Camping is the answer. Who cares what the question is?

If you’re thinking about heading out on a family camping adventure in the UK for the first time, you’re in for an unforgettable experience. Whether it’s a weekend at a local campsite or a week in the Lake District, family camping for beginners can be both exciting and overwhelming.

But don’t worry — we’ve got you with our family camping for beginners guide. From choosing the right tent to knowing what to pack and how to keep the kids entertained, this beginner-friendly guide is designed to make your first trip simple, safe, and fun. It’s based on UK conditions, real parent-tested gear, and good old-fashioned experience.

Let’s get you packed up and ready for your family’s next great adventure!

Choosing the Right Tent for Families

Your tent is your home away from home. Get it right first time and you’ll be on the right path for adventure!

There are so many choices when it comes to buying a tent; air beam or pole, 6 man or 8, tipi or dome that it can be a bit overwhelming to decide.

When you are looking to buy your perfect family tent, I would always recommend a trip to Go Outdoors. Most stores have a range a tents set up in store so you can go and feel them out. This is always a fun trip for families and lets you get a feel for what works for you.

Tent Types

Dome tents offer a larger central living space whilst tunnel tents more pitch friendly. Inflatable tents make life easier to put up (especially if your on your own) but maybe less durable than pole tents.

Each variety of tent offers different benefits so spend some time doing your research.

Size Matters

Always size up.

I would recommend at least a 6 man tent for a family of four.

A 4-person tent might suit two adults and one child, but for more space, go for 6-person or larger. Our tent is an 8 man and has plenty of space for our family of four.

Weatherproofing

We all know how unpredictable the UK weather can be!

Look for a hydrostatic head rating of 3000mm+ to stay dry in UK weather.

I also recommend purchasing some heavy-duty tent pegs to replace the ones that come with your tent. The wind can make camping tricky; if you tent is well pegged down at least you don’t need to worry about it blowing away!

Smart Features

Blackout bedrooms, porch space, built-in groundsheets, and mesh windows add major value. For families, the best tent to purchase is one that has all of these features. A built in groundsheet will make setting up your tent so much quicker and easier. Blackout bedrooms allow families to sleep in past dawn and mesh windows allow for all important ventilation.

Sleeping Essentials for a Good Night’s Rest

A well-rested family is a happy family. You’ll need all your energy for those family adventure days!

Sleeping Bags

Choose 2–3 season bags that are cosy but not bulky. Unless you are camping in the depths of winter a good mid-range sleeping bag will keep you warm on colder nights but not too hot on warmer ones. We love sleeping bags with a fleece or material lining for an extra snuggly feel!

Sleeping Mats or Air Beds

Air beds are great for comfort but require a pump. Self-inflating mats are compact and easy.

Personally we recommend air beds so everyone is raised off the ground. Invest in a rechargeable air pump which allows air-beds to be inflated quickly and easily with no need for a plug!

Pillows & Blankets

There are various types of camping pillows available in the UK.

Personally we have never bothered with them and always bring our pillows from home! They do take up more room in your vehicle but can’t be beaten in terms of comfort and homeliness!

For the Kids

Pretty much every child has a favourite something; a blanket, teddy or cushion. Add them to your packing list as they help little ones feel settled.

If you are embarking on your first adventure it can be a bit of an adjustment for the kids. Having a home comfort on hand can make the adjustment easier.

We also recommend packing a nightlight; there are some with fund child friendly designs! Nights out in the open can be very dark – a good nightlight can help ease any worries for little ones.

Cooking Gear and Food Prep Must-Haves

Food whilst camping can be one of the best bits of a family camping trip — keep it simple but satisfying.

For beginners family camping, we recommend starting with just a few basics and building up your kit over time. Here are the essentials to get you started.

Gas Stove

Butane stoves are easy to use. For family camping trips we recommend buying a dual hob stove as they provide more cooking options than a single burner.

Remember to pack enough spare gas canisters (depending on the length of your trip). Nobody wants to run out of gas halfway through dinner (or a well earned cup of coffee!)

Cookware Essentials

We would suggest starting with a beginner camping cook wear bundle. There are several options available which comprise a couple of cooking pans which stack neatly. You’ll need at least one pan, two pots, and a tea pot.

Many beginner kits are very affordable and space-saving. You will also need a plate or bowl and a cutlery set for each family member. Most of the time you can pick up a picnic tableware set pretty cheaply which are handy when you are starting out.

Cool Box

This is an essential bit of kit for every family camping trip. Keep your fresh food chilled for longer, even if it is just the milk!

A handy tip is to freeze your milk before you leave home and pop it in your cool box. It will keep your cool box cool without loosing any room to ice blocks. Your milk will defrost enough to make a cup of tea by morning!

Washing Up Kit

Some campsites will have washing up facilities with hot water, other times you will have to work with a cold water tap alone!

Whatever the facilities, you will need a few essential supplies; a collapsible washing up basket, a sponge, washing up liquid and a tea towel.

Clothing & Personal Hygiene Essentials

Don’t get caught short with cold children or no loo roll! A little preparation goes a long way!

Dress in Layers

Layers are a campers best friend!

The UK weather can be unpredictable; hot one second and freezing the next! Add layers when things turn chilly and take them off when it warms up.

When off on a family camping adventure a good start is to have one ‘base’ outfit for each family member per day. A good base outfit is a t-shirt, a pair of trousers, comfortable underwear and decent socks.

Add a couple of options for secondary layers; think jumpers or fleeces. Finally, you will want a waterproof jacket and a good pair of waterproof shoes each.

You can customise your layers depending on the season; think gloves and hats for colder months and lighter options for the Summer months.

Footwear

A good comfortable pair of waterproof shoes are a must; nothing is worse than wet feet!

A pair of crocs or flip flops are handy for trips to the toilet block. Trainers are also a good shout to complete your footwear arsenal.

Play it by the season, but this will cover most bases.

Toiletries

Stick to the essentials; nobody is winning any awards for a 10-step beauty routine whilst camping!

Make sure to pack; toothpaste and toothbrushes, soap or body wash, deodorant and a decent hand sanitiser.

I always carry a pack of sensitive make-up remover wipes and baby wipes to tackle most messes!

Towels

Pack a couple of Microfibre towels; they dry super fast and pack into tiny spaces!.

Safety and First Aid Basics

Better to have it and not need it. Let’s face it, accidents happen, especially with children.

I have lost count of times I have had to dish out my first-aid supplies to help others on campsites. I have had more than one occasion where I have had to whip it out to fix up adults too!

The following will serve you well in most situations I have come across:

First Aid Kit

You can buy ready-made kits and add to them. Make sure to have plenty of plasters in various sizes. Add wound cleaning wipes, Savlon, pain-relief (never be without Calpol!), anti histamines and sun-cream.

Don’t forget any personal medication too.

Insect Protection

At some point in your camping journey, someone will get bitten to pieces!

Midge spray, bug repellent, and citronella candles work well. We also love the mosquito repellent bracelets which work well and look fancy too!

Lighting

Head torches = hands-free convenience. Also bring lanterns and plenty of spare batteries.

Check Aldi and B&M when they have their camping gear in stock; they have some really fun options!

Emergency Items

Generally with the kids in tow you won’t be straying too far off the beaten track so there should be no need for a ‘survival kit’. However, it is always handy to have a couple of emergency items to hand.

We recommend having a multi-tool with a knife, scissors, plyers and bottle opener on.

I would also always recommend having a couple of canned food options as hungry kids is definitely a family camping emergency!

We have been caught on remote campsites boasting nearby restaurants and supermarkets to find they’re either closed or non-existent! Baked beans are always a handy option, as are Bolognese, curry and mac and cheese in a tin! A couple of canned items have saved dinner time more than once on our adventuring!

Entertainment and Keeping Kids Happy

Happy campers = stress-free parents.

A couple of boredom busting activities can save your family camping trip. It is always handy to have something packed to keep the kids occupied so you can get your camp set up.

Rainy Day Fun

Bring card games (we love UNO) and colouring books/plain paper and pencils to get you started. Our kids have also loved puzzles and packs of ‘googly eyes’ to make inanimate objects funny!

Outdoor Activities

There are so many options here; a softball can turn into a family game (avoid hard balls as it runs the risk of damaging someone else’s property!).

You can also set up a scavenger hunt to get your kids exploring. Grab a piece of paper and note down a few things you can see around the campsite; a stick, a leaf, a red flower. The more you write, the longer they’re searching!

Evening Fun

Toast marshmallows on the campfire (if they’re allowed on your site) or make s’mores with biscuits and marshmallows. We also love laying down and stargazing when its dry enough.

Screen Time (Guilt free)

Sometimes, especially on longer trips, everyone needs a break from the outdoors. A tablet with a few family friendly films/series downloaded on can give everyone a little brain-break!

Bonus Gear That Makes Camping Easier

Start with the basics in our family camping for beginners guide, and then add on some fun extras. They are not essential but can make camping life that little bit sweeter!

Camp Furniture

Invest in a couple of comfortable camping chairs for campfire comfort. A good folding camping table will give family meals (and card games) a brilliant base – there are lots of options that fold into surprisingly small spaces!

Portable Toilet

Unless you’re wild camping, this isn’t an essential. However I would really recommend some sort of portable toilet if you’re camping with children.

Let’s face it, nobody wants to be getting dressed and walking half-way across a campsite for midnight wees! You can go fancy with a chemical toilet, or lo-fi with a toilet box and a sturdy bag.

It might sound gross, but trust me, you won’t regret it (unless you want to go wandering in your pyjamas at 4am!.

Power Banks

Charge devices when you’re off-grid. You never know when you’ll need you phone for family photos, google maps or googling in general. A power bank will let you keep things topped up, just in case.

Toolkit

You can fix so many things with duct tape – put a role in your car just in case! Extra heavy duty tent pegs, a mallet, zip ties are all handy things to take with you.

Sample Packing Checklist for Beginners

Here’s a printable list to make sure nothing’s forgotten.

🛖 Shelter & Sleep

• Tent + heavy duty pegs + mallet
• Groundsheet or tarp (if your tent doesn’t have one, or if you’re expecting wet weather – doubling up stops the damp rising)
• Sleeping bags + mats/air-beds
• Pillows + blankets
• Kids cosy toys/blankets/cushions

🍽️ Cooking & Food

• Stove + fuel
• Pans, pot, utensils
• Plates, bowls, cutlery
• Food, snacks, cool box
• Washing basin + sponge + soap + tea towel

👚 Clothing & Footwear

• Waterproofs jackets & shoes
• Base outfits
• Jumpers/fleeces
• Microfibre towels
• Warm hats, sun hats, gloves

🧼 Toiletries & Safety

• First aid kit
• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• Soap/shower gel,
• Hand sanitiser
• Wet wipes, toilet roll
• Insect repellent
• Torches + batteries

🎲 Entertainment & Extras

• Games, books, toys
• Power bank
• Portable Toilet
• Camp chairs/table
• Bin bags

✅ Tip: Save this list as a PDF or take a screenshot for offline access!

Conclusion

Camping as a family doesn’t have to be complicated — just well-prepared. With the right gear and a little planning, you’ll spend less time stressing and more time enjoying each other’s company, unplugged and surrounded by nature.

If you’re just starting out, don’t sweat it. We’ve all forgotten something on every single trip – I have forgotten pillows on several occasions! Part of going on family camping trips is adapting and going along with the journey. There is nothing that can’t be solved with a little ‘creative thinking’. (If you ever forget the pillows; rolled up jumpers are a suitable alternative!)

Whether you’re toasting marshmallows, chasing bugs, or simply watching the stars, the memories you make will outlast any tent. Bookmark this guide, grab your checklist, and get ready for your first of many outdoor adventures.

If you’re looking for the perfect campsite to test out your new kit, check our our Family Friendly Campsite reviews.

Don’t forget to check out our other handy guides and reviews to send you on your way!

If you want to expand your gear, check out our Ultimate Guide to the Best Family Camping Gear 2025.

Happy camping!

Love Cora and the Lees x