What you need to take will depend on several factors including where you are going, how long you are away, what’s the weather forecast and what you plan to do when you get there.

The following is a long (but not exhaustive) list of ideas to think about;

>> Shelter
Tent
Tent porch
Tent carpet
Tent footprint
Tent Pegs including some additional hard ground spikes
Mallet
Tent peg puller
Lantern
Portable/bucket Toilet
Windbreak
Tarp/ Gazeebo
Camping chairs
Tables
Parasol
Pop up pup tent

>> Sleeping
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Mat/Airbed/camp beds
Extra Blankets for the kids
Pillows
Ear plugs
Eye Masks
Hot water bottles
Travel clock or kids watches

>> Camp Kitchen
What you take will depend on personal preference, how much and what you plan to cook but for a good starting point
Aluminium foil
Antibacterial Wet Wipes
BBQ, Charcoal & Firelighter/ Disposable BBQ.
Bin Bags
Bottle Opener
Bowls
Camping Stove and Gas
Cling Film
Chopping Board
Cooking utensils
Cool box/Cool bag
Corkscrew
Cups
Dish cloth
Dustpan and brush
Food storage
Frying Pan
ice packs
Kettle
Kitchen roll
Knives, forks, spoons, teaspoons
Lighter
Matches
Paper plates, cups, bowls, etc.
Plastic beakers
Plastic knives, forks, spoons
Plastic wine “Glasses”
Plates
Saucepans with lids
Sharp knife
Sieve / Colander
Small washing up liquid and pan scouring sponge
Tea towels
Thermos flask
Tin Opener
Washing up bowl
Water container 10 litre +

>> Health/ Safety
First Aid Kit
Anti-bacterial hand wash
Antihistamines
Antiseptic cream
Antiseptic, plasters and bandages
Aspirin, paracetamol etc.
Indigestion tablets
Insect repellent
Kid friendly Insect repellent
Children’s Painkillers (Calpol etc. )
Prescription medication
Safety pins
Specific personal medications (plus extra)
Sun Cream
Travel sickness pills
Tweezers
Glasses
Pocket tissues

>> General Maintenance
Duct Tape
Extra Guy ropes or paracord
Brush
Electric Hook up – adds electric to your tent, for the mod cons.
Plastic stacker boxes
Bucket
trenching tool/ small spade
LED Lighting / Lanterns (Check batteries)
Extra Batteries
Head Torches
Small Ground Sheet (for placing items on wet ground)
Pump for air mattress

>> Toiletries
Consider creating 2 bags that can be hung up on a hook in the shower block if you split child washing duties between boys and girls
Small Shower gels
Flannels
Small Shampoos
Toothpastes (kids and Adults)
Toothbrushes
Comb/hair brush/clips/bands
Make-up bag
Razor/shaving cream
Towels
Deodorant
Toilet paper
Contact lens solution
Feminine hygiene
Flannel / Sponge
Hair dryer/straighteners
Hairbrush
Make up bag
Paper hankies
Sanitiser
Shampoo/Conditioner
Shaving equipment
Soap/Shower gel
Sun cream
Toilet paper
Toothbrush and paste
Towels (bath and beach)
Wet wipes
large carrier bag to keep everything dry and off the ground whilst in the shower
>> Miscellaneous
Clothesline and pegs
Basic tools (screwdrivers, pliers, multi tool etc.)
Mobile phone with charger (if using electrical hook up)
Portable battery charger
Car adapter
Camera
Safety pins
Sewing kit
Fire Blanket / Extinguisher
Compass and map
Spare Car key ?
Swiss army knife
Day pack/Rucksack

>> Entertainment
Books
Small portable radio
Playing cards
Travel games
Toys

>> Clothing
Crocs/ Flip-flops
Fleeces/Hoodies
Jeans
Shorts
Sleeping wear/ Pyjamas
Socks
Sun hats
Sunglasses
Swimming costumes
Trousers
T-shirts
Underwear
Walking boots
Waterproof Coats
Wellies
Wet suits
Soft Bags to store clothes in
>> Overseas
Booking confirmations
Maps
Passports
Photocopy of documents
Tickets

>> Baby/ Young Child
Bedding
Bibs
Bottles
Buggy
Clothes
Dummy’s
Food
Nappies
Sterilising equipment / fluid
Travel cot

>> Pets
Bin liners
Blanket / Bed
Bowls
Brush
Collar/s
Food
Lead
Medicines
Towel
Toys
Waste bags

>> Taking it to the next level!!
Beach tent
Bike helmets
Bike pump and repair kit
Bikes
Binoculars
Books
Camcorder/charger
Camera and charger
CDs
DVD player / DVDs
Film / Memory card
Fishing gear
Games
Guitar
Laptop
Life jackets
Mobile phone and charger
MP3 player and charger
Pens and paper
Solar powered fairly lights
Surf/boogie board
Table cloth and clips
Candles
Inflatable sofa
Popup Kitchen Unit

>> Food and Drink
A meal for the first night (even of you are planning on eating out)
Bacon
Baked beans
Beer
Cold meats
Sliced Bread
Bread rolls
Breakfast cereals/Varity pack
Butter
Dried Pasta
Jar of Pesto/ Pasta Sauce
Nuts
Cheese
Coffee
Cooking oil
Crisps
Eggs
Fruit
Fruit juice
Herbs
Instant hot chocolate
Diluting Juice
Mayonnaise
Fresh Milk
mushrooms
Oil
Onions
Tinned Hotdogs
Pepper Grinder
Red Wine
Salt Grinder
Small Tabasco
Small Tomato sauce
Soft drinks
Soft drinks
Sugar
Tea
Tinned Tuna
tomatoes
UHT Milk
Vegetables
White Wine

It’s all about making everone comfortable whilst keeping it simple. After a couple of trips you will find what your family needs and what’s surplus to requirements, and remember it all needs to fit in the car!!