10 Must Have Camping Supplies You’ll Want to Get Your Hands On
Camping Must Haves | 10 must-have camping supplies & camping gear
Oh man, do I love camping. When M and M were toddlers, camping was really hard, exhausting, and overwhelming. (We have a couple of runners and apparently, they don’t have a stopping point. We learned that after taking turns chasing a 2-year-old Big M for two days straight.)
Now that they’ve gotten older camping has become so much more fun. It’s time to start gathering some camping must haves.
You’ll also want to pack some hilarious camping jokes and camping puns along with your camping supplies for kids.
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This list of camping must-haves includes things we love, things we want, and things the readers have suggested in the comments. Enjoy! (Once you’ve finished: print, cut, and pack up these Camping Jokes.)
#1 The Big Camping Must Have. First up is always a tent! We love our Coleman 6-Person Tent
.
#2 We must sleep! Each kiddo gets their own special color sleeping bag. We love them for special nights on the floor, sleepovers, and especially for last year’s FREEZING camping trip. They were warm… hubby and I were too cold to sleep (see #5).
#3 The Best Traveling Cups EVER! To say I like these Thermos Funtainer Cups is an understatement. Ours lasted for about 7 years (I’m not kidding!) They are a camping must-have because we refilled them constantly and didn’t have to worry about a bunch of wasted, unidentified plastic water bottles.
Update: Because the kids have had these cups since they were little, we tried out a few different brands. Nothing even comes close… we’ll be going for the more “grown-up” version now.
#4 Games That Travel Easily. We love family games around here. Some of our favorites to take camping are Mancala, Uno Flip (I think this might be my favorite version of Uno, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
, Phase 10
, and Boggle
. Check your game closet first. Anything that can be played on a picnic table, doesn’t get swept away in the wind, and fits nicely into your camping bag will work.
Update: Bocce Ball is a new family favorite. This set Bocce Set
has great reviews.
#5 Extra Warm Adult Sleeping Bags. Our sleeping bags are okay, but Hubs and I really need to get some that will keep us warm on cold nights. These Coleman Sleeping Bags
look warm… and cozy!
#6 Somewhere to Sit. I have a cute pink chair. After sitting in my brother in laws Rocker Chair
I decided I want a new one. It’s so comfy. Hmm… I wonder if this one comes in pink?
#7 A Camping Table for Eating and Playing. We always bring throw-away table cloths for the tables provided but a Pack-Away Table
would give us a lot of extra space!
#8 Camping Stove. We fell in love with my brother in laws camping stove last camping trip but we may have to settle for the newer version of Coleman Camp Propane Grill/Stove
. Unless we can weasel this oldie away from my brother-in-law. It has a ridged side and a flat side. Perfect for burgers or pancakes!
#9 Camping Lights! This camping must have come from the comments. It’s so smart and will become a regular part of our camping supplies for sure. Solar-Powered Lights
are perfect for setting up when you first arrive. By nightfall, you will have a well-lit path to the bathroom.
Alrighty, that’s nine must-have camping supplies. What would you add for #10?
*Update – I just had an idea! There are so many awesome ideas in the comments. SERIOUSLY BRILLIANT camping must-haves!
I suppose I could make it even easier for you by moving some of those camping supplies for kids and families here and giving you clickable links. So here are camping tips and tricks all of you readers think are camping must haves.
Keep in mind these are just product links, reading the comments will help give you a better idea of why the readers love these things so much and how they use them.
- Glow Light Stick Bracelets
- Lantern Flashlight
- First Aid Kit
- Coffee Percolator
- Reflective Cord
- Chimney Starter
- Cast Iron Dutch Oven
- Hammock
- Cot Bunk Beds
- HotHands Hand Warmers
- Solar Shower
Want even more camping ideas? How about tips for camping with kids? (Of course, you should read the comments before you go… there is a lot of great info there!)
This post contains affiliate links.
#9 Camping Lights! I think camping fan with LED light is good choice.
I always have a camping fan with LED light in my tent. It easily store and transport. The LED lights provide an option for you whether you intend to use the lights direct or indirect.
I’ve only been on a few backpacking trips, so I only have a little experience. I usually go in the desert during the summer, so I’ve never needed any crazy stuff. I think a fire starter is really important. Even if you can make a fire without one, it’s nice to have something quick, because you never know when you’ll need one in a hurry.
If you have potty trained kids, portable toilet is a perfect addition. The exact type would depend upon whether you are car-camping or have to carry it, but it’s a good item to have. Check out some options here : ( Amazon affiliate site but nice article)
http://gearhose.com/the-best-camping-toilet-for-every-camper/
Hi,
We are using our Coleman Packaway cots (http://campingandcamping.com/coleman-pack-away-cot-with-side-table-review/) for 3 years already. We have two of them (me and my wife). We mostly go camping in the warm season, but we also go at least 5 times camping in winter. These cots are simply amazing. They are very sturdy and super convenient. The table is the best thing about it.
This is my third camping cot. Previously I have been using a no-name camping cot and then I have been using a simple Coleman ComfortSmart Camping Cot, but I was too simple. Squeaky and too weak.
I recommend the one I am using – Coleman Packaway cot. Good value for money, guys.
All the best
I recommend for you to include hammocks in your must have camping supplies. I’m sure you’ll find them to be the most wanted camping gear there ever is. See exploreserac.com and you’ll find one of the most durable outdoor equipment.
I’ve been camping in a tent for the past 5 yrs — things I’ve done over the years to make things easier for us is —
** Take along a shelving unit (one that comes apart) and you can use 2 of the shelves outside the tent for your cooking kettles and dishes, etc.. and the other 2 (or 3) to use inside for food items (buns, bread, crackers, clothes, etc) and you can hook a garbage bag on the side for waste inside the tent…
**on Pinterest, there is a few postings of silverware storage made from cans.. so you can leave it on the table or move it back in tent easily (the one I made has 3 soup cans (fork, knives, spoons) on one side and a space for putting napkins on the other side and they are mounted to a piece of board in the center
** I also use 5/5 gal buckets from one of the box hardware stores for doing dishes (one for washing, one for rinsing) and one w/lid for garbage with a shopping bag for easy discard… you can also put a “Noodle” (used for swimming) around the edge (or buy a toliet seat) for them emergency potty runs (ie – little one can’t make it or it’s raining outside)I also take along a 4-pack of toilet paper (just in case) —
** At the end of Christmas, buy a few semi cheap light sets, and you can (providing you have an electrical site) hang them up inside the tent or outside (they will shed enough light inside the tent also) I have mine around the whole outside of the tent (they do attract the bugs, so if you don’t want them inside the tent, keep them away from the zippered door) or the outdoor lights (solar) if at a non-electrical site..
** I also found old melmac (?) dishes at a rummage sale and use them instead of paper plates or my dishes from home…
** Dollar Stores have bargins on aluminium foil, zip lock bags, squirt bottles, (you can use the bottles for pancake mix, etc) etc — I also get pot holders and hot pads from there, clothesline, clothespins, I also bought a plastic beach tote (don’t know what else to call it) to hold my towel and toiletries for shower time or you can get a handled tray (as you use for your cleaning supplies) to carry, they have small ones for the little tykes to carry their toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, etc
** Visit your Goodwill/Salvation Army/Purple Heart – as you will find old kettles, silverware, dishes, etc – you can use just for camping, and don’t have to worry about ruining your stuff from home.. It doesn’t have to match, that’s the fun of camping (I found an old stock pot that I use to heat water for washing dishes – once you finish cooking, place water on fire to heat up)
** At the end of the summer deals, get a few Shepard hooks as you can hang your trash bags and other things from them and off the ground (if you have little ones around) also, you can get small tables for the sides of beds to hold a night light or water cup or other things from K-Mart, Shopko, Wal-mart, etc (end of summer clearance works best – also check out ONLINE clearance, as they don’t have somethings in store as you will find online)
** I also use a “drying mat” for placing the dishes on once they are washed – you can also find a folding dish rack to dry your dishes on…
** Freeze your meats before packing in coolers, that way you don’t have to use as much ice and things stay cold… also, cut up all your onions and peppers, etc before you head out (I double wrap my onions so they don’t smell up my coolers) also, freeze some water bottles to use to keep things cold, and you will have them to drink once they thaw.
** We also use a Queen blow up mattress that is well above the ground – comes up to our knees (or you can buy folding platforms to place your mattresses on – I’ve seen ppl use old milk crates with a few boards to hold up the mattress)… also buy a solar emergency blanket, which we place under our mattress to keep some of the coldness at bay… (electrical site to make it easy to blow up – if not you can buy an adapter for your vehicles’ lighter port to inflate your mattress) just make sure you can get it in the tent door once inflated
** Once again – if you have an electrical site – you can (which we already had) you can purchase a small dorm size refrigerator for your food instead of using coolers w/having to get ice all the time.
** For your tent – if you can – place on soft ground (grass or sand) – stones will wear holes into the floor of your tent– we purchased the “kids” foam puzzle mats that piece together (they are colored blue, yellow, green) are mildew resistant and dry out pretty quick – they had cushion to the feet (without shoes) and saves your tent in the process
** NEVER cook on the grate on the fire pits at the camp sites — you can purchase grates that will fit over the fire rings or purchase a tri-pod – which ever will fit your cooking style
** I place everything in bins when I get home — once washed it goes into its proper bin for the next time or the following year — that way I know it’s all back where it belongs — I have one for bedding stuff, (place a fabric sheet inside to keep it smelling fresh for next time/year) I have the “kitchen” in a bin,
** A radio or a weather band radio — just in case!! (with plenty of batteries)
** Sitting around the fire — place a bunch of SAGE into the fire — this keeps away bugs at night from being pesty!
** Bug repellent — Johnson’s Baby Baby Creamy Oil (Brown tube preferred) Skin So Soft from Avon, works good too, but leaves you feeling greasy.
Sorry for this being a “bit long” but thought these were good “hints/ideas” to help and my mind just kept going on what we do for camping (as I am looking forward to camping again this year) We are in our 50’s and over the years we’ve “enhanced” our camping experience – we don’t have little ones to worry about, but hope they help in anyway to those that read this.. 🙂 Enjoy camping!!!
The company Hot hands also makes a product called toasty toes. They stick room your socks an keep your feet warm all night. I won’t camp without them.
Okay let’s see, the solar lights u can use as tent spikes, glow paint is awesome-it recharges in the day light & u can paint it on almost anything including ur flashlight, duct tape now makes glowing tape too. Mix pancake mix in zip bags, keep in the cooler & just cut the corner to squeeze onto cook top. Old squeeze bottles work for this too. When my kids were little I kept a training potty with a zip bag in it for the night time potting. I have moved on to a fifth wheel myself, couldn’t pass up great deal, but camping is my get away its my favorite place. I still use a lot of these tips now.
OK first of all I love camping and most of the time I have a great time,but I do find some of it boring. So for years I carry a simple deck of cards. Card games can be fun with others or when camping alone. In recent years I have been bringing outdoor magazines on solo trips. Other items I carry; one I feel we should always have is a garbage bag. Take the trash back with you and not just yours, but the trash of less thought full people.