Camping with Kids in the UK

Camping with children is one of the best things you can do as a family. It tears them away from screens, gets them outdoors, and creates memories that stick. It's also harder work than camping without them — let's be honest about that. But the payoff is enormous.

Start at a Campsite

Unless you're already an experienced wild camper, start your family camping life at a proper campsite. Here's why:

• Toilets — young children and catholes don't mix
• Water — carrying enough water for a family on your back isn't practical
• Escape route — if it all goes wrong at 2am, you can pack up and go home
• Other kids — your children will find friends within minutes
• Practice — learn what works for your family before adding the wild camping challenge

Once you've got a few campsite trips under your belt and your kids are comfortable sleeping in a tent, you can think about wilder options.

Age-Appropriate Expectations

Under 5s

Keep it simple. Very simple.

• Short walks (under 2km)
• Lots of stops for exploring
• Stream paddling, bug hunting, stone collecting
• They don't care about the view — they care about mud, sticks, and water
• Naps might not happen — be prepared for an overtired child
• Nighttime routines matter — bring familiar items (toy, blanket, story book)

Ages 5-8

This is the golden age for family camping. Old enough to walk reasonable distances, young enough to be thrilled by everything.

• Walks up to 5km are manageable with breaks
• They can carry a small rucksack (their water and snacks)
• Nature activities: bird spotting, leaf collecting, bug identification
• Den building in woodland
• Simple campfire cooking (supervised) if fires are appropriate and permitted
• Star gazing — point out constellations

Ages 8-12

Starting to develop genuine outdoor skills.

• Longer walks (5-10km) with interesting objectives
• They can help with camp tasks — putting up the tent, cooking
• Teach map reading and compass basics
• Wildlife watching — bring binoculars
• Photography — give them a camera (even a disposable one)
• Wild camping becomes more practical at this age

Teenagers

Different challenge entirely. They might think camping is uncool. Combat this with:

• Let them bring a friend
• Give them responsibility — navigation, cooking
• Adventure activities nearby — climbing, kayaking, mountain biking
• Let them have their own tent (they'll love the independence)
• Don't force "family fun" — let them find their own enjoyment

Kit for Family Camping

Sleeping

• Kids' sleeping bags exist but children grow fast — a standard mummy bag with the excess folded works fine
• Sleeping mats are essential — kids feel the cold from below more than adults
• Consider a larger tent than you think you need — wet weather means everyone's inside together

The Tent

For family camping, go bigger:

• A family tent (4-6 person) with separate sleeping areas and a living space
• Porch space for cooking and storing muddy gear
• Easy to pitch — you'll be setting up while managing children
• For wild camping with kids, a good quality three-person tent works if it's just one adult and one child

Food

Kids need frequent feeding. Pack more food than you think:

• Familiar foods — this isn't the time for adventurous eating
• Snacks accessible throughout the day
• Hot chocolate is a camping essential for all ages
• Marshmallows if you're at a campsite with fire pits
• Easy meals — pasta, sausages, pre-made meals. Save the gourmet cooking for adult trips

Entertainment

• Nature books for identification (birds, trees, insects)
• A magnifying glass
• Binoculars
• Card games
• A ball
• Glow sticks (kids love them)
• A head torch each — this alone provides hours of entertainment

Safety with Children

Water

Children and water need constant supervision. Streams, lakes, and the sea are fascinating to kids and genuinely dangerous.

• Always supervise near water
• Life jackets for any boating activity
• Teach older children about river currents
• Cold water shock is a real risk even in summer

Getting Lost

• Dress children in bright colours
• Give older children a whistle (three blasts is the emergency signal)
• Teach them to stay put if they get separated
• Take a photo of each child at the start of the day (showing what they're wearing)

Weather

Children are more susceptible to both cold and heat:

• In cold weather, they lose heat faster than adults. Extra layers, warm hats, spare dry clothes
• In hot weather, they dehydrate faster. Regular water, sun cream, shade
• In rain, getting wet and cold quickly leads to misery. Waterproofs that actually work are worth the investment

Making It Fun

The secret to camping with kids is letting them lead. Their idea of a great time will be different from yours, and that's fine.

• Let them get dirty — mud washes off
• Let them explore — within safe boundaries
• Give them jobs — collecting water, finding firewood, helping cook
• Tell stories in the tent — camping stories become family legends
• Don't rush — the journey is the destination when you're eight years old
• Celebrate the small things — a frog spotted, a fire started, a tent pitched

Progressing to Wild Camping

When your family is ready for wilder camping:

1. Start with easy locations — Dartmoor, accessible Scottish spots
2. Keep walks-in short (under 30 minutes for young children)
3. Choose good weather
4. Camp near water for entertainment (but supervise constantly)
5. Keep the first few wild camps to one night
6. Let older children help choose the camping spot

Family wild camping is genuinely achievable with children from about age 7-8 upwards, provided you keep distances manageable and expectations realistic.

The Long Game

Children who camp become adults who value the outdoors. The skills, confidence, and love of nature that camping builds last a lifetime.

Recommended Gear for Family Camping

These three items cover the biggest family camping needs — space, light, and entertainment.

Your camping trips might be chaotic, tiring, and nothing like the serene experience you'd have solo. But watching your child's face when they see a shooting star from their sleeping bag, or hearing them tell their friends about the time they camped on a mountain — that's worth every soggy, sleep-deprived minute.