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Camping Gear || Sleep, Eat & Play Outdoors (& Stay Cozy!)
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items A straightforward, zero-fluff guide to the essential gear you actually need for a comfortable, successful car camping trip. If you are new to camping, you do not need to spend a fortune on high-end aesthetic brands or survivalist gadgets. This list f...
Sections
4
Sleeping Under The Stars || Gear for Cozy Nights
Campfires & Cooking || Cozy Nights, Tasty Meals & Safety Musts
Kids at Camp || Gear, Clothing, Activities & More
Campsite Basics || Organization, Navigation & Safety
Sleeping Under The Stars || Gear for Cozy Nights
The foundation of a good trip is a solid night's sleep. Skip the ultra-light backpacking gear and focus on durable, insulated options that keep the wind and morning chill at bay. You want high-utility comfort that fits easily in the back of your car.
Having a 4 person tent for 2 people may seem excessive but it is perfect for rainy days! This tent is easy to put up with color coordinated poles. We're on our second season (15+ nights) and it's been great.
Marmot Tungsten 4P Tent with Footprint | REI Co-op
Get a double chair! It is worth the extra space it takes up in the car and if you have kids it's great for cuddles (or falling asleep around the campfire).
The Huskfirm chair sits a bit higher than the pricier Kelty chair -- personally I prefer this...
Huskfirm 2 Person Oversized Camping Chair
We use this insulated 4" sleeping pad as an actual bed -- we add a fitted sheet, pillows, and a flannel sleeping bag as a blanket.
The sleeping pad is fantastic...but it does take a lot of space in the car. We really like the comfort of this pad *bu...
Hikenture Extra Thick Double Self Inflating Pad
This is a heavy, large sleeping bag...and it's WARM! We use it as a blanket while camping, both in the tent and at the campfire.
I personally like that it is heavier. It does help keep it in place and extra cozy while we are sleeping.
Ozark Trail 15 Degree Cold Weather Rectangle Canvas Sleeping ...
I have had this sleeping bag for about seven years! It's been car camping, backpacking, and backyard camping with me. The zipper is still going strong and it has never let me down.
Marmot 15F Sleeping Bag || Cold Weather Down Sleeping Bag
This is so handy to have. I didn't think I needed it – my sleeping pad comes with an “inflation bag” – but oooooh boy, this makes life so much easier. It's quiet and it recharges with the same USB-C as my phone. I wish I got it earlier!
**IRL pictures coming soon – I need to inflate my sleeping pad before dark so I can get photos!**
**IRL pictures coming soon – I need to inflate my sleeping pad before dark so I can get photos!**
Air Pump for Inflatables Sleeping Pads
We have four of this style of blanket…and we use them all. They are great for camping because they are durable, can be layered, have enough weight to stay put, and are easy to shake dirt/grass from.
We keep two in the car at all times and use them for all outdoor activities.
While camping they are a cozy blanket for the camp chairs, an extra layer in the tent, or a “rug" at the tent entrance.
They also become picnic blankets or table covers, a towel by the lake, or a fort around the campsite.
We keep two in the car at all times and use them for all outdoor activities.
While camping they are a cozy blanket for the camp chairs, an extra layer in the tent, or a “rug" at the tent entrance.
They also become picnic blankets or table covers, a towel by the lake, or a fort around the campsite.
Large Authentic Woven Falsa Throw
Everyone gets a pillow when we're car camping!
This low-cost, durable pillow is great for camping. We do use pillow cases and wash them regularly, but these are still designated camping pillows – the smell of campfires is always better in nature vs in my house!
This low-cost, durable pillow is great for camping. We do use pillow cases and wash them regularly, but these are still designated camping pillows – the smell of campfires is always better in nature vs in my house!
Mainstays Comfort Complete Bed Pillow, Standard/Queen
Oooh yes, we get sheets when car camping too!
Our insulated sleeping pad is ~full sized and this set fits perfect. We usually only use the fitted sheet and pillow cases (very hot nights get the top sheet because we can't use sleeping bags).
This helps us protect our sleeping pad when we're in the sleeping bags and it just more comfortable because our skin isn't sticking to a sleeping pad.
Our insulated sleeping pad is ~full sized and this set fits perfect. We usually only use the fitted sheet and pillow cases (very hot nights get the top sheet because we can't use sleeping bags).
This helps us protect our sleeping pad when we're in the sleeping bags and it just more comfortable because our skin isn't sticking to a sleeping pad.
Mainstays Basic Value Microfiber Bed Sheet Set, Full, Red Sedona, 4 Piece
Campfires & Cooking || Cozy Nights, Tasty Meals & Safety Musts
Cooking at a campsite shouldn't feel like a survival challenge. These are the practical, reliable tools you need to prep meals efficiently, manage your food storage safely, and get your morning coffee brewed without a headache.
We use this collapsible water container for tent camping and camper camping. I almost always opt for gear that gets smaller so this hits the spot.
We own two jugs and they have both going strong after years of use. If you need a water jug I would im...
Collapsible Water Jugs | REI Co-op
Yes, you do need these awkward cast iron devices in your life! We have three and use them regularly.
We make dinner (crunch wraps), dessert (crescent roll s'mores) and so many creative toasties.
There is a learning curve to get the pudgie pies cook...
Camp Pie Cooker - Walmart
The best cooler I've ever had. I've taken this to Moab for a long weekend of camping and my water bottles (I freeze Nalgenes instead of using ice) still had ice after 4 days in 80+ degree days.
32 QT RTIC Cooler
This campstove has a carrying case, a single burner, and a griddle surface. You can use it to boil water or grill a quesadilla. It's a go-to for us and is often packed along as “just in case” since it is so contained. **Don't forget to buy the butane...
Ozark Trail 2-in-1 Butane Griddle
This table folds down nicely to fit under your gear in the car and it has a high and low level. We primarily use the lower level while camping. It's the perfect height for my daughter's camp chair or for her standing height. We use it for cooking, ea...
4 Foot Fold-in-Half Adjustable Folding Table
Kids at Camp || Gear, Clothing, Activities & More
Taking kids camping isn't about creating a curated, picture-perfect "magical" experience; it is just parenting in a different zip code. The key to sanity on the trail is minimizing the clutter and maximizing independent, open-ended play. Activities f...Campsite Activities list.
These kid-sized chairs help the kids sit safely around campfires (no climbing or tipping in the big chairs). They also help kids get excited about sitting outside, even when it's chilly.
Our panda chair is a hand-me-down and has seen a lot of outdoo...
Wilcor Kids Folding Camp Chair w/ Cup Holder
We have a fox headlamp that my daughter loves using at camp. It's a great way to give her a bit of independence. It is rechargable so I don't have to haul around batteries.
Kids Lantern and Rechargeable Kids Headlamp Set
We have had this for 4+ years and love that it has a nightlight on it. In the early years we relied on the sound and the light for the entire night. Now we use it at bedtime and often turn it off as the night progresses.
The battery life isn't the best when you have the sound and the light. I keep it attached to a charger all night to make sure we have it when we need it.
The battery life isn't the best when you have the sound and the light. I keep it attached to a charger all night to make sure we have it when we need it.
Yogasleep Travel Mini Portable White Noise Sound Machine
We have had these for two years – they were first used to help backup our camper but we now use them with our daughter. It gives her more confidence in the tent alone. She knows to use it to call us if she wakes up while we are around the campfire at...
Retevis Walkie Talkies
Genuinely fantastic rain jackets for kids. They're affordable so you can size up as needed and the hood actually fits (even over helmets if you do up the zipper last).
Kids Rain Jackets | Columbia Sportswear
This is a helmet that my daughter puts out without complaint. Even the snap is easy enough for her to do on her own (still needs help undoing tho).
Retrospec Scout Bike Helmet
This was the next step for us (after the Strider 14x) and my daughter gets SO EXCITED when she stops with the handbrake vs her feet. It's been so fun to watch her learn.
16 Inch Kids Bikes
We started out on a regular Strider and upgraded to the 14x – it helped my cautious daughter progress on the bike.
Strider 14x Convertible Balance to Pedal Bike
Great rain pants for kids. We even use them for post-rain play so the kids can sit in the sand/grass.
Feel free to size up a bit, the waistband is stretchy but also tight enough to size up.
Feel free to size up a bit, the waistband is stretchy but also tight enough to size up.
Kids Pants | Columbia Sportswear
We have a few of these water bottles. They're technically leak proof…until your kid gets a hold of them and finds the air vent. BUT they do stay leak proof in your bag. They are also narrower and fit easily into bike bottle holders. Plus, these water...
Kids Water Bottles – Thermos Brand
Campsite Basics || Organization, Navigation & Safety
A chaotic campsite is a stressful campsite. This section covers the simple packing layouts, clear storage bins, reliable lighting tools, and non-negotiable safety items that keep your vehicle organized and your route secure.
An absolute must-have for camping and exploring. I have an older version that is much more clunky but I still carry it on all solo/kid+me outings. It gives my family peace of mind and me the confidence to go solo.
Garmin inReach Mini 2 Satellite Communication
This is one of three first aid kits I have in my general camping stash. This is the most robust and it lives in our tent camping bin. We have a smaller one for our backpacking bin and a bandaid/medication one we keep in the car.
Just make sure you take some time looking through this (or any) kit before you head into the wilderness. You may need to research some of the products and its best to do that before you need them in an emergency.
Just make sure you take some time looking through this (or any) kit before you head into the wilderness. You may need to research some of the products and its best to do that before you need them in an emergency.
The First Aid Kit
Camping doesn't need to mean chaos. I use these bins (I have four different sizes) to keep my camp food and gear organized. The extra space on the raised lid lets you “over fill” and the clear sides let you see all the random things you tossed in.
Storage Bins || Hefty Latching Tops
We have two of these and rely on them to keep our random gear charged (phones, sound machine, headlamps, air pump, etc). They recharge while we drive and we keep a few USB/micro USB/USB-C cords on hand to charge.
Portable Charger 50800mAh Power Bank
This is a very basic first aid kit (you may want/need more) but it gets the job done for 98% of the scrapes we have at camp. Plus, the bandaids hold up to everything! These are my own go-to for any cuts on my hands because the bandaids stick so well!
Welly First Aid Kit