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Camping Essentials for Beginners
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items Our big family loves camping. I first fell in love with camping as a young kid in Washington state and then got better at camping as a cub scout, boy scout, and Eagle scout. We're always adding to our camping gear. Here are some of our favorite essen...
Sections
7
Tents
Cooking
Sleeping
Lights
Fire
Water
Tents
Tents and all the things that come along with it
This tent can be completely set up in minutes! We love how easy it is. It's a good size for 6 people. Our family of 7 really has to squeeze to make this one work :)
Mobihome 6 Person Camping Tent
Here's my ultralight, waterproof, tent I use for backpacking. It's very spacious for me but it works for two people also, if you want to be extra cozy. It comes with a fly and a footprint too! It's also inexpensive for what you get.
Hyke & Byke Yosemite 3 Season Tent - 2 Person
We use this tent as a second tent for 2 kids. It sets up in 5 seconds. No joke!
Abco Pop-Up Tent
These stakes are so much higher quality than the cheep ones that come with tents.
Heavy Duty Stakes 10pc
You'll need a tent tarp or footprint to extend the life of your tent. Withstand sharp, gravelly surfaces that can take a toll on your tent.
NEMO Aurora Highrise 6-person Footprint
Small and helps me keep my tent clean
Dust pan Brush
Cooking
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to cooking
Ultralight Camping and Backpacking Mini Stove Kit.
PocketRocket 2 Mini Stove
I use this mess kit for backpacking because it's very light, packs up small, has a no-stick surface, and because it has rubber handles so I don't burn myself. I use this on my PocketRocket mini stove and it works great.
MalloMe Camping Cookware Mess Kit for Backpacking
I use this for my stove, lantern, and torch. A camping staple really.
Coleman Propane Fuel Cylinders
I cook on this when I'm too impatient to cook on the fire ;)
Coleman InstaStart 2-Burner Stove
Quick and safe way to heat up water for hot chocolate and pasta, etc.
Bulin 2.2L Camping Kettle
You need to keep the food cold and you also need to keep the critters out. Having wheels and good handles is a huge bonus. The Pelican is big but not too big.
80QW Elite Wheeled Cooler
Nothing fancy here, but we love these water bottles for our hole family because they keep water cold forever! Each of us has our own bottle which is a must!
ThermoFlask 24 oz Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle, 2-pack
Soup for cleaning our dishes and good for the environment.
Dish Soap (Biodegradable)
The chimney is the fastest way to heat up charcoal, and noone wants to wait around for dinner very long.
BEAU JARDIN Charcoal Chimney
Sleeping
Sleeping is the most critical part of being comfortable while camping
Our kids use this hammock for camping and we have two hanging in our yard at all times. Our kids love it!
Covacure Camping Hammock
We bought one of these for all 5 kids. It's a 0 degree bag so they never get cold!
Silverton™ 0 Big and Tall Mummy Sleeping Bag
These are the bags that my wife and I use. They're larger to move around in, and super warm!
0˚F Sleeping Bag (adult)
Love that this is small, lightweight, and super quick to blow up.
KLYMIT STATIC V Sleeping Pad
I love how small and lightweight this one is. It takes up very little space in the car.
Ultralight Sleeping Pad
Lights
Great portable lanterns. Our kids love these!
Vont 4 Pack LED Camping Lantern
I'm a huge fan of propane lanterns because they're the brightest light out there.
Coleman Propane Lantern
Great for camping and everyday use
Duracell LED Headlamp
Each of our kids wants a light so this is a cheep and easy way to give one to them.
EverBrite 9-LED Flashlight 6-Pack
Fire
So helpful for cooking on the fire when I need to move logs around.
RAPICCA Fire Resistant Gloves
So useful for starting fires in wind or wet
Grill Trade Fire Starters 50 pcs
The coolest way to light campfires and propane stoves!
Trigger Start Propane Torch
My favorite lightweight hatchet, I had a larger one before but I love that this one is light enough to stick in my backpack, it's sharp, and has a cover that is quick to take off and put back on. Good for chopping up wood to start the fire, or for ba...
LEXIVON V-ONE Survival Hatchet, 9.5" Full Tang
Water
When I go backpacking and don't want to carry a ton of water, this water filter works great for refilling at a lake or river. It also works for campgrounds that have no water for whatever reason, I was at one last week. It packs up really tiny so it'...
Waterdrop Gravity Water Filter Straw, 1.5 gal Bag
Nothing fancy here but what I love about the classic Nalgene water bottle is that it was designed to fit in my backpack pockets and the bottle itself doesn't add any additional weight. I also use it for hiking, and the gym. Don't forget, Nalgene's ar...
Nalgene Monochrome BPA-Free Recycled Water Bottle
Other
My ultralight folding camping chair weighs 2.3 lbs so it's perfect for backpacking to places that may not have anywhere to sit. It's heavy duty, portable, and compact. You can use if for outdoor camping and at the beach, a picnic, or festival. It's p...
MARCHWAY Ultralight Folding Camping Chair, Heavy Duty Portable Compact for Outdoor Camp, Travel, Beach, Picnic, Festival, Hiking, Lightweight Backpacking (Orange)