If you’re on the hunt for the best campervan gifts, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve had our campervan for two years now and these are some of the things we couldn’t live without, plus a couple I’ll be putting on this year’s Christmas list (hint, hint Mr A!)

If you know someone who has a campervan, then the chances are that it plays a big part in their life. So it makes sense to buy them something that they can use on their trips. Just be aware that van life is quite compact. So before buying something huge, make sure they a) don’t already have it and b) can fit it into their small living space.

Personally I think the best campervan gifts are ones which either save space or bring a touch of comfort to life on the road. Here’s a round-up of some of the best campervan gifts for the whole family.

The best campervan gifts for women

There are so many lovely campervan gifts for women out there. If you’re looking for a present for someone who loves camping and van life, opt for space savers or little luxuries for use on cosy nights. I’m also bookmarking practical gifts I see on camping websites and saving cute unique presents I spot on places like Not on the High Street and Etsy. Here are some of the best campervan gifts for women I’ve seen recently:

Birkenstock sandals

I cannot tell you how much I live in my black Birkenstock sandals when I’m camping. They are so practical for slipping on and off when I’m popping in and out of the van. Plus, they can be worn over socks on a chilly morning!

When I’m travelling in a hot country I find they’re actually the only shoes I need, apart from a pair of hiking boats. I love that they’re super comfy and casual, but you can also pair them with a dress if you’re going out.

I’ve also got my eye on these Birkenstock Eva sandals which are waterproof pair and would be useful for communal bathrooms!

Picnic blanket

One of the first things we do whenever we set up camp is get our picnic blanket out. It’s perfect for our little adventurers to play on while we get things organised. It’s also good for day trips or impromptu roadside picnics.

Opt for one that’s washable and has a plastic underside if possible. I think this foldable picnic blanket is a good size to tuck into a campervan cupboard.

Warm socks

There’s no getting away from the fact that camping can sometimes be chilly. So a nice warm pair of socks never goes amiss. Choose a super soft luxurious pair made from cashmere and you will be thanked whenever the temperatures drop.

Reusable toiletry bottles

One of the things which always seems to take up the most room in our van is toiletries. If we’re going on a long trip we take our normal sized bottles. However, if we’re just going for a weekend we opt for travel ones. But it’s annoying having to buy small throw-away bottles, plus it’s not great for the environment.

So I love these reusable travel bottles which mean that you can decant some of your products from home into them.

Nice tea and coffee

As a real tea addict I can confirm that a day’s camping has not properly started until the first cuppa has been consumed. So fancy tea bags or some good coffee will ensure that the van life enthusiast’s day gets off to the best start. This Teapigs Taster Box is a great idea for a campervan, as it’s an easy shape to store, or you could just choose a few bags to slip into a drawer.

Magazine subscription

Van life is often the time when things slow down for us. Our little adventurers love spending time outside and playing with new friends. It’s also a chance for Mr A and I to relax and catch up on our to-be-read pile which often gets ignored in the hecticness of day-to-day life.

I have a few magazine subscriptions, including Wanderlust (of course!) and Positive News, and I love taking my latest copy on camping trips.

As a journalist, I’m always encouraging people to support the media industry by subscribing to newspapers and magazines. So buying an annual subscription not only supports writers, but provides a present which lasts all year.

The best campervan gifts for men 

If you’re looking for the best campervan gifts for men, think about things which will make life easier on the road. So practical and space-saving tools, warm comfy clothing and maybe a few little luxuries too. Here are some of the best campervan gifts for men I’ve seen recently:

Portable spice kit

I must admit, Mr A is definitely the cook in our house and that extends to van life too. While he enjoys cooking on the road, one of things we often find is that we don’t have the right herbs and spices needed for different dishes. That’s why I love this portable herbs and spices kit which includes all of the basics. It’s small enough to tuck away in a van cupboard and means you won’t have to make a dash to the supermarket for those last minute ingredients.

Foldable BBQ

Now everyone who campervans has their own favourite way of cooking. Some people use a hob inside the van, others take a portable gas cooker and some like to BBQ. We tend to do a mixture, depending on how much time we have and what we’re cooking. However barbecuing is definitely our preferred option and we find this foldable BBQ so useful. It hardly takes up any space in the van as it can be folded flat and it’s big enough to cook dinner for four on.

Portable bluetooth speaker and battery pack

As Mr A will no doubt tell you, the number one thing I ask him for when we’re in the van is our portable battery pack. While our VW campervan obviously has charging points inside, it’s usually during the evening when the little adventurers are asleep that I realise my phone needs charging. So a portable charger is super helpful to have on hand. What’s great about this space-saving option is that is also includes a bluetooth speaker, so you can play music from your phone, and a torch. Plus, it’s waterproof so no problem on a rainy campsite.

Leatherman multi-tool

Remember how a Scout should always be prepared? A Leatherman multi-tool has so many options – including a penknife, scissors and screwdriver – I’m not even sure what half of them do! But what I am sure of, is whatever little job needs doing when camping can be achieved with a Leatherman. I also love that these can be personalised to make a really special gift.

Trip planning books

What’s better at the end of a relaxing day than to spend your time planning your next adventure? As van life has become more popular over the last few years, there are so many beautiful campervanning books around that have me dreaming about where to go next. I’ve always been a big fan of Lonely Planet books and I think Best Road Trips Europe and The Vanlife Companion would make great presents.

The best campervan gifts for kids

If you’re on the hunt for the best campervan gifts for kids then games which can be played outside on a warm day or inside on a rainy day are usually a good bet. Since we got our campervan I’ve realised that actually our little adventurers actually need very little when we’re travelling. But it’s always good to have a few games to keep kids entertained in a campervan and some activities to keep them busy during screen-free journeys.

So here’s what I think are some of the best campervan presents for kids: 

Yoto Mini

A Yoto Mini would definitely be my number one choice when it comes to the best campervan gifts for kids. We have two of these and they have honestly saved our sanity on more than one occassion! They are perfect for van life as they are so simple to use. Plus the story cards make great stocking fillers or pocket money buys.

To see a full Yoto Mini review check out my post.

Team games

One of my favourite things about camping is how easy it is for our little adventurers to make friends. You only need to get out a football or some bubbles and within minutes a little gang has formed, who they will no doubt play with for the rest of your stay.

That’s why games like rounders sets, cricket sets or even a simple football are so great as they bring everyone together.

Bubbles

What is it about bubbles that makes them so much fun? Even I love picking up a pot on a campsite. You can never have enough bubble mixture and we often take a large bottle which we can use to refill smaller pots. I also think these flat pack bubbles are a great idea for van life as they save so much space.

Card games

Card games make a great campervan gift for kids as they are something the whole family can play. So they are perfect for rainy days or cooler evening in the van. We love this waterproof Dobble game someone bought for our little adventurers, as well as Uno and Happy Families.

Squashy bucket and spade

It’s impossible to visit a beach without taking a bucket and spade. But they’re one of those things that are quite annoying to pack in a van as they’re an awkward shape. That’s why I love the Scrunch buckets and spades a family member gifted to our little adventurers. They can be packed flat, which makes it really easy to squeeze them into the smallest of spaces.

Travel games

My main requirement for travel games is that they don’t have a million small pieces which can get lost all over the van! That’s why I like games which keep all of the pieces in one place. We have Grab & Go Hungry Hippos and Grab & Go Connect 4 which are both fun.

Another favourite of ours is Rush Hour Junior. This logic game keeps our children entertained for ages. It also comes with a travel bag, so you can keep all of the pieces together.

Sticker books

Stickers books are a firm favourite with our little adventurers. Whether it’s completing them on long roadtrips or chilling out with one while we get camp set up. My five-year-old is obsessed with these Dolly Dressing ones and I like that you can choose ones which reflect traditional costumes from around the world and travelling.

Magnetic play set

Magnetic play sets are perfect as a campervan gift for kids as they stick to the box they come in and can’t be lost. My little adventurers play with theirs for hours on long trips. We have a couple from the Petit Collage collection and they’re a great size.

I hope this list helps to give you some ideas about the best campervan gifts for the whole family. I’ll keep adding to this as I find more space savers or things which will add a touch of luxury to vanlife!