Going on a family camping adventure is arguably one of the greatest experiences you can provide for your children. Not only is it a brilliant way to spend quality time with the whole family away from screens, the internet and other modern distractions, but it also represents a chance to get closer to nature. If that wasn’t enough, it’s one of the most affordable holiday options going.
If you’re planning a camping trip this year, you’ll be in fine company. As reported by the Independent, “Campsite bookings are up 500 per cent in some parts of the UK”. Indeed, camping trips have seen a huge boost in popularity as more families embrace summer staycations this year and an opportunity to get back to basics after a year spent indoors.
If you’re the family member tasked with organising your camping trip, then you’re likely feeling two things; excitement at the thought of spending quality time exploring new places with your family and an overwhelming dread at the planning and logistical nightmare that awaits you. Luckily, we’re here to help you get over the latter part with these 5 great tips on how to plan the IDEAL family camping trip this summer.
PICK A FAMILY FRIENDLY CAMPSITE
First things first (and rather stating the obvious, we accept), when it comes to family camping, you should choose camping sites that are suitable for families, since such locations are more likely to feature family-friendly activities for the kids to enjoy.
Choosing a good camping location can be a little mind-boggling once you’ve settled on the idea of a family friendly place. The UK, after all, is blessed with some fine, varied landscapes and places of natural interest, and the paradox of choice can grip a little strongly in the selection process.
As a starting point, try to think of common interests that you all share as a family. Does everyone love beaches? Or, perhaps the family are more interested in historically significant destinations? Once you’ve agreed on an overall ‘theme’ for your desired campsite, you can start looking for parks and other sites with camping options.
The majority of the time, huge national parks will have separate campgrounds for different forms of camping, but you can narrow your list of campsites down further. Check if the campsite has no-ball games or bike and scooter policies. Of course, no campsite is complete without hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows around the fire along with campfire sing songs – if this is the kind of family camping trip you imagined, then see check if the campsite allows a campfire.
The UK is also known for its unpredictable weather, so having some rainy day options close to hand is a good idea, whatever the season (more on that a little later).
Finally, nothing beats first hand advice, so ask your friends and family if they have any campsite recommendations.
PACK WISELY
A little closer to the time, a lot of the planning stage revolves around smart, savvy packing. Packing too much or too little, or packing the wrong things…they all have consequences.
Whether you’re a first-time camper or a seasoned veteran, you’ll need a thorough packing list to get your equipment together and ensure you don’t leave anything essential behind. Camping is one of those types of holiday where you can’t just nip into town to buy something you’ve forgotten; as such, precision packing is crucial.
The nature of the camping experience does mean that you’ll need a fair bit of stuff, and there will be considerably more items to bring along than your average holiday. Consider investing in roof racks and roof boxes so you’ve got all the necessities for a comfortable camping experience.
FOOD PREP
When it comes to packing food and drink, it’s all about preparation. Meals that can be partially prepared ahead of time and finished at the campsite are ideal, here.
Consider cooking some meals in advance that you can warm up in one pot, like a warming curry or a fulfilling stew. Bring these meals with you straight from the freezer – if packed correctly in a good quality cooler with ice, these meals will keep for a good few days.
Indeed, easy, no-fuss meals should be the focus of any camping trip. For more foodie camping tips, check out our article on 4 hacks for healthy and delicious campfire cooking.
It’s also a good idea to have plenty of snacks in the boot of your car in case any bouts of hanger come on from the children and adults alike.
As The Guardian writes “Traditionally, camping is all about the simple life and travelling light. But once you have kids, it’s about cramming as much as possible into your people mover and attempting to replicate your home life.” Which brings us to our next point…
PLAN ACTIVITIES & DAYS OUT
Regardless of how or where you camp, this type of holiday offers a chance to have some serious fun and revel in some al fresco, family activities. It’s an experience that you can tailor to your family’s preferences based on the weather and location, but that doesn’t mean you should do things totally on the hoof.
Instead, having a well-thought-out plan for your activities should also be a top priority. The stress of planning and finally getting there is nothing compared to the memories of a fun-filled camping trip, so do endeavour to book some activities in advance for everyone to enjoy.
Meal times: Those meals we mentioned earlier are an important element of your camping trip with your family and can be an enjoyable activity within themselves. Get the whole family involved in the cooking process and everyone will relish their mealtimes so much more.
Rainy Day Activities: We don’t wish to rain on your parade, but someone had to mention the dreaded inclement weather of this not-so-fair island. Having some rainy day activities planned for your camping trip is essential. Whether that means researching the closest cinema to your camping site or packing some board games and taking shelter in the nearest pub is up to you! Both actually sound rather good, don’t you think?
Outwards Bound Adventures: Though the dream of a camping trip is to lick your finger, see which way the wind’s blowing and set off for a hike, this rarely works out well in practice. Instead, research local walks prior to your holiday, investigate whether they require booking in advance (some, surprisingly, will do) and have alternatives in place should footpaths be closed for whatever reason. Should your family prefer something a little more stimulating, investigate the possibility of ziplining, kayaking or mountain biking in the local area.
DIVIDE TASKS
It’s impossible to deny that camping with the kids can be a lot of hard work, with tasks and chores that are simple to complete at home suddenly becoming pretty tough when you’re out under the stars.
Let’s face it, here; camping is much more enjoyable for the whole family if everyone shares the tasks fairly and mucks in. Set up a rota to ensure that every member of the clan is shouldering the burden of the trip evenly – your kids may actually find this fulfilling and learn some key life skills in the process!
Make sure you divide the adult tasks, too, such as driving the minibus or car, cooking dinner, and, of course, paying!
THE BOTTOM LINE
Phew, we got to the end of the article in one piece, with no family members falling out or people getting lost. We hope your camping trip goes similarly smoothly!