Family Camping Gear Recs

the thin self inflating pads are for backpacking.
if you are car camping just bring a bunch of blankets or a few air mattresses

what you’ll really need are chairs, a table, a good stove and a good tent

quote:

---

Are those foam folding thermarest types good/comfortable? (I’m thinking they’d probably be for the kids at least and ideally they’ll be exhausted it won’t matter much).

---

I used a Thermarest expanding foam pad and it worked well and I'm a full-size man. You have to open it up and let it expand prior to sleepy time in order to get the most out of the cushion. They can get expensive, but my thought was buy once and go for quality. I was glad I did.

Camping in the Summer can suck depending on where you are. In Louisiana it really sucks. Buy a sleeping bag that is appropriate for your Season. I went with the philosophy of a lighter sleeping bag and would just bring several heavy covers if I needed them.

I would always bring a battery operated fan. It's surprising what a breeze can do for you whether it's hanging out or trying to sleep.

If you're looking to develop camping cooking skills, learn to cook with coals and cast iron pots. The kids would probably enjoy putting together their own hobo meal (ground beef, potatoes, carrots, etc.) in a foil packet cooking directly on hot coals. They come out surprisingly well and doesn't require a lot of skill.

Smores or smacos are generally a hit with the kids. Plan ahead to make sure you've got good fire starting material (and may want a back-up plan if you're not bringing your own wood/coal).

For heaven's sake, please buy some milk duds and create a pile of fake scat. Ask them if they know what kind of animal made it and when they guess or say they don't know, pick some up and eat it and then tell them what animal you think it was. They'll never forget it.

quote:

---

For heaven's sake, please buy some milk duds and create a pile of fake scat. Ask them if they know what kind of animal made it and when they guess or say they don't know, pick some up and eat it and then tell them what animal you think it was. They'll never forget it.

---

Lol, great idea.

quote:

---

four children, oldest is 8

---

quote:

---

all tent camp together

---

Whew, good luck sir.

The REI inflatable sleeping pads are great as are their kingdom tents. I have not had a single piece of their gear fail me yet. The black stone griddle is great all around piece to have too.

quote:

---

So no pad or anything?

---

No just sleeping bag and Mother Earth. I tried a couple but never cared for them.

A camper trailer with a bunkhouse floor plan

Coleman makes a nice camping drip pot if you get their stove. LINK
You also need a thermos to keep it warm after it brews.

quote:

---

the thin self inflating pads are for backpacking.

---

They do have thick self inflating pads that are for car camping. They are expensive, but much better than an air mattress, imo. warmer and more comfortable, but again expensive.

REI has a 3.5" that is a good start, you can get them on sale, but still at $80. The 4-6" pads are the incredible ones. But yeah Id suggest an air mattress unless there is no budget. But still need some insulation underneath if going out in the cold.

OP, for a family if car camping, get a high height tent. ground tarp for in front of tent, battery op fans and lights. Warm sleeping bags if going out in any nights under 50. Packable chairs, packable table, water jugs. Tent heater if going out in cold. Stove for cooking. Lanterns. Tarp and poles in case it rains. marshmallow/hotdog sticks. The cast iron sandwich makers are good for the family as well.