Download your FREE camping with kids checklist.

As a family we love camping, whether it’s on our upcoming France road trip, on our Africa overland adventures, or even in our back garden. We love being outdoors, roasting marshmallows over the campfire, and waking up to the sounds of nature around us. Plus camping it’s a great option for budget travel.

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Trying out our new @vango_outdoor tent (gifted) in one of the best campsites in the #peakdistrictnationalpark – homely facilities, lots of toys and a trampoline, extremely easy to get to, and it's FREE! Want to know where? …. Our garden! 😜😜😜 .. We've been looking for a tent that's lightweight to take hiking, but comfortable for us all to sleep in. The SPEY 400+ seems to fit the bill nicely at the mo 👌And we got it up easily without any instructions 🙌 .. We always like to do shake out with new camping gear before we venture out on a trip – check that everything works ok and there are no problems. So far, so good, and we all had a fab night's sleep 👍 .. .. .. #vango #vangomakemore #campinglife #familytravel #camplife #campingwithkids #getoutside #outdoorkids #outdoorfun #outdoorplay #ukexplore #tentlife #freshairandfreedom #countrylife #letsgosomewhere #liveoutdoors #outdoorliving #adventurekids #parentblogger #parenthood_unveiled #lppathfinders #ourtribetravels #travelmum #uktravelblogger #visitengland #britishsummer #mummyblogger #fearlessfamtrav #letthemexplore

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What I don’t like? The packing. There is always so much stuff to take and seemingly never enough boot space!

But over the years, I’ve honed it down to a fine art to minimise faffing. Firstly, clothes and electronic items are packed in boxes (like these) for easy access, and then I have a ‘camping with kids checklist’. Organisation is key when it comes to packing for a family camping trip!

I receive lots of questions from people asking how we manage to fit everything in our car and avoid purchasing a roof box. We don’t have a massive car; we drive a Xsara Picasso. So I thought I’d share with you our camping with kids checklist, which you can also download and print off here.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Should you click to purchase, it is at no extra cost to you, although I receive a small commission.

Download your FREE camping with kids checklist.

Camping with kids checklist

Tent

I know putting a tent on the checklist may seem obvious, but if it’s not on the list I’d worry you forget it! We love our Vango Edoras 500XL air. It’s going to be our home for much of the summer. But if you are just going doing an overnight camp, planning on hiking with camp gear, or need something light weight, then you need the Vango Spey 400+.

Chairs and table

Sleeping gear

I put all our sleeping gear into a large laundry bag.

Cooking gear

Electrical items

Personal items

  • Clothes
  • Wellies
  • Wash kit
  • Microfibre towels
  • Hairbrush
  • Camping mirror
  • Medical kit – including plasters, Calpol, Savlon, mossie repellent, sun cream, Tiger Balm.

Additional items

  • Travel washing line
  • Collapsible bucket – we use this as a toilet at night
  • Firelighters, kindling and firewood – if campfires are allowed at your site it’s often cheaper to take these items with you.
  • Matches
  • Scooters/bikes for the kids – these foldable microscooters fit in the car with all the rest of the camping gear, whereas bikes require a bike rack.
  • Card games, kids books, activity/drawing books for kids, coloured pens, Don’t try and take any more than this – they have the great outdoors to explore!

 

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