CAMPING TIPS | Family-Friendly Camping Tips for Spring Adventures in the UK

February 12, 2024 Shell Robshaw-Bryan

Camping Features, Camping Tips & Advice, Family Camping, Homepage Feature, Tips & Advice

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As the days get longer and there’s that refreshing whiff of Spring in the air, it’s a sure sign that it’s not long before we can dust off our camping gear and arrange a family camping trip without risking hypothermia.

Family-Friendly Camping Tips for Spring Adventures in the UK

There’s simply no better way to celebrate the arrival of this delightful season than with a family camping trip and we’ve compiled some easy family camping tips to help you on your way.

Whether you’re seasoned campers or gearing up for your very first family outdoor escapade, from packing hacks to entertaining the little ones, let’s dive into some Spring family camping tips.

1. Choose the Right Campsite

Selecting the perfect campsite sets the stage for a fantastic family getaway. Look for campsites with kid-friendly facilities, such as play areas and easy access to nature trails.

Many sites across the UK offer family-oriented amenities, ensuring family members of all ages will have a blast. Remember that the rowdy, raucous campsites you might have favoured in your youth won’t necessarily translate well to the needs of your family.

Take a look at the campsite rules before you book somewhere new, especially if you have younger kids. Having your children’s sleep disturbed by noisy campers late at night is far from ideal, likewise, childless campers are unlikely to welcome noisy kids running around first thing in the morning!

Take a look at our detailed guide on How To Choose The Perfect Campsite For Your Next Camping Holiday.

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2. Embrace the Layers

Ah, spring weather – a delightful mix of longer, brighter days but with some occasional surprises! Whilst for the last few years our Easter camping trips have provided some fantastic warm, dry weather, it very much depends on luck!

It’s essential to pack layers to accommodate the ever-changing temperatures and weather conditions and don’t be fooled into relying solely on a weather forecast to determine what you pack.

Plenty of layers for all family members including everything from waterproofs, fleeces and wellies through to t-shirts and sun hats are in order when packing for a spring camping trip.

The Oodie Blanket Hoodie – Check Amazon For Prices

Thermarest Honcho Poncho – Check Amazon For Prices

Unicorn Oversized Warm Hoodie – Check Amazon For Prices

KingCamp Camping Blanket – Check Amazon For Prices

3. Campfire Cooking Magic

Elevate your campfire cooking game with simple and tasty recipes that are family favourites. Some simple prep at home can help and we’re big fans of cooking meals at home and then freezing them to take camping.

If you’re camping with an EHU, which is definitely a good idea for spring family camping trips, why not take your slow cooker with you for the easiest possible, hearty meals.

Another great tip is to get the family involved, giving older kids their own jobs. Get a good campfire going (if allowed on your chosen campsite) and find simple joy in foil-wrapping potatoes and popping them on the fire or enjoy eating simple-to-prepare foods you might not usually eat at home.

The Happy Linen Company Reversible Kids Sleeping Bag – Expect to pay around £31.99

Cute Cloud Night Light Rechargeable – Expect to pay around £18

Silentnight Kids 3 Season Sleeping Bag – Expect to pay around £29.99

Headlamp LED Headlight T-Rex Head Torch – Expect to pay around £14.99

4. Creature Comforts in the Tent

Make your tent a comfortable home away from home. Bring along warm and cosy sleeping bags, pillows and extra blankets and a decent camp bed or mattress for everyone is a must. Rechargeable fairy lights and lanterns can help to add a touch of bedtime magic for the little ones.

From a practical point of view, storage is an absolute family camping must as it elevates the experience and makes life easier for the grown-ups! Storage and camp furniture takes you from crawling around on your hands and knees living out of bags, to having a handy place for everything.

There are loads of inexpensive storage options out there suitable for camping and in the summer months, the hallowed middle aisles of Aldi and Lidl are bursting with great value family camping gear. Alternatively, check out lightweight folding and canvas storage solutions designed for the home which can also be ideal for camping.

Campart Camping Storage – Expect to pay around £102

Coleman Pack-away Table for 4 – Expect to pay £69.99

Bo Camp Table With Storage – Expect to pay around £82

KingCamp Bamboo Folding Table – Expect to pay around £82

5. Nature Scavenger Hunts and Wildlife Spotting

Invite the magic of nature into your kid’s lives and turn your camping experience into a nature-themed adventure. Create scavenger hunt lists for the kids to explore the flora and fauna around the campsite.

Binoculars are also a great addition for wildlife spotting – who knows what furry or feathery friends you might encounter! Encourage kids to be mindful and to focus on nature and you could find you kindle a lifelong love of the natural world.

Amazon is a great source to turn to for ready-made scavenger hunts.

Creative Scavenger Woodland Hunt – Expect to pay around £19

National Geographic Scavenger Hunt Card Game – Expect to pay around £9.99

Go Find It Original Outdoor Nature Scavenger Hunt Game – Expect to pay around £10

Scavenger Hunt Game Starter Kit With Magnetic Board – Expect to pay around £19

6. Weather-Proof Entertainment

Prepare for unpredictable weather by bringing along a selection of board games, cards and books. Nature identification books and folklore books relating to the region you’re camping in are a great idea.

Crafting is also a great way to pass the time and get creativity flowing, not just for the kids but for the grownups too.

Lonely Planet Kids Create Your Own Camping Activities – Check price on Amazo n

Dobble Family Card Game – Check price on Amazon

Six Second Scribbles Family Drawing Game – Check price on Amazon

Gutter Games Beat That!The Bonkers Battle of Wacky Challenges – Check price on Amazon

If, or should I say when, the raindrops start to fall, you’ll have a stash of indoor fun ready to roll and you won’t be pestered by bored kids demanding screen time. A little rain can’t dampen the spirits of a well-prepared camper!

For books, take a look at The Big Book of the UK: Facts, folklore and fascinations from around the United Kingdom and

Great card games include Go Find It – The Original Nature Scavenger Hunt Game and Dobble.

7. Safety First

Ensure a worry-free experience by prioritising safety. Pack a basic first aid kit, insect repellent and sunscreen.

Tent pegs and guy ropes are notorious trip hazards, ensure tent pegs aren’t left sticking high out of the ground. Also, consider adding fairy light stake lights in prominent places around the tent so they are more visible in low light and make sure you advise your kids not to run directly past/around tents to avoid nasty falls.

Familiarise the whole family with the campsite layout and establish a meeting point in case anyone goes on an impromptu exploration.

Mini First Aid Kit Travel – Check Prices On Amazon

StaySafe All-in-1 Fire Extinguisher – Check Prices On Amazon

Astroplast Mezzo First Aid Kit – Check Prices On Amazon

Wound Cleansing Wipes – Check Prices On Amazon

8. Capture the Moments

Don’t forget to immortalise your family escapade with your camera or smartphone. Snap candid shots of the kids roasting marshmallows, the sun setting over the sea, and the joyous smiles around the campfire.

As the mum of a grown-up daughter, trust me when I say that their childhood really does fly by and these pictures will become cherished memories of your family camping adventures.

Get the kids to choose some of their favourite pictures, get them printed and suggest they stick them in their journal or scrapbook as a permanent reminder.

9. Give the kids jobs

Instead of doing everything yourselves, get the kids involved. This will take some of the load of you and can help to foster their sense of independence too.

A great job for kids is filling up the water container, asking them to check guy ropes, keeping their bedroom areas tidy and mucking in with chores like washing up.

So, there you have it – a handful of family-friendly camping tips to make your spring camping trip unforgettable. Happy camping!

Vango Purbeck 600XL Tent, Vivid Grey – Expect to pay around £365

Coleman Vail Family Tent – Expect to pay around £320

Oldpro Blakedown Breeze Inflatable Tent – Expect to pay around £799

Coleman Octag0n 6 Person Tent – Expect to pay around £365

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Shell Robshaw-Bryan

Editor & Owner at Camping with Style

Shell loves all things travel and outdoors and is a nature-loving, comfy-camping kinda girl. Shell started the Camping with Style blog after a serious snowboarding accident which left her with a broken back. Despite this she used the outdoors and healing power of nature to aid her recovery and she continues to spend time outdoors whenever she can.

From open water swimming, snowboarding and kayaking to hill walks and meditation, Shell shares her travels and microadventures here on the blog and in various publications she's written for, Shell has a particular interest in promoting wellbeing and the many benefits of nature therapy.

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