Beginner Camping guide!

With camping season just around the corner lets dive into all the basics you need to be ready for an epic spring and summer camping season!

Getting out of the comfort of your home and lugging all your kids with you to spend nights in a tent while making sure you don't miss a thing can be daunting if you've never done it before. I've definitely been there and I can tell you that the more you do it the easier it becomes and the more confident you will be outside even if you're alone with your kids.

Storage Boxes

The trick with camping as a family of 5 is organization, otherwise it can be overwhelming to track all your items and making sure you don't miss a thing, and that's where these storage boxes saved me countless hours before each trip. When it comes to getting ready for camping there is nothing better than these boxes. They are incredibly useful especially when living in a small space. I organize all our sleeping stuff in one box, (sleeping bags, pads, pillows etc.) and kitchen stuff in another. That way, I can just move them from our home straight to the car and back. And you don't have to worry about forgetting or misplacing items between camping trips. This makes loading the car for the roadtrip a breeze.

We also use them for storage at home, and on our 2 year crazy roadtrip across the states and they withstand heavy winds, rain, snow, you name it!

Tent

When it comes to getting the right tent for your family I would say always go bigger than what's stated on the tent. If it says good for a family of 4 like this big Agnes 4 then that means that's exact place to just sleep. No extra wiggle room for anything and I mean nothing! haha although it's a great tent and I love the privacy/mesh sides for breathability and warmth I would say this a comfortable tent for 2-3 people max so just keep that in mind when shopping for tents. For bigger families I also love the tents with room dividers for some added privacy. They are a little bulkier but when it comes to car camping you can totally get away with it. Also, a great tip is to setup your tent at home and do a trial run before taking it outdoors. Makes for no bad surprises later!

Sleeping Pad/Air Mattress /cots

The most important yet challenging part of figuring out the sleeping gear is trying to figure out what works for you. Everyone sleeps differently and finding the right pad, cot or air mattress takes time. I have tried everything and being a side sleeper I found that the most comfortable for me was a foam pad. I used to have this amazing REI foam pad until my car got broken into and it got stolen but it was the best investment. They unfortunately no longer have it available. It is a little bulkier and pricier but it made no sound and honestly was more comfortable than my mattress at home! Keep an eye our for REI garage sales as you can always find cheaper and gently used gear too that will really make a difference as getting all the gear can add up pretty quickly.

Sleeping cots were a total win for my husband and I. We happened to snag some cascade mountain cots when they were on sale for 2 for $100 or something and after the first camping trip we went on we do not plan on going back to anything else. A little extra cushion would be nice as they are very stiff but at least you don't get any deflation and you don't feel the ground. The downside is they take up more room than a foam pad, but if you got a bigger tent like I suggested, then they should fit with no issue.

For sleeping pads you want to keep in mind the R value. The higher the number the warmer the pad will be. If you're going this route then get a higher number so it's great year round. Keep in mind other factors when searching for pads such as noise because you definitely don't want to feel like your sleeping on a bag of chips!

As for air mattresses, I have had the worst luck with them. They work for a night or two and then deflate several times throughout the night, so I am traumatized and have no good recommendations for air mattresses. I don't like inflating, deflating or packing away this unnecessary, bulky item.

For sleeping bags I love to get zero degree ones since I tend to get really cold at night. I also love that I can just use it year round and if it gets too hot I can easily unzip the sides and let some air in. For the kids we've always used the REI kinder cones and they've worked really well especially my kids who always tend to run a little hotter. I remember very cold nights where I've woken up to frost on the tent and the kids would be sleeping like babies with just a thin base layer on!

Pillows and extras

Nothing like a foam pillow that's not $100 but if you're not fancy like me then any pillow will do. Costco usually has them on great deals every season and I've tried them and loved them. Sometimes I just roll up my jacket or stuff a backpack and it works great. Also, remember when car camping you have the luxury to bring your pillow from home which my husband does!

To make your sleep even more comfortable I can't sleep without earplugs at home so bringing those camping are an absolute must and I am obsessed with these ones! They block out all the noise and can't get a good nights rest without them.

Eye masks are great to block out the early sun if you like to sleep in a little and not be up at sunrise and we looooooove string lights to decorate the inside of our tent because the kids love them and they add a nice ambiance.

I have created a camping checklist you can print and use before your trips!

Hope you find it useful and Happy Camping adventure seekers!

For my full camping checklist pdf, check the link below:

Camping Checklist.pdf

Download PDF • 3.00MB

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