A camping checklist for families, sorted by bag
First family camping trip, or the tenth, and someone still forgets the tent pegs. Your todo.is agent checks the weather for your dates and campsite, then writes a camping checklist for families that fits your kids' ages, how many nights you're away and whether there are showers or nothing at all, with a meal plan and printable tick boxes.
The prompt
- Make a camping checklist for my family: [FAMILY]. We're camping at [CAMPSITE] for [NIGHTS] in [MONTH]. The site has [FACILITIES] and we're sleeping in [SHELTER]. Check the usual weather there for that month and adjust the clothes. Sort the list by category (shelter and sleep, kitchen, food, clothes per person, kids, first aid and safety, hygiene, fun) with tick boxes, flag the things families forget most, and add a simple meal plan for each day with a food shopping list. Send me a printable PDF and an editable Word copy.
What to change
- [FAMILY]: E.g. "2 adults, kids aged 2 and 7, and a dog". Mention allergies or a baby in nappies.
- [CAMPSITE]: Name or area, e.g. "a lakeside campsite near Lake District", "Yosemite".
- [NIGHTS]: E.g. "2 nights", "a week".
- [MONTH]: E.g. "late May". The agent checks typical temperatures and rain.
- [FACILITIES]: E.g. "toilets and showers, no electricity", "nothing, wild camping", "electric hook-up".
- [SHELTER]: E.g. "a 6-person tent", "a campervan", "a rented yurt".
Example result
- Family camping checklist
- 2 adults, kids aged 2 and 7 · 2 nights · lakeside campsite, late May · toilets and showers, no electricity · 6-person tent
- Weather note
- Late May there is usually mild by day and cold at night, with a good chance of rain. Pack for 5°C nights and one wet day.
- Shelter and sleep
- • [ ] Tent, poles, pegs (+6 spare), mallet (often forgotten: pegs)
- • [ ] Groundsheet or footprint
- • [ ] Sleeping bags rated for cold nights; a toddler sleeping bag
- • [ ] Sleeping mats or air beds plus pump (check it's charged)
- • [ ] Pillows, extra blanket for the 2-year-old
- Kitchen
- • [ ] Stove, 2 gas canisters, lighter and matches
- • [ ] Pan, pot, kettle, plates, cups, cutlery, sharp knife, chopping board
- • [ ] Cool box and ice packs, washing-up bowl, sponge, tea towel, bin bags
- Clothes (per person)
- • [ ] Waterproof jacket and trousers (kids too)
- • [ ] Warm fleece, hat, 2 pairs of socks per day for the kids
- • [ ] Wellies or waterproof shoes, plus spare shoes
- Kids
- • [ ] Nappies, wipes, changing mat, potty
- • [ ] Head torch for the 7-year-old, glow sticks for the little one
- • [ ] Favourite toy or comforter (the one that can't be lost)
- • [ ] Bucket, net, ball, card games for rainy time in the tent
- First aid and safety
- • [ ] First aid kit: plasters, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, tick remover, children's pain relief
- • [ ] Sun cream, insect repellent suitable for young kids
- • [ ] Torches, spare batteries, power bank, whistle for each child
- Meal plan
- • Day 1 dinner: pasta with pre-made sauce, fruit
- • Day 2: porridge, wraps for lunch, sausages and beans for dinner, marshmallows
- • Day 3: bacon or veggie rolls, pack up
- Food shopping list
- • Porridge oats, milk, wraps, cheese, ham, sausages, beans, pasta, sauce, fruit, marshmallows, snacks, water
How to do it with todo.is
- Copy the prompt and fill in your family, campsite, nights, month, facilities and tent or van.
- Paste it on the Today screen in todo.is or send it to your agent on WhatsApp.
- Print the PDF and tick items off as they go in the car; edit the Word copy for your own gear.
- Ask your agent to remind you 3 days before to check the forecast and charge everything.
Tips for a better result
- Put the tent up in the garden or living room once before the trip, so you know nothing is missing.
- Pack one bag per child in their own colour so you can find their clothes in the dark.
- Bring more warm layers than you think. Kids get cold fast in the evenings, even in summer.
- Keep a separate small "first night" bag with head torches, pyjamas and snacks so you don't unpack everything.
camping checklist for families: FAQ
- What do you need for camping with a toddler? A warm sleeping bag made for toddlers, a travel cot or bed guard, plenty of spare clothes, nappies and wipes, a favourite toy and a head torch for night changes.
- What do families most often forget when camping? Tent pegs, a mallet, a lighter, a can opener, spare batteries, a washing-up bowl, enough warm clothes and the air bed pump.
- How cold is too cold to camp with kids? It depends on gear more than temperature. With proper sleeping bags and mats, many families camp at night temperatures around 5°C. Without them, wait for warmer weather.
- Can the agent find a campsite for us too? Yes. Ask for family-friendly campsites in an area with links and why they fit, then book the one you like yourself.
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