27 Best Camping Accessories & Camping Must Haves

Camping Must Haves For Families

Preparing for a camping trip can require a little more time and thoughtfulness if you’re camping with kids. But it’s totally worth it! Taking your kids along on a family camping vacation can create some of the best memories. 

Here’s a list of some of the best camping items that you should have to be prepared.

1. First Aid Kit

With kids, you can’t really go anywhere without a first aid kit with you. Good thing that there’s a wide selection of ready kits on Amazon. Check this best selling first aid kit out that is small and easy to have with.

It has almost all of the campsite essentials for first aid that you can think of. And it has convenient packaging so it’s easy to bring along wherever you go. 

For a more affordable option, check this one out.

2. Camping Chairs

Bring easy-to-carry and lightweight camping chairs that work for everyone in your family. 

Since camping can last for days, you’ll need access to drinking water for the entire family. A water filter or water purifier is what you’ll need. 

We highly recommend the Grayl water bottle purifier. Or, you could go a little larger and bring a Travel Berkey. This is the size we kept with us in our RV at all times. 

4. Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Sometimes we just want to enjoy hot coffee on winter hikes, or cold juice on summer hikes. Or just ice-cold water around the campfire for dinner. Using a stainless steel water bottle is just what will do the trick. 

We recommend the Hydro Flask standard bottle or the CamelBak Chute Mag Vacuum which is made of double-walled stainless steel.

The kid sized water bottle from Yeti is of such great quality. It doesn’t sweat, keeps the drink warm or cold, and is dent-proof too. 

5. Bug Spray

There’s this teeny-tiny annoyance sometimes when you go camping—bugs. To avoid being attacked by bugs, especially around the campfire, bring some lemon eucalyptus bug spray. It works wonders and is better on kids’ skin. 

Consider bringing these reusable neck warmers or hand warmers to keep warm on those cold nights in a tent. 

Tent Camping Must Haves

Tent camping, instead of RV camping, requires some specific camping essentials. See below our list of tent camping must-haves that you’ll want to have with you if you’re camping without an RV or motorhome.

You’ll want sleeping bags for each person in your family. We’ve been happy so far with our Coleman sleeping bags for adults and our son loves his mummy-like sleeping bag for kids that looks like this. They’ve kept us really warm on 40 degree nights and are really comfortable when we use our sleeping pads. 

For additional padding and insulation, you can add a sleeping pad to your list of must-haves for camping in a tent. Our kids each have a Klymit sleeping pad for kids, which is shorter in length and works well if they are 48 inches or shorter. 

Sleeping pads are great because they roll up very small, so as not to take up too much space while providing extra comfort and warmth by staying up off the ground on cold nights. 

Tents stakes should also go on your camping must-haves list. The stakes that many tents come with are not usually the best quality. We like having the heavy-duty tent stakes like these with us to help secure the tent lines and keep it from blowing over in high winds.

12. Tarp 

Most new tents are waterproof and come with rain-flies. Yet, if you want additional protection from rain, you can bring a waterproof tarp with you.

14. Battery-powered fan

When tent camping, you can’t depend on electrical hookups. Especially if you’re hoping to camp out in the wilderness and not at a campground. Yet, it can get a bit stuffy and hot in a camping tent. So I suggest adding a battery-powered fan to your list of camping must-haves.
This one even comes with a LED light!

Best Camping Accessories For The Hard Core Camper

Hard core campers may need more than the standard list of tested camping gear must haves. If you’re just staying one night you can live off of cold sandwiches and hot dogs over the fire. However, if you plan to camp for more than a short weekend you are going to want some lightweight and multi-functional camping cookware, a shower bag, a campstove, and more.

Here are some additions that you may want to have with you on your next camping trip. 

15. Cooking Set 

Some people prefer bringing already-made food for camping. But that’s if you’re only planning for a short trip. 

If you plan to camp for more than a night, you’ll need a complete cooking set with all the needed dishes and pots to make camping meals. Or, you can check out some high-quality camping cookware sets at here.

Cooking while camping doesn’t have to be hard. You just need the right supplies.

In addition to excellent pans, you’ll want to bring a camp stove as well. We love our Coleman Campstove (which sells out fast!) and see so many other campers with the same one. 

This smaller stove from Gas ONE also works well for short camping trips.

See more camping stoves we have rated well here.

A collapsible sink for washing dishes while camping might not be something you normally think about. But it helps you keep your dishes clean, and works great as a storage container for your clean dishes during the day.

If you’re hoping to be a backwoods loving camper, then you may want to grab a good pocket knife. 

Why? Because it has a lot of uses!

19. Map and Compass

Maps are incredibly reliable when you know how to read them. And a compass is a great tool to partner it with. You may also consider downloading some trip planner apps and off-line maps to your cell phone before you head out. 

If you love camping in backcountry areas, a head lamp would be especially useful! It’s really an essential for camping, even for casual overnight stays.

21. Camping towels

If you plan on doing any swimming or bathing in a lake or river while you’re camping, then you’re going to want to bring some camping towels. Not huge fluffy towels from home, but quick drying microfiber towels like these. 

Check out these stainless steel sporks.

Remember that camping accessories should take up the least amount of space. That’s why many campers bring sporks or other folding camping cutlery. That way they don’t need to have multiple utensils, instead, they can have the best multi tools for camping.

23. Solar Shower Bag

Worried about taking a shower while camping? You can have this Solar shower bag that can let you enjoy a refreshing warm shower anywhere! It’s complete with accessories that you need for a legit shower as well.

24. Camping shovel 

Consider bringing a multi-functional camping shovel. It folds up easily, works great for helping set up camp, and even has a small edge for sawing too.

Fun Things To Bring Camping

Looking for some fun camping accessories? Some extra equipment for camping that may not be needed, but may be considered glamping accessories that can make great camping gifts? Then check out our list of fun things to bring camping below.

Do you want a relaxing place to hang around in camp? Hammocks are great for that! They are so small and easy to store and carry, and simple to hang up too. This is a highly rated hammock that our friends love.

A hammock makes for a great camping gift idea too. We also know many RV owners who love having a hammock, which is why we listed it in our fun RV accessories post too. 

26. Pie Iron

For fun meals, bring a pie iron. This cast iron cooker works great to make fun desserts or even grilled cheese over the fire. 

Even though you’re camping out in the wilderness without electricity, you may still need a way to keep your cell phone charged. Or maybe your watch or other devices. That’s why you might want to bring a solar charging power bank.