Surviving family camping holidays: Our top ten tips

First time family camping holidays can be daunting especially if you have never camped before and taking children, particularly young children, can put many parents off the idea. But fear not as we have put together some of the best advice around to help put your mind at ease and ensure you have an enjoyable holiday.

 Essential Equipment

1. Your first camping holiday is likely to involve sourcing essential equipment. Before you go out on the hunt though, ask friends or neighbours if they have kit you can borrow. This way, you have not spent a fortune if you do not enjoy camping (although we’re sure you will!). If you are buying, do not be tempted to buy cheap, as cheap does not necessarily mean good and you usually get what you pay for! With some clever shopping around you will find quality items at bargain prices in various outdoor stores and on the internet.

2. Be sure to see your tent fully set up before you buy as this will give you a better idea of the space inside. Try to get one with a ground sheet in order to keep out moisture. Other essential items include: sleeping bags and pillows, extra blankets, a mallet, batteries, matches, towels, toilet roll and washing up facilities to name but a few! If you are taking your dog, remember to pack their food and water bowls.

Location, Location, Location!

3. For first family camping trip, it is wise not to go too far afield. If things do not turn out as planned, you can always make a quick escape back home again! Children, especially young ones, can get restless during long journeys and setting up camp with tired, hungry children can be stressful.

4. Select your pitch carefully. You want to find level ground and ideally set up in an area not too far from amenities but also not in the path of other campers who may cross through your area regularly. It’s a good idea to keep slip on shoes or flip-flops outside the tent in case the need to use the amenities during the night should arise. You don’t want your little ones to fumble with buckles or shoe laces in the dark.

Get them involved

5. If your children have never experienced camping before, it is definitely worth trying it out in your back garden beforehand. Get them to help you pitch the tent. Its good practise, and try assigning important jobs to each family member so that, when you arrive at the campsite, everyone has a task.

Fun and Entertainment

6. Be sure to pack some playing cards and board games. Games are a great way to keep kids entertained both in the car and at the campsite. Colouring books and sticker activity books for the younger ones are sure to go down well too. For older children, bring along a portable DVD player so they can watch movies and take plenty of snacks to pass around if they are finding the journey too long.

7. Fun outdoor activities the whole family can get involved in include bike rides, walks and picnics. You can also bring some outdoor sports equipment such as footballs or a cricket set. Perhaps suggest rock painting. It’s easy to take some small acrylic paints and challenge your children to find rocks to paint onto which they can keep as souvenirs. Make sure you research the area for indoor activities in case it should rain. Pack your wellies and waterproofs!

Meal times

8. Camping meals need to be simple and kid friendly. You can take a disposable BBQ (check that your campsite allows this first) and grill sausages and burgers or try cooking over a campfire. Try this simple recipe for delicious grilled bananas the whole family will love: cut the skin length ways to form a pocket, fill with chocolate chips and marshmallows, seal, wrap in tin foil and grill for 5 minutes on each side. Delicious, gooey goodness!

9. Do not forget the little things such as tea bags, milk, spices and salt and pepper. These can make all the difference when you do not have a cupboard full of great ingredients to jazz up your meals!

Safety

10. Be sure to take a basic first aid kit, anti-septic wipes, sun cream and hats to protect your children. Try to stick to shaded areas when the sun is at its strongest (12pm-3pm).  Hand sanitizer is a good way to help clean dirty hands and remember to keep an eye on little ones if your site is near water.

Your first family camping holiday should be happy and memorable for everyone. Follow these top tips and you will be well on your way to ensuring you achieve just that!