The Ultimate Guide to Family Camping in the UK

Family camping trips are an excellent way to explore a new place and get the kids outdoors. However, it can be stressful without the proper gear and a bit of planning.

If you’re considering taking your family camping in the UK, check out our tips for a stress-free experience. 

Choosing the Perfect Campsite

Selecting the right campsite sets the foundation for a successful trip. To find one that is best for your family, you’ll have to consider factors such as location, available facilities, nearby attractions, and suitability for children. 

Before you book, check out reviews of the campsite on the website and Google, and note what appeals to you and potential issues. Look for features like a well-drained site, clean toilets and showers, and a well-stocked shop. 

Essential Gear and Packing Tips 

Make a checklist of your must-haves before you pack to ensure a comfortable camping experience. Your wallet, keys, and chargers are the last things you want to leave behind, but you’ll also want to pack a reliable tent (with a mallet and pegs), sleeping bags, pillows, wellies, waterproof clothes, wet wipes, and dry shampoo. 

Also, ensure your car is road-ready before you set off to avoid nasty surprises. A quick stop to check your tyres in Bletchley can provide peace of mind after leaving Milton Keynes for the journey ahead.

Engaging Activities for Children

Camping can be boring for your kids if you don’t keep them entertained with fun experiences. Scavenger hunts are a great option with loads to get them excited. You could get them to look for things like beetles, specifically coloured tents, water taps, or different tree species. 

If they’re creative, try making natural art with them. This could involve drawing pictures on the muddy ground with sticks, making collages with fallen leaves and rocks, or even 3D sculptures with twigs and pine cones. 

Safety and Environmental Considerations

Educating your family about campfire safety and wildlife awareness will encourage them to consider the importance of leaving no trace. Your kids will follow the lead you and your partner set.

For example, if you’re cooking around your tent or caravan, always have a bucket of water nearby. Tents easily catch fire, so place your stove or BBQ well away and never use it inside. They produce carbon monoxide for hours after they’ve finished cooking, which can rise to fatal levels in modern tents with built-in groundsheets. 

Upcoming Family-Friendly Camping Events in the UK

There are dozens of excellent events to bring your family to this year. The Big Retreat Festival takes place from the 23rd to the 26th of May in Lawrenny, Pembrokeshire. With over 300 planned experiences, there’ll be something for everyone, whether it’s live music, wild swimming, yoga, or games for the kids. 

Camp Bestival in Dorset is designed for families with small children. Between the 31st of July and the 3rd of August, you can attend comedy shows and literature programmes and keep the little ones busy with multiple kid areas. 

Camper Calling Music Festival takes place this August bank holiday weekend (22nd-24th). It offers rock climbing, family lantern-making workshops, and graffiti workshops, among other activities.