Next holidays? Let’s go camping!
This year, combine adventure and a change of scenery with a camping trip!
You’ve got your family tent, the sleeping bags and mattresses are already packed in the car—ready to sleep under the stars and enjoy a nature getaway?
We have a feeling you’ll need a few more items to camp properly!
What will you need during your camping holiday? Do you have all the essential gear? What’s on a camper’s basic checklist?
Sunêlia Vacances shares its (non-exhaustive) list of essentials you shouldn’t forget for your camping trip.
Complete camping equipment checklist for tents and campervans: don’t leave without it
Before heading off on holiday, it’s important—even essential—to prepare your camping checklist. To be sure you don’t forget anything, list all useful and practical camping accessories along with the camping essentials.
What camping gear do you need for a family trip?
Adapted to your needs and preferences, find the ideal tent for your family setup.
Classic or innovative (connected, floating, modular...), there are now countless models designed for family or couple adventures.
Don’t forget your tent pegs and stakes, along with a mallet to set up your tent properly.
For added comfort, bring a groundsheet and an inflatable mattress with its pump to save effort on site.
15 essential items for cooking while camping
- A gas stove,
- A sleeping bag,
- Matches,
- A lighter,
- A frying pan,
- A saucepan,
- Cutlery,
- Dishes,
- A colander,
- A serving dish,
- Spatulas,
- Salt, pepper, herbs, sugar, tea and instant coffee,
- A cooler to keep food and drinks cold,
- Cleaning items: trash bags, sponge, dish soap or solid soap, detergent, tea towels and towels,
- A folding table,
- Chairs or stools.
Travelling by camper van? Enjoy the added comfort and space.
In addition to kitchen essentials, don’t forget a trivet, your coffee or tea maker, and a barbecue.
Camping Gear: practical and essential tools you shouldn’t forget
In addition to practical tools like a Swiss Army knife, a rope with clothespins to hang your clothes, a flashlight, and spare batteries, there are other essential camping tools not to forget!
Hygiene & Health: 3 must-haves for camping
- The unavoidable toilet paper roll
- A complete toiletry kit with shower gel
- A first-aid kit with bandages, disinfectant, painkillers, sunscreen, and mosquito repellent
Leisure & Comfort: essentials to pack for a mobile home stay
- Pack clothes suited to your destination: beach, countryside, or mountains
- Swimsuit, pareo, and beach towel
- Caps or sun hats
- Holiday books, sunglasses, and a beach umbrella
- Good walking shoes and a backpack for your hikes
- Card games, beach games, and/or board games (like Jenga or Time’s Up)
- A camera to capture your holiday memories
- A solar charger if you’re camping in a tent, or a power strip and EU adapter for camper vans
- Don’t forget your essential documents (ID for all family members, bank cards, driver’s license, vehicle registration, spare car keys—just in case)
Worried you’ve forgotten something important?
Most Sunêlia Vacances 4 and 5-star campsites have an on-site grocery shop with everyday items. No stress—you can pick up whatever you forgot at home!
So, what are you waiting for to escape into nature on your next holiday?
Fun and entertainment on your camping holiday
Things to do on those warm summer evenings
Part of the fun of camping is spending the evenings outdoors with friends or family and enjoying the simple way of life. Take a pack of cards, games and books to read and forget the lure of technology for a while. This is a time to chill and get back to nature without the everyday distractions of modern life.
Make your own entertainment
Whilst you can watch the campsite entertainment, when you stay at a Sunêlia 4 or 5-star campsite, why not set up your own musical evening in your camping area or on the beach. If anyone in your group plays the guitar this is the ideal opportunity to have a singsong under the stars.
Don´t forget your outdoor fun equipment
If you’re camping by the sea with the kids, buckets and spades and beach balls are essential for your camping checklist. You may also want to take any water sports equipment you have such as a surfboard if you’re camping near the French Atlantic. Lakeside camping offers plenty of water activities too, and it’s probably easier to hire a canoe or kayak rather than taking your own.
Other things to remember for your best camping trip ever
First aid – just in case
You’ll need a well-stocked first aid kit when camping. Hopefully, you won´t need it, but if there are any small accidents, you’ll be glad you brought it. You can buy ready-prepared first aid kits containing all the essentials you may need or put together your own.
As a minimum, you should take plasters, antiseptic wipes and cream, antihistamines, pain medicine, tweezers, anti-diarrhoea tablets and hand sanitiser. Don’t forget after sun lotion but avoid sunburn you should have a strong sunscreen and put it on even if it’s cloudy.
Taking dogs camping
Most Sunêlia campsites accept dogs so taking your four-legged friend with you is a great way to spend time camping in nature with them. They’ll need bedding, toys, their usual food (avoid changes in diet), poo bags and plenty of water to drink.
You should also take a pet first-aid kit, just in case your dog cuts a paw or is unwell. A dog tracking device is also a good idea for when you’re camping, just in case your pet wanders off.
Sunêlia camping – the best of both worlds
Sunêlia has so many campsites to choose from throughout Europe, whether you’re looking for beach, mountain or countryside camping. If you’re staying on a Sunêlia campsite, whether 4-star or 5-star, you’ll be able to use all the facilities, such as the pools and restaurants, even if you’re staying in a tent.
This gives you flexibility as you can choose to use your camping kitchen some days and when you don´t want to cook you can eat at the campsite bar or restaurant. Take a look at the vast range of campsites available and book your next camping trip today.