How Should You Prepare for Your First Family Camping Trip?

Posted on 11 May 2018 by Anna Scott
From the outset, we’re going to assume your first family camping trip is taking place in the UK, so we’re not going to cover the logistical issues that might come with camping abroad. Let’s just take it as a given that all your gear is going to go in the back of your car and you won’t have too far to travel. But as well as being more convenient, British camping holidays come with a whole other set of ‘challenges’ (hint: they’re mostly weather-related). So, if you’re a camping novice and not sure where to start, here are some handing first camping trip tips to make it a holiday to remember for the right reasons…

 

The Tent

The most important bit of any camping preparation and there are a few factors you need to consider. Firstly, there’s a chance this might be your first and last camping trip. Camping might not be for you so bear this is mind when deciding how much to spend on your tent. If you fall in love with camping, then you’ve got future holidays to spend more money on better tents, but for now, go for a budget option. The cheapest tent is one you can borrow off friends that obviously won’t cost you anything at all, but if you don’t have this option then second hand is a possibility. If you’d rather play if safe and go brand new, Argos have lots of cheaper options with many of them at a reduced price in the lead up to camping season.

 

campsite


 

Another important tent consideration: size. A family of four will need a 4-berth tent, right? Well, that depends on how much stuff you want to bring and how much you enjoy each other’s company. If you’re not got very much room in your car to store things or don’t fancy children clambering over you all evening, then think about going for a 6-berth instead.

When it comes to pre-trip tent prep, make sure to check all the components are present and correct before you set off and practice getting it up and down before you get to the campsite. You don’t want your holiday to get off on the wrong foot.

 

The Weather

Oh, hello British summer! Always reliably unreliable and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Well, maybe not. But that fact is you’re going to need to plan for every eventuality. When it comes to clothing, layers are the key. Even if it’s hot during the day, it could be very cold at night. And rain doesn’t necessarily mean chilly – imagine what it might be like inside a tent on a damp, humid evening and pack your clothing and nightwear accordingly.

 

beautiful camping ground


 

Waterproofs are an absolute essential, especially if you’re planning on doing lots of outdoor stuff. The thing about outdoor wear is that you don’t really want to skimp on quality if you want to stay warm and dry, but at the same time, you’re not going to want to blow your holiday budget. Yes, premium outdoor wear brands can be pricey, but many of them have really good online outlet pages. Reputable names like Craghoppers sell their old stock with up to 70% off the original price meaning you can pick up lots of bargains before you set off.

 

And The Rest

First things first, Karen Thompson from Insect Cop is an expert in preparing for the outdoors. She states that ‘one of the best ways to make sure you are prepared for a camping trip is making a list of everything you might possibly need. From the essentials like tents, sleeping bags, food and dishes to an extra layer of warm clothing for those cold nights or insect repellent and nets to kindly keep pesky insects away. If you put everything possible on your list and you can easily tick them of in prioritised order as you pack.’

You’ve packed your tent and sleeping bags, you’ve got clothes for all sorts of weather conditions, so what else? Many of the extras you’re going to need will depend on what sort of camping holiday you want to have. For example, are you going to eat out most of the time? If not, does your campsite have cooking facilities? If you’re all about experiencing an authentic camping adventure, you’re going to need your own cooking equipment and a bit of easy-to-prepare food. A camping specialist like Millets is a good place to stock up on this sort of thing, selling specially designed camping cook and cutlery sets for beginners as well as a good choice of stoves, kettles and cooler boxes.

 

camping stove


 

But whatever you plan on doing on your camping holiday, everyone is going to need to pack a first aid kit for emergency situations. Put together your own on a budget by seeing what essentials are on offer at your local chemist or invest in a specialist outdoor first aid kit from Millets or other camping retailers.

 

Another key bit of prep you can do is plan your days out before you get there. They’re nothing wrong with simply taking in the great outdoors, but this might get a bit boring after a couple of hours. Have indoor activities to hand if the weather takes a turn and check out local walks and eateries. If you need anymore help, Discount Promo Codes features all the latest popular online savings including seasonal fashion, family experience days if you want an out-of-the-ordinary holiday activity and lots of restaurant deals.

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