Camping can be a fantastic way of escaping the pressures of modern-day life and spending some quality time together as a family. It allows you to go back to basics and create some simple, wholesome fun. A holiday outdoors encourages children to leave the screens behind and embrace nature. They will love the excitement of driving somewhere new, pitching up a tent and sleeping under the stars.
Embarking on a camping trip can be an exciting adventure, but it can also be a slightly daunting one. If you are camping for the first time, follow these simple tips to help your camping trip become stress free:
- Have a trial run
Having a trial run is vital for creating a seamless trip. Practise putting up your tent in the garden beforehand. There is nothing worse than being stuck out in a field, unable to pitch up, with impatient children in tow. You can even try sleeping in it overnight. That way you are not too far away from your bed and home comforts, should it be a rough night!
- Choose a suitable location
A campsite can be anything from an empty field to a holiday park with all the amenities. Do a little research before you go to find a site that will suit all your family needs. If you have young children, check for a location that has a noise curfew. A lot of campsites will give you the option of a quieter pitch before you book. Another top tip is to ensure that there are toilets nearby for those night-time trips.
- Check the weather
No-one enjoys sitting in a tent, whilst it rains outside, with nothing to do. Ensure that you check the weather beforehand and be prepared. Bring along card games and entertainment in case you get stuck inside. Equally if there is a heatwave, make sure you opt for a shady spot to get some relief from the daytime sun. With the unpredictability of the UK weather, you may end up packing waterproofs and sun cream!
- Layers, layers and more layers
It can be surprisingly cold at night so bring along lots of layers. Thermals, hoodies and vests are all great for chilly nights and stop any night-time awakenings.
- Tap into nature’s body clock
If you are a night owl then you are going to need to embrace the early mornings! Without curtains and blinds, you are all more likely to wake up at sunrise. Try opting for earlier nights and be prepared for getting up at the crack of dawn.
- Organise your tent
An unorganised tent can make your trip a chaotic and stressful one. Sort out your belongings as soon as you unpack into labelled, clear containers so belongings are easy to find. A wash station set up by the entrance will help keep out the dirt and keep the tent clean.
What food to bring
It is unlikely that you will have a fridge so pack foods such as, tuna, bread, noodles, crackers and cereal, for easy lunches and snacks. Dinnertimes will involve some planning but there are some easy dinners you can rustle up over a camp stove including:
- Tuna Pasta
- Quesadillas
- Hot dogs
- Omelettes
- Jacket Potatoes
- Pancakes
Kid’s entertainment
You may find that after a while, the initial excitement of being outdoors begins to wane. Pack items to sustain the enthusiasm, such as:
- Water guns
- Magnifying glasses
- Outdoor game activities, for example rounders or ball games
- Frisbees
- Colouring books and pens
- Printed scavenger hunt lists
- Telescope for stargazing
- Binoculars
- Chalk
- Bubbles
In the era of the Staycation, camping can be an affordable way of creating memories to last a lifetime. If you are organised, then hopefully your trip with be smooth sailing!