I'll admit it.
Before our first camping trip, I made approximately 47 different lists.
One on my phone.
One in a notebook.
One scribbled on the back of an envelope.
Despite all that preparation, we still managed to forget something.
(I'm convinced forgetting one item is an unwritten camping tradition.)
If you're planning your first camping trip, it can feel like you need to buy half of your local camping shop. Social media certainly doesn't help as everyone seems to have an endless collection of gadgets that apparently transform your holiday.
The good news?
You really don't need all of it.
After a couple of years of camping, we've learnt what's genuinely essential, what's nice to have, and what can definitely wait until you've caught the camping bug.
So here's our realistic camping checklist for beginners.
The Absolute Essentials
Let's start with the things you genuinely can't do without.
Shelter
Tent
Footprint or groundsheet
Tent pegs
Mallet
Spare guy ropes
Top tip: Count your tent pegs before you leave. Future You will thank Present You.
Sleeping
Air bed or camping mattress
Sleeping bags or Duvet
Pillows
Pump for inflatable mattresses
Extra blanket (trust me)
Camping evenings can get chilly, even in the middle of summer.
Camp Furniture
You don't need luxury furniture.
You do need somewhere to sit.
Our essentials are:
Camping chairs
Camping table
Lantern
Head torches
You'll wonder how you ever lived without a head torch the first time you need the toilet at 2am.
Cooking Equipment
Unless you're planning to eat out every meal (which, to be fair, is tempting), you'll need a few basics.
We always pack:
Camping stove
Gas
Lighter
Kettle
Frying pan
Saucepan
Plates
Bowls
Mugs
Cutlery
Sharp knife
Chopping board
Washing-up bowl
Sponge
Washing-up liquid
Tea towel
Tin opener
Please don't forget the tin opener. Speaking from... absolutely no personal experience...
Food Essentials
Before every trip I write a meal plan.
Do I always stick to it?
Not exactly.
But it definitely stops us buying six bags of crisps and forgetting breakfast.
Don't forget:
Tea and coffee
Milk
Water
Cooking oil
Salt and pepper
Snacks
Camping snacks are in their own food group.
I'm fairly sure that's scientifically proven.
Clothing
The British weather likes to keep us humble.
Pack for every season, even if you're travelling in July.
I'd include:
Waterproof coat
Warm jumper
T-shirts
Shorts
Trousers
Plenty of socks
Comfortable shoes
Flip-flops for shower blocks
Hat
Sunglasses
Toiletries
This one's easy to overlook (just ask my husband!).
Remember:
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Shower gel
Shampoo
Deodorant
Sun cream
After sun
Toilet roll
Towels
Don't rely on campsite shops having exactly what you need.
Things We Didn't Realise We'd Need
These have become camping staples for us.
Bin bags
Baby wipes
Microfibre cloths
Power bank
Extension lead (if you're using electric hook-up)
Clothes pegs
Washing line
Extra carrier bags
Kitchen roll
None of them are exciting.
Every single one is useful.
Things You Can Probably Wait Before Buying
When we first started camping, I thought we needed every clever gadget I'd seen online.
Turns out, you really don't.
I'd wait before buying things like:
Fancy camping cupboards
Expensive outdoor rugs
Pizza ovens
Coffee machines
Decorative lights
Every storage gadget under the sun
Go on a couple of trips first.
You'll quickly figure out what would genuinely improve your camping experience rather than just taking up space in the car.
Our Biggest Piece of Advice
Don't worry about having the perfect setup.
Honestly, nobody starts there.
Every camping trip teaches you something.
You'll discover a better way to organise the car.
You'll realise you need another blanket.
You'll buy one or two things that make life easier.
That's all part of the fun.
Our camping setup now looks completely different to our first trip and I suspect it'll keep evolving for years to come.
Final Thoughts
If you're about to head off on your first camping adventure, keep things simple.
Take the essentials.
Don't stress if you forget something.
Almost every camper has forgotten something important at least once, and most campsites have a shop or a friendly neighbour willing to help.
The perfect camping setup isn't built before your first trip.
It's built one adventure at a time.
What's one item you now refuse to camp without?
Or, if you're planning your first camping trip, what are you most worried about forgetting?
Let me know in the comments, I always love hearing other campers' tips (and it reassures me that I'm not the only one who's ever forgotten something obvious!).
Molly
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