Before you head out on your epic outdoor adventure, grab your Family Camping Checklist so you have everything you need for stress-free fun! FREE printable checklist!
Thank you to Fred Meyer for sponsoring this post. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
Family Camping Checklist
Spring has sprung and now it’s time to start thinking about summertime activities. Yay! Memorial Day Weekend kicks off the camping season. If you’re planning a camping trip, then you absolutely need this Family Camping Checklist so you’ve got everything for a super fun, stress-free trip! We easily find the outdoor gear we need shopping at our local Fred Meyer.
Our kids love camping. They enjoy the freedom of being outdoors and “roughing it”. Well, that and the ooey, gooey s’mores! As for us parents, being prepared with all the supplies we need while away from home makes it an enjoyable experience. Forgetting one thing can throw your whole trip off.
One year, we forgot the matches to get the fire going. Luckily the campers one campsite over had plenty to share! We would have been a little hungry and s’moreless otherwise!
Planning for A Family Camping Trip
There are a couple things that make planning for your trip that much easier:
- Plan ahead. Don’t start planning and organizing for your trip the day before you go. As with most things in life, if you plan and organize, you’ll get to enjoy the adventure that much more!
- Make a list. If I don’t have a list, there is a good chance something is forgotten. That’s why this checklist is so helpful. The work is done for you! I don’t know about you, but my memory can only hold so much information! Lists are a lifesaver!
- One stop shopping. Who has time to drive all over town to grab this, that and the other thing. Shopping at Fred Meyer lets me get everything I need in one place. One trip = less stress. From the camping gear and games to the food and bug spray, they have it all and make gathering all our supplies so easy and affordable.
You know what makes a trip even more fun? Getting everyone involved in planning and shopping for your adventure. This will amp up your kids’ excitement and make the trip that much more special!
Car Camping Essentials
Car camping is great because you can pack your vehicle to the brim with everything you use at your campsite and then some! Let’s start with the most obvious camping-specific equipment:
Tent – You’ll need something to sleep in while you’re away. Your tent provides protection for you and your family while out in the elements. Tents come in a variety of sizes and in a variety of types, so make sure you get one that works well for your family AND is easy to put together.
Coolers – When you’re car camping, you can bring your favorite fresh and frozen foods packed on ice in a big cooler. Don’t forget to bring plenty of water bottles and jugs!
Chairs – You need some folding chairs to sit around the campfire as well as for eating meals and playing games!
Sleeping bags – Like tents, sleeping bags come in different weights and are made for different temperatures, so you have to do some research to find the one best suited for you and your needs.
Other essential include:
- extra water
- bug spray
- games and activities
- flashlight
Grab your Family Camping Checklist to find out what else is essential for a stress-free getaway!
Camping Food Tips
Plan for every meal and bring just the food that you need. Freeze everything possible and pack it carefully in your coolers placing the items you’ll use first on top.
Printable Camping Checklist
So before you venture out on that epic family camping trip, and tick it off your summer bucket list, make sure you grab your Family Camping Checklist and head to Fred Meyer for all the items on your packing list!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Fred Meyer. The opinions and text are all mine.
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Love the checklist! It would be perfect to laminate and use year after year. 🙂
I agree. You could use it year after year and always have what you need for an excellent adventure!