Here's the Best Family Camping Gear You Need in 2025

Last Updated on 2 June 2025

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Gone are the days when camping meant roughing it with basic equipment. Today’s best family camping gear combines innovative technology with practical design, making outdoor adventures accessible and enjoyable from toddlers to grandparents.

Did you know that 93% of campers feel that camping brings families together, and 94% said camping teaches children vital life skills? According to the research, a further 74% believe it should form part of the school curriculum. There’s something magical about disconnecting from screens and reconnecting with nature – and each other. But here’s the thing: family camping success hinges entirely on having the right gear!

Whether you’re planning your first family camping trip or you’re a seasoned outdoor enthusiast looking to upgrade your kit, choosing the right equipment can transform your experience from stressful survival to pure adventure bliss.

Let’s read on to find out more!

An image of a tent in a forested area with a rucksack and a camping chair next to it. Best family camping gear. Source: Canva

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Family Tents That Work

The first time we went family camping, I thought any tent would do. We used a cheap two-person tent from the local supermarket and figured we could squeeze our family of four into it. Granted, the kids were a lot smaller, but still, it was a nightmare!

The kids were practically on top of each other, there was nowhere to store our family camping equipment, and when it rained… well, let’s say we learned about waterproofing the hard way. Thankfully, we weren’t too far from home!

After years of trial and error, I’ve found that you need way more space than you initially think. My rule of thumb is to get a tent that’s rated for at least two more people than your actual family size. So if you’re a family of four, look for six-person family tents.

The Coleman Weathermaster 6-person tent has been a game-changer for us and represents some of the best family camping gear available. We’ve found this one gives our family of four enough room to move around without it feeling cramped. The Coleman Montana tent is another great option that can house between six to eight people, giving you that extra room.

Coleman 6-Person WeatherMaster Tent. Source: Amazon

Multiple entrances are brilliant when you’ve got kids. There’s nothing worse than having to climb over everyone when someone needs the loo in the middle of the night. Vestibules are a great feature – these covered areas give you somewhere to store muddy boots, wet coats, and all your camping cooking equipment that doesn’t fit inside.

I’ve found the best camping gear for kids and families seems to be around £200-400 for a good quality family tent. At this price point, you’re getting good materials, decent waterproofing, and construction that’ll last more than a few trips. This range consistently delivers the best family camping gear for most budgets.

Sleeping Systems for Comfortable Family Nights

When I first went camping, we used to try and share a sleeping bag that was spread out on top of us. Good in theory, but when you have a few wriggly sleepers, you’d find yourself always fighting over the cover! What a ridiculous idea that was! Since then, I’ve always used individual sleeping bags for everyone.

The Silentnight kids’ sleeping bag has been brilliant for our lot – they’re affordable, come in fun colours that the kids love, and they’re warm enough for British nights. This represents some of the best family camping gear for those starting their outdoor family experiences on a budget.

Silentnight Kids Sleeping Bag. Source: Amazon

For children for like to move about at night, the Clostnature sleeping bag is a rectangular sleeping bag we’ve used before that’s good for active sleepers.

Self-inflating mats are worth their weight in gold, especially when you’re camping with babies. The Thermarest BaseCamp is pricey, but worth it. For the kids, I’ve found that thicker is better. We use the Sea to Summit Comfort Plus mats for the children, which we’ve found have made a significant difference.

For toddlers who’ve moved past cots but aren’t quite ready for proper camping gear, those inflatable toddler beds work brilliantly. We used the Intex inflatable toddler travel bed and found it suitable for what we needed. We liked its inflatable sides and the fact that it came with a pump. Our two-year-old loved having her “special camping bed” on our camping trips.

Here’s a tip, though – get sleeping bags rated at least 5°C lower than the temperatures you expect. For British camping, I’ve found that bags rated for 0°C to -5°C work well for spring and autumn family camping adventures.

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Cooking Equipment for Feeding the Whole Family

The first time we tried family camping, we brought a tiny single-burner stove and one saucepan, thinking that would somehow feed four people for a long weekend.

After that, I invested in a two-burner camping stove, which have transformed our family camping experiences. The Coleman Classic Propane Stove has been our go-to for years. Two burners mean you can cook a decent meal – pasta on one side, sauce heating on the other, just like at home.

We also use the GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Camper set, which holds enough food for four people. The non-stick coating makes cleanup much easier, which is great when you’re dealing with kids’ camping equipment and limited washing facilities.

Another piece of camping outdoor equipment you need to consider is coolers. The Coleman Xtreme series has been worth every penny and is unquestionably some of the best family camping gear for food storage. It keeps things cold for days if you pack it right, and it’s robust enough to survive being knocked about by excited children.

Safety Gear Every Family Needs

When we first started camping as a family, I thought safety meant throwing a basic first aid kit in the car and hoping for the best. That wasn’t the best approach, especially when it comes to my kids, who seem to have a magnetic attraction to anything potentially dangerous.

The Lifesystems first aid kit is what we use when we’re camping. It’s got everything from bandages to blister plasters to scissors and glow sticks. We also add medications for allergic reactions and stomachaches.

Another item we’ve used over the years is personal locator beacons. They might seem over the top, but they give us the peace of mind, especially when we’re camping in remote areas. The ResQLink PLB and the Garmin inReach Mini 2 have been in our camping equipment for years. Both are small enough to clip on a backpack, and knowing we can call for help from anywhere gives me confidence to explore more remote areas with the kids.

Two-way radios are fantastic when dealing with older children. Our kids love having their radio, and it means they can stay in contact when they’re exploring around the campsite. The Motorola T92 two-way radio is simple enough for children to use and has a decent range for keeping track of wandering offspring.

Budget-Friendly vs Premium Gear Choices

My first family camping shopping trip was a bit of a disaster for my purse. I thought I was being clever by getting everything from the supermarket for under £200. The tent leaked, the sleeping bags didn’t provide the warmth we needed, and the camping stove barely had enough power to heat a cup of tea.

Don’t get me wrong, some supermarket camping kit is great, but the bits we used weren’t! We ended up spending more money replacing everything within six months than if I’d bought the best family camping gear from the start.

For families just starting out, I’d recommend focusing your budget on the big three: tent, sleeping system, and cooking equipment.

The Eurohike Rydal 600 tent is brilliant value for families starting their outdoor family adventures. It’s not fancy, but it’s waterproof, spacious enough for a family of four, and costs about a third of the premium alternatives.

After years of trial and error with family camping equipment, I’ve learned there are certain items where paying more genuinely makes a massive difference to your family outdoor experiences. A decent camping stove is worth the investment.

End-of-summer sales are brilliant for camping accessories for kids and most other gear. August and September are when retailers clear out stock for the year, and you can get genuinely good equipment for 30-50% off. This is often the best time to invest in the best family camping gear at reduced prices.

Another great option is to check out eBay or Facebook Marketplace. You can usually find family camping equipment at a fraction of retail prices because camping equipment is often barely used – lots of people try camping once or twice, then sell everything when they realise it’s not for them.

Essential Family Camping Checklist

Building your camping equipment recommendations doesn’t have to be overwhelming, but selecting the best family camping gear requires careful planning. Start with the essentials: tent, sleeping gear, basic cooking equipment, and clothes. Everything else can be added over time as you discover what you use and what makes the biggest difference to your family camping comfort.

The biggest mistake new families make is trying to buy everything at once for their first camping trip. You end up with loads of gear you don’t need and cheap versions of things that matter.

We’ve been building our collection for six years now, and we still add new bits regularly. One approach that’s worked well for us is the “replace when it breaks” strategy. When something fails or wears out, that’s when we research a better version and invest in that category.

Here’s your essential family camping tips for getting started: focus on quality for the big items (tent, sleeping bags, stove), accept that the best family camping gear costs money in some areas, but don’t be afraid to go budget for items that don’t affect safety or basic function.

Your family camping checklist should prioritise camping gear in these categories:

Shelter: Properly sized, weather-resistant family tent
Sleep: Individual sleeping bags and quality sleeping mats
Cooking: Multi-burner stove and family-sized cookware
Safety: Comprehensive first aid kit and communication devices
Weather protection: Quality waterproof clothing for everyone

The truth about family camping adventures is that you’ll spend more than you expect initially, but then much less once you’ve got the basics sorted. Focus on getting the camping equipment essentials right first, accept that some trial and error is inevitable, and remember that the most expensive option isn’t always the best for your specific family’s needs.

Final Thoughts on the Best Family Camping Gear

Investing in the best family camping gear isn’t just about comfort – it’s about creating lasting memories and fostering a love for the outdoors that’ll benefit your children for life. The right equipment transforms potential camping disasters into adventure stories you’ll laugh about for years to come!

Ready to start planning your next family adventure? Begin with one high-quality piece of gear from our recommendations above, and watch how it transforms your outdoor experiences. Your family’s greatest adventures are waiting – and with the right gear, you’re already halfway there!

For more camping inspiration, check out our related guides:

Happy travels!

Have you found this guide on the best family camping gear helpful? What else do you think we should include? What’s your fondest memory of family camping? Share your thoughts in the comments below!