Toothbrushes, tent, sleeping bags, collapsible kettle, teddy bears... there is so much to remember on a family camping trip that you often need lists of lists. To help make sure you don't arrive at your campsite without the most useful or important items, here's our round-up of camping gear that you really shouldn't leave home without.
Campsites in the UK vary enormously with regard to facilities, but most have a toilet and running water. If you're staying on an almost wild campsite, you may want to bring water supplies and even a portable shower depending on how long you're staying. If you're planning to bring more home comforts, electric hook-up will be more important to you. If your campsite allows campfires, check whether you need to bring a firepit to keep it off the ground.
Not booked yet? Consider Britain's best beach campsites, or get closer to rare wildlife such as red squirrels and nightingales at one of the UK's fantastic forest campsites.
Family camping checklist
What to pack when family camping, ranging from the critical to the optional:
- Tent
- Sleeping bags
- Sleeping mats
- Pillows
- First-aid kit
- Cooking stove and gas cylinder (if applicable)
- Camping chairs
- Crockery and cutlery
- All-in-one washing liquid
- Cookware
- Firepit
- Coolbox or coolbag
- Camping tarp or awning
- Camping table
Family tent
Vango Aether Air tent
If you're looking for a large family tent, this excellent air tent from Vango is easy to put up and very spacious. It's also made from recycled bottles, meaning you're taking plastic waste out of the world by buying it.
Read our full review of the Vango Aether Airbeam tent
Easy Camp Palmdale 600 Lux
For families on more of a budget, the Easy Camp Palmdale 600 lux tunnel tent offers similarly palatial interior, but is held up with fibreglass poles, more compact and considerably cheaper.
Read our full review of the Easy Camp Palmdale 600 Lux tent
Looking for more tent options? Check out our round-up of the very best family tents for camping trips.
Sleeping bags
Outwell Sleeping Bag Oak Lux
This comfortable, hourglass-shaped three-season sleeping bag is well designed to keep body heat firmly in on cold nights.
The hood is deep and can be cinched tight, and an insulated flap at the top of the bag gives an extra layer of protection around your nose, neck and chin. It's made from 100% synthetic fill underneath, with a 50:50 blend of duck down and polyester which gives good insulation from moisture from below, and warmth above. It's also surprisingly compact when tucked into its stuff-sack – always a bonus if you have a small car.
See more sleeping bag reviews in our round-up of the best sleeping bags.
Sleeping mats
Outwell Sleepin 7.5cm single self-inflating mat
Self-inflating mats are the best option for camping, being more robust, compact and simple than the £10 blow-up ones you might see in a supermarket. Kids will put any air mat through its paces on a camping trip, so it's really important to find one that can withstand being jumped on by excited eight-year-olds.
The Outwell Sleepin is a sturdy choice, compact and easy to pack down. And at 7.5cm thickness, keeps the cold off explorers young and old.
Find other great options in our full round-up of camping mat reviews.
Pillows
Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Deluxe pillow
This inflatable pillow is an expensive but surprisingly comfortable luxury. Also light (at 130g) and compact enough for backpacking. Our reviewer found it most comfortable when slightly soft... the choice is yours, of course.
Discover the best camping pillow for a well-earned rest.
First-aid kit
Lifesystems First Aid Kit
Household admin is often hard to keep up with, which is why many parents end up with a box of plasters and a bottle of Calpol comprising the home ‘medical’ cabinet. But with all the potential injuries that camping offers, this just isn't an option when on a family trip: a decent first aid is essential.
You can find more options in our list of the best first aid kits to buy for outdoor adventures.
Cooking stove and gas cylinder (if applicable)
Trangia Camping Stove
It’s hard not to be impressed by the Trangia stove. A clever bit of Scandinavian design, the flame sits inside a cylindrical cup, which stops it going out. It works well in most conditions, although in high winds, you will get the customary burnt thumb as you try to use your lighter.
For more details, see our full review of the Trangia 25 cookset, or compare models from different brands in our other camping stove reviews.
For supplies, check out our reviews of the best camping meals and hiking food.
Camping chairs
Helinox chair 2
This robust chair folds down to a remarkably compact and lightweight size. It offers good back support, and is comfortable to sit in.
Read our full review of the Helinox chair 2 for more detail, or head over to our roundup of the best camping chairs for more buying options.
Crockery and cutlery
You don't really need to splash out on camping cutlery for a family camping trip, as your own cutlery won't take up that much more space. But if you're keen to have a dedicated camping set, there are a few options at Decathlon and Go Outdoors.
All-in-one washing liquid
Lifesystems all-purpose soap
If space is at a premium, you’ll love this little washing solution that has multiple uses for different family situations. This biodegradable, PH balanced all-purpose soap has been tested in cold water and cleaned greasy dishes, ketchupy faces and even restored a rather sodden sleeping bag to its former glory after a not-so-little night-time accident from my little one.
Tip: it’s concentrated, so you only need a tiny bit. Dilute in water for use on young skin rather than squeezing neat onto a flannel.
Cookware
Dutch oven
Ever fancied sticking your cooking pot on the wood fire and cooking directly from the flames? That is exactly what Dutch ovens are made to do. This cast-iron beauty is a wonderful addition to the outdoor cook's repertoire.
This one from Canvas Tent Shop comes pre-seasoned, so you can use it directly out of the box. It has legs, so can go directly into the fire – although you may find that coals make it easier to control the heat. Please a couple of coals on the lid and you have an oven that could make bread or cakes if you want to! Highly recommended if you love cooking in the great outdoors.
You can also read our guide to the best camping stoves.
Kelly Kettle Ultimate ‘Base Camp’ kit
Like to start the day with a cuppa? The tubular Kelly Kettle could revolutionise your morning routine. Employ the children to find dry twigs while you fill it up, and place them inside the bottom tray. Place the brilliantly designed hollow kettle over the lighted twigs and behold as a hole in the side of the tray draws in oxygen, firing up the flames. The efficiency of the heat, which travels up through the middle of the kettle and out the top of the cylinder, means that the water boils in around three minutes (listen out for the whistle).
You have to keep an eye on the twigs and be ready to feed it – and do not, under any circumstances, allow any member of your family to peer curiously down the top.
Read our in-depth review of the Kelly Kettle.
Firepit
Robens Wayne grill and firepit
This brilliant firepit from Robens is the most unlikely looking firepit-grill you may ever have seen, but it has outperformed many others that I have used. It packs down into a laptop-sized carry case, which gives it a huge advantage over every other portable firepit on the market, and its clever design – with a small base and a larger grill – means the heat spreads effectively out to the whole grill area.
Once you've finished your barbecue – if you're having one – lift off the grill and load it up with wood. It's stainless steel, it can handle whatever heat you throw at it.
Read our list of the best firepits for a cosy campsite.
Coolbox or coolbag
YETI Roadie 24
It's tough, lightweight and perfectly proportioned to accommodate approximately 18 cans of beer or 10kg of ice. It's so robust that Yeti even sells a special seat cushion to turn it into a seat – available separately.
Check out the best cool boxes for ice-cold drinks and chilled food.
Camping tarp or awning
Terra Nova Competition Tarp 2
Awnings are brilliant, but often specific to the tent you're camping in. Tarps, on the other hand, are pretty standard, tend to be cheaper, and can be adjusted to shelter you from the wind and rain coming from any direction.
Light but strong, this robust tarp provides shade and protection, plus it makes for a good groundsheet.
Camping table
Symple Stuff Camping Table
This low coffee table has extendable legs that rise to the occasion to your choice of 45cm, 60cm or 70cm. And if there's one thing that's handy when you're camping, it's flexibility.
Read our favourite 10 collapsible camping tables to take on your adventures.
If you're planning on walking with your camping equipment on your back, consider this lightweight camping kit, which will help you shave weight from your rucksacks.
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