Taking your little ones camping can be a wonderful wild adventure that reconnects you all to nature and to each other. Or it can be a damp, uncomfortable nightmare. My quick guide to tent life for kids of all ages will make sure you’re all very happy campers, whatever the weather. See you under canvas!
11 TIPS FOR HAPPY FAMILY CAMPING
- Pick the perfect pitch
Don’t plan a hardcore wild camping adventure for your first trip away – go for a family-friendly campsite with plenty of space to roam, local walking trails and maybe even a river or lake for wild swimming. Bonus points for a site that allows campfires for marshmallow toasting! - Pack like a pro
While I always aim to get to my solo camps on foot or by public transport, family camps are easier with a car, and you can always stay local to save on emissions. Pack the boot with all your essentials—tent, sleeping bags, cooking gear, and layers for all weather. Then add in a few luxuries, like cozy blankets, games and fairy lights, to make the campsite feel like home. - Bring an air tent
If you hate the rigmarole of pitching enormous, heavy family tents, inflatable tents are here to make your next camping trip a little simpler. . The outer skeleton of this roomy tent is inflated using a pump the two bedrooms are pre-assembled and pop up ready to use in no time. Perfect for a family of four or five. - Make meals an adventure
Ditch the boring noodles —older kids will love getting creative with campfire cooking. Try foil-wrapped campfire nachos, hearty stews or stick bread cooked over the flames, and don’t forget marshmallows for pudding. - Plan fun outdoor activities
Fill the days and the kids will totally forget about telly and their iPad. Go hiking, plan a scavenger hunt, go tree climbing or try some nature crafts keep little (and big) campers entertained. Or bring a wildlife spotting guide and see who can tick off the most creatures and creepy crawlies. - Bring a camping box of tricks
Fill a box with fun surprises for rainy days: glow sticks for night games, playing cards, a book of ghost stories, and a sketchpad for nature journaling. Dig it out when the heavens open or everyone’s tired out from running around all day and you’ll get an extra 30 minutes of peace. - Make nighttime magical
After the sun sets, light up the campfire, tell spooky tales, wrap up warm and go stargazing. Bring a stargazing app to identify constellations together. - Pack for the weather, whatever it is
Layer up for chilly evenings, bring waterproofs for surprise showers, and don’t forget suncream for bright days. Comfy clothes = happy campers. And be wary of weather forecasts – pack warm clothes and summery layers even if it’s bright sunshine or pouring rain forecast all week, as conditions can change fast. - Get everyone involved
Let kids help pitch the tent, gather firewood, or choose the next adventure. Giving everyone a ‘job’ makes camping feel like a team effort, and you may find that even teenagers who usually hate chores really enjoy being in charge for building the perfect campfire. - Disconnect to reconnect
Put away screens (if you’re lucky the campsite won’t have signal or WIFI) and enjoy being in nature. Use time outdoors to chat, play games, and fully embrace the slower pace of outdoor life. - Leave no trace
Teach your little campers to respect nature—pack out all rubbish, be mindful of wildlife, and leave the campsite as beautiful as you found it. Make sure your chosen campsite allows fires before you get cooking, bring reusable, washable crockery and cutlery and avoid washing in rivers or natural water sources.
