Planning some beach camping with the family? Make sure you get the most out of it and enjoy a trip to remember with our family-friendly beach camping gear list.
From choosing the right site to having ideal sleeping gear and emergency supplies, there’s plenty to cover. Read on for our essential checklist for the perfect family beach camping getaway in New Zealand.
Beach Camping with Family
Why Choose Beach Camping?
Given the abundance of beaches that define both the North and South Islands of New Zealand, beach camping naturally became a beloved pastime for many Kiwis. The good news is there are plenty of beautiful sites throughout the country where you can set down for beach camping.
Essential Considerations for Family Beach Camping
Before heading out on any beach camping adventure, make sure you’ve educated yourself on the rules and regulations of the area you’re planning to set up camp. Rules and corresponding restrictions can differ between councils, so read up on the local bylaws beforehand.
Also, consider the kind of camping experience you want. Devoted holiday parks and campsites near beach areas will have a provision of amenities you can make use of and some may even have rentable beach houses. Basic designated spots (or non-designated sites in the context of freedom camping) will require you to sort out all your provisions and amenities yourself.
Essential Gear for Family Beach Camping
Shelter and Comfort
1: Tents and Beach Shelters
When setting up your campsite, tents are enclosable spaces where you’ll sleep at night and rest during the day. Beach shelters are usually more open and fit more people and are there for you to sit back, relax and watch the waves roll in. A beach shelter could be a canopy, marquee, or larger tent-like construction with screening to keep out unwanted bugs.
2: Sleeping Bags and Air Mattresses
Depending on the space you’ve got to work with, you might be able to make use of air mattresses while camping. Of course, you’ll most likely need to ensure either a) you have one that can be manually pumped or b) you have a power source for the automatic pump to work. Air mattresses can be a great option if you don’t want to feel so much of the earth underneath you while sleeping.
Otherwise, sleeping bags are a great option - they save space, are easy to set up and put away, and provide a good amount of warmth. Couple a sleeping bag with one of our hooded towels, and you (and your kids) are in for a cosy night’s sleep.
Cooking and Food Storage
1: Portable Grills and Cookers
It’s worth having a portable grill or cooker on you as there can be several camping sites where cooking with an open fire is banned, especially during the drier summer months. Consider something compact that can be powered entirely with a gas canister.
2: Coolers and Food Safety
If you don’t have a fridge or freezer setup (such as in a camper van), then the next best option is to have a quality chilly bin on hand. With the right type and upkeep, they can usually keep food and drinks nice and chilled for up to a week or more.
Beach-Specific Gear and Accessories
Sun Protection Gear
1: Sunscreen and Sun Hats
Stay safe on the more UV-intense days by ensuring you have high-quality sunscreen and sun hats on hand. Sunscreen with a rating of SPF50+ is ideal, but SPF30 is also a good option. As long as you apply these sunscreens liberally and work them into the skin often throughout the day, they’ll provide fantastic protection.
2: UV Protective Clothing
When it comes to clothing that protects you from UV radiation, you’ll want to look for clothing that has a denoted UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating. Clothing with a UPF50+ offers excellent protection from UV radiation, only allowing 1/50th of UV radiation to pass through (approximately 2% exposure).
Along with UPF-rated clothing, clothes with denser fabrics and levels of thickness (e.g. denim) tend to naturally block more UV than lighter materials, regardless of whether they have a specific UPF rating or not.
Our hooded towels can also help you and your kids stay protected from intense UV exposure.
Water and Sand Toys
1: Floats and Inflatables
These are an absolute must for the beach. Whether your kids enjoy making use of inflatables or they just need some extra support when playing and swimming in the ocean, these will keep them safe and happy while adding an extra dimension of adventure to their play. Remember that floats and inflatables are not life-saving devices, and constant adult supervision around water is a must.
2: Sandcastle Tools and Frisbees
Building sandcastles is a quintessential beach activity that you can easily engage in with your kids. So make sure to bring some sandcastle tools like buckets, spades, mini sand rakes, etc. Frisbees are another great option - a simple way to get some real active play in with your kids while running along the sand.
Safety and Navigation Tools
First Aid Kits and Emergency Supplies
You never know when an emergency, big or small, might crop up - even if it’s just one of your kids getting a minor cut or scrape. For any trip, even if not camping, it’s always best to have a first aid kit on hand. Along with this, you should have other emergency supplies available, such as additional clean water, non-perishable foods, fully-charged power banks that can be used to charge your mobile devices in case of power loss, etc.
Also, don’t forget emergency supplies for your vehicle - spare tyres, distilled water, and appropriate engine oil. If your vehicle has included GPS software, operating systems or smart features (e.g. Android Auto), make sure you have the latest versions installed before heading on your trip. Having an old-fashioned map in your car is a good idea as a backup, especially in more remote areas where cellular reception may be poor or non-existent.
Navigation and Communication Devices
It goes without saying that you should always have a smartphone on hand when you’re going to be spending time camping. In case any issues arise, you’ll want to have a simple means of contacting people or emergency services. As we noted, make sure you have fully-charged power banks on hand as well in case you need to recharge your devices in an emergency.
You should also have a reliable GPS system on hand. While smartphones are a great option, be mindful that they may struggle to track you properly if there are any mobile data blackspots on your route. Various navigation apps, like Google Maps, also allow you to download map segments for offline use later. Don’t forget your vehicle’s in-built GPS, if it has one. It may not be affected by data blackspots in the same way.
Finally, it’s best to have a physical map with you. In the unlikely event you lose complete GPS functionality, a physical map of the local area can be a lifesaver.
With this comprehensive checklist, you can guarantee your entire family will have a wonderful beach camping experience.