The Festival-Friendly Camping Kit You Never Knew You Needed

Forget the melted ice packs and frantic phone searches for a power bank—these portable camping gadgets are about to become your new summer essentials.

At this year’s Ideal Home Show, Wayne Perrey—TV’s go-to carpenter and DIY aficionado—took a detour from drills and dovetails to explore the latest innovations in portable power and outdoor living. What he discovered on the Anchor stand was a treasure trove of clever kit perfect for campers, festival-goers, and beach-bound families alike.

Whether you're planning your next big road trip or just fancy a fuss-free picnic in the park, these gadgets offer a seriously smart upgrade to your off-grid adventures.

Portable power stations for campers, carpenters and everyone in between

The days of rationing phone battery at a festival are officially over. Anchor’s sleek portable power stations come with up to eight ports—meaning you can charge multiple devices at once, from phones and tablets to tool batteries and camera gear.

Wayne, ever the practical tradesman, immediately clocked the benefit for his on-site carpentry jobs where power isn’t always guaranteed. But these robust units aren’t just for professionals. Whether you're camping with the kids or simply out for the day, they’re compact, versatile, and can even be charged via solar panels—ideal for longer stints off-grid.

Festival lighting gets a clever twist

Among the power banks were nifty clip-on torches that double up as ambient lighting or handheld torches for late-night loo trips. Designed to be fun, functional and child-friendly, they’re the kind of gadget that will genuinely make life easier—and might even keep the kids entertained when the Wi-Fi inevitably fails.

Plus, they're rechargeable via the same station, so no rummaging for AA batteries at the bottom of your backpack.

Cooler tech, no ice required

Now here’s where it gets truly game-changing: the portable cooler that Wayne couldn’t stop raving about. Gone are the days of soggy sandwiches and melted chocolate—this clever cooler doesn’t require ice at all. Instead, it uses circulated air to keep food and drinks chilled for up to three days.

Even better, the dual-zone interior allows one side to act as a fridge and the other as a freezer. So whether you’re chilling drinks or keeping barbecue meat properly frozen, everything stays fresh and dry. With festival season on the horizon, it’s hard to imagine a more practical companion for a weekend under canvas.

Big on performance, easy to carry

Despite all the clever tech packed inside, both the power stations and cooler are designed for portability. The smaller units are perfect for day trips or drone-flying escapades, while the larger gear features telescopic handles, built-in lighting, and sturdy build quality.

Wayne summed it up best: “I came to this stand out of curiosity—and now I want to take the lot to Camp Bestival!”

Catch the video: Wayne Perrey explores portable camping gear at the show

Want to see the gear in action? Watch as Wayne Perrey discovers these festival-ready innovations live from the show floor. His hands-on reactions and practical questions make it easy to see how these products fit into real-life adventures.

 

Planning your next outdoor escape? Whether it's glamping, beach picnicking or a full family festival, having the right gear makes all the difference. And as Wayne found out at the Ideal Home Show, the smartest solutions often come in surprisingly compact packages.

For more home and lifestyle inspiration, keep exploring the News & Trends section—or better yet, come and see the innovations for yourself at the next Ideal Home Show.