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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
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
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.
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
Perfect for camping! It folds down very easily, can be stashed under your gear in the car, and has a lower height option that's great for kids to sit or stand at.
Folding Table || 4' Collapsible Table
Painting at camp doesn't need to be messy. We use these to paint smooth gravel rocks, fallen leaves, coloring books, and more.
I got them for the kids but, honestly, I use them just as often as they do.
I got them for the kids but, honestly, I use them just as often as they do.
Acrylic Paint Pens || Painting At Camp
A must have! At camp…but also at home.
These paint brushes are refillable and completely remove the risk of knocked over cups of water. They work great and come in a variety of sizes for the more precise artists.
These paint brushes are refillable and completely remove the risk of knocked over cups of water. They work great and come in a variety of sizes for the more precise artists.
Watercolor Brush Pens || Watercolor Painting
So many colors in such a small, packable space! They are easy to use, quick to hydrate/dry as needed, and relatively easy to keep the colors clean (even with multiple preK kids using them).
Watercolor Paint Set 50 Colors Metal Case
This small, square sketch book is easy to pack and holds up to very wet watercoloring (the type of watercoloring kids are best at!).
The pages easily tear out which is essential for watercoloring (and sharing).
The pages easily tear out which is essential for watercoloring (and sharing).
Watercolor Sketch Book
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