Gearing up for a camping trip and wondering which swag to get for the kids? You’re in the right place!
Buying a swag for each of your children doesn’t have to be expensive. There are plenty of inexpensive yet decent swags out there.
Besides, kids don’t really notice the frills and fancy extras, nor do they need the plush mattresses that some more expensive swags come with. This is especially true if you are just going away for a weekend at a time.
Anyway, I have put together a list below of the best kids swags in Australia to help you figure out which one is right for you!
Best Kids Swags in Australia
Kings Kwiky Single Swag
Our Pick
The Kings Kwiky single swag is a simple, no-frills swag. It is made entirely from cotton canvas complete with a waterproof coating to help keep you dry.
A number of people have complained that the Kings swags are not particularly waterproof, but it may be that they have not seasoned their swag sufficiently before using it for the first time.
Seasoning your swag involves heavily wetting it (with a garden hose for example) a number of times to help the canvas swell and seal off any tiny holes made when the fabric was sewn during the manufacturing process.
The swag also comes with a standard 50mm thick mattress. It’s not a particularly comfortable mattress for an adult, but for a kid using it for a couple of nights at a time, it will do just fine.
You can always upgrade it with a second or replacement swag mattress if you want to increase the comfort level.
The head height of 55cm is fairly low compared to most modern dome swags but not too bad for children. It is covered by the Adventure Kings 1 year warranty.
Adventure Kings also have the Escape Deluxe and the Big Daddy Deluxe in their range.
OZtrail Swift Pitch Bivy Tent
Best Budget Option
While not a true swag, the OZtrail Swift Pitch Bivy tent is a possible option for a kids swag. As it is a bivy tent rather than a swag, it doesn’t come with a mattress at all, so you will need to factor in the cost of purchasing a mattress separately.
However, if you already have a spare foam mattress lying around, this can be a very cost effective option. It is far cheaper and lighter than the other options on this list.
Unfortunately, a few people have commented that it is not very waterproof and that it feels a bit flimsy. This may be due to the fact that it is made out of polyester rather than the tough, durable canvas that most swags are made out of.
It is covered by the OZtrail 1 year warranty.
Kmart Single Swag
Runner Up
The Kmart single swag is another potential option for a children’s swag. It is a fairly basic swag without any particularly special features.
The main pro is the 80cm head height, which is pretty good for a swag at this price point.
Unfortunately, the included mattress appears to be quite thin and not comfortable to sleep on for an extended period, so you may need to factor in the cost of purchasing a second mattress.
Another downside is the fact that this swag does not come with a warranty (other than the statutory warranty applied to all products sold in Australia).
If something does go wrong with it a few months down the track, you will be on your own and may need to stump up for an entirely new unit. Keep this in mind if you do go for this swag.
Kamp-Rite Original Tent Cot
Runner Up
Tent cots are a novel type of camping shelter that are basically off the ground swags. They set up instantly and consist of a swag on top of a stretcher. When not in use, they can be converted into lounge chairs, which adds to their versatility.
The 60cm head height is not fantastic, but perfectly fine for most kids. It has a rated capacity of 135kg, so more than 1 kid can sit on it at a time.
If you prefer a larger, more heavy duty tent cot, consider purchasing a Kamp-Rite Oversize Tent Cot instead. As you would expect, this larger model has a corresponding increase in price.
It comes with a 2 year warranty.
It is part of the Kamp-Rite Tent Cot Range, which consists of the original, oversize, double, compact double and compact XL tent cots.
Things To Consider When Buying A Kids Swag
Your kid’s swag is more important to the success of your camping trip than you might think! If you cheap out and get a poor quality swag, they will be cold and uncomfortable the whole time.
This leads to tired, cranky kids that ultimately won’t enjoy the trip that you have carefully crafted for the family.
You may well be better off shelling out some extra money to get a slightly better quality swag…
In any case, below are some important points to consider when choosing your swag.
Swag Dimensions
Most single swags are well oversized for kids, so you don’t need to worry too much about the length and width of the swag. Just keep in mind the internal head height.
Low head heights make the swag feel quite claustrophobic, so go for a larger head height where possible.
Packed Dimensions
Some swags can be quite bulky when packed up which makes them awkward to carry (especially if you are already carrying your own swag), so it is worth checking the packed dimensions before you lock in a purchase.
The OZtrail Swift Pitch Bivy packs down to quite a small volume, although this is due to the fact that it doesn’t have any included bedding, so this may actually be even more cumbersome than the other options when you factor this in.
Weight
In addition to being bulky, some swags can also be quite heavy. The Kamp-Rite Original tent cot weighs 11.5kg, which is too heavy for most kids to carry.
The OZtrail Swift Pitch Bivy, on the other hand, is only 1.4kg and very easy to carry.
Waterproofing
Storms are unpredictable in Australia, with sudden, unexpected downpours very common. You don’t want to be woken up at night with water dripping on your face, so make sure that you choose a swag with a decent waterproof rating.
The Kamp-Rite Original probably has the best waterproofing of the options on this list.
Ventilation
We all know how brutal and unforgiving the Australian sun can be. Swags can act as greenhouses, trapping in hot air. Make sure that your swag has some vents and windows to let the hot air escape, otherwise you’ll be in for a hot and sweaty evening.
Ventilation can also prevent condensation forming on the inside of your swag.
The Kamp-Rite Original can fully open up and capture the breeze on all 4 sides, giving it outstanding ventilation.
Setup Time
If you have been busy hiking, fishing or driving all day, the last thing you need is a long and arduous set up process when you reach your rest stop. Thankfully, the swags I have listed above are all very easy to set up, even if you are by yourself.
Warranty
A warranty gives you peace of mind knowing that your swag is covered if it is defective in any way. It is also a good sign that the manufacturer has faith in the quality of their product, and that they stand behind this quality.
The Kmart swag does not come with a manufacturer’s warranty, whereas the Kamp-Rite Original comes with a 2 year warranty.
Build Quality
Poor build quality means a painful swag setup experience, higher risk of accidental damage, as well as frustrating and flimsy pegs, poles or zippers. Cheaper swags naturally have poorer build quality, as the manufacturers save on material to keep costs low.
The Kmart swag is probably an example of a swag that is on the lower end when it comes to build quality.
Conclusion
Surprisingly, there aren’t actually that many swags out there that are designed especially for kids. However, some of the cheaper adult swags work perfectly well.
In any case, I personally think that the Kings Kwiky is the best kids swag in Australia. It’s a no-nonsense, cotton canvas swag at a very affordable price. It will keep your kids warm, dry and comfortable on your trip and is covered by a 1 year warranty.
If you already have a spare camp mat lying around, the OZtrail Swift Pitch Bivy could be a cost-effective option.
Lastly, if you’ve got the budget and want your kids to really enjoy their camping trip, check out the Kamp-Rite Original tent cot. It’s a fantastic, off the ground swag option that will keep your kids safe from the elements and any creepy-crawlies. The 2 year warranty is a nice bonus too.
I hope that this guide has helped you make your decision! Let me know which one you went with in the comments below!
PS. Looking for an adult swag too? Check out my list of the best swags Australia!
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Note that while every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this page, there may sometimes be errors. Check all specifications with the manufacturer before purchasing any product.
