Recently I was asked about what to take on a tent camping trip with children.  This is a camping checklist based on that request.

Note that not ALL of these things are necessary.  I leave it up to you to decide how crammed full of stuff you want your car, SUV, or truck.  I did, however, put an "X" next to things I feel are the most important when camping with children.

If there is something I've forgotten or something you like to bring, please feel free to comment about it.

Shelter, Warmth, & Comfort
__X__ Tent(s) - if your children are much older and have been camping a number of times before, you might consider letting them camp in their own tent - but keep them close by, where you can hear them.
_____ Screen House, canopy
__X__ Sleeping Bags
_____ Sleeping pads, mattresses or cots - Kids are usually fine on the ground, but insulating them from the ground with something is preferable.
_____ Pillows - for me, necessary, for others maybe not.
__X__ Tarps, ground cloth for tent - I always bring a tarp or two on a car camping trip.  Putting a tarp over your tent will help keep you dry in a rainstorm.  The most miserable you can get when tent camping is when you're wet and cold.  Add kids to that equation, and you have a disaster that can ruin your trip.
__X__ Tent Stakes, ties (extra); hammer
__X__ Rope, twine - good for putting up tarps and many more uses.
_____ Hat
__X__ Jacket, Sweatshirt (both) - Put on layers of warm clothes before you get cold!
__X__ Rain Gear - a must for each person.
_____ Camp Chairs - A favorite chair is really nice on a camping trip, especially when the only other thing available is picnic tables (no back rests).
_____ Hammock
_____ Small broom & dust pan (for tents) - A good idea if you want a clean tent.
__X__ Firewood, kindling - Often campground hosts sell firewood in the campground, which is the best way to get your firewood for two reasons: 1) it does not diminish the natural deadfall in the area, which is necessary for the environment, and 2) wood you bring from home might introduce parasites or insects which can harm the area around and in the campground. 

Safety and Medical
__X__ First Aid Kit - Bring colored or fun band-aids for the kids, tylenol (not aspirin) for kids, antiseptic ointment or spray, etc.  Kids will get little scrapes and cuts on a camping trip.  Some sporting goods or online camping stores sell first aid kits for camping.  Also, bring any medical insurance cards or other information should there be a larger medical emergency.  Better to have it than not.
__X__ Bug Spray - Get natural bug spray whenever possible.  If you use DEET, spray it on clothes, not on the skin.
__X__ Maps, trail guides
__X__ Whistle - Establish a rule that when the whistle is blown, the children must come directly to you.  Never, ever let your children get out of your sight.  Even walking a few feet in front of you, out of sight, can end up in a deadly experience.  Trust me on that one.

_____ Radio (esp. weather radio)
__X__ Sunscreen, chapstick - especially important for fair-skinned kids.
__X__ Flashlights, headlamp - Give each child their own flashlight so they feel more secure after dark, but establish rules about their use, such as don't point flashlights directly in a person's eyes, flashlights must be off once they are in bed, etc.

_____ Lantern - While not absolutely necessary, it's a good idea.
_____ Candles, citronella candles - the presence of citronella candles in your camp helps minimize mosquitoes and helps cut down on the amount of bug spray you have to use.  Myself, even when I ran a kids' summer camp, only rarely had to use bug spray.  Taking precautions helps.  Also, bathing with biodegradable Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Soap helps keep critters off.  (Don't get it in your eyes, though.)
__X__ Various batteries as needed

Fun, Games, & Activities - Definitely bring some kinds of activities or toys for the kids, but encourage them to just play.  You're camping to get them out into nature, not to just have them do the exact same thing they would do at home. 
_____ Binoculars
_____ Camera, extra batteries, film
__X__ Books, Games, Ball - coloring books & crayons are good for quiet time, but try to keep the coloring books nature-oriented.  A lot of National or State Parks sell great kids books and coloring books in their stores.  And please, no GameBoys or other electronic games.  They can do that at home.
__X__ Paper & pen
__X__ Daypack (for hikes)
_____ Plant, animal, track identification guides

Around the Camp
__X__ Good Knife(s) - Fixed blade knives are safer in that they can't collapse back on your fingers.
_____ Small Axe
_____ Rope, clothesline
_____ Shovel
_____ Duct tape - Fixes just about everything.
_____ Lightweight hand saw
_____ Multitool

Food & Water, Kitchen
__X__ Matches, lighter, fire starters - Bring more than one way of starting a fire in case one way fails.
_____ Charcoal, lighter fluid, small grill - if you are going to make hamburgers, hot dogs, etc.
_____ Tongs
_____ Fire extinguisher - Or keep a bucket of water or dirt or a shovel near your fire.
__X__ At least one gallon/person per day water (if you have to bring it) for drinking, cooking & hygiene
_____ Water jug
__X__ Water bottle, canteen
__X__ Camp Stove or grill for over a fire
__X__ Stove Fuel
_____ Folding Table - check in advance to see if there will be tables where you are going.
__X__ Cooler
_____ Charcoal & lighter fluid
__X__ Plates, Bowls & Spoons, Forks, Knives
__X__ Cups, Mugs
__X__ Can Opener
_____ Spatula, large spoon for serving, cooking tools
_____ Pot holders, hand towels
__X__ Paper towels
_____ Biodegradable dish soap - unless you're going to wash dishes when you get back or use paper plates, bring soap.
__X__ Pots & Pans, skillet
_____ Measuring spoons, cups
__X__ Storage Ziploc bags - good for so many purposes.
__X__ Garbage bags
_____ Jiffy Pop popcorn
_____ Dishpan
_____ Pot scrubbers, sponge
_____ Aluminum foil
_____ Condiments, seasonings
__X__ S'Mores Ingredients - Marshmallows, Graham crackers, Hershey bars - a must for every kid who goes camping

_____ Coffee Pot
__X__ Hot chocolate / tea / coffee

Clothing
_____ Laundry Bag
__X__ Pants, shorts, shirts
__X__ Shoes, boots, river shoes - more than one pair of shoes or flip flops if you expect rain
__X__ Underwear, thermals
__X__ Socks
_____ Swimsuit & towels
__X__ Sleepwear

_____ Small sewing kit

Personal Items

_____ Glasses, sunglasses - extra prescription glasses if you have them
__X__ Prescription Medicine
__X__ Spare car and house keys
__X__ Comb / brush
__X__ Toothbrush / paste
_____ Dental floss
__X__ Biodegradable hand soap
__X__ Deodorant