I camped at Together Again Festival – here’s the 10 things I won’t be without

Camping with kids at a music festival can be chaotic to say the least – but these 10 items helped the weekend run smoothly and are a must-pack for every family adventure

I knew taking my three kids to Together Again Festival was either going to be magical… or madness. As it turns out, it was both and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. From the moment we pulled into the campsite, the excitement was contagious. My eldest (15) was already asking if we could go to the music, my middle child (12) was scouting out nearby food vans, and my youngest (3) was already running off trying to find somewhere to pitch our tent.

I, meanwhile, was just hoping we’d get everything set up before the inevitable snack requests began. Thankfully, we came prepared.

Setting up our base was surprisingly stress-free thanks to the Vango Whitby Air 600XL Tent. It’s honestly a game changer for family camping.

Of course, staying comfortable overnight is only half the battle. Keeping everyone fed, charged, and warm is where the real planning comes in. Over the weekend, I realised there were a few items I genuinely couldn’t have done without.

Here are my top 10 camping essentials from our Together Again adventure at Bolesworth Castle in Cheshire last weekend (July 23-26):

1. Vango Whitby Air 600XL Tent

With its inflatable design, we didn’t have to wrestle with poles while three children “helped” in increasingly unhelpful ways. Each tube inflates individually, which meant we had it up in no time – much to the envy of the family pitching up next to us who were still trying to untangle all their ropes.

The three-zone layout gave us space to breathe – an enclosed porch for muddy shoes, a roomy living area for snacks and games, and darkened bedrooms that actually helped the kids sleep (a miracle at a festival).

The Vango Whitby Air 600xl is Available for £699.99 from Outdoor World Direct.

2. Bluetti Elite 100 V2 Portable Power Station

A lifesaver for keeping phones charged, powering lights, and even running small appliances. Quiet, powerful, and incredibly reliable, the Bluetti Elite 100 V2 Portable Power Station is another total game changer for family festival camping.

With three kids constantly asking to charge tablets, headphones, and my phone hanging on for dear life by the end of each day, having reliable power made everything feel easier. The Bluetti handled it all without fuss, charging multiple devices at once through its 11 ports, and even powering our lights in the evenings so the tent felt warm and usable after dark.

What really stood out was how fast it recharged. Knowing we could top it up quickly meant we never had that low-battery panic.

Its 1,200W AC TurboBoost™ charging rockets the battery to 80% in just 45 minutes, while the 1,000W solar input delivers a full recharge in around 70 minutes, perfect for off-grid days. Car charging is equally swift, topping up six times faster than standard in-vehicle chargers.

Whether it was keeping essentials running or just making sure we could stay connected if needed, it felt like one of those items you don’t realise you need until you have it, and then you wouldn’t go without it again.

Available for RRP £899 from Bluetti UK and Amazon UK

3. Vango Latitude Pro 400 Sleeping Bag

Warm, snug, and perfect for unpredictable British nights. The heat-reflecting interior and body-hugging shape kept us cosy, even when temperatures dropped.

Available from Go Outdoors RRP: £95 | Member’s Price: £54 (Saving £41)

4. Eurohike Camper Self-Inflating Mat

Simple but effective. These mats made a huge difference to comfort levels, especially for the kids. Quick to inflate, easy to pack away and also keep the cold away.

RRP: £32 | Member’s Price: £16

5. YAWN Self-Inflating Double Airbed with Headboard

This was my personal luxury. Inflates in minutes and feels like a proper bed – perfect for recharging after busy festival days.

Available from High Street TV from £79.99

6. BUNKER Cool Box

Keeping food fresh is key, especially on longer trips. And planning ahead can save you money from buying from expensive food stalls.

We wouldn’t be without our BUNKER cool box (available in 18L/42L and a massive 66L). Built tough and designed to keep contents cool for up to five days, these are ideal for everything from drinks to full meal storage.

Available from BUNKER from £179.95.

7. Go Outdoors Sola X Cookset

Compact and practical. The 1000ml pot and mini fry pan were perfect for quick meals, and the heat exchange system made cooking efficient even in breezy conditions.

Available from Go Outdoors RRP: £35 – Member’s Price: £14.97

8. Trail Camping Chair

An underrated essential. Having somewhere comfortable to sit—whether it’s watching a set, supervising snack time, or just catching five minutes of calm—makes a huge difference.

Make your pitch feel like home with Trail’s Serin padded camping chair (from £29.74) which provides comfortable seating for relaxing evenings. With wraparound padded design for all-round cushioning and comfort, it eliminates draughts to keep you extra warm and snug in colder weather.

9. Kitchen stand

Trail’s Kitchen stand with windshield from £67.99 is compact to carry and easy to set up. It’s a perfect work station for campsite chefs. As well as a shelf for a gas stove, it boasts a windshield to shield the flames while cooking.

Plus, a folding side table, worktop to prep meals, and cupboard for your cookware, dinnerware, and food.

10. Big Dug Trolley

Absolutely invaluable with kids in tow. It made transporting everything from bags to blankets (and occasionally a tired toddler) across the campsite so much easier.

BiGDUG Folding Camping & Festival Trolleys are available from £78.

By the end of the weekend, we were tired, a little muddy, and completely happy. The kids had danced, explored, made friends, and eaten more festival food than I’d like to admit. And me? I got to watch it all happen, knowing we had everything we needed to make it comfortable, fun, and memorable.

Would I do it again? Absolutely.