CAMPING | Suse’s Ultimate Weekend Camping Packing List

Camping Blog Camping with Style | Travel, Outdoors & Glamping Blog

We finally had a chance to sit down and write out our family camping packing list, to make sure we collected everything up, so I thought I would share this with you.

Everyone’s camping list ends up being different, but if you’re struggling to make sense of what you’ll need to go camping, or if every packing session ends up being a bit of a panic, hopefully this will inspire or support you.

Want a version you can print? Download the camping packing list here.

packing list for camping

Take things off, add things on, make your list your own list. Try to keep the sections modular. It makes it easy to assemble each section ready to go in the car and easy to take out sections if not required for particular trips.


Wondering how to pack it all in to your car? Check out more tips from Suse, about packing your car for a family camping trip.


Suse’s Ultimate Weekend Camping Packing List

Sleeping things

  • Queen size double high air mattress
  • Single air mattresses
  • Single camp beds (not required if using pop up tent)
  • Car powered air pump (main)
  • Battery powered air pump (backup)
  • D size batteries for battery powered air pump
  • Pillows
  • Duvets
  • Sleeping bags
  • Blankets
Camping gear on lawn

Cooking things

  • Gas stove
  • Gas for gas stove
  • Matches in a zip lock bag
  • A second box of matches in a separate zip lock bag
  • Cooking pan (we use a large saute pan)
  • Saucepan
  • Frying pan
  • Ladle
  • Slotted spoon
  • Spatula
  • Cooking tongs
  • Scissors
  • Sharp knife and chopping board
Car camping packing tips
Packing the car for a camping trip

Hygiene things

  • Bowl big enough to wash up in (I use a large enamel bowl, which can be also used for food prep)
  • Washing up liquid
  • Sponge scourer
  • Tea towels
  • Bin bags
  • Towels
  • Toilet roll
  • Toothbrushes
  • Toothpaste
  • Hair brush
  • Shower gel if there is a shower on site
  • Baby wipes/ Wet wipes if there is not a shower on site
  • Portable toilet if likely to be far from the site toilet
  • Toilet tent if taking the portable toilet *

*Make sure tent pegs and mallet get taken even if the main tents do not

Eating and Drinking things

  • Groceries – remember to get pull top tins or take a tin opener
  • Squash
  • Tea – coffee – sugar – sweeteners – a teaspoon – milk or milk substitute – cocoa powder
  • Water carrier
  • Big jug
  • Kettle
  • Enamelware – mugs, plates, bowls. (always take an extra plate for raw things to go on during food prep)
  • Cutlery – forks – knives – spoons
  • Folding kitchen unit
Car camping tips from Camping With Style
Clever use of space is often needed for family campers!

Lighting things

  • Fully charged heavy duty lantern
  • 4 x metal candle lanterns
  • Tea lights for candle lanterns
  • Glowsticks
  • Small torch

Staying dry things

  • Waterproofs for everyone
  • Wellingtons
  • Waterproof hiking boots
  • Umbrellas
  • Beach shelter *
  • Canvas awning *
  • Canvas awning poles & guy lines *

*Make sure tent pegs and mallet get taken even if the main tents do not

Furniture & Tent things

  • Bell tent: canvas, groundsheet, poles, pegs, mallet
  • Pop up tent
  • Folding chairs x 4
  • Folding tables x 2
car camping tips
With careful planning you can fit it all in!

Personal things: each person to bring

  • Base layers
  • Underwear
  • Plenty of socks
  • Clothing – lots of layers
  • Footwear
  • Their own bag of Things to Do

Random Things

  • Thermometer
  • Fully charged power monkeys
  • Car charger for phones
  • Camera – 2 x fully charged batteries – 2 x lenses – camera bag – memory cards – tripod
  • Wildlife book
  • First aid
  • Sun protection
  • Insect repellant
  • Chemical ice pack
  • Sterilising wipes
  • Vitamins
  • Prescribed medications
  • Plasters
  • Tick twister
  • Germoline/Brulidene ointment
  • Paracetamol
  • Ibuprofen

Want a version you can print? Grab the printer friendly camping packing list here.

Packing for a solo camping trip
Packing for a solo camping trip

Things to note

If you pack a sharp knife, wrap it carefully and know where it is packed. We wrap ours in a tea towel and put it inside the enamel jug, if we need one for chopping veg. More often, we take ready prepared veg and if necessary cut meat on site with scissors for ease and safety.

Keep all first aid items together. Make sure everyone old enough to access it knows where it is and everyone too young can’t get at it accidentally.

If you are camping with small children, keep the first aid items and anything sharp put safely away.

Have fun. Enjoy it!

Pin me!
What to pack for a camping trip

SaveWhere to next?

Suse Hammond-Pears