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Dear Daisy, It is your first day at school...

Top 5 Essentials for Camping with Children*


It is no secret that we love a camping trip, we have taken Daisy quite a few times and Alex had his first trip at around 6 weeks old!  Babies are actually much easier to take camping (or travelling anywhere for that matter) than older children, all they need is to be warm, cuddled and fed.



If you have never been camping with your children before it may be an idea to stay fairly local, this will put your mind at ease and leave you knowing that if you should need to return home then that's not too big of an issue. I always say to any that asks about our camping trips that you should remember that children are really flexible and adapt to most situations, it is us as adults who can struggle at times. So as long as you feel comfortable and happy then the rest of the family will be fine.

My must haves for camping with a young family are:

A light - For obvious reasons. Once it's dark you still need to be able to find things in bags, check on your children, navigate to the toilets, make bottles up, the list goes on... We have a simple wind up LED light that is compact but bright.


A flask with hot water - This will last you the first day and then if you can refill it when ever you use your kettle or if you don't have a kettle when ever you are aropund facilities that offer it then you always have something to make warm bottles up with, warm drinks for older children and yourself. You also have water water available for any quick washes you may need to do!


Facilities - Here I am talking about the type of site you choose. With a family you need to be a little more picky. Do they have toilets available, showers or at least sinks for those mucky washes, running water for washing, bins?  A shop is a nice luxury to have along with a fish and chip shop but if you don't find a site that offers these then you can take some supplies with you anyway. After travelling with our daughter who ended up unwell one trip I would always ensure I was able to have somewhere to rinse clothing, hair, bedding, that kind of thing. Otherwise it would have been a very smelly trip home and not very nice for Daisy at all. I think this is all in the planning of the trip, especially if you are away for more than a few nights. If you were to go away on a trip that is further away from home or for more than a few days then insurance from somewhere like the Camping and Caravanning Club could be something to think about too, that way you're protected from all eventualities from a seemingly minor incident such as a snapped pole, through to your tent being stolen or damaged by flooding.

As much bedding as you can squeeze in your car - we always take sleeping bags for all of us but with the children I always squeeze in some additional blankets and cosy jumpers or dressing gowns. It can drop really cold during the night and first thing in the morning so it is always handy to have extra bedding for when it is needed. More often than not with all of our warm bodies in the tent we end up a bit too cosy but I would rather that than shivering all night! Do remember though that is recommended that your baby only requires one layer more than you while sleeping. You don't need to bundle your baby in loose blankets or sleeping bags.

Important (preferably first aid) supplies - Here I am talking about anything you may need in terms of grazed knees, mucky fingers and public toilets such as plasters, wipes, tissues, matches and hand sanitiser. In this category I would also pop in extra tent pegs, bin bags, snacks, anything which you may definitely need.




*Pr Collaboration

10 comments

  1. Really handy list - we're off camping for the first time since we had our son very shortly, so this will be super helpful! #triedtested

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  2. Great tips...I have never been brave enough to take my girls camping. We love our home comforts too much. hehehe #TriedTested

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    1. Oh I love my home comforts too - I take them with me haha! x

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  3. Great tips. We haven't braved camping with our 4 yet, but I think they would probably love it! Thanks for linking up with #TriedTested

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    1. Oh I am sure they would just stay close to home in case they don't the first time :)

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  4. We haven't taken our team camping yet - the amount of stuff we'd have to invest in seems off putting!
    Thanks for sharing your review on #TriedTested this week x

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    1. I see what you mean, it can work out to be quite expensive too! x

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  5. My parents are both involved in Scouts and I've been camping all my life - we haven't been since we had the boys though. We have not been blessed with great sleepers and I was always worried about them disturbing other campers! Hopefully it won't be too long before we can get the tent out again :) #TriedTested

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