What are your absolute best camping tips please!

[Flutterbylittlebutterfly]

I'm taking my 2 DS (11 and 9) on a short camping trip next week (4 nights). I am NOT a seasoned camper and although I've found some activities for us to do during the day I'm worried about keeping them entertained in the evenings as admittedly they are probably a little bit screen reliant later in the day at home!

We have a pre-erected tent booked so that's all taken care of but I was wondering if anyone has any great advice or tips that have been a game changer whilst camping!

So far I have a few board games/card games and a football (campsite is on the edge of a country park with a play area/playing field).

Thanks so much for any advice!

Don't take anything with small bits or pieces that could get lost if the box gets tipped up or you drop them in the grass etc!
By the time you've had dinner, washed up (everything takes longer when you're camping!), go for walk, play a game, and have a shower it'll be bedtime! Also, boys with a football will inevitably find other kids to play with.

Take slip-on shoes for nighttime loo trips, and warm clothing for evenings - it'll be colder than you think.

Head torches are useful. Are the beds pre-erected too or do you need to take them?

frisbee!

Endless games of french cricket kept ours amused.
Cards, colouring, football (if space) are all good - something random they don't normally have + we found rocket stompers were a big hit. I think kids adapt easily to no tech given the opportunity.
Get a star identification app on your phone.
Layers at night. Sleeping bag liners.
Camp fire? Toast some marshmallows/make s'mores
Get what you're wearing the next day ready and put it somewhere easy to find.
Slip on shoes/crocs for night time toilet trips

and always get changed out of your daytime clothes before you go to bed, even if it's cold and you think it will be easier to not get undressed. The moisture in your clothes from the day condenses at night and will make you colder not to mention it's really quite gross

Thank you! All great suggestions. My boys would LOVE rocket stompers! I probably am overthinking it but definitely some ideas/tips here I'd never have thought of!

Fortunately for my back there are camp beds provided 😄

This ⬆️

we also play uno, dobble, take a small telescope & look at sky,

we also take pens & paper to draw

torch light walk

don’t over think it, it’s exciting for kids just to be camping, out after bed time etc

have a great time!

Talcum powder for the showers!

What are rocket stompers? Whatever they are - I want them (based on the name alone!!🤣)

If they/you have devices i would let them watch something just to wind down before bed they might be wired because they have the freedom of the campsite in the evening.

Kites can be a good option. Take (head) torches as well

Good God no nothing worse than a rogue frisbee flying into your tent

Molki is great fun

My top camping tip is to put hot water bottles into your beds a couple of hours before bedtime. By the time you get to bed any damp is driven out and it's all snuggly.

Other ideas - fairy lights, bat and ball games, those plastic boules sets, cooking bananas and chocolate in foil on a BBQ, hot chocolate with marshmallows and a head torch and book for bedtime.

In my experience all the kids on the campsite have a riot playing in the play areas together.

Flip flops and supermarket plastic bags ,to carry stuff in,to and fro from the showers.

Buy a couple of those massive plastic storage boxes and put everything in those! It’s quicker to take them from car to tent and vice versa! One for toys/games and the other for bedding/camp equipment etc. also, you can keep them in them to store at home for the next time you go away!

Short PJs or elasticated ankle PJ bottoms to stop long trouserlegs dragging in wet or dewy grass. Alternatively wellies to pull on over jim jams for night time loo trips.

Only started camping last year but quite seasoned now, we go every other weekend (weather dependent). I'm all about the comfort, comfy sleeping bag, chairs, warm clothes for the evening, warm socks at night.

I'd recommend silicone ear plugs and eye mask for a good night's sleep. Even in the quietest campsites, I've been woken by ducks/ geese/ roosters/ cows at 5am.

Slip on crocs type shoes/ sliders are good for the trips to the shower block.

Powerbanks for phones/ devices. Pack of cards or games in the evening.

I love reading a book with a cider on a warm and sunny campsite. Lots of snacks too.

Best camping tip is ‘don’t camp ‘

Bed socks for sleeping, Crocs for trips to the loo and towelling ponchos/ Dry Robes if you have them

Took a load of these camping with friends earlier in the year and the kids loved them!
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