Absolute essential must-have camping list for a comfy outdoor experience
The family is going camping and to be honest, I have no idea what to expect. I’ve obviously been camping before, but I’ve never been this adventurous with two small children in my care 24/7 – a whole different ball game! We’ve booked a few days away and I’m busy doing what I do best: Trying to control everything so that I can guarantee a great camping experience. Deep down I know that none of my controlling can achieve that – on the contrary… I might just spoil the whole trip. So I’ve decided to put together a kick-ass camping list and then let my hair down and go with the flow. Come what may.
This is the Absolute Essential Camping List, according to the Phuthu girls. You are welcome to deduct from it if you prefer a more primitive outdoor experience or add to it if you’re planning a larney camping trip:
Main stuff
- Tent
- Mattresses and bedding
- Pump (for blow-up mattresses)
- Ground sail
- Gazebo (if you don’t have one attached to your tent)
- Camping chairs and table
- Gas bottle for lamp or skottel – optional
- Lamp and torch (spare batteries)
- Grill
- Cooler box and ice
Kitchen stuff
- Paper plates
- Knives, forks, spoons, spatula
- Cutting board
- Spices
- Fire kettle (if there is no electricity)
- Braai tongs
- Can opener
- 5 L Drinking water
- Tin foil
- Food
Boring but important stuff
- Dishwashing liquid
- Dish cloths
- Holder to wash dishes in
- Mozzie stuff (the ones you burn rules)
- Sun block
- Rubbish bags
- Charcoal/wood and firelighters
- Loo paper
- Doom
Emergency stuff
- First aid kit containing antiseptic cream, plasters, headache tablets, Imodium etc.
- Coffee/Tea
- Enough nibbly’s and drinks
Stuff to remember:
- Warm jacket
- Marshmallows and skewers
- Games
- Fishing rod
- Rusks
- Bread pan to make a cheese and beer bread
By Elzet
Woohooo, can’t wait to go camping again this summer. Bring it on! Oh, and Old Brown Sherry should be on the list as well – it warms you up on those chilly evenings…
I agree, Katrine, and don’t leave granny behind!
Argh! I am envious. Here in the northern hemisphere we are moving into autumn and away from warm summer camping. Three weeks ago my wife and I were out camping and experienced the first snow of the season. Soon there will be no more good camping days left. You have a great camping list. One suggestion is keep the list with you and make edits of the things that you forgot or would make your trip better next time. If your children are really young you might also think about bringing along a playpen and a pram so you do not have to keep your little ones in your arms at all times.
Arial > Granny doesn’t camp, remember?? Too many bugs and stuff crawling around…and then there is the uhm…getting up process (the beds are very low!).
Robert > Great tips, thanks! If your little one is busy like mine, trade the pram for a leash/harness