Grab Our Camping Trip Essentials & Printable Camping Checklist
Click here to open the checklist in a printable PDF (size A5)
According to a recent survey, camping and caravanning is now 546 percent more popular than staying in private houses or B&Bs. It’s also thought that around a third of us go camping to get away from the pressures of modern life.
But how do you ensure you have everything to avoid stress for your next camping trip?
That’s why Planet Camping is here – this is The Definitive Camping Checklist. Right from pitching up in the morning to going to bed at night, we’ve got you covered.
1. Tent & Shelter Camping Essentials
2. Night Time Camping Checklist
3. Camp Trip Safety Checklist
4. What Clothes & Toiletries To Bring Camping
5. List of Camping Basics
6. Essential Camping Games & Gadgets
7. Camping Kitchen Supplies Checklist / food list
Tent & Shelter Camping Essentials
What’s the first thing you need to do when you get to your campsite? Put that tent up! Here’s everything you’re going to need. Top tip: don’t forget the pegs – don’t be that guy!
- Clothes line
- Ground cover
- Lantern
- Mallet
- Mat for entrance
- Pegs (extras too!)
- Poles
- Tent – Popup, Novelty, Blow up, Family
- Tent rain fly
- Tent repair kit
- Windbreaker
Top tip: Put waterproof carpet on your tent floor to protect your sleeping bag from getting wet.
Top tip: Add decorative bunting to your festival camping checklist so that you can see it from across the site!
Top tip: Bring a tent for your pet! No damp paws in your tent.
Top tip: Pitch your tent facing the breeze – bugs will hide behind the tent to avoid being blown away instead of hiding in your tent.
Night Time Camping Checklist
You’re going to need somewhere super comfy to slip into that food coma after all those smores! We’ve got a few suggestions when it comes to making a cosy nest in your tent…
- Air mattress – Single / Double
- Air pump
- Duvet/blanket/Floor Mats
- Hammock
- Kids’ cot
- Kids’ toys
- Pillow
- PJ’s
- Roll up bed – Single / Double
- Sleeping bags
- Sleeping bag suits
- Sleeping bag socks
- Sleeping Pad (if you don't need a sleeping bag)
- Tent light
- USB hand warmers
- SelkBags / MusucBags
Top tip: Read our Sleeping Bag Buying Guide if you're not sure of which sleeping bag to buy.
Top tip: Put glow sticks in a water bottle as a night light – great for the kids!
Top tip: Hot water bottles should be on your overnight camping checklist you’re out in the cooler months.
Top tip: Don’t bury your face in your sleeping bag, your breath will cancel out its insulating features.
Top tip: Get a sleeping bag suit to keep you extra toasty around the camp fire.
Camp Trip Safety Checklist
Safety first, campers! Did scouts teach you nothing?! Fear not, we’ve listed everything you need for a safe and healthy outdoor adventure. Here’s what you need…
- Antiseptic spray
- Bandages
- Burn ointment
- Compass
- Duct tape
- Fire extinguisher
- First aid kit
- First aid manual
- Hand sanitizer
- Headlight / Torch
- Helmets
- Life jackets
- Reflective jackets
- Road flares
- Shovel
- Stanley knife
- Tissues
- Whistle
Top tip: Keep matches in a metal box, not a plastic box –and make sure you always have too many!
Top tip: Lost in the woods? Use an acorn cap to help you whistle by placing your thumbs on the top of it!
Top tip: Duct tape is one of the ultimate camping gear essentials – use it to create a sling if you need one, or to cover blisters.
Top tip: Dry deodorant often stops those bug bites from itching.
What Clothes & Toiletries To Bring Camping
We don’t mean to get too personal, but many of the following items are must-have essentials. Put these on your list and tick them off one by one.
- Baby wipes
- Brush
- Clothes & shoes
- Comfy footwear
- Gloves/scarves
- Insect repellent
- Loo roll
- Medication
- Day rucksack (Waterproof cover)
- Sun cream
- Sunglasses
- Swimwear
- Toiletries
- Towels
- Tweezers
- Waterproofs
- Wellies
Top tip: Use a binder clip to safely pack razors!
Top tip: Off for a day trip? Pack a mini first aid kit into an old prescription bottle.
Top tip: Put bunches of Sage in the fire to keep those bugs and creepy crawlies away – natural repellent!
Top tip: Invest in some travel towels – they dry quickly and take up practically no packing space!
List of Camping Basics
Camping is a whole lot more fun and enjoyable if you remember you basics. These products won’t just make your life easier, they’re essential for the happy running of your outdoor home of the week.
- Alarm clock
- Batteries
- Bin bags
- Candles/lanterns
- Chairs
- Dust pan & brush
- Firewood
- ID
- Lights
- Map
- Matches/lighter
- Rope
- Scissors
- Watch
Top tip: Cotton buds covered in wax should be on your camping list of essentials – they make a great fire starter!
Top tip: Forget cutlery? Make your own spoons by cutting up plastic bottles.
Top tip: Bring Doritos – they’re actually a great substitute for starting a fire.
Top tip: Make a DIY shower out of a big water jug and watering can head!
Essential Camping Games & Gadgets
Of course, it’s not all about ruthless survival – your next camping trip should be full of fun too. We’ve got a few kit suggestions to make this happen, and to help you document it all as you go.
- Bikes
- Binoculars
- Books
- Bucket and spade
- Camera
- Cards
- Fishing gear
- Football
- Frisbee
- Games
- Guitar
- Kayaks
- Radio
- Smartphone
- Tablet/Kindle
- Travel journal
Top tip: Having a bike toolbox is always best if you're taking your bike with you.
Top tip: Put anti-boredom, activity packs for the kids on your camping checklist, in case of a rainy day!
Top tip: Take a portable or solar charger to keep your gadgets charged.
Top tip: Create a scavenger hunt challenge to get the kids down with nature.
Camping Kitchen Supplies Checklist
All that fun sure does make you hungry though, right? Here’s everything you need to form your ideal outdoor kitchen. The camping food lists up to you and your preferences – create a feast that you campers truly deserve!
- BBQ
- Beer
- Can opener
- Cooler
- Cups
- Cutlery
- Flask
- Foil
- Food & snacks
- Fuel
- Gas stove
- Marshmallows
- Plates
- Storage bags
- Table cloth
- Tea/coffee!
- Utensils
- Washing up kit
- Water
Top tip: Take pancake batter in an old ketchup bottle to avoid mess!
Top tip: Carry your spices in old Tic Tac boxes to save on space.
Top tip: Put a toasted marshmallow and chocolate between to biscuits over the fire to make s’mores!
Top tip: Put coals in an empty egg box as a great kitchen fire starter!
Have you printed of your camping essentials list?
By now you should be completely ready for your next incredible camping trip! Don’t be the guy that forgets everything – check out our printable camping checklist and you’ll leave nothing behind. Now all that’s left is to get out there. There’s nothing better than the Great British outdoors after all.
Camping Checklist Infographic
Click here to open our handy checklist infographic in a new window.
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