[For Family Camping Beginners] A Guide to Choosing Camping Supplies and Essential Gear

Family camping is an activity that allows families to strengthen their bonds in the great outdoors. However, many people who are just starting out with family camping may be wondering what kind of camping gear they should get.

In this article, we’ll introduce the camping gear needed for family camping, along with tips on how to choose it and the essential items.

What Is Family Camping?

Family camping is all about enjoying the outdoors together as a family. For children, living outdoors is far more exciting than adults might imagine.

Gathering around a campfire is also a precious experience for children. Relaxing in front of the fire often sparks conversations you wouldn’t normally have.

How to Choose Family Camping Gear

If you choose family camping gear without careful consideration, you might end up regretting it and thinking, “I wish I’d picked something else.”

Keep the following four points in mind to choose camping gear that will serve you well for years to come.

Tip 1: Choose Camping Gear Suited to Your Group Size and Style

Number of Users

Camping gear, such as tents, tarps, and tables, is designed for a specific number of people. Be sure to check the capacity and choose a product that fits your group size.

Visualize Your Campsite

Deciding on the atmosphere of your campsite is also an important point.

For example, if you decide on a vision—such as a gentle, natural style; a vibrant, pop-style with bold colors; or a rugged, cool-looking style—before selecting products, you can create a cohesive and stylish campsite.

High Style and Low Style

Another important consideration is the height at which you set up your camping gear. Heights are generally divided into “high style” and “low style.”

For active camping where you spend less time sitting, we recommend the high-style setup for easier movement. For high-style, it’s best to coordinate everything at the height of a dining table.

If you want to relax and unwind, we recommend the low-style. For the low-style, aim for a height similar to that of a sofa set.

How to Choose #2: Consider Your Car’s Cargo Capacity

For family camping, the camping gear tends to be larger than for smaller groups, so naturally, the storage space required is also greater. Additionally, you’ll need enough outdoor chairs, sleeping bags, and other items for the whole family.

If you don’t take this into account, you may end up in a situation where not all your gear fits in the car. Please decide on your camping gear by comparing your car’s cargo space with the storage dimensions of your gear.

Tip 3: Choose items that pack down compactly

Large storage sizes make it difficult to find a place to store them. If storage space at home is limited, we recommend choosing camping gear that can be stored as compactly as possible.

Tip 4: Choose gear suited to the season for greater comfort!

Camping gear includes items designed for specific seasons, such as three-season or all-season models.

Choosing gear suited to the climate allows you to enjoy camping comfortably even under harsh conditions, such as in summer or winter.

Essential Gear for Family Camping

Here, we’ll introduce the uses and selection tips for the camping gear needed for family camping.

・Tent

A large tent serves as the sleeping and living space for family camping. If your tent or tarp does not come with stakes and a stake hammer, you will need to purchase them separately.

Tent Types

When choosing a tent, start by deciding on the type. The main types of tents include:

• Dome Tent
• 2-room tents
• Single-pole tents
• Lodge-style tent
• Shelter tents

and others.

With a “two-room tent” that provides separate sleeping and living areas, or a larger “single-pole tent” or “shelter tent,” you can enjoy camping even without a tarp.

Number of users

You’ll also need to check the capacity. A tent’s capacity is typically set for the bare minimum number of people who can sleep inside.

If you want more space, it’s best to choose a model designed for “family size + 1 person.”

・Tarp

A tarp not only protects you from the sun, rain, and snow, but also serves as a living area for family camping. Since tarps also have a specified capacity, be sure to choose a product that fits your family size.

・Sleeping Bag

For sleeping while camping, we recommend a sleeping bag that packs down compactly.

When choosing a sleeping bag, the most important factor to consider is the “comfort temperature.” The comfort temperature indicates the minimum temperature at which you can sleep warmly and comfortably.

Estimate the lowest temperature during the season you’ll be camping and choose a product with an appropriate “comfort temperature.”

・Camping Bed / Mattress

The primary purpose of a sleeping bag is to retain heat. Therefore, using just a sleeping bag may cause back pain that prevents you from sleeping, or leave you feeling uncomfortable when you wake up...

To sleep comfortably, you’ll need a “cot” or “mat” under your sleeping bag.

Cots

A cot is a simple bed designed for outdoor use. It prevents you from feeling the ground against your back, allowing you to sleep comfortably.

When choosing cots for a family camping trip, you need to check the dimensions to ensure that enough cots for the whole family will fit inside the tent.

Mat

A mat is

• Inflatable
• air
• closed-cell
• Silver

.

If comfort is your priority, we recommend inflatable mats, though they are slightly more expensive.

If you want something compact for storage, you should choose an air mattress or a closed-cell foam mattress. If you want to keep costs as low as possible, we recommend the traditional silver mat.

・Table

A table is essential for meals, coffee breaks, and relaxation time. It also serves as a work surface for cooking and other tasks.

When choosing a family camping table, you need to select a tabletop size suitable for the number of people. For a family of 3–4, a tabletop width of 90 cm or more—wide enough to fit two chairs side by side—is the most practical. Additionally, a camping table that accommodates a flat-top burner can double as kitchen equipment, making it a convenient addition.

・Chairs

You’ll spend a lot of your camping time in an outdoor chair. Therefore, comfort is key—choose one that won’t leave you tired even after sitting for long periods.

For high-style tables, chairs with a seat height of about 40–50 cm are recommended, while for low-style tables, chairs with a seat height of about 25–35 cm are recommended.

・Cooking Equipment

Heat Sources

Heat sources for camp cooking include fire pits, BBQ grills, portable stoves, and canister stoves.

For beginners, we recommend a family-sized fire pit that allows you to enjoy both the fire and cooking. However, since fire pits take time to get the fire going, having a portable stove or canister stove on hand is convenient for making breakfast.

Cooler

If you’re prioritizing insulation, a hard-sided cooler is recommended. Soft-sided coolers are lightweight and easy to handle, making them great for grocery runs, beach trips, and other leisure activities.

Cooking Utensils

Cooking utensils such as pots and knives (outdoor knives) can be substituted with items you use at home. As you gain experience, gradually build up a collection of items you like.

Also, for beginners who find setting up tents and starting fires time-consuming, using disposable tableware is a good way to save time. Once you’ve got the hang of it, enjoy a stylish camping experience with your favorite tableware.

・Lanterns & Lights

You’ll need at least two lanterns or lights for nighttime use—one for the living area and one for the sleeping area.

For the living area, we recommend a "gasoline lantern" for its ambiance and bright light. In the sleeping area, use an "LED lantern" for safety reasons, as it does not involve an open flame.

It’s also convenient to have a light when going to the bathroom. For children, a headlamp that leaves both hands free is a safer option.

・Daily Necessities

In addition, the following items are necessary for an overnight stay:

TOKYO CRAFTS Products Recommended for Family Camping

Here are some TOKYO CRAFTS camping gear items recommended for family camping.

・Wing Fort

For family camping, we recommend the "Wing Fort" shelter tent.

It comes with an inner tent for four adults and can be used as a two-room tent to provide both sleeping and living spaces.

It offers a wide variety of layout options, making it suitable for various camping styles.

It features a groundbreaking double-layer structure for a shelter tent, allowing you to flip up the outer panel to expand the living space.

It features a skirt at the bottom to block out cold air, allowing you to enjoy winter camping in comfort.

・One Tarp

For tarps, we recommend the "One Tarp," which creates a spacious area. "One" refers to a mountain ridge, and the design features a center pole running along the ceiling like a mountain ridge.

Conventional large tarps tend to sag at the ceiling due to the weight of the fabric. The One Tarp uses a center pole to lift the fabric, creating an open, airy space.

While tarps can be difficult to set up properly, the center pole allows for a clean, wrinkle-free installation.

The tarp measures 5m x 5m, providing ample space for family or group camping.

・MacLight Series

If you’re gathering around a campfire with your family, we recommend the “MacLight Series” fire pit. It features a trivet with two height settings, allowing you to adjust the heat. Enjoy a variety of campfire cooking with your family.

It’s large enough to accommodate a crowd, and you can even toss in large logs as-is. Yet, when packed away, it’s compact enough to fit neatly into a backpack.

The Makulite Series now includes the "Makulite Titanium," which is even lighter and more durable.

・Sleek Modern Table

The "Sleek Modern Table" combines natural materials with a black finish to create a look that’s both urban and warm. With a tabletop width of 104 cm, it offers plenty of space for a family of 3–4.

It’s a foldable design that sets up in just 10 seconds, and when stored, it’s only 5.5 cm thick. You can slip it into gaps in your car’s trunk or home storage.

The tabletop is made of high-strength bamboo. By processing it into a honeycomb structure, we have successfully reduced its weight.

・Sleek Modern Chair

The "Sleek Modern Chair" is the perfect companion to the Sleek Modern Table.

This low chair offers a comfortable, relaxed seating experience, and even small children can sit safely without worrying about falling off.

Its simple all-black design exudes a calm, sophisticated atmosphere. It’s recommended for those aiming for a stylish tent site, even during family camping trips.

・Cord Unit

The "COORDUNIT" series offers a variety of uses depending on how you combine the pieces. There are plenty of ways to arrange them, such as storage shelves, baskets, and tables.

When children are small, there’s always the worry that they might get too close to the campfire and get burned. Using the “Cord Unit Irori Table Set” prevents children from getting closer to the fire than necessary.

・Bucket Shelf Mesh

Camping with kids tends to get cluttered with care items and toys. The "Mesh Bucket Shelf" is perfect for storing small items.

It can be combined with other parts, such as stacking two units on top of each other.

The basket section is made of a flexible mesh fabric. It’s easy to fit items that don’t quite match the size, so you won’t feel stressed. Plus, the fabric is washable, so you can rest easy even if your kids get it dirty.

A comfortable family camping trip starts with choosing the right gear! Pick gear that lifts your spirits

Family camping strengthens family bonds. To enjoy family camping comfortably, it’s important to choose camping gear that fits your camping style.

And if the design is cool, it’ll boost your spirits even more. Be sure to gather your favorite camping gear and create lots of family camping memories together.

TOKYO CRAFTS offers a wide variety of outdoor camping tables, including the Zika Table, Zika Manai, COORDUNIT, MFT, and Coside Table, allowing you to choose the one that best fits your camping style. In particular, the MFT Multi-Frame Table—a folding camping table released in 2025 that meets IGT standards (allowing the use of flat burners)—has received an overwhelmingly positive response for its innovative design.Whether for barbecues, as a campfire table for solo camping, or for family camping, its compact storage makes it incredibly convenient to use.