What are the First Time Camping Essentials?

Embarking on your first camping trip can be both exciting and daunting. With so much gear and equipment available, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out what you really need. In this blog post, we’ll explore the essential items you should take along on your first camping excursion. From shelter to cooking supplies, we’ll help you answer the question: What are the first time camping essentials?

Table of Contents

What is the first thing to consider when planning a camping trip?

Shelter is your first consideration when you are planning your first camping trip. You’ll need a tent, this sounds simple, but there are lots of things to consider. First, you will need to take into account how many people you will need your tent to sleep. Then you will need to think about daytime arrangements such as where everybody will sit and whether you will need space to cook inside your tent. Many people wish to choose a tent that they can stand up in and for some, bedrooms that can be closed off from the main seating area are important.

With all these considerations in mind, you may wish to borrow or hire a tent or camper van for your first trip. This will enable you to discover what works well for you and your family, without spending a fortune. If you have your heart set on buying a tent, I would highly recommend heading to somewhere with a decent tent display, such as Go Outdoors, Atwools or Devon Outdoor. This will enable you to see a range of different tents pitched and ready for your perusal and you can also pick up a footprint and pegs while you’re there!

Where should we go for our first camping trip?

Some people like to stick fairly close to home for their first time camping experience, this means that if the worst happens and you really hate the lifestyle, it’s no big deal to pack up and go home!

Online site databases such as Pitchup can help you locate the perfect site for you, as can filter results to match your expectations of a site. Think about what is important to you, for example if you’re only camping for one or two nights, pristine shower blocks may be lower down the list than if you’re staying away for a week or more. If there are children in your party, will the site be suitable for them in terms of entertainment and play areas? You can also sort your options based on your budget and proximity to beaches or towns.

What should I pack for my first time camping?

Aside from your clothing and personal care items (don’t forget your toothbrush!), here are a few other first time camping essentials:

Tent plus footprint to protect the underside of your tent and pegs to secure it. If you are going to be camping on a hard standing pitch, be sure to bring the correct pegs and a drill to make pitching easier!
Sleeping bag. These are available in different ‘seasons’, as singles and doubles and come with their own stuff sacks for easy packing.
Sleeping mat or air bed. These are essential for keeping you off the ground so you stay warm all night. You can also cover them with a sheet or blanket for extra warmth and to keep them clean. There are many different kinds available and places like Decathlon have a range available for you to go and compare. If you’re camping without an electric hook up, self inflating mats are brilliant (or remember a car adapter for your pump).
Camping pillows. Some people prefer to take pillows from home and if you have the space then that’s fine. If space is at a premium, there are lots of camping pillows available that roll, squash or fold down to the size of a pint of milk. Some can also be inflated/deflated to your preference, we like this one.
Camp chairs and table. Something to sit on during the day is so important. Some people are happy on a picnic mat, while others will appreciate a fold out chair. Be sure to consider the size of your chairs when they’re packed away, as some can still be quite large!
Lighting. Head torches are great for individual lighting on the go, but you might also like to consider a light or lantern for the tent as a whole.
Cooking equipment. A small camping stove and camp kettle will come in handy for making cups of tea and if you take some small pans, you can also experiment with some camp cooking.
Washing up resources. A collapsible washing up bowl is useful and takes up barely any room in the car. You’ll also need a sponge or washing up brush, as well as some washing up liquid.

What clothes should I sleep in while camping?

This will depend on the weight and quality of your sleeping bag and whether you’re using a single or double sleeping bag. If you’re in a double sleeping bag the body heat of two people cannot be underestimated and you will probably be fine in your usual pyjamas. I prefer to wear pyjamas with tighter cuffs around the wrists and ankles so they stay in place all night and don’t ride up and give me chilly ankles! Bed socks are useful, as they can easily be kicked off if you start to feel too warm.

For children or those choosing a single sleeping bag, your most important consideration will be the weather. My children sleep in the same sleeping bag all year round, wearing a base layer in winter and just cotton pyjamas in summer. They wear bed socks and have a thin fleece available incase they feel chilly during the night.

What can I cook while camping?

Many people choose a camping holiday because it helps them stick to a budget. Camping can be a cheaper option when compared with staying in a hotel, although with rising costs for camp site owners, the gap is getting smaller. One way to stick to a budget while camping is to cook your own meals made from things you would buy as part of your usual food shop. Using your camping stove and pans, you can easily feed your family while you’re away. Here are some of our go to ideas:

Reheat pre cooked meals. I like to cook meals like spaghetti bolognaise, chilli con carne and chicken curry (take a packet of popadoms as a fun accompaniment), then freeze them and add them to our electric cool box. They slowly defrost ready to be eaten over a few days while we’re away. I weigh out the pasta and rice at home to cook on the camping stove.
Soup. This is a cheap, easy meal and you can make it feel special by buying a loaf of bread from the nearest farm shop and slathering it with butter ready for dipping!
Super Noodles. Not the most nutritious, but very delicious! Super noodles (or your favourite supermarket alternative) will be ready in a few minutes and they’re so quick to make, that it doesn’t matter if every member of the family wants a different flavour!
Tortellini. This type of pasta is so quick and easy to cook, plus there are a variety of fillings to choose from. You can also take a pot of stir in sauce and some grated cheese to finish off the meal.
Risotto. Packet risotto requires constant stirring for approximately 15 minutes, but as long as you’re prepared for that, you’ve got another yummy camping meal in minutes! Sprinkle with grated cheese if you fancy and add some garlic bread if there’s a takeaway on or near your campsite!

What first time camping essentials should I definitely not forget?

Batteries for your torches (and any other battery powered devices).
Power bank for charging your mobile phone, smart watch and headphones.
Duct tape for repairing holes in your canvas or flooring. It’s also useful for repairing tent poles. Hopefully you won’t need this, but better safe than sorry!
Mallet for hammering in tent pegs.
Reusable water bottles for days out and for carrying water to your tent to use for cooking.
Suncream, aftersun and insect repellent.

When preparing for your first camping trip, it is essential to pack the necessary items to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience in the great outdoors. From a reliable tent and sleeping bag to food, water, and proper clothing, having these first time camping essentials on hand will help you feel prepared and ready for anything nature throws your way!