Campgrounds offer an affordable way to vacation with your family. Every summer I take my kids camping. We use a tent, plus a minivan, so that I feel safer from bear attacks. (Seriously!) Here are our current camping gear essentials, including some new camping supplies I picked up for this summer. Start slow, and build your gear over time. Camping doesn’t have to mean roughing it.
First of all, camping can be intimidating. Especially if you’ve never done it before. In all honesty I was terrified the first time I went (as an adult). Sleeping out in the open, away from my big city lights and my solid brick wall home. Eep! In the spirit of wanting my children to experience new places, and the beauty of nature, I pushed through the fear and reserved a campsite at a local state park for one night.
First Time Camping Rules
Rule #1 Camp at a LOCAL Campground
You want to be able to head home within an hour, if things go badly. Especially if you’re camping with little children. It’ll give you a level of comfort, and confidence, to know that you CAN get home quickly, if need be. Obviously plan to stay the night, and do your best to make it through.
Rule #2 Plan to Stay Just One Night
Get there in the late afternoon, and leave early the next morning, even if you think you can handle more. You want to have a successful camping experience. This will help build your confidence and your families willingness to return another year. If everything went perfectly – awesome! Don’t press your first timer luck by staying too long. Just plan to return again that season for 2 nights.
Rule #3 Camp with some Experienced Campers (if possible)
For our first few years of camping, we stayed in the same campground as my sister and her husband, who happens to be an Eagle Scout. They were able to help us out by making the dinner and building our fires. Nowadays I take the easy way and bring a few starter logs to toss in the fire pit. Simple!
Rule #4 Wait To Pass Judgement
Every single year, after our camping trip comes to an end, I tell myself that I’m NEVER doing this again. Camping is typically dirty, cold, hot, buggy, muggy, or something along those lines. If you’ve never camped before, it takes a little time to get used to those feelings. Especially for adults. Usually after some time has passed, and I reflect back, I feel more positive about those things, (or I forget), and I’m willing to try it all again.
Rule #5 Make a Supply Wish List While Camping
As you’re camping, if you find there are things you’re missing, or the neighboring campsite has something that catches your eye – write it down. I keep a list in my phone so that I can order a few new camping supplies every year to help make our trips more comfortable and enjoyable. Building your camping supplies is something that should take a few years. Gear can be expensive, and every family is unique. Don’t waste money on things that you may never use. Be sure to check out the Dollar Tree for Camping Hacks and Must Haves.
This brings us to the main event. Below is a list of the camping supplies we’ve found useful over the past few years. Perhaps it’ll help you plan for your first trip. *Note – all shopping links are Amazon affiliate links – which I only use for products I’ve personally used and recommend .
Camping Supplies for Beginners
1. A Minivan, Station Wagon or Cot
I understand, a minivan might be odd. If you don’t have a minivan, than perhaps a station wagon? No? A cot then is needed. If you’re over the age of thirty, sleeping on the ground can get old fast. Getting your body up off the ground is going to make your camping experience a million times better. Fold down the seats in the back and sleep there.
If you’re going to camp out of your van or car, like we do, you might want to buy a tent that attaches to your car. We own and love the Sportz SUV tent.
2. 4” Thick Mattress Pad
If you’re sleeping in the back of your van, or on a cot, you’ll want a pad. Even people sleeping on RV mattresses add a pad, I’ve seen. If you’re a backpacking camper, a roll up mat might be best, but if you are a campground camper like myself, a foam pad is ideal.
3. Rubber Mallet
This year I purchased a Rubber Mallet to help pound our tent stakes in. I used to use a rock, but I decided it was time to upgrade.
4. Upgraded Tent Stakes
If you can, I suggest upgrading the tent stakes. I purchased these glow in the dark stakes. They’re seriously heavy duty and they shouldn’t bend or break like the plastic stakes that came with our tent.
5. Clear Storage Bins
Keep all your camping gear in clear bins or backpacks. When you’re camping, especially with children, it’s best to be able to see what’s inside everything. At a glance you’ll know where you packed your plastic spoons, paper towels, and cell phone chargers.
6. Flashlights
When the sun goes down, it’ll get dark. Part of the fun of camping is being able to stumble through the campground at night, looking for the bathroom. Actually, it’s not so fun, but your KIDS will likely think it is. Flashlights are a necessity both within your tent and outside it. Be sure to have a few of them.
7. Battery Powered Fairy Lights
Battery operated string lights will not only give your campsite a glamping atmosphere, it’s functional for providing soft light. Our lights have had the same batteries in them for 3 years, and have taken a beating.
8. Binder Clips
I find simple binder clips, or cubicle clips, to be very useful. We use them to secure our fairy lights to the roof of our minivan, but they could also be used in a tent. Binder clips can work as chip bag clips, securing blankets as a privacy blanket within your tent and more.
9. Whistles
We carry a few inexpensive whistles while out hiking on camping trips. If someone should happen to fall in a ditch they can whistle for help, or we can simply use them to call the kids back to the campsite for dinner. They could also be used to help scare away wild animals.
10. Fire Starters
Don’t forget to bring matches, kept in a glass jar or clear container to keep dry. A major part of camping is the fire pit. I bring a few starter logs to make things SUPER easy.
11. Rain Ponchos
Next time you’re grocery shopping, in or 5 Below, keep your eyes peeled on the end caps for simple rain ponchos. I picked a few up for under $10. If the skies open up you’ll be glad you got them.
12. Walkie Talkies
Our kids LOVE these things. If you plan to have multiple tents, or camp with other families, it’s great to be able to communicate via walkie talkies. Not all campgrounds have cell service.
13. Card Games
Uno, Go Fish or Poker. Bring a few packs of cards to help pass the time. One of the concerns of newbie campers is how to entertain the kids. This is the perfect time to bust out your old school games that you played as a kid.
14. Emergency/Solar Powered/Crank Light
A few years ago I picked up a battery operated/solar powered flashlight that can also be recharged by via a hand crank. Before you head out it’s best to double check your batteries in your flashlights, but just in case they all die on you, I think it’s smart to have a backup.
15. DampRid
If you’re sleeping in your van, or even tent, it can get damp inside at night. Pick up something that will absorb the excess moisture, like DampRid, to help make your stay more comfortable (and dry).
16. Headlamp
Yes, I like to see while camping. I’ve got 4 kids and I like to be hands free. I’ve had this headlamp for years, and actually wear it running every morning. It’s withstood rain, snow and ice. I highly recommend it.
17. Binoculars
Bird watcher or not, you ARE out in nature while camping. You might want to see across the stream or mountain you just hiked.
18. Picnic Table Tablecloth
Most campground sites come equipped with a picnic table. It’ll make your site more homey, and comfortable, if you dress up your table with a tablecloth.
19. Blankets
Lots and lots of blankets. Even if it’s summer and hot as heck, you’ll want blankets. The temperature could drop overnight, and trying to sleep while cold is not easy. Blankets can also be layered to help your sleeping pad feel softer and more comfortable.
20. Five Gallon Bucket
During the night you might have to pee. That’s why you need a bucket, with a lid. If you’re camping with kids, like I do, you NEED a bucket. Little kids in the middle of the night often cannot wait to go. In the morning you can carry your bucket to the bathroom and dump it. Just pick one up at Home Depot or Lowe’s.
