First Time Camping Tips

Until now, my definition of “camping” meant staying in a cabin while secretly scolding myself for not being up for tent camping. It seemed like everyone (except me!) loves to camp. My friends rattle off their favorite campgrounds in California. So it seemed like high time I started camping with my kids.I did a lot of research about first time camping tips including how to choose a campground and a tent, what to pack, and what food to bring.

Another reason to start camping as a family is that camping is important at my kids’ Waldorf school. They start camping with their class in third grade and learn related skills like how to pitch a tent, cook and serve a meal outdoors, and even make fresh butter from milk. 

So we decided to start camping as a family. We wanted to do it right from the beginning — we spent a lot of time researching, carefully deciding on exactly the right tent, mattresses and stove.

I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to sleep, but I slept just fine, which is saying a lot because I’m a finicky sleeper. The trip was a success, and I’m happy to say that we’re ready for more camping adventures!

If you’re at all like me and are wondering if you should take the leap to tent camping, I say, “Yes! Do it!” It opens up many more options travel-wise. It’s so affordable, there are many more accommodation options than just Airbnbs and hotels, and it’s such a fun experience with kids. And best of all, you get to be OUTDOORS.

Read more: My favorite campground in Northern California

Here’s my guide for beginning campers: first time camping tips including how to plan a camping trip, what to buy for camping, what to pack for camping and how to choose a campground:

How to plan a camping trip

Plan to stay for 2-3 nights. I prefer 3 nights because it gives us 2 full days, but if you choose 2 nights, make sure the campground is not too far away so you can get set up and still have some time for fun on the first evening.

If possible, aim for weekdays as they will be less crowded than weekends. Avoid holiday weekends when possible.

If it’s hot, look for campgrounds that have shady campsites. This is so important! Call the campground or use CampsitePhotos to help. 

Consider the weather — If you camp in the mountains, it might be 80 during the day, but does it get really cold at night? Is there a chance of rain?

Go camping with friends — you can share equipment and your kids will have some playmates.

Do some quick research about wildlife and know what to do in case of an encounter. 

Bring cash and a bag of quarters for the showers.

Big List of Things to Take Camping

An instant set-up tent like ours, the Ozark 10-person instant tent (we loved this size for our family of 4!)

A tarp to put between the tent and ground to prevent holes

A light tablecloth

Baby wipes

Extra socks and shoes because wow, your feet get dirty while camping!

Foldable camping chairs

Towels, including dish towels for food clean-up

Lights: flashlights (one per person), headlamp and lanterns (for inside the tent and outside to help us find our way back to the tent in the dark)

Insect repellent. I use repellent with Picardin. It’s really effective, even prevents ticks, and doesn’t contain DEET.

Camping grill & stove

Camping cooler and long-lasting ice packs

Toilet paper

Bucket (um, for when you don’t want to walk to the bathroom in the middle of the night)

Swiss Army knife (with small scissors, just in case)

Large baggies for dirty clothes, wet swimsuits, etc.

Garbage bags

Games: travel Qwirkle (love!), card games, backgammon

Frisbee, ball, and small toys for the kids

For young kids: safari “cargo vest,” magnifying glass and bug catcher kit for kids: approved by my boys after many uses!

Shop for what to bring for camping: (click on the photos to visit the websites)

How to sleep comfortably while camping:

Foldable memory foam mattress: I slept great thanks to this mattress!

We used cheap air mattresses for the kids, and they loved them. 

A cot for those who don’t want to sleep near the ground. Rodrigo likes having this; I prefer my foldable mattress. You can get a thin pad to make the cot more comfortable.

Sleeping bags 

What to bring for food and drinks while camping:

A medium frying pan, a pot and utensils

A dish towel to double as a pot holder

Lightweight cutting board

Tin mug for water/coffee

Plates and bowls (lightweight plastic if you’re willing to wash them; if not, bamboo or compostable plates would work great. No styrofoam!)

Boxed wine (No corkscrew needed!)

Coffee

Pour over coffee maker

Eggs

Sliced bread

Nut butter and honey

Meat and veggie kabobs for the first night

Bagels and cream cheese

S’mores ingredients (of course!): marshmallows, chocolate, graham crackers, and skewers

Snacks for the afternoons: look for items that won’t spoil easily and don’t need prep: chips, salsa, grapes, granola bars, healthy cookies, homemade trail mix, dried fruit and nuts

What to bring on a hike:

Water: Bring twice as much water as you think you’ll need, and drink plenty of water before leaving. Go for reusable metal or plastic bottles instead of heavier glass bottles.

Granola bars, Clif bars, healthy cookies: always bring a snack no matter how short the hike is. This is especially helpful for keeping the kids going.

Small hiking backpack

Hiking boots (I love these all-occasion boots but any good hiking shoes will usually do)

Hiking poles: For most purposes, these don’t need to be fancy, but they do come in handy, especially when there’s lots of up and down.

Shop for what to bring on a hike: (click on the photos to visit the websites)

How to choose a family-friendly campground:

We went around and around about the campground and ended up choosing Inn Town Campground because it seemed like the safest bet for us camping for the first time together. It is definitely a good choice for kids. The campground is clean, (mostly) quiet, and very family-friendly. They even have movies on a big screen some nights — it’s pretty cool to close out the night with a movie under those big trees.

Based on our experience, I have the following criteria when choosing a campground:

• Flush toilets
• Showers
• Campsites that are not too close together and have a little nature adjacent to the site (a tree to climb, rocks to scramble over, etc.)
• A creek or stream running next to the campground — hours of fun for kids and relaxing sounds for us all!
• Depending on your kids, kid-friendly activities at the campground (mine are happy just hanging out with us)
• Ideally not more than 2 hours from home (so we can set up and then maximize our outdoor time)
• Activities/hiking within walking distance from the campground. This is often a given at state and national park campgrounds.
• Restaurants nearby so that we don’t have to rely on camp cooking the whole time
• Reviews that show that it’s good for families (i.e. not a campground known for partying)

Bonuses: 

• Private bathrooms: Many California state parks have private bathrooms!
• A kitchen: not necessary but nice for tent camping so you can store cold food & easily do dishes
• A shop for buying snacks, ice cream, etc.
• Foosball/table tennis/pool/other fun stuff for the kiddos
• Near water for swimming on a hot summer day

Have you gone camping as a family? What are your first time camping tips? I’d love to hear!

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