The best family camping essentials – from under £5 (2024)

* Blackout function and climate control promise a good night sleep

* Fibreglass poles offer stability and steadiness (has been wind and rain tested)

* It's UV protected and also fire retardant

Having been voted tent of the year, this will give your camping experience a little bit of comfort! If you struggle sleeping when dawn breaks at 5am, it has clever blackout fabric so it'll remain dark inside – even in the blazing sunshine!

When it comes to storing your belongings, it has loads of smart pockets, making everything within easy reach. It might be a little on the pricey side, but definitely worth it if you ask us!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Coleman-BlackOut-Technology-Essential-Waterproof/dp/B01MQ4RJYA?crid=XTBVY95HWUMG&keywords=black%2Bout%2Btent&qid=1650620416&sprefix=blackout%2Btent%2Caps%2C66&sr=8-13&th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=net-g-ykfuqheaaciamwxk-21&linkId=c63c1d049e53d46642ef6df16d677da3&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

* Spacious enough for two people

* Compact for storage and travel as it folds up easily

* Easy to inflate and deflate by hand or electric pumps

An inflatable king-sized mattress? Yes please! If you love camping, but struggle with getting comfortable when it's time to go to sleep, this could be for you!

It fits perfectly in most tents (two-man ones or bigger), and has a thick, comfortable surface. Keep in mind that you could also use it as a spare guest bed at home, so it is definitely a win-win!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Coleman-Unisex-765581-Ssi-Double-Quickbed/dp/B00HN982C4?pd_rd_i=B00V85BGPY&th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=net-g-ykfuqheaaciamwxk-21&linkId=486e2c8102001204967183aa1601bb52&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

* Heat-resistant paint and galvanised steel

* When unfolded, a grill, a heating rack to warm burger buns and a tray to store your condiments and utensils are revealed

* Small and convenient to use measuring 20 x 24 x 44.5 cm

Short of space for all your camping gear? This fold-up cooker can be easily transported from place to place and is compact enough to stow away in the tiniest of car boots. Its aesthetically-pleasing design also weighs in practicality as well, as the carry handles of the 'toolbox' act as a sturdy base. It can cook multiple burgers, sausages, kebabs and vegetables at once, making it perfect for a camping feast!

* Non-toxic, chemical free insect repellent

* Comes in a pack of four

* Burn time of the product is approximately 10 hours

Burning citronella candles is a natural way to repel mosquitoes during long, warm summer evenings. It also destroys parasites and is antibacterial, too.

As well as preventing biting insects from coming near you, the scent of citronella also has an uplifting and stress-relieving effect.

* Fun elephant design that kids will love

* The material is lightweight and warm

* Measures 150 x 60 cm

How do you make camping in the great outdoors even more exciting? With one of these featherweight sleeping bags, displaying a friendly elephant.

Perfect for getting your little one 100% camping-ready!

* Set of four, great for all the family

* Made from high quality iron with ceramic coating, suitable for everyday use

* Easy clean with soft detergent, hand-wash recommended

These mugs are perfect for outdoor life. Their durable material make them safe for children to use and they won't break easily, either.

You can get a lot of use out of an enamel mug as it's great for holding both hot and cold drinks or even little snacks like popcorn or nuts.

* Could be enjoyed as a chair or even a bed

* 220kg maximum weight capacity

* Easy to inflate and deflate

Not really an essential, but a good place for the family to flop down and relax at the end of a long day in the great outdoors! Its olive colour will blend with nature perfectly. Keep in mind that it could also be a comfy sleeping or lounging spot for potential guests. The more the merrier!

* Engineered with breathable fabric to ensure a comfortable night sleep

* Water-resistant and highly durable outer fabric

* Has a ventilation window with zipper system to keep moisture out

This compact and spacious tent would be ideal for teenagers or for popping up quickly in your garden for the kids to play in. It can be erected in seconds, allowing you to just 'pitch and go' and is super-sturdy too. It's also very lightweight and comes in a small pouch, making it very travel-friendly.

* A picnic essential

* The maximum capacity this holds is 24L (up to 30 cans or a combination of beverages and foods)

* Its measurements are 37 x 31 x 21 cm, and it weighs just 1.2lb

A must for camping and days out, this cooler-style rucksack has a pocket where you can add ice packs to keep your food extra fresh. As it has a completely waterproof interior, any liquid spills will not leak or absorb into the bag, making clean-ups a whole lot easier and much more stress-free.

* 42 multi-colour flags, 46 feet long

* Waterproof polyester rather than paper, makes the product more suitable for using outside

* Vividly colourful and fade-resistant, too

A string of bunting brightens up any campsite – who says all camping equipment has to be super practical?

Ask your little ones to help string it up, we bet they will love getting involved with decorating your camping space!

* Unscented, alcohol-free, pH balanced, hypoallergic

*Multi-use for freshening up or for cleaning surfaces

* 100% biodegradable and will start to decompose after only 28 days

These multi-purpose large wet wipes will make your camping life so much easier! These handy towelettes basically work as a no-rinse shower. Suitable to be used on toddlers' and children's sticky and dusty hands and faces and during bathroom visits.

Try and buy biodegradable ones like these for eco brownie points.

* Suitable for body, hair, food and clothing use

* Fully biodegradable and pH balanced

* Handy 60 ml size

This small miracle worker is the perfect camping companion. It's safe to use with sea water for cleansing without harming the environment one bit.

Make sure that you use a pea-size portion for each use as it has a very concentrated formula, plus it will last you longer. A definite must-pack!

* Set contains: storage container, six plates, six cups, six forks, six knives, six spoons

* Incredibly lightweight, compact and packs away neatly

* Comes in assorted colours (pink, green and blue), randomly chosen with each order

This set has everything you need for mealtimes including plates, bowls, cutlery and mugs. It's ideal for outdoor use and perfectly safe to be used by children of all ages. Lightweight, compact and travel-friendly and makes the perfect addition to your camping gear.

* Two in one LED lantern and power bank charger

* Portable, lightweight, travel-friendly and 100% waterproof

* Has a retractable hook which is perfect for hanging it anywhere you need

Perfect for after dark, this mini-sized, LED lantern is designed to make your life easier when outdoors. We know that you'll not be planning to scroll on your phone all day, but having a back-up when it comes to charging it is so beneficial!

Running on a high capacity rechargeable battery, once fully charged it can last 220 hours at low brightness and 20 hours at high brightness, which is pretty impressive! It can also easily convert to SOS mode (an emergency strobe light) if you're stuck out in the wilderness.