Camping with kids isn’t for the faint hearted! Especially if you’ve got a mix of ages and the weather is less than ideal. But over the years, we’ve managed to get our list of camping essentials down to the absolute essentials, so there’s no need to cart a load of stuff you simply won’t use from one end of the country to the other. So with quality over quantity in mind, here’s our complete packing list of absolute essentials for camping with kids…
Tent
If you’re heading off on a family camping trip, the Coleman Rocky Mountain 5 Plus BlackOut Tent is a total game-changer. First off, the BlackOut Bedrooms are a lifesaver, blocking out up to 99% of daylight so the kids actually sleep in (no more 5am wake-ups just because the sun’s up!). It also stays cooler inside during the day, which is ideal if you’re camping in summer. Both of these features are absolute non-negotiables for a family tent!
There’s also loads of space in the living area -plenty of room for a table, chairs and all your gear, and it’s tall enough to stand up in without feeling cramped. It’s super simple to pitch too, thanks to colour-coded poles and a tunnel-style design. Two separate bedrooms mean you can split the sleeping arrangements however suits your family best – perfect if you have younger kids who need to go to bed earlier than others.
Add in brilliant waterproofing, UV protection, handy storage touches, a fairly small footprint, and the fact it’s less than £500, and it’s the kind of tent you’ll want to bring on every adventure, from attending a small weekend festival, to doing a full week of family camping in Cornwall with all the bells and whistles.
Sleeping Gear
When you’re camping as a family, getting your sleeping gear right makes all the difference. A good night’s sleep keeps everyone in a better mood – especially little ones who need their rest after busy days outdoors. Cosy, comfy sleeping gear helps turn camping into a proper family adventure – not a tired and cranky endurance test. The right sleeping bags and mats help regulate temperature, avoid early wake-ups from the cold or heat, and cushion you from hard, uneven ground. Do your research but don’t feel like you need to pay top prices to get top quality – There’s plenty of high street value brands who know what they’re talking about when it comes to camping.
Mountain Warehouse Summit 250 Sleeping Bag
The Summit 250 Sleeping Bag is a solid pick for family camping trips, festivals or weekend getaways. It’s warm, comfy and compact – perfect for UK weather, with a two-season rating and a cosy hood to keep the chill off.
The mummy shape helps trap heat, and there’s a handy internal pocket for your phone or torch. It’s super lightweight and easy to roll up, so it won’t take up much space in the car or your rucksack, and it’s brilliant value which meant we could get two – a right and a left – to zip together and trap even more heat on chillier nights.
Mountain Warehouse Microlite 1400 Sleeping Bag
If you’re going to be camping any time other than in the summer months then go for a sleeping bag like the Microlite 1400 which is rated for 3–4 seasons (comfort down to around –4 °C and minimum to –11 °C), it’s ideal for colder spring, autumn or mild winter trips in the UK.
Unlike the lighter two‑season Summit 250, the Microlite uses synthetic microfiber fill in a durable ripstop shell so it stays warm even if it gets damp. It’s been ideal for our four year old who feels the chill easily – he gives it two thumbs up!
Bestway Double Flocked Airbed with Cordless Electric Battery Pump
For family camping trips, this air bed is a brilliant no-faff option. It inflates in under two minutes with the included battery-powered pump – no electric hookup needed – which is perfect when you’re juggling kids and pitching tents. The soft, flocked surface is super comfy for wriggly little sleepers, and the sturdy wave beam structure means it won’t sag in the middle of the night. It’s lightweight and easy to pack so it’s ideal for chucking in the car, and is an all round reliable, comfy camping bed that won’t let you down.
Pitch Set-up
When you’re camping with kids, how you set up your pitch can make or break the trip. A well-organised, spacious setup gives everyone room to move, relax, and enjoy themselves without tripping over bags or searching for torches in the dark. Creating clear zones for sleeping, eating, and playing helps keep things calm (and a bit more hygienic!), while smart storage options makes it easier to find what you need, when you need it. A tidy pitch also makes bedtime routines smoother and the mornings feel less chaotic. It’s all about making the outdoors feel just a little more like home, especially if you’re camping for several days or more.
Vango Sentinel Family Windbreak
This windbreak is a great little extra for keeping your camping pitch cosy and calm. It gives you a sheltered spot out front of your tent for cooking, playing, or just relaxing with a brew when the wind picks up. It’s big enough to make a difference (over 4 metres wide!) but still lightweight and easy to pack away. The steel poles keep it sturdy, even on breezy days, and the high-vis guy lines help stop the kids from tripping over it in the dark. Quick to pitch and properly tough, for us it’s one of those “why didn’t we get this sooner?” buys!
Mountain Warehouse Deluxe Camping Chair
After a long day of exploring, there’s nothing like coming back to a comfy, padded chair and this one from Mountain Warehouse is a favourite of ours. The seat opens up to around 107 × 58 × 96 cm and folds flat to about 110 × 16 × 16 cm, so it easily stashes in the car or tent corner Despite its cushioned feel, it’s surprisingly lightweight at roughly 3.7 kg and supports up to 110 kg which is super handy if you’re swapping seats between adults and kids.
Vango Granite Cypress 56 Table
An essential you didn’t know you needed until the one time you forget to pack it! This is a nifty little camping table that’s super lightweight at around 1.1 kg and folds down flat, with a granite-effect top and only 24cm high – it’s perfect to set bedtime drinks on for the kids, for playing cards on as a family or sitting a laptop or tablet on to watch a film at night. Strong enough to hold up to 30 kg, it’s small, sturdy and incredibly versatile!
Vango Superstar 500 Rechargeable USB Light
This hanging light was a lifesaver on our last camping trip! With three warm LED brightness levels (500 lm high, 200 lm medium, 50 lm low) it’s soft enough to create a nice ambience in the evening but bright enough to see what you’re doing. It runs on a 5200 mAh lithium battery that takes about 6 hours to charge and powers lights for up to 100 hours on low setting, so great for long trips without a plug point.
It’s splash‑proof, lightweight and doubles as a power bank via USB. What more could you want from a light on the go?
Cookware, Storage and Hygiene
When you’re camping with the family, bringing proper cookware and somewhere to store perishables is a total must. Kids get hungry all the time, and having the right kit makes it way easier to whip up quick, tasty meals without the stress. A camping stove, pots, and utensils mean you’re not relying on expensive site cafés or sandwiches that have seen better days. And when it comes to milk, meat or snacks, a cool box or powered cool bag is a game-changer. It keeps food safe and fresh, cuts down on waste, and saves you money in the long run. Basically, it’s the difference between mealtime meltdowns and chilled-out campfire dinners.
LifeSaver Cube
Campsite taps can often go unregulated for long stretches of time, meaning families have to pay for bottled water to drink and cook with, or get a water purifier. This LifeSaver Cube holds up to 5 litres of water and uses ultra-filtration to remove 99.99% of viruses, bacteria, cysts and microplastics. One filter cartridge handles up to 5,000 litres and the built-in Failsafe feature stops the flow when it’s time to replace it. At 1.2 kg it’s easy to pack, carry and store anywhere in the car or tent. A proper peace-of-mind upgrade for all your camping adventures.
Coleman Pro 45 QT Cooler Box
When you’re camping with the family, this Coleman Cooler Box is a total game-changer. With space for up to 74 cans, it’s more than big enough to store all your essentials so you won’t need to head to the shops for constant top-ups. It keeps food and drink cold for up to 4.5 days, and despite being incredibly tough and well-insulated, it’s up to 30% lighter than many heavy-duty coolers. The antimicrobial lining helps keep things fresh and clean, and the sturdy lid even doubles as an extra seat! An absolute essential item for every camping trip for us.
Ayachucho Washbag
Top top – use a clear washbag that can be attached at eyesight for those early morning and late night shower runs. No more hunting around in backpacks for where you think you might have put your toothbrush either! This Ayacucho wash bag ticks all the boxes – made with recycled polyester and weighing just about 70g, it’s easy to toss in your kit without weighing you down. The handy carry handle makes it super practical to grab when all your spare hands are holding onto your towel and your kid! And if anything leaks you can just run it under the tap – simple.
Campingaz Camping Kitchen 2 Multi-Cook Plus Gas Stove
This is the perfect stove for family camping trips. With two burners and a handy griddle, you can whip up a full fry-up while boiling the kettle at the same time – perfect for when everyone’s hungry first thing but you need a coffee! It’s got wind protection built in, so no there’s no struggling to keep the flame going on breezy mornings. It also packs down neatly into its own case, is super easy to clean, and the pop-up legs and side tables means you can be all set up with an outdoor kitchen in minutes. If you want something that isn’t too bulky, this is ideal.
Bagbase Recycled Cooler Bag
Another essential for daytime adventures is this cooler bag. It’s big enough to pack sandwiches for the whole crew, plus leftovers, baby food and bottles of milk too, and the insulated lining keeps everything fresh. The easy-clean interior is a lifesaver if anything leaks, and the comfy twin straps, handy pockets and lightweight design means no lugging across the sand for beach picnics, and it’s easy to pack down in the car for the trip back.
Ayachucho Vaalseberg Backpack
The Ayacucho Vaalserberg 28 is a solid all-rounder for family camping – big enough for everything you need but light enough to not weigh you down. At 28L and just 760g, it gives you space for snacks, layers, and short adventures without feeling overly bulky. It even has a raincover, hydration sleeve, and mesh side pockets for water bottles, so no matter what kind of unpredictable day the outdoors throws at you, it’s got you covered. The padded, ventilated back, plus clips for poles and a built-in whistle on the sternum strap, make it feel super safe and comfy for longer walks too.
Kid Essentials
Between keeping them entertained, fed, clean, and comfortable, there’s a lot more to pack for family camping than just a tent and sleeping bags. From the practical must-haves (like warm layers, a first aid kit and wipes ) to the sanity-savers (snacks, toys, and somewhere to store the endless ‘treasures’ they find), the right kit makes all the difference. And let’s not forget the little comforts, like their favourite water bottle or a cuddly toy from home, to help them settle at night. Whether you’re heading to a full campsite or going wild camping, having these kid essentials sorted means less stress for you and more fun for them.
Trail Folding Camping Trolley
When you’re camping with kids, it’s never just one or two things you’re carrying – it’s everything. The folding camping trolley from Trail quickly becomes one of those items you don’t realise you need until you have it. Whether it’s hauling bags from the car to the pitch, transporting snacks, blankets, or the endless “just in case” items, it takes a lot of the back-and-forth (and the mental load) out of setting up.
It folds down neatly when you’re not using it, but opens up into a really sturdy cart that can handle more than you’d expect. Especially helpful if you’ve got little ones who get tired legs before you’ve even reached your spot – it can double up as a place for them to perch while you keep things moving. Not essential for everyone, but one of those things that quietly makes the whole trip feel that bit easier.
Potette Fold ‘N’ Go Foldable Potty
When you’re out camping with little ones, having a portable potty like the FoldnGo is an absolute lifesaver. It pops up in seconds and folds down totally flat, so you can stash it in your boot, backpack or even under the buggy without it taking up loads of space. No mad dashes trying to find a toilet or awkward wees behind bushes – you’ve got a toddler toilet ready to go whenever you need it. It’s perfect for those middle-of-the-night toilet trips (for adults as well as kids!) or if you’ve got a young’un who’s still toilet training.
Infantino My First Tumbler
The best tiny tumbler to take on trips! Made from soft, lightweight silicone and sized for little hands to grip easily. It also comes in several really lovely colours so siblings can pick their fave. The best bit though is the straw’s fancy valve – it’s literally spill-proof! The handle is also super sturdy, it fits in pretty much every cup-holder, and it’s so easy to clean. It’s my son’s favourite cup and probably the only one that I don’t have to watch him with in case he throws it. I just wish they made adult one’s!
B.box Insulated Food Jar
With a 335ml capacity, this food jar is the perfect size for adventuring with kids. The triple-layer insulation locks in heat for up to 5 hours or keeps food cool for up to 7 – it’s been ideal for baby food when we’ve been out all day without access to a microwave, and also for early car starts when no one’s quite ready for their yogurt or porridge just yet. For older kids you can just remove the handles and bumper – I’ve been known to store granola and berries in there myself… It’s such a handy essential to pack!
P.OP Kids Fleece Jacket
If you’re looking for clothes for your kids that they could wear both for scrambling up rocks, and popping into a nice restaurant for tea, then you need to look at Swedish brand P.OP. The quality and attention to detail is unmatched – everything washes well, the colours go seamlessly together so you can always mix and match outfits, and the designs are effortlessly cool. I add another fleece to my son’s rotation every year for our camping trips because I know they’ll always stand the test of time and I can pass them down!
And there you have it – our family camping essentials list. There’s many many more things you could load into your boot, but is every item truly needed to make your trip a success? Probably not. So unless you’re camping for more than a few nights, or want to go down the luxury route, do yourself a favour and leave the extra’s at home so you can spend more time adventuring and less time packing and unpacking. Now all that’s left? Close that boot, get on the road, and enjoy every muddy, starry, giggle-filled moment.
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