A Cozy Family Camping Packing List
Everything We Packed (and Actually Used) for Our First Family Tent Camping Trip
This was my husband and my first tent camping trip since having kids. We've always wanted to be a camping family, but we just hadn't made it happen until this trip.
For reference, we have two boys—ages 4 and 1½—which we knew wouldn't be the easiest ages for camping. Even so, we wanted to start this family tradition while they're still little.
I'm a classic overpacker, and my husband is quite the opposite. I was going for cozy vibes okay! While I know camping isn't really about comfort, I wanted to pack enough that we could all at least get a decent night's sleep.
You should have seen my husband's face when we started setting up camp and I pulled out the solar string lights and our king-size air mattress. I knew he'd thank me later, but it was definitely the moment he realized that camping with a family looks a little different than camping with the guys.
Now that we've completed our first family camping trip, here's everything we packed and actually used—and will absolutely pack again next time. I even dedicated a few storage tubs as our "camping tubs" so everything can stay packed up and ready for our next adventure.
A few quick notes about our trip:
We road-tripped from East Texas to Buena Vista, Colorado (about a 14-hour drive with little ones).
We camped in July because we wanted to escape the humid Texas heat. Even though afternoons were still warm in Colorado, the cool mornings and dry mountain air were such a welcome change.
Our boys were 4 (he actually turned 4 during the trip!) and 1½.
We camped for four nights.
We stayed in a tent campground with bathrooms, dish sinks, and electricity nearby, but our actual campsite did not have power. We simply carried our air mattress over to an outlet to inflate it.
There was a burn ban because of the Colorado wildfires, so campfires weren't allowed. Thankfully, we knew that ahead of time and planned to cook everything on our camp stove instead.
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Shelter & Sleeping
Let's be honest—getting good sleep with little kids is already a gamble. I was going to do everything in my power to make bedtime as cozy as possible. This category definitely took up the most room in the car, but I don’t regret it.
We brought a king-size air mattress for my husband and me because we had a feeling at least one child would end up sleeping with us. (Spoiler alert: they did.) Since it was the boys' first time sleeping in a tent, we wanted them to have cozy, familiar places to sleep if they felt nervous. We also brought a toddler air mattress for our 4-year-old and a Pack 'n Play for our 1½-year-old. Surprisingly, they actually slept in their own beds most of the trip!
We packed:
Tent (with rain fly)
Tarp for under the tent
King-size air mattress
Air mattress pump (car plug-in)
Pillows
Sheets
Quilt
Extra blankets
Pack 'n Play
Toddler air mattress
Lantern
Sound machine (optional—we don't use one, but it might help your kids!)
Next time...
I'd probably bring an outdoor rug for inside the tent entry to help keep dirt from getting tracked inside.
Camp Kitchen & Dining
We cooked breakfast every morning and two dinners at camp, then packed lunches for our daily adventures. We ended up eating out two evenings, which was a nice break.
We packed:
Tablecloth with table clips
Folding table for extra prep space
Camp stove
Propane
Lighter
Cookware
Cooking utensils
Plates and bowls
Mug for coffee
Dish soap
Dishwashing tub
Cooler
Ice
Water jugs
Coffee setup (very important!)
Food storage containers
Mini Solo Stove (tabletop version so we could still make s'mores during the burn ban)
Wine :)
Favorite items:
My moka pot made the perfect camp coffee every morning, and the tablecloth instantly made our campsite feel warm, welcoming, and cozy.
Camp Comforts
These are the little things that made our campsite feel extra cozy. Obviously these aren’t absoulute necessities, but I do think they made the experience feel a little magical, especially for the kids.
We packed:
Solar string lights (my absolute favorite, 10/10!)
Extension cord
Bluetooth speaker
Camp chairs (we loved our cozy double chair)
Citronella candle (didn't need it in Colorado, but I'd definitely bring one in Texas)
Hammock
Battery lanterns
Headlamps and flashlights
Campfire roasting sticks
Clothing
Of course, this depend on where you're camping, what season you're going, and what activities you have planned, but here's some things to think about
Adults
Layers
Rain jacket
Hiking shoes
Camp shoes
Shower shoes
Kids
Extra outfits (more than you think you'll need!)
Warm and lightweight pajamas
Sweatshirts and jackets
Socks
Hats
Water shoes
Tennis shoes
Baby & Toddler Essentials
When you're trying to remember all the camping gear, don't forget all the little-kid necessities!
We packed:
Diapers
Wipes
Changing mat
Baby carrier
Snacks
Favorite toys
Books
Blanket
Sippy cups
Portable high chair
If you're road-tripping like we did, these were some of our favorite items for keeping both boys entertained during the drive.
Health & Safety
First aid kit
Bug spray
Sunscreen
Extra batteries
Pocket knife
Wet wipes
Trash bags
Don't Forget These Little Things
These are the easy-to-forget items that you'll be glad you packed.
Phone chargers
Power bank
Ziploc bags
Paper towels
Clothespins
Clothesline
Extra towels
Hand sanitizer
Toilet paper
If you're planning your first family camping trip, I hope this cozy packing list gives you a helpful starting point. We certainly didn't have everything figured out, but we had everything we needed to make sweet memories together—and that's what mattered most.
Whether you're camping with babies, toddlers, or big kids, remember that it doesn't have to be perfect to be memorable. Pack what makes your family comfortable, embrace the adventure, and enjoy making memories together.