or two) will not only help organize your food but can also act as an extra eating surface. We got our table from REI and we love it. It’s lightweight, comes with a carrying case and because it’s collapsible, it doesn’t take up too much room in the car. We take it to the beach too to keep our food away from the sand. I found a similar, affordable one on Amazon.
Swinging her cares away…
Beach blanket - If at any point in your camping trip, you are planning to go to a lake or the beach, a waterproof beach blanket is a must. We have an old one that I bought when Alaina was a few months old and it looks great still even after 10 years of use. It’s water resistant and easily folds into a bag with a carrying strap. To me, the best thing about this blanket is that I can just throw it in the washer and it looks like new again. Being a busy mom, nothing excites me more than seeing a tag that says machine washable lol (#machinewashable). I haven’t seen the same blanket in Costco for some time now but I found something similar to what we have here.
Beach tent - Salt air and sandy toes have a calming effect on our family so we always try to go whenever we can. We used to bring a very cumbersome umbrella for a day at the beach but now, we almost always never go camping without our Lightspeed beach tent. It’s lightweight and comes with a carrying bag and stakes. This tent makes for comfortable nap and book times. We love it!
Baby boy Benny watching a game of beach volleyball in Dillon Beach
Backpacks/Daypacks - For long hikes, we like carrying ultralight backpacks. I got mine from REI several years ago and is similar to this. It has 2 inside pockets and external loops where you can hang extra gear from. I also like the fact that it has a sternum strap to disperse the weight of your pack and keep the shoulder straps from falling. Bogey has an Osprey daypack which you can attach to other compatible Osprey backpacks. It has a pocket where you can store a hydration bladder, a sternum strap as well as a hipbelt. We usually don’t hike in the rain (been caught in it a few times, though) but the weather can sometimes be unpredictable in national forests so a rain cover for your backpacks might be a good idea to have too.
For shorter hikes where we plan to picnic, Bogey carries this cooler backpack from REI. The lower compartment has a removable cooler big enough for some beverages and snacks/sandwiches for the three of us. The upper compartment holds electronics and clothes/gear. It’s great and a staple in our car whenever we go camping or even just day trips.
My water resistant backpack helped while hiking amidst hail in Lassen Volcanic National Park
Phone and phone charger
Dry bag - If you are planning any water activity and don’t want to leave electronics in the car or would like to take snacks with you without having to worry about getting them soaked, dry bags might give you some peace of mind. They come in a variety of sizes for your needs. We don’t have a top of the line dry bag and we don’t want to take any chances with our electronics so apart from our dry bag, we also have these Pelican cases. We use this for our phones, keys and other small valuables. The dry bags can also be used for storing wet clothes to keep them away from clean, dry clothes.
Portable high chair or booster seat for younger kids - if applicable
Camera and camera charger - We usually just use our phones for pictures but we like bringing our underwater camera too if we are doing water activities. I’ve had this Olympus Tough camera for 4 years now and in my opinion, is a good overall camera which gives high quality images for an affordable price. I can’t count how many times I’ve dropped it on hard surfaces (eeeekkk!) but apart from tiny scratches, it still looks like new. The float strap that comes with it has saved my camera a handful of times already so this is a contender if you are thinking of getting an underwater camera.
Camera tripod - We have a Dynex basic tripod which we have been using for 11 years but I am not sure if this brand still sells tripods as I’m not seeing any for sale online. Manfrotto consistently receives good reviews and I found one model that might be a good choice for small cameras and phones. If you are a serious photographer or have a fancy camera setup (not us lol), you might want to research some other options.
Unedited underwater pic taken with Olympus Tough camera
Clothing Essentials
Pajamas/thermal underwear - dependent on the weather. Always check the weather forecast before your trip. Alaina has this base layer set for mild weather and this fleece-lined thermal underwear for cooler weather.
Underwear - We always bring extras (more than days of your trip). As a rule of thumb, we bring two for each day of our trip.
Jackets and sweaters - dependent on the season. It’s always a good idea to pack a light waterproof hooded jacket with the sweaters in the spring, fall and winter.
Sun hats and beanies - This booney hat with sun protection is packable, has a ponytail opening and has side snaps so it can be worn two different ways.
Gloves
Hand warmers - Hothands are life savers especially on those cooler nights.
Camping Hack: Place one (or two) Hothands hand warmers by your feet inside your sleeping bag. You will thank me later when you wake up warm and toasty from a restful sleep. For more camping hacks, check out this related post: 20 Game-Changing Camping Hacks
Daily clothing - shorts, shirts, pants
Socks, socks and more socks
Hiking shoes - I highly recommend these waterproof Oboz hiking boots. They are sturdy and protect my ankle from rolling. I have used them hiking in the rain and trekking through mud and they have never failed me. I hesitated getting them initially because of the cost but they are worth every penny. Size up and try them on with thicker socks to ensure you get a comfortable fit. Bogey uses these Salomons and they are highly recommended as well. Alaina has used Salomons in the past but is now using these from Mountain Warehouse. She is very particular about shoes and refuses to wear anything that would cover her ankle (so no mid or high top shoes). Oh, and nothing pink too :). Because A outgrows her shoes so fast, apart from Amazon, I always check out REI, Columbia and Mountain Warehouse websites for sales to score some great deals on shoes for her.
Tennis shoes or sneakers
Camp slippers or flip flops
Swimsuit
Water shoes - We bring water shoes when we are planning to do some water activities like kayaking or paddling. A and I like wearing water socks while Bogey prefers mesh water shoes that can also be used for hiking.
Paddleboarding in Lake Tahoe
Sunglasses - Use these eyewear straps to keep your sunglasses from falling into the river.
Socks - Did I say socks already? Lol. I cannot stress enough how important it is to have several pairs because if your child is like ours, socks will constantly get wet and dusty and would need to be replaced at least twice a day.
Diapers - if applicable
Menstrual pads or sanitary napkins, panty liners - if applicable
Toiletries - Soap/shampoo, lotion, face wash, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss. We are trying to be more responsible travelers so I’ve been leaning more towards organic, biodegradable, reef and earth-friendly products such as this soap when camping so that we can truly “leave no trace”. I am looking into solid shampoo and bamboo toothbrushes but I have never tried them. I will update this post if I find something that’s worth trying.
Toilet paper - lots of it!
Baby wipes - You will use baby wipes constantly throughout the day for keeping the little ones clean, well, at least somewhat clean.
Towels - Technical towels are our towels of choice whenever we travel. They pack light, are quick drying and don’t take up a lot of precious camping bag real estate.
Hairbrush or comb and hair ties
Sunscreen and lip balm - I have stopped using chemical sunscreens not only because of hormone disruption in our bodies but also because of coral reef bleaching caused by the active ingredients widely used in chemical sunscreens. I always check the label and use only mineral or “physical” sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredients. These physical sunscreens usually leave a white cast on your skin but for me, the benefits far outweigh that negative. We also try to choose lip balm formulations that are organic, natural and have zinc oxide for sun protection. Badger lip balm has been a good choice for us so far.
Insect repellant - By the same token, I have stopped using DEET-containing products because the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) rates DEET under Toxicity Category III - slightly toxic to birds, fish and aquatic invertebrates. We use plant-based DEET-free Repel. I find that the eucalyptus smell is a little intense out of the bottle so I have Alaina wear a mask or cover her nose during application. The intense smell dissipates after a few seconds.
Disinfecting wipes
Hand sanitizer
Extra bags - We use our dry bags to store wet, dirty clothes but if you don’t have dry bags, make sure you have extra bags to store wet and dirty clothes and keep them separate from the clean, dry clothes.
Fueling up before whitewater rafting
Food Essentials
Camp stove and propane/butane - We have this Coleman camp stove that we are very happy with. It has two burners (fits a 12 inch and 10 inch pot/pan simultaneously), wind-blocking panels and folds flat. Plan your meals and calculate how many hours you’ll be cooking. Generally, it’s 1 16-oz propane bottle per hour of cooking. It’s also a good idea to test your stove out prior to your camping trip.
Fire starting tinder, kindling and firewood - Campgrounds will usually have firewood available for sale so call ahead. Check fire restrictions in your campground before safely building a fire. When done, wait for flames to die then drown the embers with water to make sure the fire is completely out. This is VERY IMPORTANT as according to the Forest Service, nearly 85% of wildfires are caused by human carelessness.
Camping Hack: Waste not. Use dryer lint for kindling. Coat dryer lint in petroleum jelly for a cheap fire starter. For more camping hacks, check out this related post: 20 Game-Changing Camping Hacks
Waterproof matches or lighter - You can always bring both regular and waterproof matches and just save the waterproof ones when needed. We keep some in our survival backpacks as well.
Drinking water - If you ever run out of water during long hikes while camping, a mini water filter might be a good thing to have in your pack. We usually plan ahead and bring enough water for hikes so I cannot personally attest to the taste and effectiveness of this device but it has 15,000+ 4.5 star reviews so if I really had to get one, it would probably be this.
Water jugs - We always bring water jugs or jerry cans for our drinking water as well as water for washing. If there is filtered water in your campground, you might want to try a collapsible water container that you can fill when you get to the site.
Beverage/food cooler with ice - For food and other beverages, we usually bring a hard cooler as well as a soft sided cooler. A wheeled cooler is a must. This Coleman cooler with wheels is what we have but the handle is not very comfortable so we are thinking of upgrading to this Yeti cooler because of great reviews from friends who own these coolers. This keeps the ice cold for days, very durable, has a long, sturdy handle and a big plus is that it’s bear proof. A waterproof soft sided cooler is not necessary when you have a wheeled cooler already. We have one that we take when we are tubing or when we are on our inflatable boat. We got that soft cooler way back in Costco and it is similar to this.
Food items for meals, plus plenty of snacks - We plan our meals so that we won’t have any leftovers to have to take home. I will write a post soon for recipe ideas for easy camping eats. We bring a LOT of snacks and most of the time, those are gone by the trip home lol.
Formula or baby food - if applicable
Pet food - if applicable
S’mores supplies (graham crackers, marshmallows, chocolate, roasting sticks) - The very first food items we pack for camping trips! lol
Seasonings in small containers - I use these mini containers not just on camping trips but also for small items and dressings/sauces for packed lunches for A and Bogey.
Cooking oil
Coffee/instant coffee - Our family brings instant coffee on camping trips but when we camp with our fancy friend, we get amazing espresso with this mini espresso maker.
Tea and hot chocolate
Tablecloth
Potholders
Plates, cups, mugs and eating utensils - We take this picnic backpack with us every single road trip. It has all the essentials you would need for a picnic or camping eating needs. It has a fleece blanket, wine cooler (woohoo!), and an insulated storage compartment in the back. What’s awesome about this backpack is the fact that you could personalize it. I buy patches of the national parks we go to and stitch or glue it on to the backpack and looking at those patches brings back wonderful memories of each trip. I switched out the plastic wine glasses with these silicone ones so we don’t have to worry about breakage.
Lounging around…
Reusable water bottles - B has a Hydroflask which he has had for several years now. It keeps water cold for hours and is very durable albeit a little heavy for longer hikes. A and I use Thermoflasks which work just as well, in my opinion, at a more affordable price point.
Cookware - We have this extremely light (just 4 pounds!) GSI cookware set that has a nesting design making it super compact. It comes with 2 pots, a pan, plates, bowls, mugs, folding handle all stuffed into a carrying bag which doubles as a wash basin. I find the strainer lid to be such a cool feature. Overall, this set is really just well-designed and a good camping investment. If you don’t feel the need to invest in a cookware set that has all these bells and whistles, we find that a cast iron pot and pan will usually be sufficient for all the cooking you need to do while camping. Sometimes, we even bring both! Just remember to “season” your cast iron cookware regularly to keep them from rusting and make them last for generations. We still use the cast iron pan Bogey’s mom used when they were kids.
Another option is this highly rated affordable Stanley cookware set complete with everything you will need for camp meals including a pot and pan, cooking utensils, plates, bowls, cutting board and a trivet.
Campfire nights are never complete without smores
Cooking utensils, spatula, tongs, cutting board and knives - We use the old cooking utensils we have accumulated over the years that we have organized and solely use for camping. If you have no extra cooking utensils you could use for camping, it’s best to get one and keep it separate from your home cooking utensils. This utensil set is a good option but if you have nonstick camping pots and pans, bamboo cooking utensils are probably better to use to avoid scratching the nonstick surface.
Kettle - We use an old kettle for camping but if you don’t have an extra one at home, a lightweight one should be one to consider.
Can/bottle opener
Dishwashing soap - We use this biodegradable liquid camp soap that foams up quickly with just a few drops. The manufacturer claims that it is gentle enough to be used for your face and hair but we haven’t really tried using this for bathing so I can’t attest to that.
Wash cloths and sponges
Wash bins - We use plastic bins that double as storage bins as well.
Camping Hack: Save yourself a headache and store all your camping cookware/utensils in clear storage bins. These storage bins double as wash bins in the campsite. Organizing your camping cookware saves you packing time as they are all readily accessible in one bin.
Paper towels
Aluminum foil
Trash bags
Water for washing food and cookware - if none available in campsite
Someone enjoyed glamping and didn’t want to leave…
Fun Essentials
At Alaina’s age, it is getting harder to peel her away from her devices and video games so we take any chance we get to go on camping trips or road trips. This not only reinforces our bond as a family but forces A to use her imagination for other forms of creative play. The massive bonus is that we get to explore new places and rekindle our appreciation of the outdoors.
Pie Face/board games/card games/deck of cards - Our Pie Face game never fails to make us laugh and is always the game that A looks forward to playing every single trip. Don’t forget the whipped cream!
Pie faced!!!
Books
Art supplies - I usually just bring paper and markers/colored pencils but sometimes we end up not using them because A finds so many other things to do during downtimes.
Beach toys
Bubbles/bubble wands and glow sticks - Depending on your child’s age, these might not be essential anymore. A is at that age where she doesn’t enjoy these as much as she did when she was younger.
Conestoga Wagons close to Yosemite National Park
Nice-to-have Nonessentials
Inflatable boat/loungers/floating mats - We have an old inflatable boat similar to this Intex inflatable boat that I got many, many years ago. It is fun because the 3 of us can fit and have room for some gear but it takes up a lot of room in the car. For the past trips, we have been using this inflatable lounger. We used this both for a beach and a tubing trip and so far, it’s been holding up. The material is a little flimsy so I’m not sure how long we can keep using this.
In California, all boats (motorized or human-powered) are required to carry a Coast Guard Approved life jacket for each passenger on board. Even if it wasn’t required, I am still more comfortable having my family wear a life jacket any time we are in a boat. B and I have life vests similar to this and A has both the type II and type III flotation device. Get more information on safety and life jackets here.
Hammock - A basic one like this makes for a good nap or reading a book and might be well worth the investment.
Taking it all in - Shasta-Trinity National Forest
Portable battery camp fan - Aside from providing that much-needed breeze on days you need it, fans keep mosquitoes at bay. According to Joseph Conlon, a technical adviser for the American Mosquito Control Association, fans are a low-tech but effective solution because “mosquitoes are weak fliers and have trouble navigating a moderate breeze, plus, the breeze will tend to dissipate all of the body odors and the carbon dioxide that people give off that attract mosquitoes, so the mosquitoes have much more of a difficult time trying to find their hosts.”
EZ up tent - To provide some shade from the sun, you could use a canopy/tarp or an EZ up tent. The tent is heavy and takes up a lot of room in the car but you don’t need trees to hang it from like the tarp. If you are unsure of the weather on your trip, this might be something to consider for comfort and convenience.
Portable battery - We have the Goal Zero power station to power our phones, camera and other small devices.
Fishing gear, license and bait - If you are planning to go fishing, check the fishing restrictions and requirements in the area before your trip.
Binoculars - Kids are thrilled using the binoculars especially standing atop a mountain they conquered. A compact waterproof option like this might be a good investment.
Asilomar State Beach
Dispersed Camping Essentials
We have gone on dispersed camping trips so the following items apply to that kind of trip. Dispersed camping is not for the faint of heart. Newbies can do it but in my opinion, this might not be a good way to introduce camping to the family. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping outside of a designated campground. You are basically on your own here - no services, no facilities, nothing. Some popular dispersed camping areas may have toilets but most don’t. If you don’t mind roughing it though, this experience provides solitude and a primitive experience you might appreciate.
My first ever camping experience was a dispersed camping trip which I did not really enjoy. I’m all for adventure but trying to find a snake-free, private area to relieve oneself is a little much for me. If I had these game-changers, it would have been a far better first experience.
Compact portable toilet - Truly a must if you want to come out of your dispersed camping trip with dignity. We use this and are soooooo happy with it. The liners are available to purchase separately as part of a toilet kit. Each of these toilet kits come with a waste bag that has a gelling/deodorizing powder inside, a disposal bag, a wipe and individual toilet paper. The toilet folds flat (briefcase size) and weighs just 7 lbs so it doesn’t take up too much room in the car.
Keep these Travel John disposable urinals in the tent to avoid late-night bathroom outings. We keep a couple in the car too in case we end up in the middle of nowhere.
Portable shower - This has truly upped our camping game. Our good friends Josh and Irene introduced us to this stand-up portable shower and now, we probably won’t go on a dispersed camping trip without this. Coleman sells a hanging solar shower too that does the job at a more affordable price point.
Privacy pop up tent - Portable shower/toilet privacy tents house your camping toilet and shower. There are cheaper options but won’t have the bells and whistles such as the shower head straps, towel hanger and the storage pocket this one has.
Woohoo! You made it to the end of the list. Yes, this is a really comprehensive list but I want you to be prepared so you can actually have an enjoyable camping trip. It took a few disastrous camping trips before we could finally take pleasure in those outings.
Below you will find a comprehensive camping checklist you can download and print.
Camping Hack: Give each older child a Clothing page from the checklist so they can pack their own stuff and you have one less thing to worry about (You’re welcome, busy momma!)
RELATED: Check out my post on ingenious camping hacks to make your camping trip a lot easier!
Now that you’ve got all your camping gear, just sit back, relax and appreciate the great outdoors! We always advocate responsible camping and respect for the environment by adhering to the leave no trace principles.
So, are you ready to sleep under the stars and finally embark on that camping adventure? Let me know what you think in the comments below.
