What to Buy for a Children’s Camping Weekend

Planning a children’s camping weekend means buying for sleeping, cooking, safety and changing weather—not just food. Start with one four-person tent for every four children, plus a separate leader tent and sleeping equipment for each camper. Pack chilled food in coolers, bring lighting for every sleeping area, and keep spare batteries available. The list below covers the practical equipment needed to set up camp, prepare meals and keep the weekend running smoothly.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 36
Party tentqty 2
Picnic blanketqty 6
Clothing rackqty 2

Camping

Tents for four peopleqty 10
Leader tentqty 2
Air mattressesqty 36
Sleeping bagsqty 36
Cushionsqty 36
Ground tarpsqty 12
Herringqty 80
Hammerqty 4

Lighting

LED lampsqty 12
Flashlightsqty 12
Spare batteriesqty 24

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Bluetooth speaker

Kitchen

Gas stoveqty 3
Gas cylindersqty 4
Cooking potsqty 5
Frying pansqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 6
Kitchen tongsqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Water jugsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 45
Reusable bowlsqty 45
Reusable cupsqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 45
Mugsqty 40
Serving traysqty 6

Decorations

Name badgesqty 40
Colorful buntingqty 6
Tableclothsqty 6
Markersqty 24
Paper rollsqty 6

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 4
Frisbeesqty 6
Skipping ropesqty 8
Conesqty 24
Soft ballsqty 8
Water balloonsqty 300
Game cardsqty 6
Board gamesqty 8

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Fire extinguishersqty 2
Reflective vestsqty 12
Pocket knife-free multitoolsqty 2

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Bucketsqty 4
Spongesqty 12
Dish brushesqty 4
Hand broomsqty 4
Can openersqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White rolls - 60 pieces
- Whole wheat rolls - 40 pieces
- Croissants - 40 pieces
- Whole grain wraps - 50 pieces
- Pancakes - 60 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 packs
- Low-fat margarine - 3 tubs
- Strawberry jam - 3 jars
- Chocolate spread - 3 jars
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Chocolate sprinkles - 2 packs
- Cheese slices - 3 kilos
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Yogurt - 8 liter
- Muesli - 4 kilos
- Oatmeal - 2 kilos
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Cocoa powder - 2 packs
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Apple juice - 12 liters
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Lemonade syrup - 3 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Sports drink - 24 bottles
- Apples - 60 pieces
- Bananas - 50 pieces
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Carrots - 5 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Bell peppers - 20 pieces
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Potatoes - 10 kilos
- Rice - 5 kilo
- Pasta - 6 kilos
- Pasta sauce - 8 jars
- Diced tomatoes - 12 cans
- Corn - 8 cans
- Kidney beans - 8 cans
- Chickpeas - 6 cans
- Chicken breast - 6 kilo
- Vegetarian burgers - 40 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 50 pieces
- Sausages - 60 pieces
- Ground beef - 5 kilos
- Grated cheese - 3 kilos
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 2 packs
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Herb butter - 8 tubs
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Popcorn - 3 kilos
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Muesli bars - 60 pieces
- Marshmallows - 4 kilos
- Ice lollies - 60 pieces
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Bread bags - 2 boxes
- Plastic storage containers - 30 pieces
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Organic dish soap - 4 bottles
- Cleaning wipes - 4 packs
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Sunscreen - 8 bottles
- Anti-insect repellent - 6 bottles
- Bandages - 4 boxes
- Wound gauze - 4 packs
- Disinfectant - 3 bottles
- Cooling packs - 24 pieces

Tips

Plan one four-person tent for every four children, and bring a separate leader tent. Add one air mattress, sleeping bag and cushion per person, plus ground tarps under the sleeping areas.
Pack at least one flashlight per child and one LED lamp for each tent or shared area. Bring spare batteries before leaving; they are easy to forget and difficult to replace at a campsite.
Use enough cooler space to keep perishable food chilled from arrival until it is cooked. Store dietary-requirement meals in clearly marked containers so they are not mixed up during serving.
For camp cooking, check that the gas stove, gas cylinders, cooking pots, frying pans, cutting boards, chef’s knife, serving spoons and kitchen tongs are all present before loading the cars.
Bring a party tent or picnic blanket for shared activities and meals, and set up tables and folding chairs before the children arrive. Pack extension cords and power strips only where the campsite permits their use.

Frequently asked questions

How many tents do I need for a children’s camping weekend?: Use one four-person tent for every four children, then add a separate leader tent. For 20 children, that means 5 children’s tents plus 1 leader tent.
How many sleeping bags and air mattresses should I buy?: Plan one sleeping bag and one air mattress for every person staying overnight, including leaders. Add at least 1 spare sleeping bag and air mattress if your group can accommodate them.
How many flashlights and batteries do children need for camping?: Give each child one flashlight and provide one LED lamp per tent or shared area. Pack at least 2 spare battery sets for every 10 flashlights, with extra batteries for any lamps used throughout the night.
When should I buy food for a children’s camping weekend?: Buy shelf-stable food and drinks 2 to 3 days beforehand, then purchase chilled and fresh items within 24 hours of departure. Pack coolers last and keep them closed until food is stored at the campsite.

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