Camping with young children

If it’s your first camping trip with your baby or toddler, stay close to home – this way you won’t arrive exhausted after a long journey and you’ll still be fresh and ready to pitch the tent.  You also have the comfort of knowing that if it really doesn’t go well, you can always go back home early!

Sleeping bags are available in all sizes from baby upwards.  The baby and children’s  ones are not just cute, they are really worth having as the insulation is more efficient in a closer-fitting sleeping bag.   Invest in a good one, even though you know they will grow out of it – you don’t want your children to get cold or damp or you run the risk of putting them off camping for life!

Make sure you bring a torch for each child from toddlers up – they love to play with them and it is reassuring for them to have one for when it gets dark.  Lots of kids love head torches, which are very practical for late night trips to the loo, and for older children for reading.   A supply of wind-up torches is a good idea – they may not always be as bright as the battery-powered ones, but most children forget to switch torches off, and with standard torches once the battery has run out that’s it.

Don’t forget to pack bedtime stories and a favourite cuddly toy – it helps young children if they have some of their familiar routine from bedtime at home.

If you are introducing your children to camping and you want them to love it, be sure to create some camping traditions which will make them look forward to the next trip.  Perhaps enjoy a mug of hot chocolate or toasted marshmallows round the campfire at suppertime.

Here are some of our favourite campsites: