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TOP CAMPING GEAR ESSENTIALS: BEST PICKS FOR FAMILIES

July 1, 2024 by thewanderinghulasquatch 18 Comments

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Gear up and get ready to elevate your family camping trip game with our ultimate guide to the top camping gear essentials: best picks for families! Whether you’re pitching tents like a pro or cooking up a storm under the stars, we’ve curated a collection of our must-have items that blend practicality with a touch of adventure. From a cozy sleeping pad to ingenious creature comforts, these recommendations are your passport to unforgettable outdoor escapades with the ones you love most. Let’s dive into the camping essentials gear that will make your next camping trip the envy of the wilderness!

Top Camping Gear Essentials: Best Picks for families PINTEREST PIN

As seasoned car camping pros with a track record of OVER packing on EVERY road trip, we have curated the best camping gear to enjoy the great outdoors. Simple, yet important gear that ensures a good night’s sleep to basic camp kitchen gear to get camp meals done in a snap. At first glance, it may look a bit GLAMPY, but hey, it’s your camping oasis for the weekend and I promise, you’ll thank us! 

Table of Contents

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  • With this Top Camping Gear Essentials: Best Picks for Families you’ll…
  • A COZY RETREAT WITH OUR TOP CAMPING GEAR ESSENTIALS BEST PICKS FOR FAMILIES
    • GET YOUR SLEEP ON.
    • A MULTIPURPOSE TABLE & CHAIRS.
    • ​CLIMATE CONTROL WITH THIS ESSENTIAL CAMP GEAR.
    • ADD THIS TO YOUR FAMILY CAMPING CHECKLIST!
  • A MICHELIN-STAR KITCHEN FOR THE GREAT OUTDOORS WITH OUR TOP CAMPING GEAR ESSENTIALS BEST PICKS FOR FAMILIES
    • THESE BREAKFAST TACOS RULE!
  • LIGHT, LIGHT, BABY!
  • FIRST AID.
  • DO I NEED ALL THIS GEAR!?
  • LET’S GET GLAMPING I MEAN CAMPING!

With this Top Camping Gear Essentials: Best Picks for Families you’ll…

​Stay cool and comfortable under the stars during warmer weather with our favorite battery-operated tent fan. Make your epic capsule camping meals on our FAVORITE two-burner camp stove.  And don’t forget to hang a strand of twinkly lights and kick back in our top-pick folding chairs. With our top camping gear essentials by your side, you can focus on making memories without worrying about the details.

PLUS, keeping your top essential items minimal, breakdown is a breeze when it’s time to pack up and head home. Don’t let anything hold you back from enjoying the local wildlife, campfire, and mother nature – so grab your COMFY camp chairs to relax in, that JUICY summer read, and your GIANT Jenga game and gear up to hit that National Park with the best camping essentials today!

Top Camping Gear Essentials: Best Picks for families TENT SET UP

HERE’S OUR TOP CAMPING GEAR ESSENTIALS: BEST PICKS FOR FAMILIES​ TO HIT THE ROAD WITH

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A COZY RETREAT WITH OUR TOP CAMPING GEAR ESSENTIALS BEST PICKS FOR FAMILIES

The right tent and accessories to keep you organized are the best way for the whole family to have a great time and a successful camping trip! Whether you’re a solo camper, a couple, or a family on your first camping trip, having a GREAT tent and a place to keep your gear will keep you comfortable no matter the weather forecast. The following items are our TOP tent and must-haves that keep us cozy while out exploring the great outdoors! 

We can’t sing the praises enough for the Gazelle T4 Plus. The hub tent design makes set up and break down a breeze and offers the perfect retreat during extreme conditions. This Tesla of tents has great reviews and a great size for the entire family. Still curious!? We thought you might be! Come hang out on the blog and read our full review here!

Gazelle Tents T4 Plus Hub Tent Overland Edition, Easy 90 Second Set-Up, Waterproof, UV Resistant, Footprint, All-Terrain Stakes, 4-8 Person, Alpine Green/Oak Moss, 78" x 94" x 165", GT4...

GET YOUR SLEEP ON.

Sleep is ESSENTIAL and one of the hardest items to get right. An air mattress will leave you deflated and who wants to sleep on the ground!? If you’re camping with young kids, a good cot with a thick and plush cot mattress pad is a must! The cot pads are also excellent for younger kids to get cozy on. Everyone sleeps well is is ready for outdoor adventures.

Gaialoop Thick Memory Foam Camping Mattress Sleeping Pad [Car/Tent/Cot] 3 Inch Portable Floor Play Mat Roll Up Mattress for Guests Kids Adults Sleepover Travel [Cot: 72 * 24 * 3
REDCAMP Padded Folding Camping Cot for Adults, Heavy Duty Sleeping Cot Bed with Pad, Travel Camp Cots with Carry Bag Portable for Outdoor Home Office, Black

A MULTIPURPOSE TABLE & CHAIRS.

foldable table in a bag

Sometimes, we need our camping gear to accommodate us in different ways. This bamboo table by KingCamp is an excellent choice to add to your top camping gear essentials. It can be a prep table, used for dining with the Dometic chairs, or how we used it: as part of our “changing” area! 

We fell in LOVE with these Dometic GO Compact Camping Chairs the minute we sat in them! These lightweight and heavy-duty foldable chairs can easily go from camp to trail. Most days, it lives in our tent with the bamboo table!

KingCamp Folding Table, 39.3x25.6x17.7/20.5/25.6in, Yellow_39.3
Dometic GO Compact Camp Chair (Silt)

​CLIMATE CONTROL WITH THIS ESSENTIAL CAMP GEAR.

Top Camping Gear Essentials: Best Picks for families fan hanging from inside tent

Camping in warmer weather or cooler temperatures can pose equal challenges when camping and out in the elements. Stay comfy with our FAVORITE battery-operated camping tent fan and the perfect heater to warm you up during cold weather camping. 

Camping LED Fan with Light, 20000mAh Rechargeable Battery Powered Outdoor Tent Fan with Light and Hook, 4 Speed, Personal USB Desk Fan for Camping, Fishing, Power Outage,Hurricane, Worksite
Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX Buddy 4,000-9,000-BTU Indoor-Safe Portable Propane Radiant Heater, Red-Black

ADD THIS TO YOUR FAMILY CAMPING CHECKLIST!

AHEM…may I present the BEST piece of our top camping gear essentials BEST pick for Families!? Drum roll, please… the HUMBLE camping potty! This handy family camp gear is a good idea and doesn’t take up much space. You’re welcome. Grab THESE bags for the best potty set-up.

Camco Portable Toilet Bucket – Features 3 Bag Liners for Easy Clean Up & Attached Carry Handle – Includes Seat and Lid Attachment (41549)
Reliance Products Double Doodie | Portable Toilet Waste Bags | No Gel | 6 Pack, Black, (2683-13)

A MICHELIN-STAR KITCHEN FOR THE GREAT OUTDOORS WITH OUR TOP CAMPING GEAR ESSENTIALS BEST PICKS FOR FAMILIES

EASY CAPSULE MEALS TO MAKE CAMP COOKING A BREEZE camping oven on camp stove

Ok, so that might be a stretch, BUT, who said we couldn’t have a bit of fun cooking at camp!? Meal prep in the fresh air with our FAVORITE camp kitchen essentials from the perfect stove to a collapsible dish drainer.  

Top Camping Gear Essentials: Best Picks for families camp kitchen set up

This is the camp gear that comes EVERY trip. Grab a canopy, a plastic foldable table, and a couple of sand mats and you’re camp kitchen is complete!

Camp Chef Mountain Series Everest 2X – High Output Two-Burner Camp Stove – Lid Doubles as Windscreen – Portable Cooking Stove – For Outdoor Cooking – 20,000 BTU Burners &...
Jetboil Genesis Basecamp Backpacking and Camping Stove Cooking System with Camping Cookware
Jetboil Stash Ultralight Camping and Backpacking Stove Cooking System
SAMMART Collapsible Dish Drainer with Drainer Board - Foldable Drying Rack Set - Portable Dinnerware Organizer - Space Saving Kitchen Storage Tray (1, Grey)
Coghlan's Pop-Up Lightweight Trash Can Collapsible Waste Bin for Camping, RV, Outdoor Events, and Travel Durable, Compact, and Easy to Store 29.5 Gallon
Lodge 15 Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet – Signature Teardrop Handle - Use in the Oven, on the Stove, on the Grill, or Over a Campfire, Black
EZYoutdoor Camping Toaster for Gas Stove 4-Slice Stainless Steel Stovetop Bread Toast Rack for Outdoor Cooking, Hiking, BBQ, and Picnics Compact and Portable Camp Stove Toaster
Messermeister Adventure Chef Folding 6” Chef’s Knife - German Steel & Carbonized Maple Handle - Rust Resistant & Easy to Maintain
Attsky Collapsible Pour Over Coffee Dripper for Camp Coffee, Reusable Silicone Coffee Filter Holder for Camping Red
Dometic Portable Refrigerator and Freezer with ICE Maker, Powered by AC/DC or Solar
Dometic Go Hydration Water Jug, 11L (Ash)
Dometic 9600050794 GO Hydration Water Faucet

THESE BREAKFAST TACOS RULE!

EASY CAMPFIRE BREAKFAST TACOS: YOUR NEW CAMPING RECIPE

LIGHT, LIGHT, BABY!

Top Camping Gear Essentials: Best Picks for families lantern and food

When you are out dispersed camping, you will need light and a way to charge your gear. Our carefully curated collection has everything from string lights to inflatable lanterns. We love the Devos Night Rangers to illuminate camp and the EcoFlow River power source and solar panels to keep our cell phones, fans, and lights charged. Honestly, we would be lost without our EcoFlow! Since we live in the GREAT State of Florida, THIS especially comes in handy during hurricane season! So go ahead and light it up!

EF ECOFLOW Portable Power Station RIVER 2 Pro, 768Wh LiFePO4 Battery, 70 Min Fast Charging, 4X800W (X-Boost 1600W) AC Outlets, Solar Generator for Outdoor Camping/RVs/Home Use Black
EF ECOFLOW 160 Watt Portable Solar Panel for Power Station, Foldable Solar Charger with Adjustable Kickstand, Waterproof IP68 for Outdoor Camping RV Off Grid System
BioLite Alpenglow Multicolor USB Lantern with Rechargeable Battery and Charging Port, AlpenGlow 500
MPOWERD Luci Pro Lux: Solar Inflatable Lantern + Phone Charger, 135 Lumens LEDs, Lasts Up to 50 hrs, Rechargeable Battery via Solar or USB, Waterproof, Camping, Backpacking, and Emergency Kits
MPOWERD Luci Solar String Lights + Phone Charger: White 18' Rechargeable via Solar or USB-A, 100 Lumens LEDs, Lasts Up to 20 Hours, Waterproof, Camping, Backyard, and Travel

FIRST AID.

The top camping gear essentials best picks for families is a well stocked first aid kit. BEST case scenario is you don’t need it! REALITY is…you’re GOING to need it. From a small cut to a burn from the campfire, have a first aid kit ready to roll. Generally, I hit the Dollar Tree and stock up. Just in case you run out of time or forget, here is a great one to have.

VRIEXSD 400 Piece Large First Aid Kit Premium Emergency Kits for Home, Office, Car, Outdoor, Hiking, Travel, Camping, Survival Medical First Aid Bag, Red

DO I NEED ALL THIS GEAR!?

Short answer…NO! But if you’ve been camping for awhile and are looking to add a piece here and there, or are new to camping, these are GREAT options at different price points we love and use EVERY SINGLE TRIP! You decide what’s best for your families camping needs.

REI has a great rental program for their camping gear and they also have a FANTASTIC discount section where you can score some sweet gear!

LET’S GET GLAMPING I MEAN CAMPING!

As you venture into the great outdoors armed with these top camping gear essentials, remember: the best memories are made around the campfire, under the stars, and in the company of loved ones. So, pack smart, stay adventurous, and make every moment count on your family’s next epic camping escapade. Happy Wandering!

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Filed Under: CAMPING

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lydia Marques

    July 4, 2024 at 2:43 pm

    Wonderful information! Thank you for taking the time to put this all together!!☺️

    Reply
    • thewanderinghulasquatch

      July 9, 2024 at 2:37 pm

      Thank you, Lydia! We love sharing our favorite outdoor gear!

      Reply
  2. Sarah

    July 4, 2024 at 3:10 pm

    I love these ideas. I haven’t heard of many of these products, but they’re so neat! Thank you!

    Reply
    • thewanderinghulasquatch

      July 9, 2024 at 2:36 pm

      Thanks, Sarah!

      Reply
  3. Olivia

    July 4, 2024 at 3:52 pm

    LOVE all of these tips!! Definitely saving this for later. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • thewanderinghulasquatch

      July 9, 2024 at 2:35 pm

      So glad you found them helpful! Happy camping!

      Reply
  4. Lori

    July 4, 2024 at 4:17 pm

    I love this post! Thank you for including so many great ideas and shoppable links. That toaster contraption is pretty awesome. I do love the pop up trash can and dish drain as well. These are great for family camping!

    Reply
    • thewanderinghulasquatch

      July 9, 2024 at 2:34 pm

      Thanks, Lori! Simple is our motto these days out adventuring!

      Reply
  5. Kara Powers

    July 4, 2024 at 5:23 pm

    Thanks for all the great recommendations!

    Reply
    • thewanderinghulasquatch

      July 9, 2024 at 2:34 pm

      Glad you enjoyed the gear!

      Reply
  6. Kelly Letalien

    July 4, 2024 at 5:38 pm

    LOVE this! So many great products that I need for our next camping trip! Thank you!

    Reply
    • thewanderinghulasquatch

      July 9, 2024 at 2:33 pm

      Sweet! So glad you found some cool gear!

      Reply
  7. Jordan

    July 4, 2024 at 6:12 pm

    I have to send my husband this post. Lots of really good gear to add to the wishlist! Thank you for compiling this.

    Reply
    • thewanderinghulasquatch

      July 9, 2024 at 2:33 pm

      Thanks, Jordan! Hope ya’ll find something cool to add to your gear!

      Reply
  8. Lindsay

    July 4, 2024 at 9:08 pm

    Some cool ideas there I actually really liked the table with the storage compartment under it that a cool idea!

    Reply
    • thewanderinghulasquatch

      July 9, 2024 at 2:32 pm

      Thanks, Lindsay! We love our bamboo table!

      Reply
  9. Amber

    July 8, 2024 at 3:01 pm

    This is a very timely post for me. We our letting MeMaw stay in our camper but we still want to go camping with the kids. I will definitely have to check out that tent!

    Reply
    • thewanderinghulasquatch

      July 9, 2024 at 2:29 pm

      Amber, it’s a great tent! It has held up to all our Florida crazy weather and is super cozy! Have fun!

      Reply

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Thanks for stopping by! "Hulasquatch" is the ultimate blend of adventure and chill! Part wild explorer, part laid-back Floridian, and always ready to hula through life’s adventures. Come along for the adventure as we explore Florida & beyond. Discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations, testing out cool gear, eating & creating fantastic food along the way. Happy wandering!

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Hey Friends!

Thanks for stopping by! "Hulasquatch" is the ultimate blend of adventure and chill! Part wild explorer, part laid-back Floridian, and always ready to hula through life’s adventures. Come along for the adventure as we explore Florida & beyond. Discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations, testing out cool gear, eating & creating fantastic food along the way. Happy wandering!

thewanderinghulasquatch: View My Blog Posts

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