Experience the joys & freedom of Family Camping

Yup its summertime and the kids want entertaining for the weekend. Thing is with the rising costs of everything what to do?

They want to go away and you know its a tad too expensive so how about a spot of family camping to keep them entertained? It beats having them indoors getting under your feet and vegging out in front of the games console...

We recommend a day and one night away for those starting out in camping with the kids - it will break them in gently and not be too much of a shock to their system. In fact some will love camping with the rest of the family they'll pester until you bring them back. But that's a good thing isn't it? Kids running around getting bucketfuls of fresh air and likely learning at the same time. Can't be all bad!

Useful Tips on Family Camping with the Children

If you are unable to take the kids away for one night to introduce them to camping then it might be an idea to have them learn the art of camping in the back garden if you have room.

You may find your kids if they are old enough might have more camping skills than you have (so don't be afraid to learn!).

You might not trust them to pack sufficiently for a family camping trip but you can help them help you to create a camping checklist so that they have the required items. It will get the kids thinking and help with their organisation skills, which is always useful. Failing that have them look up on the internet where you intend to go and get them to carry out research on what to do and where to do it.

What to do when you get there... aka keeping the kids occupied

The kids are running free in the campsite whilst you are putting up the tent.

Wait!

Thats not right.... camping should be a family experience so get the kids to help you hold tent poles and make sure the tent goes up correctly. The sooner they realise that they have to do their bit whilst camping the sooner EVERYONE will have a great time!

If the kids really are just being a nuisance then it might be an idea to promise them one of the following to get them to get onboard and be helpful:

• Take a set of binoculars with you and show them how to use correctly. Get them to describe what they see and write it down.
• If you are allowed campfires get the kids to collect deadwood for a fire in the evening though do make sure they do not destroy young trees or rip branches off limbs.
• Promise them a nature walk to check out the local wildlife... it does not have to be animals... anything from flowers to birds. Get them to write it down in a notebook.
• Show them how to use your camera and take pictures of what is going on around them.

Ultimately getting the kids to be good campers is a highly rewarding and satisfying experience. The earlier they connect with the outdoors and nature the better in our book, they'll open their eyes to a whole new world beyond their games consoles, tv and other sofa based activities. Who knows you might just create in them a love and respect for the outdoors that will carry over into adulthood.