Camping is one of the best ways to get outside and reconnect with nature. It's also one of the most packing intensive activities you can do. Add packing for a family into the mix, and you have a whole new adventure (or nightmare).
Between packing bikes and toys, and essentials, taking your family on a camping trip may seem like the last thing you want to do. We are here to tell you - there are better ways!
In this guide to minimalist camping with family, we'll cover:
What is Minimalist Camping?
The Ultimate Checklist to Minimalist Teardrop Camping with a Family
How Can I Camp Minimally with a Family?
Let's dive in!
What is Minimalist Camping?
You've probably heard of minimalists before. Minimalism promotes being intentional with the things that you bring into your life, home, etc. Minimalist campers do just that - intentionally choose what items to bring camping, with a central philosophical tenet that less is more.
One of the biggest obstacles of camping is trying to ensure you are going to be comfortable. Most folks don’t set out on a camping trip with the intention of being miserable and uncomfortable. In an effort to maintain comfort, however, there is a tendency to overcompensate under the guise of "better safe than sorry".
The Ultimate Checklist to Minimalist Teardrop Camping with a Family
While "better safe than sorry" is absolutely true, using it to pack your entire garage for a camping trip is just unnecessary.
To have a comfortable, minimal camping trip with family, all you will need is:
Tent and Sleeping Bags
Depending on the size of your family, you may not all fit in your teardrop camper. If this is the case, you will most likely need to bring along a tent. When choosing a tent to bring, you will want to consider the size of your family and how frequently you will camp together.
If you are planning on camping in the tent all together the majority of the time, purchase a tent that will fit everyone. If you anticipate using your teardrop camper and having the tent for overflow, consider buying a smaller tent.
Additionally, you will want to pack an appropriate number of sleeping bags. If there are family members sleeping in your teardrop camper bed, they probably won't need a sleeping bag in warm weather and can use the bedding you normally would have.
First Aid Kit
No matter the size of your family, you will want to be sure to pack a first aid kit with the essentials for accidents or emergencies. Bandaids, disinfecting wipes, and Neosporin for all those scraped knees and cuts.
First Aid Kit
Awning
On your teardrop camping adventure, you will want to be sure to pack an awning to set up outside of your camper. This will give you and your family a break from the sun and give you a dry spot in the event of rain!
Sunscreen and Bug Spray
Sunscreen and bug sprays come in so many different varieties, making it easy to accidentally pack a convenience store's worth for any trip.
To avoid bringing more than necessary, choose a sunscreen and a bug spray that will work for all members of your family.
Utensils and Plates
Planning for meals is one of the hardest parts of camping. It is easy to grab multiple sets of utensils and dishes to make sure you have plenty for everyone.
When packing for your trip, if you are opting to use reusable plates and utensils instead of disposable, bring one set per person: one cup, one plate, one utensil set. While it may require more cleaning, you will save yourself the headache of packing and unpacking your teardrop camper's kitchen. Also consider that many outdoor brands sell what could be described as a utensil multi-tool. You’ve heard of a spork, well throw a serrated edge somewhere on there and now you have a bread knife too…a “sporknife”.
Or forgo utensils altogether and just plan on eating finger foods. Don’t forget to wash your hands!
Toiletries
Just like bug spray and sunscreen, toiletries introduce a world of options. Instead of packing everyone's unique soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc. choose the best option for everyone in your family - even if that means everyone is using kid shampoo! Now, this does not apply to toothbrushes - everyone should still get their own toothbrush. Yuck.
Essential toiletries include:
Shampoo/Conditioner
Toothbrush and Toothpaste
Deodorant
Hygiene products
Soap
Toilet Paper
Food and Cooler
When planning your teardrop camping trip, plan for easy to make or ready to eat snack and meal options. Keeping meals simple is a great way to make sure you only pack what you will need. When planning food, it is safe to pack a little extra as a buffer to make sure everyone has enough to fill their bodies and keep them energized. You will also want to be sure you will have ready access to fresh water. Consider a collapsible water jug and re-usable bottles like a Nalgene to reduce on waste from plastic bottles.
While a Vistabule teardrop camper does have an optional refrigerator, having a smaller cooler that you can bring on your adventures or leave out around the campsite can be helpful, especially if you are bringing little ones along.
Clothes
Planning your own wardrobe (let alone your kid’s) is always one of the hardest parts of any trip. The weather can be unpredictable, and trying to be prepared for every situation can quickly get out of hand. Before any trip, make some of the following considerations. How long will you be gone? What is the weather forecast looking like? What sorts of activities are you planning on doing while you are camping?
With those three questions in mind, you can build out a reasonable packing list that doesn’t leave you with gear you never end up using. The key is to focus on versatile, quick-drying, and lightweight items that can be layered to adapt to varying conditions.
How can I camp minimally with my family?
There is no getting around the fact that kids add a certain chaotic wrinkle to even the most methodically planned camping trips. But often we have this impulse to placate kids with devices, toys, etc. Nothing wrong with those things necessarily, but sometimes we end up overwhelming ourselves with all of this stuff that we have to keep track of. We end up missing out on some of the best aspects of camping, like disconnecting from our hectic lives, if only for a moment, and enjoying and experiencing the natural world without barriers, with the people we love and care about, creating lifelong memories.
You still need to make the same clothing/gear/food considerations that you would if you were solo camping, but don’t overcomplicate things and amplify your stress by packing the entire house with you for every possible contingency. A pack of playing cards and a good imagination can go a long way!
Kick Off Camping Season with a Vistabule Teardrop Camper
Camping is a wonderful adventure - but it doesn't look the same for everyone! We know that every family needs something different in their teardrop camper. That is why we provide the option to design your dream teardrop camper, custom tailored to you and your family's needs!
Explore the options in our interactive pricing worksheet and contact us to start creating the teardrop of your dreams!
