Family camp shopping list

A family camp needs more than tents and sleeping bags. This shopping list covers the practical items that are easy to overlook when several families share meals, activities, and campsite facilities. Plan food around the number of participants, then check cooking equipment, coolers, lighting, seating, and reusable tableware before shopping. Fresh produce should be collected close to departure, while non-food supplies can be sorted and packed earlier.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Camping tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 45
Picnic benchesqty 4
Buffet tablesqty 3
Waste binsqty 6
Clothes racksqty 2

Equipment

Family Tentsqty 12
Air mattressesqty 40
Sleeping bagsqty 40
Air pumpsqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Barbecuesqty 3
Gas burnersqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Portable speakersqty 2
Megaphone
Flashlightsqty 12

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 4
Lanternsqty 8
Headlampsqty 10

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 50
Reusable bowlsqty 50
Reusable cupsqty 60
Reusable cutleryqty 60
Coffee mugsqty 45
Serving spoonsqty 8
Scissorsqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 2
Frying pansqty 2
Cooking potsqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 4
Serving bowlsqty 8
Aluminum traysqty 12

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 4
Volleyball net
Volleyballqty 2
Tug-of-war ropesqty 2
Hoopsqty 12
Conesqty 24
Relay batonsqty 8
Frisbeesqty 6
Skipping ropesqty 8
Water balloonsqty 100
Scavenger hunt signsqty 12
Compassesqty 12
Prize ribbonsqty 40

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Name badgesqty 50
Color markersqty 24
Tapeqty 6
Chalkboardsqty 3

Cleaning

Dish brushesqty 4
Reusable cleaning clothsqty 20
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Towelsqty 12
Toilet bucketsqty 4
Disinfectant sprayqty 4
Litter pickersqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Hot chocolate - 2 packs
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Still water - 40 liters
- Sparkling water - 12 liters
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Multi-fruit juice - 6 packs
- Lemon syrup - 2 bottles
- Ice cubes - 8 bags
- White rolls - 60 pieces
- Wholemeal rolls - 40 pieces
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Croissants - 40 pieces
- Currant buns - 30 pieces
- Butter - 4 packs
- Margarine - 2 tubs
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Boiled ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 1.5 kilos
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Chocolate spread - 3 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Chocolate sprinkles - 2 packs
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Bacon bits - 2 kilos
- Yogurt - 6 liter
- Muesli - 3 kilos
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Cucumbers - 10 pieces
- Carrots - 4 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Bell peppers - 20 pieces
- Red onions - 2 kilos
- Potato salad - 5 kilos
- Pasta salad - 5 kilos
- Russian salad - 3 kilos
- Hamburgers - 50 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 50 pieces
- Bratwurst - 50 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 15 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 15 pieces
- Corn cobs - 30 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 60 pieces
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 jars
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Satay sauce - 2 kilos
- Salt - 2 packs
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Breadstick herb butter - 8 tubs
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Popcorn kernels - 2 kilos
- Marshmallows - 5 bags
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Muesli bars - 60 pieces
- Raisins - 2 kilos
- Herb cheese - 8 tubs
- Peanut oil - 2 bottles
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Napkins - 250 pieces
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 40 pieces
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then allow about one drink per person per hour. Keep dietary requirements and allergies beside the meal plan while buying ingredients.
Use one cooler for drinks and another for food if possible. Chill both before departure and keep fresh produce separate from items that may leak.
Count reusable plates, bowls, cups, and cutlery against the participant list, then add at least 10% extra. Shared meals create more washing and replacement needs than expected.
Check every tent, air mattress, sleeping bag, and air pump before leaving. Inflate one air mattress during the equipment check rather than discovering a faulty pump at camp.
Pack lighting for both the campsite and the walk to shared facilities. A lantern or light string is useful around tables, but each family should also have a flashlight or headlamp.

Frequently asked questions

What food should I buy for a family camp?: Plan each meal for the confirmed participant list, including children, dietary requirements, and allergies. Buy fresh produce as close to departure as possible, and prepare or portion food before loading the coolers.
How many coolers do I need for a family camp?: Use at least two coolers for a group sharing meals: one for drinks and one for food. Larger groups may need additional coolers so food stays cold and the food cooler is not opened for every drink.
How many plates and cups should I bring per person?: Bring one reusable plate, bowl, cup, and set of cutlery per person, plus at least 10% extra. For 30 participants, that means packing 33 of each item where practical.
When should I check camping equipment before family camp?: Check tents, sleeping bags, air mattresses, pumps, coolers, cooking equipment, and lighting at least 2 to 3 days before departure. This leaves time to replace missing or damaged items.

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