We’ve grown to love our camping trips—they truly create the best family memories and adventures. Since we camp with our kids, RV camping is our go-to for an affordable vacation without completely losing comfort. Our annual 4th of July camping trip is right around the corner, and I always start prepping about two weeks ahead of time. (Advance prep is how I manage to travel with seven kids!)
So, I’ve created my go-to camping packing list for our family and turned it into a Ultimate Family Camping Free Printable Checklist to share with you. It is family-approved!
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Below is a peak of the list with our favorite products that make camping smoother, more comfortable, and more fun!
🍳 Camp Cooking Gear We Can’t Go Without
What is camping without good food? We skip the campfire cooking and use the Camp Chef Grill – We love ours! The open burners work perfectly with cast iron pans and our Dutch oven. We also switch it out with Camp Chef’s grill box. Don’t forget to add the Lodge Scraper – a game changer when it comes to cleaning.
Water can be iffy while camping, so I always bring two Brita pitchers with filters.
The top appliance for camping is the method for coffee brewing. If we have electric, we will actually bring our Bunn Coffee Maker from home. We love the Bunn coffee maker, which makes coffee in 3 minutes. If no electric, we do bring a percolator. Slower coffee brewing time, but it does make quality coffee. We have these Everyday Stanley Tumblers that are great for morning coffee and then wine or cocktails by the campfire in the evening. They are a good size and very packable and portable.
Don’t forget the s’mores sticks—your kids will mutiny if none are found!
🏕️Camp Essentials
Camping with kids is a on the go vacation. In order to keep us all hydrated, we all have our own individual water bottles. I keep the Brita water going and the kids are in charge of making sure their water bottles are constantly full. ThermoFlask has been our favorite water bottle so far. The kids personalize them with fun waterproof stickers, which I use as rewards!
Unfortunately, nature does bring the bugs. Our favorite and most effective bug repellent is Cedarcide spray. Non-toxic and great at keeping mosquitos and especially ticks away. Bugs be gone!
Flashlights – always important! Even with an electric site we always have a solid stash of flashlights. I always buy this bulk pack of smaller handhelds for the kids. It is cheap and I know I will have to replace them as they do get lost, but the kids love their own individual flashlights they can grab. Nebo flashlights are our favorite so far in keeping the campsite bright. We love their portable lantern and the headlamp has been essential. Both are impressively bright and perfect for camping in the dark.
Coolers are always a must-have. We have a fridge in our camping trailer, but I always bring our RTIC cooler as a backup or back fridge usage. This cooler rocks—it keeps food cold for up to 5 days! It works like a Yeti but without the high price tag. I also consistently use the portable RTIC cooler. Great for packing lunch and snacks
🏖️ Beach & Water Gear
Our camping trips are often by the water—there’s always a lake or beach to be found. Here are our top essentials on what to pack with kids for a beach/lake day trip:
- Beach Wagon – a must-have!
- RTIC Portable Cooler – Keeps food cold all day.
- Beach Canopy – We love the Neso canopy: packs up light, no umbrella drama!
🛴 Kid & Family Extras
Traveling with kids does mean there are a few more supplies to keep kids busy. We recently bought a ROC inflatable paddle board from Amazon. This has been a great camping addition. My 8- and 10-year-old could easily inflate it and carry it to the water. It also packs up well into an easy carry backpack. Never forget those life jackets!
Glow sticks are essential for night time to keep kids identifiable. This was a recommendation from a dear camping friend, and I am excited to pass it along.
I also always shave my Ergo 360 for the baby/toddler. Perfect for hiking, keeping those little ones strapped when needed, and even to rock and bounce to sleep by the campfire.
Lastly, two really fun items if camping in the trees are a hammock and a Ninja Line Swing Set. The swing set has been an awesome addition to our camp set up. Playgrounds are fun to walk too, but it also super useful to have at home base.
🤕 DIY Family First Aid Kit
A First-Aid Kit is always fundamental addition to a camping trip. Injuries and bug bites still do happen. I have put my own together and also have bought a kit already together. Here are the extra must-haves I always add to our first-aid kit:
- Bentonite Clay – a natural clay I keep on hand for skin care needs.
- Calendula -a gentle herb I like to include in my natural skin care routine.
- Arnica Cream – a go-to for my post-activity self-care and muscle comfort.
- Manuka Honey – a natural honey I enjoy using as part of my home wellness pantry.
- Aloe – soothing and refreshing for skin and home use.
- Essential Oils – Lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree, chamomile – Plant Therapy is my all-time favorite essential oil brand, especially with their Outdoor Fun rollers labeled by Plant Therapy for gentle use with families. For travel, their rollers are a great addition – already pre-diluted essential oil and quick to use.
💤 Sleep Essentials for the Whole Family
Of course, camping calls for sleeping bags! Yet, I save those for the kids. Mom & Dad’s bed gets a real bed set up. The standard camping mattress are usually not great, so we upgraded our mattress with this Bamboo Pillow Top Mattress Pad from Amazon without breaking the bank. It definitely helps our late 30’s bodies feel much more rested on vacation. I then unzip a sleeping bag to provide even extra cushion and then layer on our sheets and a cute comforter. Camping can be homey too!
📝 Pre-Camping Notes from a Mama of 7
- Book Campsites in Advance – Know the booking window for the best sites!
- Clean & Prep the Camper 10–14 Days Out – Catch any issues and shop early.
- Watch the Weather – Start checking a week before: need rain gear? Fans?
- Meal Plan Ahead – Stress-free trips start with meals ready to go.
👉 Look out for my camping meal plan post coming soon!
Download Your Free Printable Camping Checklist!
Want a printable version of this entire list? Click below the button below to download your free camping checklist—perfect for RV trips and camping with kids!
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