Canvasdale

Camping checklist builder

By the Canvasdale team · Last checked

The calculator needs JavaScript. The worked example, sum and figures below show exactly how it works, so you can do it yourself. A guide, not advice.

Short answer

Choose your trip type, who's coming, how many nights and the month. The list adds a sleeping bag, bed and layers for everyone, extra warmth for cold months, and the hook-up cable, kids' or dog kit when you need it. Tick things off as you pack, then print it or copy the link.

Worked example

Worked example inputs
You enterValue
Trip typeCampsite
Adults2
Children2
Nights2
MonthMay
Bringing a dogNo
Cooking on siteYes

43 things to pack for 4 people, 2 nights

Worked example results
ResultValue
Items on the list43

Your checklist

Check before you go

  • Forecast for the site, checked the day before
  • The site's rules on fires, BBQs, dogs, noise and arrival times
  • Booking confirmation, site address and arrival time
  • Tent pitched once at home, with every pole and peg counted

Shelter

  • Tent, poles and flysheet
  • Tent pegs, plus spares
  • Mallet and peg extractor
  • Footprint or groundsheet
  • Spare guy line and a pole repair sleeve
  • Windbreak
  • Camping chair × 4
  • Camping table

Sleeping

  • Sleeping bag × 4
  • Airbed, camp bed or mat × 4
  • Pump for the airbeds
  • Pillow × 4

Cooking and food

  • Stove and gas (see the gas calculator)
  • Lighter or matches, kept dry
  • Fire blanket
  • Pans, kettle and a spatula
  • Plates, bowls, mugs and cutlery × 4
  • Cool box and ice packs
  • Water carrier
  • Washing-up bowl, liquid and a tea towel
  • Bin bags
  • Food for each night, plus snacks × 2

Clothes

  • Waterproof jacket × 4
  • Warm layer (fleece or jumper) × 4
  • Change of clothes for each day × 4
  • Something warm to sleep in × 4
  • Wellies or waterproof shoes × 4

Power and light

  • Head torch × 4
  • Lantern for the tent (battery, not gas)
  • Power bank and charging cables

Washing and first aid

  • Towel × 4
  • Toothbrush and wash bag × 4
  • Toilet roll and hand sanitiser
  • First aid kit
  • Any medicines you take, with spares

Children

  • Favourite toy or comforter × 2
  • Games and cards for a wet afternoon
  • Spare clothes in a dry bag × 2
  • Glow sticks or a night light for the tent
Show the working
  1. Party: 2 adults + 2 children = 4 people, 2 nights
  2. Spring or autumn month: check the forecast and add layers if it's cold at night

How it works

  1. Everyone gets their own sleeping bag, bed, chair, plates, layers, waterproof and head torch
  2. Cold months (October to April) add liners, hot-water bottles, hats and gloves; summer months add sun hats and repellent
  3. Hook-up adds the cable and a low-wattage kettle; a festival swaps the site rules for the festival's own

Tick things off as you pack, then print or copy the link. Ticks aren't saved: the link keeps your trip settings, not the ticks.

Pitch a new tent at home first. It's the best way to find a missing pole before you're on site in the rain.

Our figures (adjustable)

These are our planning allowances and, once checked, typical figures with their sources. They aren't facts about your kit: change any of them in the calculator.

This calculator has no built-in defaults: every figure comes from you or your kit's own label.

What to buy

Shopping links will appear here once our retailer partners are confirmed. We don't rank kit by testing it: see our spec-based kit guides.

FAQs

What do first-timers forget most?

The mallet, a spare pole repair sleeve, a lighter that works when it's damp, and something warm to sleep in. Pitching the tent once at home finds most of the gaps.

Does the list save my ticks?

No. The link keeps your trip settings, so you can come back to the same list, but ticks aren't stored anywhere. Print it if you want to tick on paper.

Guides that use it

Related

See all packing and the car guides and calculators.