Camping and Caravanning
I have done my fair share of camping (notably with a 2year old while 8 months pregnant), but for this page I hand you over to my colleague. She and her family (one big boy and two little ones aged two and six) enjoy camping at least twice every year. She is the one I go to for additional camping tips.
Planning
The idea of camping or caravanning with little ones can be a little daunting to begin with. The thought of literally packing everything including the kitchen sink is not at all necessary.
- The best advice is preparation, by making lists of everything that you think you will need and by adding to it over a period of time leading up to your trip, you will be sure not to forget anything. The list will then be your base point to work from as you will definitely not need everything! For example, kitchen roll and tissues are essentially the same thing, but you can use kitchen towel for both spills and noses, so drop the tissues. Pack light and efficiently using one item for a multitude of tasks.
- When looking for a campsite you will find that they vary on what services they can offer. You will be surprised to know that some even offer a family bathroom, with a bath for those infants that are either too small, or too scared, to use showers. The majority of sites will have basic facilities such has a shower block with toilets, sinks, hairdryer points and of course showers with hot water! If you want added luxury there are also campsites which have further facilities to keep the older children entertained such as games rooms, play parks, swimming pools and TV rooms.
- If you don’t like the idea of cooking your own food on the BBQ, campsites often offer take-away style food or there is always a local pub nearby so you won’t go hungry.
Setting up
- When setting up camp, it is always good to get the little ones set up first. Either their own little tent or chairs to sit in are useful, while they watch you struggle to get the tent erected. Although, these days most modern tents are quite easy to assemble and you will be ready in no time.
- If your tent has the added luxury of different rooms, get organised and unpacked. Sleeping arrangements and sleeping bags rolled out and ready to go. There is nothing worse than the sun going down and sorting out your places to sleep by torch light.
- Make the children aware of the dangers of guide ropes, gas cookers and electric hook up cables if applicable.
-While camping can be a very enjoyable experience for children it does not come without its dangers. Please remember not to leave any gas-related items switched on, inside your tent or caravan, while you sleep unless in a caravan with correct ventilation or carbon monoxide detectors installed.
Making the most of camping
- Rain can put a dampener on your trip, especially if it is as wet inside as it is out. Again, be organised, leave soaking wet shoes / wellies outside of the main living areas of the tent. Clearing up muddy footprints with grass clippings can be a nightmare. Same with caravanning - most caravans have their own ‘wet locker’ to stow such items. Even just left outside in an awning, if you have one, is better than tracking through on your carpets.
- Visiting the shower blocks in flip flop-style footwear is a must for several reasons. The main one being that you will get your shoes wet and the other being hygiene. The shower blocks are usually maintained to a very high standard but you never know and keeping your shoes on at all times just makes good sense. Your flip flops will dry and you will not have to worry about where you are standing.
- Another tip would be to preferably have a wash bag that is plastic and see-through. When putting down your wash bag to brush your teeth etc, you often search for a dry patch. Keeping a soggy bag in the tent or caravan is not ideal. The plastic bag can be easily wiped dry and taken into a shower without worry of it getting wet. On the subject of wash bags, it can be a good idea to give each child their own one. This way, which ever parent takes them to the shower block, they have all the right toiletries with them.
- Washing-up stations are usually provided at most campsites and comprise of s sink and drainer. If you’re lucky you may even find that there are laundry washer/dryer facilities and even the odd ironing board!
- In this era of dishwashers, it is easy for the novice camper to forget to pack a washing-up cloth, tea towel and washing-up liquid. You will also need the all-important container in which to transport your items to and from the washing-up station. I find that a collapsible plastic crate is ideal in that it folds flat for transportation and storage and then expands when required for carrying. This area will only be applicable of course as long as you don’t forget to pack your plates and utensils!
- For the younger ones, here’s an idea for eating if your child is still in a highchair, there are some good strap on seats available complete with removable tray. These are usually used at home fixed to a normal sized chair, giving your little one its own seat at the table, but can be used as a standalone product and put on the floor of a tent. They can now sit up unaided, remain contained and have their own tray to eat from.
- Remember it can get quite cold at night, especially in a tent. If a baby or young child is sleeping in a pop-up style cot, then you might want to lay an extra covering over the top and down the back when they go to sleep. This will then retain more heat in the cot and hopefully stop them waking-up cold in the middle of the night. For older children, the same can apply, so just put an extra cover over them when you go to bed. Be aware though that in the summer a tent can heat up very quickly in the morning, so early waking is very likely.
It is now relatively easy to buy fleecy over-sized sleep-suits that go over bedclothes. These can be an alternative to bulky dressing gowns and a great way to keep children warm after they have got ready for bed, but before they actually go to bed. With many coming with gripper dots on the feet, they are safe on plastic floor linings and if it is really cold, could also be worn in bed.
Have you remembered to pack:
I have done my fair share of camping (notably with a 2year old while 8 months pregnant), but for this page I hand you over to my colleague. She and her family (one big boy and two little ones aged two and six) enjoy camping at least twice every year. She is the one I go to for additional camping tips.
Planning
The idea of camping or caravanning with little ones can be a little daunting to begin with. The thought of literally packing everything including the kitchen sink is not at all necessary.
- The best advice is preparation, by making lists of everything that you think you will need and by adding to it over a period of time leading up to your trip, you will be sure not to forget anything. The list will then be your base point to work from as you will definitely not need everything! For example, kitchen roll and tissues are essentially the same thing, but you can use kitchen towel for both spills and noses, so drop the tissues. Pack light and efficiently using one item for a multitude of tasks.
- When looking for a campsite you will find that they vary on what services they can offer. You will be surprised to know that some even offer a family bathroom, with a bath for those infants that are either too small, or too scared, to use showers. The majority of sites will have basic facilities such has a shower block with toilets, sinks, hairdryer points and of course showers with hot water! If you want added luxury there are also campsites which have further facilities to keep the older children entertained such as games rooms, play parks, swimming pools and TV rooms.
- If you don’t like the idea of cooking your own food on the BBQ, campsites often offer take-away style food or there is always a local pub nearby so you won’t go hungry.
Setting up
- When setting up camp, it is always good to get the little ones set up first. Either their own little tent or chairs to sit in are useful, while they watch you struggle to get the tent erected. Although, these days most modern tents are quite easy to assemble and you will be ready in no time.
- If your tent has the added luxury of different rooms, get organised and unpacked. Sleeping arrangements and sleeping bags rolled out and ready to go. There is nothing worse than the sun going down and sorting out your places to sleep by torch light.
- Make the children aware of the dangers of guide ropes, gas cookers and electric hook up cables if applicable.
-While camping can be a very enjoyable experience for children it does not come without its dangers. Please remember not to leave any gas-related items switched on, inside your tent or caravan, while you sleep unless in a caravan with correct ventilation or carbon monoxide detectors installed.
Making the most of camping
- Rain can put a dampener on your trip, especially if it is as wet inside as it is out. Again, be organised, leave soaking wet shoes / wellies outside of the main living areas of the tent. Clearing up muddy footprints with grass clippings can be a nightmare. Same with caravanning - most caravans have their own ‘wet locker’ to stow such items. Even just left outside in an awning, if you have one, is better than tracking through on your carpets.
- Visiting the shower blocks in flip flop-style footwear is a must for several reasons. The main one being that you will get your shoes wet and the other being hygiene. The shower blocks are usually maintained to a very high standard but you never know and keeping your shoes on at all times just makes good sense. Your flip flops will dry and you will not have to worry about where you are standing.
- Another tip would be to preferably have a wash bag that is plastic and see-through. When putting down your wash bag to brush your teeth etc, you often search for a dry patch. Keeping a soggy bag in the tent or caravan is not ideal. The plastic bag can be easily wiped dry and taken into a shower without worry of it getting wet. On the subject of wash bags, it can be a good idea to give each child their own one. This way, which ever parent takes them to the shower block, they have all the right toiletries with them.
- Washing-up stations are usually provided at most campsites and comprise of s sink and drainer. If you’re lucky you may even find that there are laundry washer/dryer facilities and even the odd ironing board!
- In this era of dishwashers, it is easy for the novice camper to forget to pack a washing-up cloth, tea towel and washing-up liquid. You will also need the all-important container in which to transport your items to and from the washing-up station. I find that a collapsible plastic crate is ideal in that it folds flat for transportation and storage and then expands when required for carrying. This area will only be applicable of course as long as you don’t forget to pack your plates and utensils!
- For the younger ones, here’s an idea for eating if your child is still in a highchair, there are some good strap on seats available complete with removable tray. These are usually used at home fixed to a normal sized chair, giving your little one its own seat at the table, but can be used as a standalone product and put on the floor of a tent. They can now sit up unaided, remain contained and have their own tray to eat from.
- Remember it can get quite cold at night, especially in a tent. If a baby or young child is sleeping in a pop-up style cot, then you might want to lay an extra covering over the top and down the back when they go to sleep. This will then retain more heat in the cot and hopefully stop them waking-up cold in the middle of the night. For older children, the same can apply, so just put an extra cover over them when you go to bed. Be aware though that in the summer a tent can heat up very quickly in the morning, so early waking is very likely.
It is now relatively easy to buy fleecy over-sized sleep-suits that go over bedclothes. These can be an alternative to bulky dressing gowns and a great way to keep children warm after they have got ready for bed, but before they actually go to bed. With many coming with gripper dots on the feet, they are safe on plastic floor linings and if it is really cold, could also be worn in bed.
Have you remembered to pack:
- Sleeping bags / pillows - although duvets on an inflatable mattress works just as well
- PJs – even if you don’t normally bother, walking to the toilet block in the night is best done covered up
- Torch or lamp
- Cooking stove / Gas burner – don’t forget to check your gas canister has some in it
- Lighter / matches
- Pots / Pans
- Plates / Utensils – including can opener, sharp knife, bottle opener and chopping board
- Washing up stuff – cloth, liquid, tea towel, carrying box
- Old towel – this would be for wiping down the tent when it’s time to pack up, often it will be covered with dew or rain, so best to have an old towel or two to dry it before putting it away in its bag
- Small-folding raincoats – these are great to just have in case there is a downpour. You can even get great disposable ones, one size fits all, they take up less room.
- Rubber mallet for pitching your tent
- Cool box & ice blocks – please note that most camping sites have a facility to re-freeze blocks for you
- Toys – bat and balls are great - please note that some sites do not allow the riding of bikes onsite so check first
- Extra layer – always remember an extra thick jumper and maybe a pair of thick socks as it can get cold
- First aid kit
