Helpful Tips for Happy Camping with Kids.

We’ve been through some of the great reasons to go camping with kids (if you haven’t read it yet, you can find the article here), you’ve decided to give it a go. The thought is still a little (a lot) daunting though, especially so if you are new to the camping game or haven’t been with kids before. These are my top tips when taking children on a camping trip. Hopefully, you will feel a little less ‘rabbit in the headlights’ and a little more ‘I got this’ after reading.

1 – Try a Test Run.

If you have never tried camping with kiddos before or if it has been a long time since you have been camping yourself, assuming you have the space, you could try a test run in your garden. It will be great fun in it’s self and will give you an idea of what camping with kids is like. It might also highlight anything you may need to get ahead of the real thing.

2 – Set Realistic Expectations.

There is no doubt about it, anything you do with kids involved, especially young kids, is usually a little more stressful than if you were to do it without them. There are going to be stressful moments, just like there are at home. Try and remember that they are excited and they will probably get tired and be mentally prepared for the outcome of these things (read tantrums). Remind yourself that none of you will remember them in years to come but you will remember the fun and the quality time spent together.

3 – Get there as Early as Check in Allows.

Or at least as early as you can get there after check in. Trust me when I say, if you get to a new campsite too late there is every chance your littles will still be running around with joy at 10pm. Give them as much time as you can to explore their surroundings and get over the initial excitement of rocking up at a campsite before it starts heading towards bedtime.

4 – Try and Stick to a Normal Bedtime Routine.

I can almost hear my toddler laughing in my face at this one. As if a normal bedtime is going to happen! Kids thrive on routine though and it may just help them settle down a bit quicker. It will help them understand what is expected of them. Especially when it is still light outside and there are other kids still up around the campsite. If the first night is a little tricky, don’t let this put you off, by the second night (assuming you are camping for more than one night) bedtime should be a bit easier. We try and treat bedtime the same as if we are at home. If they keep getting up be persistent and consistent in putting them back in their beds. It can be frustrating and hard but if you want some adult time with a beer around the fire it is essential.

5 – Bring Comforts from Home.

Their own pillow, their cuddly toy or blankey, anything that will help kids feel more ‘settled’ and provide them with a bit of security will be nice for them to have. It will help them feel more comfortable in their new surroundings, especially if camping isn’t something you do regularly.

6 – Bring a Potty.

For the kids and you. Seriously, I have friends who take a bucket. You know who you are! The reason is the same. No one likes to get out of their cosy sleeping bag for a chilly 2am toilet run. Much easier to quickly pop them on the potty in the tent and deal with it in the morning.

7 – Dress them Warm.

Sometimes even in summer it can be far colder than you think. Especially on early mornings when you don’t have a fire going. A fleece onsie can be a good idea as an easy way to provide a warm layer. They are comfy enough to be warn to bed over pajamas if needed and usually have a hood to keep their head warm. If you have young girls though, you might want to consider other options, fleece joggers if you can find them, combined with a fleece hoody. Not as cute as a little onsie but It can be a little tricky going to the toilet without letting the top half touch the toilet floor. Not the nicest.

8 – Ring a Ling Ling.

I had difficulty giving this tip a title can you tell? This isn’t something I have ever done I have to admit, I find zippers on tent doors noisy enough but I thought it was a great idea when I was given it, especially if you feel a little paranoid about kids leaving the tent or are a heavy sleeper. Pop a small bell on the zipper of the tent door on the ‘room’ your kids are sleeping in. It should alert you to anyone who is leaving when they shouldn’t be.

9 – Take Something for them to do in the Morning.

When camping with kids, they will be raring to go as soon as they wake up in the morning. If your kids are anything like mine, that means about 6:30am. Latest. Of course you can get up and go an watch the sunrise, or have a picnic breakfast packed and tiptoe out the campsite to find a picturesque place to eat it but sometimes you just want to give yourself some time to wake up and have a coffee. So take something for them to to do. A tablet is controversial but also ideal. If you would prefer to leave tech at home, make sure you have quiet activities such as books or puzzles.

10 – Choose your Campsite Wisely

I will likely do a whole separate post on exactly what I look for in an ideal campsite but one thing I can tell you now is when it comes to camping with kids, a campsite with a play area can be really handy. You may find you don’t actually use it that much but it can be reassuring having one there if needed. It’s an easy form of entertainment without having to go off site and on a warm sunny evening it can be nice to take a cheeky beer down to the play area and relax while the kids play, or at least that’s the ideal. You’ll probably get roped into some swing pushing and the like too.

11 – Think Easy Clean.

By that I mean, stuff you can easily clean your kids with. Flannels or baby wipes, kitchen towel and anti bac hand gel come in useful. They will get dirty. Don’t stress, its normally a good sign they have been having the best fun but do make sure you are ready with stuff that makes cleaning them up a bit easier.

12 – Be Prepared for the Weather.

If the weather forecast isn’t on your side, make sure you are prepared. Pack waterproofs, implement a no shoes in the tent rule, have a bucket for wet wellies, take plenty of dry socks, take extra towels and something to hang wet clothes on to dry. Likewise if its sunny, make sure you bring sun cream, a sun tent can be handy if you are in an open field and make sure you bring enough water storage to keep plenty on hand.

Thanks for reading! Anything you think I haven’t covered or any questions about camping with kids, let me know in the comments below.

If you found this post useful, please do share.