Ultimate Guide To Camping

Everything You Need To Know For A Successful Family Camping Trip – Plus Printable Checklist!

Contents

Chapter One – The Ultimate Family Camping Checklist

Chapter Two – Camping Essentials & Considerations For Your First Camping Trip

Chapter Three – 10 Of The Yummiest Camping Meals Around

Chapter Four – Must Visit UK Camping Spots

Chapter Five – Some Of The Best Indoor Camping Activities For When It Rains

Chapter Six – Must Know Camping Hacks For A Better Holiday

Introduction

To help you happy campers have the best experiences we’re bringing you some awesome tips, tricks and knowledge bombs in this ultimate guide to camping.

Download the ultimate family camping checklist to make sure nothing is ever left behind as well as some great advice, and things to consider, before embarking on a camping trip.

We’ll also share some fun camping activities – especially for if the weather is not on your side!

Then finally we’ll finish off with some top camping hacks as well as an overview of some of the must-visit camping spots in the UK.

1. The Ultimate Family Camping Checklist

Packing for a camping trip can sometimes be a chaotic affair, especially when children and animals are involved in the camping party!

To make sure nothing is left behind or forgotten we’ve put together this ultimate family camping checklist.

A thorough checklist of all the things you need for a successful, safe and fun camping trip.

Download Printable Version!

2. Camping Essentials & Considerations For Your First Camping Trip

Embarking on an adventure or camping trip for the very first time can be a daunting experience filled with trepidation.

However we’re here to provide you with a quick beginner’s guide to camping!

In this chapter we’ll cover off everything you need to know to have a safe and fun camping trip.

In the following we’ll share some of our top tips, advice and considerations you might not have thought about.

Things to consider when camping:

1. Be Prepared For Wet Weather

One of those most common complaints about camping is often a result of not being prepared – especially in terms of wet weather.

Getting wet and cold can really derail your camping experience, turning a perfectly enjoyable experience into a misery fest.

However, we’re here to tell you that needn’t be the case.

Whilst we would obviously recommend you regularly check both short and long range forecasts leading up to your trip you also need to prepare yourself incase they’re wrong or the weather changes.

There’s a well known saying that goes “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing”.

And that’s certainly the case when on a camping trip or adventure.

You don’t want to find yourself caught out in a show clambering around to find the local camping shop to buy a coat.

So make sure that you always pack a good waterproof coat with a hood, warm layers and even waterproof trousers and footwear.

Being able to change into clothes that will keep you warm and dry, even through bad weather, will be a game changer and ensure all future camping trips and adventures are full of fun and laughter (and not cold, wet misery!)

2. Be Prepared For Warm Weather

Whilst wet weather often brings a certain degree of misery and complaints, so too can hot sunny weather if you’re not prepared for it.

Being caught out in the sun, with no protection and nurturing a bad sunburn can be just as bad as being caught in a rainstorm.

Even if you think there won’t be any strong sun you should always prepare for that eventuality, by packing suncream with a strong SPF, hats and sunglasses.

You’ll also have a more enjoyable time if you have lighter, hot weather clothing so you can keep yourself cool and enjoying yourself.

3. Distance To Provisions (especially if walking)

Another important consideration you should take into account and be prepared for when camping is knowing where the nearest provisions are and how you can get to them if you need to.

Even the most seasoned and experienced campers sometimes find themselves having to pick up extra provisions and supplies when on a trip.

Knowing where and how to get to supplies is always a good idea, especially if you’re on foot and having to make the trip by walking.

4. Where To Pitch Your Tent

Something which is often overlooked, especially by people new to camping is where to pitch your tent.

You might think it’s just a case of picking a nice spot and pitching up.

But to get the most out of your trip you should actually consider one the actual placement and two the orientation or direction your tent faces.

Both these factors play a big part in your camping experience.

Here are our rules for the perfect pitch:

1. Pitch your tent on the flattest ground you can find – if you have to pitch on a slope, make sure the entrance is facing down hill

2. Try and leave at least 5 metres between your tent and other tents

3. Position your tent safely away from any campfire spots

4. If on a particularly wild camp site consider using nearby hedges and bushes as additional shelter

5. Avoid pitching your tent under a tree; rain drops, sap, birds and animals can make this a less than desirable situation

6. Avoid wet and marshy ground where possible

7. Clear the site from fallen branches, stones and other potential debris which could both damage your tent and prove uncomfortable

So long as you follow these rules to pitching your tent you should end up with a safe and comfortable camp setup.

5. Getting a good night’s sleep

We all know how important getting a good night’s sleep is and how miserable you can quickly become without one.

And this is certainly no different when camping.

There’s no reason to accept a poor night’s sleep as par for the course when camping. With camping equipment as good as it is there are plenty of solutions to ensure you get a good night’s sleep and have a great time.

1. Make sure you have a high quality fit for purpose camping sleeping bag. It’s all too tempting to skimp on a sleeping bag, but if you opt for a low cost model you’ll quickly realise your mistake when camping. An appropriate sleeping bag will keep you much warmer at night when temperatures can plunge compared to a cheaper model.

2. Bring a decent air bed or thick camping mat. This is another place where you shouldn’t skimp. With a cheap, thin camping mat you’ll quickly realise one, how hard the ground really is, and two, how comfortable a mattress is.

3. Just because you’re camping doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a nice pillow or even perhaps opting to use a rolled up coat instead. Make sure you have a nice camping pillow that provide sufficient support and comfort for a good nights sleep.

4. As we mentioned earlier, when you’re away camping it can get incredibly cold at night even if camping in summer. We would recommend bringing a pair of thick socks and even a woolly hat to wear at night to keep yourself nice and toasty.

These are all important considerations you should be aware of when planning and embarking on a camping trip or adventure.

However, what about your camping equipment and kit?

Well, here are our tips and insights on getting the best from your gear.

Caring For Your Kit

When returning from a fun filled camping trip, cleaning and storing your gear is probably the last thing you want to do.

However, having invested in your equipment you should invest the time it takes to look after and care for it properly.

This will increase its longevity and allow you to get the most out of your gear.

Don’t be tempted to sling your tent and sleeping bag in a cupboard for the next six months, still wet and dirty from your trip.

Upon returning home you’ll want to make sure you clean all your equipment and allow it to dry before putting it away. You can read our cleaning advice here. (link to cleaning section)

Here is some specific advice for your key camping essentials.

Tent

When you get home, set up your tent in the garden (providing its dry of course) and clean thoroughly by brushing off dirt. Then use a sponge on stubborn areas with special tent cleaner like Grangers Fabsil Tent & Gear Cleaner.

You’ll then want to make sure it’s completely dry before stowing away. If it goes away damp it’s highly likely mould will develop and cause damage to your tent.

Sleeping Bag

Like your tent, make sure to clean your sleeping bag when returning from a trip. Generally speaking, sleeping bags are fine to put in the washing machine so long as it’s not a top loader with an agitator.

Once clean, hang up to dry or place in a tumble dryer on a low temperature setting – higher settings can melt the fabric.

Now clean and dry, you can safely store your sleeping bag. We would recommend either hanging up in a cupboard or placing it flat under a bed. If need be you can store it in a cupboard in its stuff sack, however be aware this can sometimes affect its insulation if left for a long time depending on the sleeping bag in question.

Electronics

If you have any electronic devices such as head torches or flashlights that you use solely for camping and will store away for a while, make sure you remove their batteries first.

Over time, batteries can leak and cause corrosion.

Instead, place their batteries in a sealed plastic bag so they are easily accessible when you need them but won’t lose their charge, leak or cause corrosion.

Cooking Equipment

Like all camping equipment, make sure your cooking equipment is thoroughly cleaned before being put away and stored. Any left on food will likely attract insects and even rodents.

Our general tip for all camping equipment is to keep it stored in a cool dry place inside sealable plastic containers or cardboard boxes.

Following these tips will mean you enhance the longevity of your equipment and it’s always ready to be used on your next trip without having to worry about things being mouldy or damaged.

Cleaning Your Equipment

We’ve already laid out the importance of keeping your camping equipment clean, but here are some tent cleaning tips to help you on your way.

First, start by shaking the tent to remove any loose dry dirt and debris.

Next use a soft bristled brush to wipe off any tougher, dried on mud, being careful not to damage the tent.

Once loose and dried on dirt has been removed, use a wet sponge with a special cleaner like Grangers Fabsil Tent & Gear Cleaner to wipe stubborn areas clean. Avoid using ordinary detergent as this could affect the waterproofness.

Now clean, make sure the items are left to dry and air out fully. As we’ve just covered, moisture can cause mould and damage.

We’d recommend pitching tents in your garden and leaving to dry in the sun if possible.

Waterproofing Gear

Provided you’ve invested in good quality camping gear it should already be waterproof.

However, in time, this can wane, so we’d always recommend re-waterproofing your kit, especially your tent as you don’t want any unwanted surprises!

Before undertaking any waterproofing – you’ve guessed it – make sure you clean it thoroughly following the instructions above.

You’ll then want to carefully follow the instructions of your chosen waterproofing spray. We personally like products by Grangers.

Some waterproofing sprays will require the item to be wet, whilst some others will require it to be dry – so make sure you check and follow carefully.

Before using the spray, make sure to repair any holes or damage and seal seams with a good quality sealant such as Fabsil Seam Sealer.

Once prepared, spray your waterproofing spray carefully, make sure you get a good even coverage and don’t miss any bits.

Use a damp cloth to wipe off any excess.

Now finally, it’s time to wait again for it to dry before packing away carefully.

3. 13 Of The Yummiest Camping Meals Around

Perhaps one of the best things about a camping trip is eating some amazing food whilst sitting in front of a cosy campfire or BBQ.

To help improve your camping gastronomic experience we’ve searched far and wide and consulted our own experts and camping enthusiasts to bring you some of our favourite camping recipes.

You could also check out the excellent Cadac Camping Recipe Cookbook!

1. Campfire Smoky Bean Brekkie

This is a simple yet delicious and rustic dish which you can rustle up whilst camping to bring that authentic campfire dinner experience.

Start off by sizzling your rosemary to bring out its flavour in a simple frying pan with a drizzle of oil. After a couple of minutes remove and brown off your chipolatas.

Once they’re done, move to the side of the pan and add your other sausages. Similarly once browned, move to the side then add your chorizo.

When your chorizo starts releasing its own oil, add in your onions and cook until soft.

You can then add in your BBQ sauce, passata and seasoning and bring to a gentle simmer.

When cooked through, use the back of your spoon to create a few wells and crack your eggs into them.

Cover with foil until they’re cooked to your liking.

Serve up generous portions and dig in!

You can find the full ingredients and method here.

2. Campfire Nachos

Another great dish for creating that fun camping atmosphere.

Using a pot with a lid such as these (or any pot covered with either some foil, or even a plate will work) create layers of tortilla chips, cheese and toppings.

Build the delicious cheesy tortilla layers up till satisfied.

Then heat through to melt the cheese and witness it become a gastronomic delight at your next campfire experience.

Each mouthful should be a mouth watering celebration of crispy tortilla chips and gooey melted cheese.

You can find the full instructions here.

3. Prawn Boil Foil Packets

Here is a perfect camping dish which utilises easy to assemble kitchen foil parcels to gently cook your prawns.

First start by mixing your prawns in a bowl with butter, garlic, rosemary, lemon juice and some salt (adding a glug of white wine can also help bring out the flavours!).

Once fully coated in your marinade, cut pieces of kitchen foil and carefully fold into parcels.

Add your prawns to the parcels and seal tightly.

Pop the parcel on your BBQ for about 10 to 12 minutes then carefully open the parcels and dig in!

You can find the full instructions here.

4. Camping Breakfast Sandwich

If you’re looking for something incredibly indulgent but also simple then this is the meal for you!

First make things easier for yourself by using precooked (shop bought is fine) BBQ pulled pork.

Then toast your English muffins in a skillet to get them a nice golden colour with a bit of crisp to them.

Remove your English muffins from the skillet and add your BBQ pulled pork to reheat.

Once warm, remove and quickly fry up some delicious eggs.

Finally, spoon a dollop of BBQ pulled pork onto your muffin, top with a fried egg (and a slice of cheese if feeling decadent). Wrap in foil and pop on the grill for a few minutes.

Open up your muffin parcel and dig into the delicious gooey cheesy BBQ pulled pork muffin!

You can find the full instructions here.

5. Mac & Cheese

Here we have another family favourite – classic mac and cheese.

We find our versatile Outwell Feast Cook Set is great for these sorts of dishes!

Start by adding a couple of cups of macaroni to your pot with a couple of cups of water, butter and salt. Place your lid on the pot and cook for roughly 10 minutes.

Once your macaroni is cooked, add in your cheese and mustard. Any leftover water will contribute to the sauce. Give it a good old mix up and serve to your fellow campers!

Full instructions available here.

6. Easy Trail Mix

If you’re looking for a quick and easy trail snack for those long hikes you can’t go much wrong with this gem of a recipe!

Combine your favourite whole grain cereal with plenty of raisins, peanuts and pretzels.

Then add in a few different types of delicious bite size chocolate treats. Mix thoroughly to ensure an equal distribution of your ingredients.

Then simply portion up into ziplock bags and enjoy on your hikes!

Other ingredient ideas can be found here.

7. Foiled Wrapped Sweet Potatoes & Chilli

Here we have another inspired kitchen foil delight for you – perfect for easy camping cooking!

Start off by wrapping your sweet potato tightly in kitchen foil, making sure it’s completely covered.

Either pop it on the grill or for a faster cook place it (carefully!) directly in your campfire!

Whilst your sweet potato cooks, saute some onions in a frying pan (you can check out our extensive range here).

Once your onions have softened add some beans and tomato paste and season.

Let that bubble away nicely till your sweet potato is nice and soft.

Once done, open carefully, cut down the middle and spoon on your bean tomato mixture!

Full instructions can be found here.

8. Grilled Corn On The Cob

What could be more quintessential BBQ camping food than a good old corn on the cob?

The trick is to source high quality corn cobs to start off with. You’ll then want to place them on a hot BBQ, turning enough so they develop those lovely black char marks but without completely burning!

Once cooked, lather in butter or sour cream and enjoy!

Full instructions can be found here.

9. Epic Summer Salad

Here we have something a little lighter and a little bit more delicate for you.

A nice refreshing summer salad, perfect for those summer days where you want something other than a burger.

As with most salads this is more of an assembly job than a cooking one.

Simply take your beans and spinach and scatter in a large bowl. Add your tomatoes, cucumber, mango, onion and radishes on top and toss together with your hands.

Finish by adding some avocados, feta and herbs and serve along with your favourite salad dressing of choice!

Great salad dressing recipe and full instructions available here.

10. Best Ever S’mores

We thought it only right to include a delectable dessert on our list. A traditional campsite pud; s’mores.

Start by carefully toasting your marshmallow on a long skewer or toasting fork in your campfire.

Once the edges begin to toast and the centre becomes liquid, slide it off your skewer atop a chocolate digestive biscuit.

Sandwich between another chocolate digestive and enjoy!

Full instructions available here.

11. Campfire French Toast

Who doesn’t love french toast? A delicious and indulgent treat which is always a sure fire win with any crowd.

So here’s a recipe that you can produce whilst out camping.

First start by greasing a large piece of foil which you can form into a boat shape. Next, add in your bread slices standing up, so it looks like a loaf of bread. Whilst you can use what bread you like, we personally always go with brioche!

Next you want to whisk together your eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla and a bit of salt in a large bowl. Once thoroughly combined pour your mixture over and in between your slices of bread.

Place another large piece of kitchen foil over the whole parcel, making sure it’s nicely enclosed. Place your foil parcel on your BBQ or grill, making sure you avoid the hottest part.

In about 40 minutes or so your egg mixture will be cooked. Remove the foil parcel and let it stand for approximately 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes, serve up your delicious french toast. Feel free to garnish as you wish, strawberries, powdered sugar and syrup are always great options.

You can find the whole recipe and ingredients here.

12. Campfire Caprese Brie

Here we have a delicious cheese option – caprese brie.

Start off by combining your cherry tomatoes and garlic in a large bowl, then toss with a glug of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Now, you’ll want to add your brie to a pan and place over your campfire or hot BBQ. Cook your brie until it’s melted – usually about 20 minutes. Carefully check your brie with a knife and see if it’s fully melted inside.

Once confident your brie has melted, drizzle with a balsamic glaze and serve along with your cherry tomatoes and warm baguette slices.

Full ingredients and instructions available here.

13. Campfire Pizza

You might think the idea of a homemade pizza when out camping sounds impossible, however here is a recipe to achieve just that!

Start by mixing your flour, yeast and salt in a mixing bowl with a fork. Add warm water and two tablespoons of oil to the bowl and continue to mix with a fork until they form a dough.

You’ll then want to knead the dough a few times. For ease you can do this within the mixing bowl itself. Once you’ve finished kneading, cover the bowl and let it rise for about 20 minutes.

Take your risen dough and divide into two equal portions.

Place one of the dough pieces into an oiled pan – the bigger the pan, the thinner your crust will be! Use your fingers to press the dough along the edge of your pan.

Now add your pan to a hot BBQ or grill and cook for three to five minutes. Once the bottom has begun to turn golden remove from the heat and place on a safe surface.

Using a pair of tongs, gently lift the crust out and flip it over. Add your chosen toppings onto the crust and cover with a lid or foil and return back to the heat.

Cook again for another three to five minutes, removing your foil lid once your cheese has melted to allow the steam to escape.

Once cooked, remove from the heat, serve, and enjoy!

Check out the full recipe and instructions here.

BONUS RECIPE

The Easy Camping Ham & Cheese Toastie

Take two slices of your favourite thick cut bread and butter generously. Next layer your ham and cheese, and sandwich together with the other slice of bread.

Place in your Kampa Croque toasted sandwich maker and place over a high heat.

Sit back and wait as your bread toasts and your cheese melts.

Once cooked to your liking, remove from the maker, sit back and enjoy!

A great alternative to a traditional toastie is to use ciabatta rolls and fill with cheese and crispy bacon! Then toast, slice diagonally and enjoy!

Full ingredients and method can be found here.

4. Must Visit Camping Spots In The UK

1. Petruth Paddocks, Cheddar, Somerset, South West

Petruth Paddocks is a free range camping spot located in Cheddar in Somerset in the South West of England.

Petruth Paddocks proudly state that they’re an ideal visit for anyone who’s looking to get away from it all.

From families with children and dogs, to couples looking for a nice quiet get away, Petruth Paddocks has you covered.

They even have a range of different accommodation available if you’re looking for the adventure without the tents and poles.

Check out their shepherd huts, powered bell tents and gyspy bow tops if you fancy something a little different.

They have a range of different pricing options too, so you’re bound to find something which appeals.

2. Catgill Farm, North Yorkshire

Here we have Catgill Farm, situated in the stunning and popular Bolton Abbey in the Yorkshire Dales.

At this amazing spot you will find pitches for traditional campers as well as Timber Pods and Bell Tents.

This spot offers truly amazing views which won’t disappoint.

Their glamping accommodation even comes with a private patio, hot tub, fire pit, pizza oven and outdoor seating.

This is truly a delightful family gem that must be visited (at least once!)

3. Sea Barn Farm Camping Park, Fleet, Weymouth, Dorset, South West

Sea Barn Farm is ‘probably Dorset’s most beautiful licensed camping park’.

Situated in Weymouth along Dorset’s famous Jurassic Coast, Sea Barn Farm Camping Park offers panoramic views of the Fleet Lagoon, Lyme Bay, Chesil Bank and Isle of Portland, thanks to its unique location.

As well as the amazing views on offer you’ll find Sea Barn Farm is ideally located to make the most of a trip to Dorset, with nearby day trips readily available such as Swanage Steam Railway, “Monkey World”, Bovington Tank Museum and the Iron Age fort at Maiden Castle as well as many other historical sites.

Finally, Sea Barn Farm operates a ‘quiet nice policy’, ensuring a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere throughout their campsite.

4. Low Greenside Farm Campsite, Ravenstonedale, Cumbria

Low Greenside Farm Campsite offers camping ‘as it used to be’.

They offer spacious pitches for tents, grass hardstanding for campervans as well as yurt and bell tents in a neighbouring meadow.

Situated in Howgill Fells in Cumbria’s beautiful Eden Valley you’ll find stunning views of unspoiled countryside and a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.

You’ll be able to take advantage of free of charge individual fire pits (a great opportunity to try out this amazing s’mores recipe) and a variety of interesting nearby walks.

5. Hickling Campsite, Norfolk

You’ll find Hickling Campsite in the heart of the Norfolk Broads.

Hickling Campsite is a beautiful secluded village campsite with generous and flat pitches for tents.

They also have glamping options like Shepherd huts available too!

Run by local couple Tom and Jo, Hickling Campsite is their ‘little piece of paradise’. They describe it as the perfect place to pitch up and go exploring.

The campsite is a mere cycle ride from delightful sandy beaches and under a mile to a traditional village pub!

Hickling Campsite offers the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation and will provide a truly unforgettable experience.

6. Camp Katur Glamping, Yorkshire

If glamping is more your thing, you can’t go too wrong with a visit to Camp Katur which is located in Yorkshire.

They provide three different glamping areas to suit everyone’s needs.

First you have the Hill Farm Geodomes which offer a unique, exclusive and elegant experience, complete with ensuite star gazing geodomes.

Then, Chestnut Hill is the premium spot on the estate and boasts two state of the art luxury Geodomes.

And finally, you have the off-grid area known as the Meadow which provides quirky accommodation and boasts a back to nature atmosphere.

7. South Lytchett Manor Caravan & Camping Park, Dorset, South West

As AA Campsite of the Year Overall Winner 2021 South Lytchett Manor Caravan & Camping Park is a must visit.

South Lytchett Manor is set amongst 20 acres of parkland and offers a truly tranquil atmosphere and environment to relax and recuperate in.

With Poole located three miles away, Bournemouth nine and the world renowned Jurassic Coastline 13, it’s a fantastic place to set your camp and have adventures.

There are local spots of outstanding natural beauty to explore and plenty of places of historical interest too, which makes it a great family camping destination.

“Award-winning amenities, Gold level customer service, and good local transport links pave the path to a glorious Dorset adventure.”

8. Burnbake Forest Lodges & Campsite, Dorset, South West

Burnbake has been described as a woodland oasis that’s surrounded by blue flag beaches, hidden coves and dramatic coastlines.

It’s also at the gateway to the World Heritage Jurassic Coastline.

A fantastic family camping destination Burnbake Forest allows children to be themselves and enjoy a sense of freedom whilst still being safe.

Forging memories which will last a lifetime. Whether that’s playing by the stream or forest.

It’s a fantastic campsite for all nature lovers with sightings of birds, rabbits, squirrels and butterflies commonplace.

You’ll also have a chance of spotting their Sika deer!

With their range of different campsites and back to nature atmosphere you’re bound to have a memorable experience at Burnbake Forest.

9. Camping In The Forest

With our roots firmly established in the New Forest in Hampshire, we wanted to take this opportunity to champion some of our wonderful New Forest camping sites.

On Camping In The Forest you will find ten fantastic New Forest based camping sites, all offering you the opportunity to explore the forest and get to know the local free grazing livestock thanks to laws dating back to as early as 1079.

You can’t go much wrong with any of these camping sites as all offer great family friendly camping experiences.

They have seasonal free range pitching and three of their sites also have electric hookups available and are ideal for motorhomes and caravans too.

You’ll never be short of things to do in the New Forest with great cycle trails, pubs, restaurants, walks and even Peppa Pig world!

10. Gill Head Farm, Troutbeck, Penrith CA11 0ST

Gill Head Farm is a family run working hill farm situated in Penrith set amongst a spectacular background of the northern fells of the Lake District National Park.

It is perfect for both families and friendship groups and is traditionally popular with walkers, school groups and even Duke of Edinburgh students.

Gill Head Farm offers a sheltered level campsite complete with electric hook ups for caravans and camping pods as well as pitches for your own tent.

Whether you’re looking for an adventure or peace and quiet, you’ll be able to find it here. Visit gardens and stately homes or simply take in some sightseeing whilst out on a nice walk in the picturesque landscape.

If you’re looking to get away to the Lake District National Park then a stay at Gill Head Farm would be a great choice of destination.

5. Some Of The Best Indoor Camping Activities For When It Rains

Whenever camping in the UK you’re never guaranteed dry sunny weather.

Though that’s not to say you still can’t have fun outdoors when it’s wet and windy – you just need to make sure you have the right equipment.

However, if you’re looking for some fun family activities for when the weather is less than ideal check out some of these ideas.

1. Board Games & Card Games

No camping holiday would be safe without a collection of emergency board games and a pack of playing cards.

Look to bring travel size versions which are easier to pack and play in small places such as tents.

If you’re able and you have the room, bring a nice variety of different games to keep the attention of children incase the wet weather is in for the long haul.

2. Read

A good book is so very often associated with a trip away, though not normally a camping trip.

The idea of lounging on a beach with your head in a book or curled up next to a cosy fire is quite common.

But we would thoroughly recommend it for camping trips too.

Whilst traditional paper books are fab – and if you have space for them, that’s great, bring them along!

But, with the advent of tablet devices which can not just contain vast libraries of books but also illuminate the screen too, it makes this much easier.

You won’t have to pick and choose between bringing too many books and you can read even when the lights go down and not have to worry about reading by torch light.

You can also combine this into family story time.

As you all crowd around and take it in turns reading passages from your chosen book!

3. Movie Time

If you’re not much of a reader, but have a tablet device you can watch some of your favourite movies.

Nowadays many streaming services allow you to download movies and TV shows onto your device.

Simply load up your device with a range of movies and shows for all tastes and embark on some cosy family movie or TV time whilst you listen to the rain pitter patter on the tent!

Take this to the next level by bringing along a mini tablet projector and screen.

4. Get Arty

Being out in nature is a great opportunity to embrace your arty side.

There are tons of different arts and crafts you can do whilst on a camping trip.

Leaf rubbings – spend the morning exploring wearing your wet weather gear. Collect as many different types of leaves as you can. Think about the shapes and sizes you can find.

Then, take these back to your campsite and let them dry out a bit – otherwise your paper will get a little bit soggy!

Once dry, place on a firm surface and cover with a piece of paper. You can then use all manner of different crayons to rub the paper which will present the leaves underneath.

Use different colours along with different leaf arrangements to curate different and attractive artworks.

These can make great holiday momentos.

Start drawing – if leaf rubbing isn’t your thing you could try drawing instead. You could start by drawing the view from your tent if you want to keep dry. Bring along different mediums like pencils, pens, charcoal or even paints too!

This is a great way of capturing your camping experience without getting too wet!

Should the weather break, then you can always venture out and draw some of the local landscapes as well!

5. Stone Painting

This is a great creative outlet that can bring a bit of brightness to dark wet days.

Simply include a small selection of paints in your bag when packing and go stone hunting with your children.

Look for small, smooth and round stones. These will make the best canvases.

Then let your creative side take over with only your mind the limit.

These also make great keepsakes and trip momentos.

You could even try out some wonderfully relaxing colouring for grown ups!

6. Save The Worms

When it rains, worms can find themselves stranded and in harm’s way on the surface. Embrace your inner bug saver and help them get to safety.

This is an altruistic activity which can also be used as a way of educating children about worms and letting them get stuck into nature.

7. Measure The Rainfall

If you and your children are more scientifically inclined this is a fun little experiment for the family.

Start by cutting the top off a 1 litre bottle. Next, using a ruler, draw on millimetre increments to create an accurate measurement gauge.

You can then place it outside in the rain and see how much rain falls.

You can take this one step further by writing down your measurements daily.

Then at the end of your adventure you’ll have a detailed rainfall log.

You could also include sunrise and sunset times along with wind conditions for an even more accurate weather log.

Look back on these in years to come for a great way to remember your trip.

8. Singalong Camp Songs

Even if you’re not musically inclined, a family camp singalong can be great fun.

Join in together singing camp songs, top hits, old favourites or even ad lib and make up your own music.

If someone can play the guitar then even better still.

There’s a reason why camp sing alongs are a thing!

And if none of those appeal, wrap up warm and dry and get out and explore and play in the rain.

Just because it’s wet doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go out and have fun still. In fact, some of the best memories can be made in adverse weather conditions.

6. Must Know Camping Hacks For A Better Holiday

As knowledgeable, enthusiastic and experienced campers who have been in the industry for over 20 years we’ve gained some helpful little nuggets of information, tips and hacks throughout our time.

Here are just a few to help you get more out of your camping trips!

Remember to check back later as we’ll continue to share more of our insights, tricks, tips and hacks in the coming weeks.

1. Use emergency or survival blankets to keep tents cool – whilst survival blankets are normally designed to keep people warm in the outdoors, you can repurpose them to keep your tent nice and cool. As we all know, tents can sometimes get uncomfortably warm and stuffy, so this is a great little hack for improving your camping experience.

2. Waterproof shoes with footwear care spray – waterproofing shoes and boots with a spray is a great move. You might think that if it’s not been wet or raining this is unnecessary. But if you’ve ever walked through a fresh dew then you’ll know how wet your feet can get even on nice sunny mornings. Spray those walking shoes and boots to keep your feet and toes nice and dry. We have an excellent range of waterproofing sprays and foot care products available to campers and outdoor enthusiasts.

3. Use sage on BBQs to get rid of mossies – one of the most annoying things about enjoying the outdoors are the bugs and insects. This can be especially obvious when dining outside when having a nice BBQ. You can try adding sage to your BBQ to help get rid of any unwanted BBQ guests. Alternatively we stock some great lanterns which also act as insect killers or traditional insect repellants and Citronella candles that work a treat.

4. Use a car battery adapter to power electronic goods -just because you’re camping doesn’t mean you needn’t have access or use of your electronic gadgets and devices. Simply use a car battery adapter to keep your electronics charged up and usable for your camping trip. You’ll want to avoid chargers which use the 12v socket as these typically only work when the car ignition is on!

5.Wrap bunting or solar lights around guylines to prevent people tripping – even if you’ve only ever been camping a handful of times you’ll know what a nuisance tent guylines can be.

6. Bring anti bacterial gel or baby wipes – camping can be a mucky business sometimes, despite even the best attempts to stay clean. Carrying a pack of wipes on you is an easy and effective method of cleaning up after anything. For even more brownie points choose to use eco friendly biodegradable wipes which are plant based, rather than plastic based wipes.

7.Remove insoles from wet shoes and stuff with newspaper to dry quicker – if you’ve not followed tip two about waterproofing shoes and boots this might be your next best option. When returning back to camp with wet shoes or boots, immediately remove the insoles and stuff with newspaper. This will greatly aid in the drying of your shoes or boots. Ready to be used again!