Planning A Family Camping Trip

144 Shares

Planning a family camping trip is a must when staying in the great outdoors. Camping takes as much planning as any other type of fun family vacation, especially if you have kids.

Planning a family camping trip is a must. Camping takes as much planning as any other type of fun family vacation, especially if you have kids.

Planning Your Family Camping Trip

If you want to have a fun camping trip with your whole family, start planning now. Especially if you plan on going tent camping. If you are using an RV it’s easier for you to bring a little bit of home with you. But when you are tent camping you have to plan ahead to make sure you have everything you need.

When you go camping your most likely not going to be near a large city. Because that’s the point right? To get away from it all! So you need to make sure you plan your family camping trip well. That way you’ll have everything you need.

Research the Area

To begin planning a family camping trip you need to decide on your destination. Once you know where you’re going, research the area. That way you’ll know what type of camping accommodations there are.

Are you allowed to use a tent? Is there a place for your RV? Are there cabins or yurts for rent? Are there toilets and showers? This information will help you know what to bring with you on your trip.

Create a Checklist So You Don’t Forget Anything

Create a checklist for everything you want to bring with you so packing everything will be a lot easier. Once you have the checklist, you can start packing for your trip, marking off the things you’ve packed.

Planning a family camping trip is essential for a fun family camp out. It doesn’t matter if it’s a weekend or longer. Planning makes everything easier.

*Click here for a printable PDF of the checklist

Camping Cuisine

Plan how you’ll prepare your meals and snacks. If you are glamping in an RV, you can make meals that aren’t much different from home. But if you only have a cooler, campfire, and a grill then you’ll have to plan your meals around what you have.

Prep before You Go – to save yourself time and effort prep everything you can before you go. Get all the prep for each meal and snack out of the way because it’ll be a lot easier to pack and store. Plus, it’ll make mealtimes so much easier! You don’t want to spend all your time cooking and cleaning.

Think about Where You’ll Be Cooking – will there be a picnic table at your site? Are you allowed to have a charcoal grill or are gas grills only allowed? This information is useful so you know what you can and can’t cook.

Related Post: Easy Campfire Cooking

Meal Prep Ideas for Camping

Breakfast Burritos

You can meal prep breakfast burritos before you leave for your camping trip. Cook your ingredients like scrambled eggs, sausage, ham, bacon, and peppers. Then wrap them in a tortilla and wrap the entire burrito in tin foil. At breakfast time throw them on the grill inside of their tin foil to heat it up.

Pancakes

All you need to do at home is prepare the batter. You can either make it yourself from scratch or mix together the store version. Store the batter in a plastic squeeze-bottle or even a plastic bag. At breakfast, you can squeeze the batter onto a pan and cook the pancakes over the open fire.

Chili

You can cook the chili at home then store it in a container until it’s time to cook. Chili is a simple and easy meal to feed the family.

Dressing for Your Camp Out

Pack the right clothes. Knowing what to wear while camping is important. Because during the day it could be warm but the temperature can drop a lot at night. You’ll want to make sure you stay warm at night since you’ll be sleeping outdoors.

The other important thing to plan for is packing the right clothes for everyone. Depending on where you camp you may not have access to a washer and dryer. So make sure to bring extra clothing and shoes for each person. It’s better to be over-prepared than underprepared, especially with kids.

Consider the Weather – Make sure to check the weather forecast before you pack for your trip. Also, consider the climate of the place you’re going. Make sure you know what to expect so you have the proper clothing.

Dress for the Activity – Also think about what you plan to do. If you’re going for a hike you’ll need hiking boots or a pair of tennis shoes. If you’re near water, you’ll need a swimsuit and a towel too so you can dry off.

Wear Layers – The best way to dress when you’re outdoors is in layers. Also, there is clothing designed for camping, such as long pants that zip off into shorts.

Fun Activities to Do While Camping

Research activities you can do around or at the campground. What you do on your camping trip depends on the place you go to.

Hiking – If you have mountains nearby, it’s fun to hike up the mountain so that you can take in the views from the top. It’s fun to do and good for you. Make sure you know what you’re doing and dress for the terrain, so you don’t fall.

Fishing – Fishing is a great way to relax and enjoy the great outdoors. If you’re lucky you may be able to catch your dinner. It’s always exciting when you or someone you’re with has a bite and when it’s getting reeled in to see your catch.

Swimming – There may be a lake or a river near your campsite. Swimming is always a fun activity for kids and adults. Plus, if the weather is hot it lets you cool off and feel refreshed.

Floating – If you’re camping near a river a fun activity to do with the family is floating. Grab some Intertubes and enjoy a few hours floating down the river. It is a great way to relax and take in the scenery.

Outdoor Gear You’ll Need

Take the right gear. Whether it’s hiking boots, water shoes, a swimsuit or a raincoat, you need to bring the right gear. What you bring depends on what is available from the campsite. Or whether you’re roughing it in the backwoods or not.

Here is a list of things you may need to bring on your camping trip.

Tent – If you don’t have an RV or camper, then you’ll want to bring a tent.

Chairs – Are great for relaxing around the fire and keeping off the ground.

Sun Canopy – It might not hurt to bring a sun cover or umbrella so you’ll be sure to have shade on those hot summer days.

Sleeping Bags – Sleeping bags are better than blankets. They are easier to roll up and travel with. And sleeping bags can keep you warmer at night.

Air Mattress – Air mattresses will keep you off the cold hard ground. And you’ll have a more comfortable night’s sleep. Don’t forget to bring a pump to air up the mattress!

Flashlights – Flashlights are a necessity to avoid stumbling around in the dark.

Cooking Equipment – You may need a gas grill or a charcoal grill if your campsite doesn’t have one. Don’t forget the pots and pans, at least one large pot and one large skillet.

First Aid Kit – Anything can happen, especially if you don’t bring a first aid kit. Get a special first aid kit designed for camping. So that you have butterfly tape and other supplies when you’re a distance from medical care.

Simple Tools – You may need a hammer to anchor your tent to the ground. Especially if you’re in a windy area. Also, bring a small shovel so you can put out your fire before going to bed.

Lighter or Matches – Having these on hand makes lighting a fire easier than rubbing two sticks together 🙂

Citronella Candles – One of the worst parts about camping is the bugs. A few citronella candles placed around your campsite can keep bugs away.

Toilet Paper – It’s always good to have toilet paper on hand. Even if there is a bathroom at the campground it doesn’t mean there will be toilet paper.

Baby Wipes – Baby wipes are a great way to stay clean while camping. They are very helpful to keep faces, hands, and other body parts clean between showers.

Sunscreen – Make sure to protect your skin, having a sunburn while camping is no fun.

Allergy Medication – Antihistamine can help with itchiness from bug bites. It’s also good to have on hand if there is pollen in the air or if someone comes in contact with poison oak or ivy.

Can Opener – Seems obvious, but we have forgotten to bring a can opener. Many times we have had to get creative in opening our cans.

Bucket – It’s good to have a bucket to cleaning any dishes or utensils. And a bucket will also come in handy for putting out your campfire.

Water – Bring your own drinking water. The rule is you’ll need at least one gallon of water per person, per day.

Staying Safe While Camping

Camping is a lot of fun until someone gets hurt. Staying safe while camping is about common sense and understanding your environment. Having the right tools and equipment and staying aware will keep you a lot safer.

The Type of Animals in the Area – It’s good to know what type of animals are in the area. So you know what to do if you encounter these animals. For example, if there are bears you may want to have bear spray with you. And you want to keep your food locked up.

The Type of Terrain – Know what type of landscape you’re dealing with. So that you can bring the right tools and clothing.

Wear the Right Clothes – Again, know where you’re going and what you’re going to do. So that you can bring the right type of clothing that will keep you safe.

Enjoy Your Camping Trip

Camping trips are a fun way to spend time with your family. To create less stress make a plan for your camping trip. Make sure you pack the right clothes. Plan how you’ll prepare your meals and snacks. And be sure to take the right gear with you.

With a little planning, you’ll have a smooth camping trip. Everyone will have a good time and fun memories will be made!

Have you taken your family camping? What plans do you make before staying in the great outdoors? Let me know in the comments:)

Please Pin This Post