Camping with young children? Here are 7 tips that you did not know!
9 June, 2023
There is nothing better than a pleasant camping field where the children are free to play together! You can keep an eye on the kids just fine from your chair. And even if you get caught up in the world of the book you finally have a chance to read, one of the neighbours will be watching the children. Camping with children or toddlers is great fun and, with these tips, can even be relaxing.
1. Which amenities do you really need?
If you are camping for the first time, it is a good idea to sit down and think about what your children really need. There are hundreds of campsites with several slides, swimming pools, playgrounds, amusement arcades, discotheques, skateparks and many more wonderful amenities. And the more there is to amuse them, the more fun the children have. Or not?
Young children certainly don’t need all that much entertainment. A well-organised playground close to the pitch or a large trampoline is usually enough to satisfy the children and parents. In the summer, a swimming pool with a slide is also nice. And, all right, a terrace for mom and dad. Are you going camping with young children? Consider a farm holiday.
A lot of child friendly campsites have a lot of little playgrounds. For example Campsite Het Horstmannsbos in the Netherlands.
A campsite that is well-organised helps the children to decide more quickly what it is they want to do and where they can find campsite friends. This means that you as parents can relax while the children play, and you can enjoy some peace and quiet yourself.
Campsites with a trampoline
Check out all campsites with a trampoline.
2. Reserve a pitch near the toilet block
There are many advantages to having a toilet, shower and washbasin close to your pitch. After showering, you can just put a robe on the children and then get them dressed in the tent. This is very handy – especially if you have several young children. And for the little ones who are not yet toilet-trained, being near the toilet block is very convenient. Smaller campsites often have other amenities close to the toilet block, such as a communal freezer. The freezer is very handy for storing your ice cream and then washing sticky hands immediately after the treat.
Some campsites have toilet blocks especially for children, like Camping Bled in Slovenia.
Tip: many small campsites have a communal fridge, freezer or a small kitchen. You can often borrow games or even go-carts as well. Ask about those amenities beforehand.
3. Take a baby intercom with you
Once the children are in bed, do the parents have to sit quietly under the awning? Not necessarily. The campsite is a good place for mom and dad to meet people too. So why would you not be able to sit with other people a few pitches away? The baby intercom allows you to keep an eye on the children.
Even if the little ones are in bed, you can enjoy yourself at the campsite.
4. Take a pull wagon along, or rent one
A pull wagon takes up room in your car but also provides you with space. For example, at the end of the day, use the pull wagon to store toys and other items lying around. Or take your young child along with you in the pull wagon to the dishwashing location. You can wash the dishes while your child plays in the wagon. Those dishes will fit nicely in the pull wagon as well. There are also handy collapsible pull wagons for sale.
Taking a pull wagon to the campsite is very handy!
If you are planning to go to the swimming pool in the afternoon, or eat lunch somewhere, the pull wagon can easily be converted into a bed for the youngest children. Handy accessories are a parasol or cover to protect them from the sun or a mosquito net.
5. Put a wristband on your child
Children go exploring at the campsite. There is a good chance that, if you lose sight of them for a minute, they are simply playing under the neighbour’s awning. Write your name, telephone number and possibly the number of your pitch on a wristband for the children. There are also websites where you can order brightly coloured silicon wristbands with your name and telephone number. They are water-resistant and often last for several holidays.
If your little one should unexpectedly go exploring, a wristband will let your campsite neighbours find you easily.
Tip: would you like to go camping with the little ones closer to home? Check out small campsites in the United Kingdom
6. Take a play mat along, or make one yourself
A play mat is fun and helps you keep an overall view of things. As an example, an agreement can be made that the toys are to stay on the mat and not be left lying about elsewhere. It is even more fun to make your own play mat. All you need is some coloured markers, a large piece of cardboard or, for example, a white sheet and some imagination. Will you make a big city, a princess village or an underwater world?
A homemade play mat at the campsite
7. Set up a small inflatable paddling pool next to your tent or caravan
Children enjoy playing with water more than anything else. As a parent, however, you don’t always want to spend the entire day at the swimming pool. The solution: set up a small swimming pool or inflatable paddling pool with a little layer of water next to your tent or caravan. Guaranteed fun. This will give you time to put your feet up and relax. A pool can be a good solution when you are putting up the tent. It will keep the children busy, allowing you to do the major tasks together. Once the tent is up, one of the parents can explore the campsite with the children while the other unpacks and organises in peace and quiet.
An inflatable paddling pool at your pitch is ideal for your children and for yourself!
Read on
What is the best way to photograph the little ones? Read all about taking the best holiday snaps with children in the blog.
What are your tips?
What are your essential tips for camping with small children? What is it that you simply must not forget to take along? Let us know in a comment.
Latest comments