Finding everything you need for a family camping starter kit doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, you should focus on getting the basics in equipment and having a great time. Camping is about an experience. It’s about having fun with friends and family. Start off small and build up your gear over the years.
More than 10 million households in the United States alone went camping for the first time in 2020.
Think about that for a second…..over 10 MILLION. That is an astounding number of new campers for an ever growing adventure pastime. And 2021 was no different as campsites everywhere were packed.
Of course each and every one of those people needs at least the basics in equipment. Whether it be for a weekend getaway or something longer. There’s a good chance a friend or neighbor has a few things you can borrow. Or maybe you plan to make it an annual event and want to buy your own gear.
Families First Camping Trip
For a family that is just starting out, I would suggest keeping the trip rather short. A weekend away to get familiar with all that is involved with a camping trip is a good starting point. If it’s your first trip, avoid any bad weather like a weekend full of rain as it would likely be an awful first experience.
Keeping all that in mind, there is no need to go overboard with purchasing equipment. A good family camping starter kit will provide you with all of the basics that you’ll need. If you enjoy your time and plan to keep going, then slowly adding the gear you want is the best approach.
When thinking about what gear you absolutely cannot do without on any camping trip it’s important to remember that the most important items will help you to either eat or sleep.
So, what items should absolutely be in a family camping starter kit? These are the must haves that you’ll need in order to enjoy your trip:
- Tent
- Sleeping Bags
- Camping Grill
- Kitchen Items
- Lighting
- Camping Chairs
- Cooler
The Right Size Tent
The first picture that comes to mind when I think of camping is a tent setup with some picturesque background of a lake or hillside behind it. Your tent will possibly be the most important item in your family camping starter kit.
It will be your home away from home. The thing that puts a roof over your head and gives you some privacy when you need it.
There are several options that separate the expensive models from the cheaper ones. Many of the more expensive models will be lighter and are more popular with back country campers needing to shed weight. You shouldn’t get too hung up on the product specs for your first family tent. There are many good quality tents that are quite inexpensive.
Choosing the right size of tent is above all the most important consideration when picking one for a family. Keep in mind that a two person tent is really only comfortable for one person. A four person tent is likely fine for a family with two small children. However, I would opt for the added space and go with a six person tent in that case. In general, the tent size should be rated for one or two people more than your family size.
If you’d like more info on picking a tent, check out this list of the best family camping tents.
Warm Sleeping Bags
While a tent will keep you dry and out of the elements, it won’t keep you warm at night. If you’re camping anywhere that the nights cool off substantially, you’ll need a warm sleeping bag to get a good night’s rest.
Every sleeping bag has a temperature rating so you can match your climate to the bag of your choice.
You can also choose from a host of sleeping bag sizes. The most common sleeping bag sizes are single, double and kids sizes.
Personally, I like to have my own single sleeping bag when camping. It makes it easier to get in and out of without disturbing others.
There are also a few different designs to select from; the mummy sleeping bag, a rectangular sleeping bag or a semi-rectangular sleeping bag. The main difference in types is that a mummy sleeping bag can zip right up over your head so you can retain a maximum amount of heat.
A Camping Grill for Cooking Meals
Perhaps the best part of camping is the food! I know I always eat way too much on a camping trip. It’s just too hard to resist a campfire meal. I really enjoy relaxing and cooking over an open campfire. I usually just place a grill or fire pit swivel grill over top of the fire pit. It’s a pretty basic setup, but it’s perfect for cooking hotdogs, hamburgers and even chicken and steak.
There are lots of ways to cook when you’re camping though. Last year I tried out single use camping grills and they worked quite well.
Propane camping grills are really popular as well. They’re easy to use and very reliable. The convenience makes it hard to beat and there are so many variations in size and capabilities that you can always find what you’re looking for.
Don’t Forget the Kitchen Utensils
Bringing a grill along will only do so much good if you don’t have any camping utensils to go along with it. Take at least one plate, cup, spoon, fork and knife for each person camping. It will go a long way in making meal prep and eating much easier.
Camp Lighting
This is another item that I think is absolutely essential for any family camping bundle. A good light makes it easy to get around the campsite at night. You’ll be glad you have it for late night wake ups with the kids as well as nighttime clothes changes and story time. Plus a good light allows you to get those all important Instagram pictures of tent shadows.
For camping lights, a battery operated lantern or flashlight will easily do the trick. However, there are also solar powered lights that work excellent. Just make sure to charge them during the day so you have that needed light at night.
Another good option is propane or kerosene lanterns for outside around the campsite. They can last a long time and provide ample lighting for getting around the campsite.
Camping Chairs
While having camping chairs isn’t completely necessary for your survival, they are important for ensuring your comfort. There will be a lot of time spent sitting around the campfire, talking and laughing. You’ll want to be comfortable while doing so.
The price range for camping chairs is significant. However, for your first family camping kit, some cheap $10 foldable chairs will do the trick just fine. They come in both adult sizes as well as kid sizes.
When you want an upgrade, there are some really comfortable portable campaign chairs like the Kuma Lazy Bear Chairs.
There are endless options when it comes to camping chairs. Some even come equipped with folding side tables or foot rests.
Camping Cooler
A campong cooler is essential for keeping foods from spoiling, but it also keeps bugs and animals from tearing into your food. There are plenty of sizes to choose from so you can pick one that holds whatever amount of food you plan to bring.
There is also a wide range of quality when it comes to camping coolers. I’ve been using the Coleman Ice Chest for over ten years and love it! Ice will last for days, ensuring that you food stays fresh.
Family Camping Bundle – The Nice to Have Items
In my opinion, the six items mentioned are the absolute must haves on any camping trip. You can get by with those simple items and have a great weekend trip.
Having said that, there are loads of other pieces of camping gear that make each trip more convenient and fun. As you continue camping trips throughout the years, you’ll likely find that you have a whole repertoire of gear that you can’t do without.
Here are some of the items that are definitely nice to have in the family camping bundle:
Camping Mattress
Using only a sleeping bag on the ground is fine and I have done it many times. But, I have also woken up with a sore back and stiff joints many times too.
Using some sort of camping mattress makes a world of difference and how you feel the next day. You can select from a foam pad, self inflating camping mattress pad or air mattress. All of these options are great and your selection will mostly depend on the amount of space you have, both in your tent and in your vehicle for packing.
Camping Table and Sink
Having a space where you can prepare meals and wash your hands is a convenience that can’t be taken for granted when camping. Kids are often playing in the dirt all day and exploring their surroundings. They’re usually filthy because of it. Having a sink with some running water makes washing their hands easy.
You’ll also enjoy having a place to prepare and wash food for meals. And it’s a great place to place a camping grill so you can keep food off of the ground.
Camping Wagon
A camping wagon is especially useful if you’re staying at a campsite and the beach is a walk away. You can put the kids and all of their beach toys inside as well as picnic foods, blankets and anything else and pull them down to the beach. It makes it so much easier than trying to carry everything by hand.
Hammock
A hammock is an item that is often overlooked, but also one that you will be so glad to have at the campsite. It provides a spot to relax on a nice sunny day while reading a book or just listening to the sounds of the birds calling. It’s also a great place to put the kids down for a nap and you can even sleep in it all night long on a warm summer night.
Tarps
Tarps are great for their versatility while camping. You can place one underneath your tent for some added protection from the ground or you can place it over the tent to keep rain away. They can also be used around the campsite as sun shelters or to cover kitchen gear on rainy days so you can still sit outside.
Purchasing a few inexpensive tarps will be well worth your while as they are sure to get used on any trip.
Put together the ultimate camping bundle over time
As you can see, there are a few items that you must have in your family camping bundle in order to get started with camping and then there are tons of additional items that you may want down the road. It’s best to start small and see what you can do without. The more you camp, the easier it will be to figure out what other items you want. Then add more gear over time, plus you can upgrade to the quality and brands you love.
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