What to take camping?
Not sure what to take camping? Don’t worry, we’ve thought long and hard and we’ll aim to answer the question for you below.
You’ve managed to pick your campsite in France, booked your week or two in the sun and are starting to think about what to pack.
Whether it’s your first time under canvas or you’re a seasoned pro, it’s always good to keep an up to date list of things you need to take.
Camping checklists are great but you need to make sure you keep them updated. We’ve all been camping in our own tent and find that there’s something we’ve forgotten. It might be something as simple as the tin opener, pegs for the tent or something more crucial like the tent poles. You need to ensure that as soon as you return home you update your checklist to stop you making the same mistake twice.
The most important thing you need to do is to check your camping equipment at least a week prior to travelling. There’s nothing worse that arriving at your campsite and finding out a tent pole is broken or your stove no longer works.
To help you sort out what equipment and essentials you’ll need to take with you on holiday we’ve put together a camping checklist which you can find below.
Our camping checklist
Our camping checklist is by no means exhaustive. This is a basic list to start you off and to help you to decide what to take camping. As we are all individuals we will have different things you wish to take camping.
Tent checklist
The tent checklist includes all the basic items that you need. These will obviously be different depending upon the number of campers or the type of tent you have.
- Tent
- Porch/extension
- Groundsheet
- Carpet
- Pegs
- Spare pegs
- Peg puller
- Poles or air pump depending upon your type of tent
- Mallett
- Electric hook-up
- Torch, lantern or tent lights
- Camping chairs and table
Sleeping checklist
The sleeping checklist will vary depending upon your space, taste and the level of luxury you desire.
- Sleeping bags
- Pillows
- Duvets
- Blankets
- Roll mats
- Air mattresses
- Camp beds
Kitchen/cooking checklist
Kitchen items are usually the most forgotten items so ensure you keep this section up to date.
- Stove sufficient for number of campers
- Gas or charcoal BBQ if campsite allows
- Gas for stove and BBQ
- Charcoal for BBQ
- Matches or lighter
- Water container
- Pots and pans
- Kettle
- Tableware including plates, bowls, cups and glasses
- Cutlery
- Cooking utensils
- Knives and chopping board
- BBQ tools
- Tin opener
- Bottle opener
- Corkscrew
- Wash basin
- Fridge/coolbox
Cleaning equipment checklist
Cleaning equipment is very handy when camping. Tent groundsheets and carpets can quickly become dirty especially if the weather is unpleasant.
- Broom
- Dustpan and brush
- Washing up liquid
- Sponge and dishcloths
- Wet wipes
- Bin bags
- Paper towels
- Washing powder
- Washing line
- Pegs
Health and safety checklist
Health and safety items are extremely important. If you take nothing else from this section ensure you have a working carbon monoxide tester and fire extinguisher as they save lives.
- Small carbon monoxide tester
- First aid kit
- Fire extinguisher/blanket
- Sun cream
- Insect repellent
- Personal medication
- Paracetamol
- Antihistamine
- Toilet roll
Personal Checklist
We’ve only included a few items on the personal checklist as you will definitely add your own items to it.
- Clothes for during the day
- Clothes for at night
- Sleepwear
- Raincoat
- Swimsuits
- Underwear
- Shoes and flip-flops
- Sunglasses
- Wash kit
- Umbrella
Entertainment checklist
The entertainment checklist also has items often forgotten such as travel plugs.
- Books
- DVD player and DVDs
- Phone
- MP3 player
- Camera
- GoPro
- Laptop
- Tablet
- Travel games
- Pack of cards
- Ball
- Frisbee
- Kite
- Chargers, leads and travel plugs
We hope that this checklist helps you to decide ‘What to take camping?’ Our camping checklist is a guide to help you build your own list. As we said everyone is different and will want to take different items. Use our camping checklist to help build your own.
If you’d like to buy any of the camping equipment listed above then please click the button below.
Buy camping equipment
