Skip to Content

Our Bongo packing checklist for family camping

Our Bongo packing checklist for family camping

As a family we love camping, whether it’s a France road trip, our Africa overland adventures, or even in our back garden, and our days camping in our Mazda Bongo will also be some of our best family camping memories. 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.

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.

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. Organisation is key when it comes to packing for a family camping trip and a camping checklist is paramount!

If you’re new to Bongo life or thinking of buying a Bongo, check out our BONGO BEGINNER TIPS

Family camping Checklist

Gas and water

Powermaster 981201 Extension Lead 16A 230V 14m 3 Pin
  • 16A CEE 3-pin plug and socket
  • 1.5 mm high quality flex
  • Length 14m
  • H05VVF PVC cable

Tents and awnings

If you’re staying somewhere for a couple of nights of more, it’s nice to have an awning to give you that little bit more space. We have one that came with our Bongo when we bought it off eBay, but I do love this OLPRO Cocoon Breeze that Tinbox Traveller uses.

If you’re wild camping or staying somewhere with no toilet facilities, then a pop up toilet tent is an excellent idea. Add in a collapsible toilet seat, bin bags, saw dust and of course toilet roll, and you’re sorted!

Dining and lounging

KEEPAA Inflatable Lounger Air Sofa sunbed: Waterproof Anti…
  • Simple inflatable sofa: Our blow up sofa does not require a pump. Just a few scoops of air and this…
  • Comfortable and Strong Enough: Our camping beach lounger keeps air twice as long as other inflatable…
  • Unique Headrest Design: Our unique ergonomic neck pillow headrest air bag allows you to relax with…
  • Versatile Designs: versatility makes it one of the ideal camping accessories for your vacation, RV…
  • Beach Sofa Lightweight : This camping sofa comes with a storage bag which makes it easy to carry….

Sleeping gear

In our Mazda Bongo, the boys sleep up in the AFT (Auto Free Top) and us parents sleep in the pull out rock and roll bed.

For cold weather camping, we love using our coverless duvet rather than winter sleeping bags; much cosier!

Night Owl – Coverless Duvet – 10.5 Tog – King – Linen…
  • COSY COMFORT – As seen on TV. A lightweight fibre filled Night Owl duvet, now available in 10.5 tog….
  • COVERLESS – A re-imagination of the traditional duvet, Night Owl comes complete with its own super…
  • CONVENIENCE – Just pop your Night Owl in the washing machine when ready to refresh, then quickly…
  • 10.5 TOG – Providing all year round warmth. Complete your dreamy bedding set with our soft touch…
  • SUSTAINABLE – Each duvet is filled with our innovative Smartfil microfibre technology to deliver the…

Cooking gear

Thankfully our Mazda Bongo comes with a sink, two hobs and a fridge, as well as an onboard water tank! So the cooking gear we need is:

  • Slow cooker – even though we have the hobs, the slow cooker is used so much. Often we put a veggie bolognese in there first thing in the morning, put it on a low setting, and then dinner is waiting for us when we get back from our hike!
  • Frying pan and saucepan
  • Kettle (I love this collapsible one)
  • Plates, bowls and cutlery (including spatula)
  • Mugs and plastic cups
  • Collapsible dish drainer
  • Collapsible washing up bowl (I still pack this as it’s handy to use at campsites with facilities)
  • Washing up liquid and scrubber
  • Bottle opener and wine / beer
  • Table cloth
  • Picnic blanket
  • Cooking oil, ketchup, salt and pepper, marshmallows, and any other food items

Electrical items

Personal items

Additional items

For the kids

Don’t try and take any more than the below – they have the great outdoors to explore!

  • Card games
  • Reading books
  • LEGO
  • Paper, pens, scissors, sellotape, glue (add in sticks, leaves and grass and they can craft away for a while!) – check out these outdoor craft activities
  • Tablets and headphones

You may also want to download these free Mazda Bongo colouring sheets.

Packing Bongo
All packed and ready to hit the road!

You may also like to read:
All about our Mazda Bongo 4×4 camper
The BEST Mazda Bongo bike rack
Road trip essentials with kids: what to pack on a family road trip