Guide to lifestyle and leisure time
For a healthy, balanced life, we all need a little rest and relaxation. Our cars can help us enjoy leisure and lifestyle activities to break the monotony of the working week. Plus, if you’ve been working on that campervan conversion project, you’ll want to carve out opportunities to delight in your hard work.
There are so many ways to spend your well-earned down time, but sometimes we may lack inspiration. With lifestyle and leisure in mind, we’ve put together a short guide on lifestyle and leisure time, including links to our favourite products to maximise your experience.
On this page, we’ve broken down what you need for a great camping weekend, what you can do to care for your car and some kid’s entertainment options, too.
Camping
You can get more information about which campervan or motorhome to select on your camping holiday.
All the information you need to make a staycation superfantastic.
Cooking in the Grand Californian heat – The Parkers guide to cooking in a campervan
Get the lowdown on the best way to cater while enjoying the great outdoors.
Breathalysers are one way of staying on the right side of the law on any driving holiday, but these low to no alcohol drinks are also a great hit too.
Best espresso machines for cars
If you have to get your caffeine hit each morning, you don’t need to compromise this habit on any camping trip.
Best cool boxes for cars and camping
Whether it’s for pop or the morning milk for tea, a cool box is a crucial convenience to keep everyone a happy camper.
Parkers’ guide to the best campervan accessories
Find out what accessories are most essential to make your home-from-home in the wilderness as safe and convenient as possible.
The best camping gadgets for campervans
When space is tight, it’s easy to overdo it in the packing department. Figure out which gadgets will suit you best for camping, so you can lighten the load.
The best sand shoes for camping
Even the most experienced campers would agree, the key to a successful camp is comfort. That includes your shoes.
Some are put off camping when considering the lack of amenities. Fear no more. Dignity-protecting portable toilets are the solution.
If comfort is the top priority for camping, water supply is definitely the second most important. Stay hydrated and safe while enjoying yourself. In the same spirit, check out the best travel flasks.
Best air-con units for camping
As temperatures soar across the UK this summer, you’d be forgiven for wanting a portable air-con unit for the campervan cab. Nothing disrupts sleep more when you’re uncomfortably hot.
If it’s a lifelong dream to soak in the woods after a walk in them, this choice of portable baths could be the answer to the best woodland spa.
We cover this bike rack comparison test and recommend tow bars for your bikes to make sure you have all the gear you need for getting on two wheels when you get to your destination.
While it’s lovely to see the sun, dawn and dusk driving can be hazardous if it causes glare. Invest in some car sun shades to keep cool and stay safe.
Car Care
While technically most will view this as a chore, some amateur detailers will recognise the therapeutic value of car care. Without doubt, for enthusiasts, keeping the motor pristine is absolutely a lifestyle choice.
Car Cleaning 101: The Ultimate Guide
Offers a step-by-step guide, complete with product recommendations, to get your car gleaming, your paintwork protected and your resale value high.
Best leather car seats for a classy interior
Leather car covers are a brilliant way of protecting your car interior from the busyness (or should that be busy mess?!) of life and giving your cabin a fresh look.
Children
Some of the best childhood memories can be made on family holidays where budgets insist you create your own fun. But travelling with children can prove a feisty challenge. Here are some ways to minimise that stress.
Investing in a decent car seat isn’t just a luxury, it’s the law. Keeping your precious ones cocooned in case of emergency protects a holiday from turning into an avoidable hell.
Swot up on all the latest regulations for baby and child car seats in the UK, tackling all ages, heights and weights.
Car sun shades for journeys with kids
If you dread the question ‘Are we there yet?’ moments after leaving the driveway, don’t magnify the discomfort with hot and bothered babies too.
Budget wisely and find out which car accessories for kids are worth your cash.
Entertainment
Entertainment works two-fold. It can bring a bond between friends, family and foes but it’s also handy as a distraction device when adults need time away from the children. Consider these suggestions:
The Parkers office certainly knows the amount of joy toy cars can create. You can check out the best Revell model kits too.
If you can make the console portable, the kids can get motoring virtually with these racers.
Best car TV shows in the UK today
Despite the rocketing temperature, we still get rainy days in Blighty. Car lovers will love this selection of top telly content to helpfully while away wet days.
Movie night doesn’t need to stop just because you’re on-the-road. In fact, choose from one of these wheels-inspired tales to tune out of the daily slog.
Every senior generation remarks on ‘how easy kids have it these days’. Such a phrase couldn’t be truer when it comes to kid-sized cars. These ones definitely beat a wrecked shopping trolley!
Does anyone not like LEGO? (Except when you stand on it in bare feet…)
Gift-giving
Gift ideas you can rely on throughout the year.
Best gifts for car enthusiasts
For all the car fanboy and fangirls in your life.
When that special February date rolls out, get the loved one in your life a special car-themed Valentine’s gift.
Best driving experiences for petrolheads
Forget food, drinks and other dust-collecting gifts, paying for memories is often the best treat you can give.
Pets
During the pandemic, dog ownership in the UK moved from 33% to 62%. A cracking rise, many families will have found these eternally forgiving balls of fluff surprisingly expensive. Check out these recommendations to keep Fido safe and secure and the car as clean as possible.Â
As gorgeous as they are, dogs can be so messy. Especially after a muddy roam. Keep things clean (or at least manageable) with one of these easy-to-use boot liners.
If your dog loves a look out of the window, keep them strapped in safely with a dog car seat.
Best dog car carriers and crates
Some pooches really do suffer from motion sickness. Keeping them securely in a crate not only helps with their feeling of security, but can also double up as a sleeping crate when away from home.
Just so you know, while we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on our product page, we never allow this to influence product selections. Read why you should trust us.
Latest articles
-
Stay safe with the best car fire extinguishers 2024Car fire extinguishers are vital for providing a level of safety to you and your passengers in the unwanted situation of a car fire. According to Fire Service around 35,000... -
The best car fridge for cooled beverages on the goAs summer days approach and our thoughts turn to the appeal of venturing out on road or camping trips, it is definitely worth considering investing in a car fridge. These... -
-
The best camping KnivesWhen we venture into the great outdoors, the success or otherwise of our trip can rest on how prepared we are. By not having the proper camping accessory at our... -
The best portable coffee makers for campingYou’re on holiday in your campervan; you wake shortly after sunrise at 6:30; you gently raise your head and see the sun’s rays streaming through your window. You have all... -
Best travel barbecues for campingWelcome to the sizzling world of campsite cooking and travel barbecues because, let’s face it, there’s nothing quite like the scent of barbecue cooking filling the air to give you... -
-
The best ovens for a campervan 2024Your campervan really is a home from home, and the heart and soul of most homes is the kitchen; now, it’s generally an easy job to get the kitchen utensils... -
The best portable blender for campingWhat’s that, you’ve never considered taking a portable blender as part of your camping cookware? You’ve deprived yourself of delicious and healthy smoothies, protein drinks and soups? Perhaps it’s time... -
-
The best portable speakers for your campervanPortable speakers are a very clever thing to own no matter what, but make sense, especially when holidaying in a campervan. These little devices will play music via Bluetooth wherever... -
Car audio hacks: how to stream music from your phonePlaying music in your car used to be so limited, didn’t it? If you didn’t like what was on the (FM) radio, you’d either have to look through a bulging... -
The best rechargeable camping lanternsSummer camping trips are for long, languorous sunsets to be enjoyed from a folding chair with a tepid beverage. But without any light pollution or a helping hand from the... -
-
How to keep children entertained on a long journeyThe prospect of setting off on a long journey with kids is enough to have some parents muttering ‘There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home…’ over and... -
The best LEGO car sets for fansLEGO barely needs any introduction. The Danish brand has built an empire of bricks that the Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt would be envious of. The world of LEGO is vast,... -
-
The best rooftop tent for your carThe thought of a weekend in the Yorkshire Dales or a trans-continental road trip to the Carpathian mountains sounds lovely, especially if you don’t need to worry yourself with hotel... -
The best driving experiences for petrolheadsAt Parkers we know that car enthusiasts like cars more than things with a car flavour. If you have a car lover to buy for soon and are struggling to... -
The best car-themed stocking filler giftsWith Christmas coming up it can be difficult finding those small stocking filler gifts that are thoughtful, inexpensive and genuinely useful. This is especially true if that person likes cars... -
-
The best advent calendars that a car fan will adoreThe whiff of cinnamon is becoming stronger, Chris Rea is packing his emergency breakdown kit and the looming march of advent calendar shopping is growing. Christmas is on the horizon... -
The best dog ramps for carsThe modern phenomenon that is the rise of SUVs coincides with the rise in popularity of dog ramps for cars. A higher ride height than a traditional estate or saloon... -
-
Parkers' vegan camping cooking experienceTrying to have a vegan barbeque would have been a sad affair a few years ago. But these days it’s only possible, it’s something we heartily recommend. You’ve got the... -
The best car phone holders 2024The world of in-car entertainment extends way beyond the infotainment system, and most modern motorists will rely on a smartphone in some way on the average drive, which means getting the best... -
Weber Traveler barbecue: too big for its boots?‘It’s on a pallet’ are not the words I wanted, nor expected, to hear from the delivery man when the Weber Traveler (American spelling) turned up. It’s allegedly the portable... -
Most popular articles
-
The best roof bags 2024: the space-saving alternative to the roof boxWhen you picture car roof bags, you might either imagine a chic old classic car with suitcases strapped to a roof rack or the modern alternative consisting of a heavy-duty... -
The best breathalysersIf you’ve seen traffic police programmes on Channel 5, you’ll know that officers use breathalysers to test a person’s alcohol level. First things first – the only safe amount of... -
-
The best toddler car seatsWhile modern car seats may be excellent at keeping us adults safe and comfortable during the course of a car ride, they aren’t the best at keeping younger people safe... -
The best car phone holders 2024The world of in-car entertainment extends way beyond the infotainment system, and most modern motorists will rely on a smartphone in some way on the average drive, which means getting the best...
-
Car audio hacks: how to stream music from your phonePlaying music in your car used to be so limited, didn’t it? If you didn’t like what was on the (FM) radio, you’d either have to look through a bulging...
-
-
The best RC rock crawlers: hardcore off-roaders in miniatureIf you’ve had enough of staring at a screen playing racing games but still want to indulge your passion for driving, consider this specialised line of remote-control vehicles known as rock crawlers. What... -
The best roof racks for your carRoof racks seem a little bit obscure at first if you’ve never needed to carry large loads. But if and when your family grows and realise you need more space... -
-
The best car emergency kits for winter and travellingBuying car emergency kits is a little like arranging car insurance. You hope you never need it, but it’s good to know that it’s there as part of your winter... -
The best car-themed stocking filler giftsWith Christmas coming up it can be difficult finding those small stocking filler gifts that are thoughtful, inexpensive and genuinely useful. This is especially true if that person likes cars...
-
The best car fridge for cooled beverages on the goAs summer days approach and our thoughts turn to the appeal of venturing out on road or camping trips, it is definitely worth considering investing in a car fridge. These...
-
-
The best camping induction hobWhen it comes to making those camping meals, once you’ve assembled your camping cookware you need a heat source – but have you ever thought about a camping induction hob?... -
The best dog ramps for carsThe modern phenomenon that is the rise of SUVs coincides with the rise in popularity of dog ramps for cars. A higher ride height than a traditional estate or saloon...
-
-
Car-themed Secret Santa ideasAt Parkers, we know what car fans like as a gift. We’ve put that knowledge to use here in suggesting a range of Secret Santa ideas seasoned in car spice.... -
The best leisure batteries for campervans 2024Leisure batteries are crucial to campervans and caravans (and some marine vehicles, too) to help make sure your camping trip goes as smoothly as possible. These compact power packs provide the electricity... -
Stay safe with the best car fire extinguishers 2024Car fire extinguishers are vital for providing a level of safety to you and your passengers in the unwanted situation of a car fire. According to Fire Service around 35,000...
-
-
Anker 521 PowerHouse Power Station reviewIt’s widely known that spending time in the great outdoors is good for the soul. Whether plodding around the garden or wild camping in the Scottish Highlands, getting outside and... -
The best ovens for a campervan 2024Your campervan really is a home from home, and the heart and soul of most homes is the kitchen; now, it’s generally an easy job to get the kitchen utensils...
-
-
Best toy car garagesToday’s medium is plastic; yesterday’s mediums were wood and metal. That evolution of materials applies to toy car garages just as it does to most things. Unless you’re making one... -
The best portable camping showers 2024Why are portable camping showers useful things to have while camping? You always remember to take your cooking equipment, but your hygiene is the other essential. If you’ve ever... -
The best rechargeable camping lanternsSummer camping trips are for long, languorous sunsets to be enjoyed from a folding chair with a tepid beverage. But without any light pollution or a helping hand from the...
-