Family camping: How exciting for you and your brood to get up close and personal with Mother Nature. Sure, there’ll be the odd tantrum along the way (and that’s just the parents), and the tent may get a bit damp – but that’s all part and parcel of family bonding, right? Yes, according to interesting findings from the Liverpool John Moores University. It reveals that people who spend their holidays camping have closer family relationships. If you’re thinking of a family camping holiday this summer, but are worried about pitching up in a windswept field in knee-deep mud, then take a deep breath. These days, family camping sites come in all shapes and sizes, and many cater for families with young children.
Camping in the UK
Whether you’re looking for organised activities, a little peace and quiet or something more unusual, there is a family campsite out there for you.
Camp on a farm
Farm campsites are a great place to introduce children to life in the countryside.
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Cotswold Farm Park, where campers get free entry to the rare breed farm, is a good choice for an introduction to farm camping.
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At Arthur’s Field in Cornwall, children can help feed the chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs twice a day. It could be the answer keeping the kids entertained.
Camp with nature
Show your children the beauty of Britain’s wilderness.
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At Comrie Croft in Perthshire you can watch Ospreys from their hide.
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The nature reserve at Jerusalem Farm, Yorkshire, offers stunning views of the Pennines.
Be green
Take the sustainable approach by choosing an eco-conscious campsite.
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From locally-grown and renewable fire logs to compost loos, enjoy a sustainable lifestyle at the Naturesbase campsite in west Wales.
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Teach your kids about permaculture at Rubha Phoil Forest Garden on the Isle of Skye.
Camping abroad
Fancy a campsite with much greater chance of sun, why not head to Europe? The local tourist office website, such as Rendezvousenfrance.com, has a guide to the country’s campsites. France is traditionally a hotspot for family camping trips, but the country isn’t all about big sites and pre-pitched tents. Whether you’re camping in the grounds of a chateau, at Le Brévedent, or by the largest sand dune in Europe at Panorama du Pyla,have you packed the following?
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Passports for everyone
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Do you have all the compulsory equipment for driving in Europe?
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Your car insurance certificate and a contact number for breakdowns
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Travel insurance and travel money so you can get by abroad
Equipment for camping with kids
Once you’ve chosen your preferred campsite, have you the best camping equipment for kids? Remember, whilst it’s good to be prepared, try and take only what you’ll need. Here are some must-pack items:
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A large family tent – The Which? website has a guide to buying a family tent to help you choose the right size and kind for your family. A gazebo to cook in may also come in handy, particularly if it rains.
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A camping bed and/or sleeping bags – Remember to bring a couple spare sleeping bags for the young children as accidents can happen during the night. To make sure everyone stays warm, you may also want to pack a few hot water bottles and maybe a thermal blanket or two.
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Head torches – Children love to have their own camping equipment to look after. Giving them each a head torch for walking back and forth to the toilets is practical and a bit of fun.
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Insect repellent – Fending off midges can make for sleepless, itchy nights, so remember insect repellent and anti-itch ointment just in case.
Whether you’re going to a campsite in the UK or in Europe, the level of planning can make or break your camping holiday. Prepare but be flexible. Like any good holiday, the best aspect of the great outdoors is that it’s unpredictable!
This guest post was written on behalf of Money Matters, the Sainsbury’s Bank blog. However, the views expressed are of the author and not Sainsbury’s Bank. Though it contains tips, it does not constitute advice. Sainsbury’s Bank accepts no responsibility for the views of external contributors and the content of external websites included within this post. All information in this post was correct at date of publication.