Top 10 Glamping Essentials for Family Camping
The idea of camping outdoors may not appeal to everyone. The lack of plumbing, sleeping on hard rocky floors, or just being out of your comfort zone may interfere with having a good camping experience.
The first time we went on an overnight soft camping trip (in town at a nature center), I slept on a pallet. I woke up stiff and sore. My husband and I vowed to use our air mattress the next year. Boy what a difference it made!
For our real first time camping trip at Anastasia Florida State Park, I decided from the very beginning to Glamp it up!
Glamping can be simple and practical or extreme and over the top. It’s better to start by adding small luxuries and comfort items to your camping trip, than hauling in the crystal chandeliers and bearskin rugs.
For your family’s comfort pick a camping site with bathrooms , shower stalls, water and power connections. Make sure to pack bug spray, citronella candles, and of course a First Aid kit.
Top 10 Glamping Essentials for Family Camping
1. Accent Lighting– There is little to no lighting when you’re camping outdoors. Flashlights and lanterns are a must for seeing in the dark. It keeps everyone safe from falling over things and it keeps some wildlife at a distance when your site has adequate lighting.
Glampers should also bring accent lighting. Candles, tea lights, white holiday lights, lawn lights, and small decorative lighting can be placed around the site. Be sure to first check with your Park Ranger to make sure there aren’t any restrictions for candles or hanging lights.
2. Spacious Tent– When it comes to picking out a tent for your Glamping experience I recommend going large. Setting up a tent can feel overwhelming for new campers, but tents today are easy to setup.
Our tent has 2 rooms and sleeps 6 people comfortably. The square footage is about 150 and is over 7 feet high. It took us 40 minutes to get our tent pitched.
We have more than enough space inside to place a Queen sized air mattress and two twin air mattresses with room to walk around. It also didn’t take up much space on our campsite at Anastasia State Park.
Once the sun goes down, the bugs come out and bite. We spent a lot of time inside our tent at night playing UNO, reading stories, or listening to jazz under the stars.
3. Air Mattress-An air mattress is considered the number one Glamping Essential and I agree. I don’t like sleeping on the hard floor or mats. We have a Queen sized mattress, same as our bed at home. This year we also bought twin air mattresses for the kids.
4. Bedding is also an important Glamping Essential. It makes your tent look and feel like a real bedroom at home. We brought or cotton sheets and pillows from home. We also brought along a few throw blankets to double as accent pillows and an extra covering for cool nights.
5. Accent Rugs– There’s nothing worse than stepping out of bed and on to dirt and rocks. We don’t wear our shoes inside the tent but some how dirt finds its way on the floor. We brought small accent rugs to place at our bedside and at the entrance to our tent.
This is so great! The decor is fabulous and I love love the toilet idea! That’s my main issue with camping. And beds not a sleeping bag on the floor! The food looks delicious!
Thank so much Nadeen! Glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks for posting this information is very helpful for our upcoming camping trip. Its a. overnight trip and the site has a covered pavilion, kitchen, bathroom with shower and most importantly a large gas grill. Just need the air mattress and I think that will help!
Thanks for checking it out T. Good luck on your upcoming camping trip!
I love glamping. So far I’ve really enjoyed glamping in yurts because I have a real bed and real floors lol You did an awesome job with the decor.
Thanks so much. I’ve heard about yurts. I’ll have to add to my list of things to experience.
These are such great camping ideas, I love each and every one of them. Using rolled up throw blankets as accent pillows is genius. I’m sure your family had a wonderful time.
Thanks Demetra! Yes we had a great time. We are planning our next camping trip same time same place!
One thing you are missing for your glamping tent, is an airbed cot. Basically raises your airbed off of the ground. Search for it on Amazon. All of our friends changed the name of our tent to the condo, after they saw our bedroom!
Thanks Heidi, I like the idea of a cot but I don’t think it will pack well in the car. How collapsable are they? I’ll have to check it out!
Cat litter in the bag works really well for the portable toilet. I used it on our last camping trip, and it was great. It absorbs the odors too! 🙂
Thanks for the tip. We will try that next time.
Sounds like so much fun!! We have been wanting to go to Anastasia State Park for some time now.
It’s such a great locations. You should try it. Thanks for checking out the post!
Great Read!Thanx for the Glamping Tips, Katrina!
You’re welcome!
This was an amazing post! I love the small & big – not so obvious details. I do not have a family (yet!) but you bet my boyfriend & I will be using these great tips in Tahoe next week! I am also excited to read more on your site, it seems quite inspiring.
Thanks so much for checking in on my site. Please check back soon!
Wow. That’s totally cool. I need to do some lights up like that for our camp sites!
Thanks for checking out my Glamping Post Family Adventures!
WOW!!! you’ve bought camping to a new level, love that toilet idea Katrina. next time kick it up a notch. Add some kitty litter. keep up the good work, CREATING.
LOVE YOU,
Thank you DAD!!! Love you forever and ever and ever! #igetitfrommydaddy