Camping with children: 5 practical tips for camping with the kids

If you want to escape reality with your loved ones and bring your children closer to nature, you will realise that camping is just the thing. The whole family can finally let go of everyday life and children can simply be children to their heart's content. Camping is the epitome of freedom and adventure; at the same time, our little ones learn a lot of important things for their lives along the way.

Camping with our little ones is a wonderful alternative to the classic stay in a hotel or holiday flat. In fact, camping has become increasingly popular in recent years, as it is a more flexible way to travel and a cheaper solution for family holidays.

To ensure that your camping holiday with children is a complete success and will remain a positive memory for everyone, here are our five recommendations for a successful, stress-free family camping holiday.

If you want to venture into the world of camping with children with your family, then it's a good idea to talk to friends or acquaintances who have already had this experience. You can learn a lot from the experiences of other camping families and get a first impression of what to expect.

Trial camping at the weekend** is also very informative. If you don't yet have a tent and equipment, borrow them from friends and families, for example, and test them out extensively. This way you will find out exactly which personal requirements are important to you and what you should pay attention to before you buy the equipment yourself. You will also find out whether camping really suits you or whether you are more of a hotel and holiday flat type.

It is generally advisable not to travel too far away with children or to take plenty of breaks on longer car journeys. Children need to stretch their legs and get some fresh air at least every two hours. Also find out in advance about medical care at your destination so that you know exactly where to find help if you need it.

Choosing the right campsite is extremely important because you will be spending a lot of time here. It should of course be family-friendly. This means, above all, a quiet location and quiet times, because children need their sleep. Equally important is the availability of child-friendly sanitary facilities. If required, children's showers, nappy-changing tables or pot-washing facilities should be available. A small shop should also be available on the campsite so that you can quickly get everything you need.
Many campsites also offer childcare. This is particularly helpful on some days, especially for camping beginners.

Before booking a campsite, you should always check what leisure activities are on offer for children. Especially on rainy days, children will be happy to make use of them. Indoor playgrounds, indoor swimming pools, climbing walls and more - all of these, as well as organised activities, enrich the holidays of young and old alike.

Not only the campsite itself is important, but also the surroundings. What are the surroundings like and how is the campsite located? What can you do with your children? Is there a farm nearby? Do you want to go to the beach, the lake or the mountains during your holiday?

The ideal campsite should also be located away from busy roads, steep slopes or wild rivers, unless the site is protected from potential dangers by a fence, for example.

Once you have decided on a suitable campsite, you should book as early as possible. In the high season, the best pitches fill up quickly.

The right tent is the basis for a relaxed holiday when camping. You should make sure that it is never too small. Not only should there be enough space for all family members, but also for your luggage and all other necessary utensils. When choosing a tent, the age, size and individual needs of the children must also always be taken into account.

A spacious living area next to the sleeping cabins is recommended and offers enough space to relax and play - especially on rainy days and when it is very windy outside.

A baby in a tent is a chapter in itself, although camping with an infant is relatively uncomplicated and age-independent. Nevertheless, there are a few things to bear in mind. Make sure you have enough free space for changing nappies. In the sleeping and lounge area, the tent must have a sewn-in floor or a water-protective tarpaulin to prevent any direct contact with dirt and moisture. Make sure that the tent has a comfortable standing height and a high entrance. This is more practical and comfortable, especially with an infant in your arms.

If children like to take a nap during the day, for example, tents with darkened sleeping cabins are suitable. Some of our tents impress in this respect with Skandika Sleeper Technology, which uses special materials to almost completely block out light and ensure that our little ones' sleep rhythm is not interrupted on holiday.

Older children in particular want more privacy. A partition wall that separates their own sleeping area from their parents is a must. An even better solution is offered by tents whose sleeping cabins are completely separated - by the living area. A good example of this is our Hammerfest 4 Sleeper Protect, which is also available for up to 6 people.

Do you have two left hands or don't want to waste too much time pitching the tent? Then we recommend trendy inflatable tents, so-called air tents, which can easily be set up and taken down by a single person. Their characteristic Indian tent shape alone makes them particularly attractive and a highlight for children.

A good night's sleep is essential, especially for families with children. That's why it's always worth investing in high-quality sleeping mats and sleeping bags. They should keep you nice and warm, because freezing in a tent at night is more than unpleasant. If, on the other hand, it is too warm in summer, a sleeping bag should be easy to open and possibly convert into a blanket. A comfortable pillow should also be included for a good night's sleep.

For smaller campers, there are wonderful children's sleeping bags with bright motifs and friendly colour variations, such as the cuddly mummy models Sorgenfresser. Slightly older children can opt for the Vegas Junior or the Dundee Junior, both of which offer plenty of space and freedom of movement while still keeping the child nicely covered. A small child's body needs better insulation as it cools down more quickly. That's why children's sleeping bags are always well padded.

Foldable travel cots are the ideal sleeping place for babies. They are well insulated, spacious and usually come with a mosquito net. Make sure you get a baby sleeping bag. It can, but does not always have to, be used. If it gets cold at night, the child must wear a hat. A windbreak is useful for toddlers who like to crawl, both to limit the play area and to protect them from the wind.

You can find out what else you should pack in our ultimate packing list for families.

Make sure there is always enough entertainment both in the tent and outdoors and always take familiar things from home that your little one needs to feel completely at ease. This could be their favourite blanket or the soft toy that your child needs to fall asleep. For entertainment, there are beach toys, balls, puzzles, colouring books, dolls, board games, books and playing cards. A folding table tennis table for children, for example, is a little more unusual. Our multi-game table with Schmidt game collection is also ideal for camping holidays with children.

Toddlers who like to be independent can be entertained by converting their travel cot into a playpen. This allows them to explore the surrounding area in complete safety.

A camping holiday with children certainly requires a little more organisation, after all, children have very different needs to us adults. We hope our tips have helped you to bring some structure to the planning of your camping holiday with children and wish you a relaxing camping holiday.