After our trip to Bala Lake (40 people, 7 tents, 1 campervan and a LOT of marshmallows later), I thought I’d share the camping gear we couldn’t live without. These are the items that kept us (mostly) warm, comfy, entertained, and sane. I’ve linked everything below in case you’re planning your own adventure.
You can check out my camping post here: Family Camping at Bala Lake: Canoes, Waterfalls & Campfires – Life of RiLeigh
Sleeping Warm – Airbeds and blankets
Getting a decent night’s sleep when you’re camping with kids is everything. If they’re cold and uncomfortable, nobody’s having a good time. These are the exact items we pack every time, and honestly the airbed and mattress topper combo is a total game changer. Don’t skip the hot water bottles either, even in summer.
- Airbeds
- Fleece blankets
- Sleeping Bags
- Mattress Topper
- Foil Picnic blankets
- Hot water bottles
(Trust me, the nights were Baltic. These were lifesavers. We Use large picnic blankets under the air beds and mattress topper on top, keeps it warmer.)
Self Inflatable Mattress (Deep)
Water Resistant Picnic Blanket (200×200)
Picnic Blanket – Camping Carpet (200×300)
Fleece blanket Fleece Blanket
Cooking & Eating
Camping food is one of my favourite things. There’s something about cooking outside that just makes everything taste better. We’ve tried and tested a lot of gear over the years and these are the bits that actually earn their place in the car. The George Foreman grill especially, absolute hero of every trip.
- Portable stove
- Grill
- Marshmallow skewers
- Cool box
- Camping kettle/toaster
- Electric cool box
- Kitchen unit
- Picnic Table
(Because camping = food and firepit snacks. Bonus points for toasted Babybels with pepperoni.)
Essentials & Electricals
This is the section people forget until they need it. Head torches at bedtime, a power bank when the kids’ tablets die, jump leads just in case. Trust me, you want all of this in the boot before you leave. The portable power station has been brilliant for keeping everything charged without needing a hook-up.
- Head torches / Fairy Lights
- Power banks
- Jump leads (after our car battery fiasco!)
- Folding chairs
- Extension tower
Extension tower (usb/usc) Extension Tower
Entertainment
Keeping kids entertained between adventures is half the battle. We brought a mix of outdoor games and quiet activities for the evenings, and honestly the old school stuff like Connect 4, magna doodle and a foam glider went down just as well as the tablet. Pack more than you think you need.
- Foam rocket
- Styrofoam plane
- Frisbee
- Games / Colouring books
- Kindle Fire for watching movies
(The £5 foam plane was the most fought-over toy of the trip, even the adults got involved.)
Travel Connect 4
Kindle fire Kindle Fire
Extras
- Festival trolley
- Inflatable Sofa
- Crocs
- Snoodys
(Perfect for comfort and easy walking with the kids sat in this trolley.)
Camping isn’t always glamorous, but with the right gear it’s memorable in the best ways. These items made our Bala Lake trip smoother, warmer, and full of fun.
What camping equipment do you use?
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