Page Title
Camping with Children
Camping with children can sound like a great idea, but it absolutely comes with its challenges. Will they behave? Will they get bored? What food should you bring? Is it safe?
The good news is that all these questions are manageable with the right planning. Without preparation, though, things can quickly become stressful. Hopefully, this guide will help make your camping experience smoother and a lot more enjoyable.
One of the biggest challenges is keeping youngsters occupied. How well that goes really depends on how parents and the group interact with them. This year was the first time we camped with three young children, and trying to keep them busy while some of us were watching aircraft, cooking, or sorting the campsite was definitely a juggling act. Thankfully, my other half, my sister, and her partner shared babysitting duties, she’s always there for me, aha!
As a group, we brought the following and did the following:
Camping with Children
Outdoor Games
Bringing a football was a huge success. It was used throughout the entire day, and in the evenings once the planes had landed, the BBQ was going (in a safe area, of course!), the music was on, and the adults had a beer in hand, all 12 of us ended up taking turns having a kickabout on our pitch. The youngsters loved it and it kept everyone involved.
Since we were at the campsite for a few days, my sister and her partner also took the kids for little walks to explore the site. They watched aircraft arriving and displaying from new angles, which kept things fresh and exciting for them.
We also packed card games, which worked perfectly. With the gazebo set up as a quiet space, the kids sat inside playing cards and relaxing. We took turns joining in, giving everyone a bit of downtime.
Extra tips:
-
Simple outdoor games like frisbee, catch, or even a bubble wand can keep kids happy for ages.
-
Bring a collection of card games, Like UNO, the classic Top Trumps. Even just normal cards.
-
If you’re staying for multiple days, rotate activities to avoid boredom.
Cars, Toys, Books, etc.
These were all a big hit and really helped keep the youngsters occupied throughout the day. With supervision, the children happily played with their toys and books for hours, giving the adults a chance to relax or focus on camping tasks.
Extra tips:
-
Bring a mix of quiet-time toys (colouring books, puzzles cars, planes as its a air show ) and active toys.
-
Consider packing toys they haven’t seen in a while, “new” toys hold attention much longer.
-
As most people now have a Tablet, apps like Disney plus, Netflix work well if the kids want to watch TV. Its best to download films before you arrive as signal can be poor, depending on network. THREE can be from personal experience.
What Else Would Work?
To keep little ones happy, garden games are a fantastic idea. Things like giant Jenga, ring toss, skittles, or beanbag throwing games are easy to pack and enjoyable for all ages, even the adults ended up joining in, and we had a wonderful time. Just be creative and try to mix fun activities with calm ones to keep them occupied without overwhelming them. They are all available on amazon etc, or to help local business and shop local at toy shops etc.
Extra suggestions:
-
Glow sticks for the evenings, the kids love them, and it helps adults keep track of them in low light.
-
Set boundaries early , areas they cannot go near, especially at RIAT, such as roads, pegs, guide ropes, and cooking zones.
Temperature Drops at Night
Even in summer, nights near an airfield can get surprisingly cold as its very open, even in the campsites near. Babies and toddlers especially need extra layers and warm sleeping setups. If possible, have them sleep on a raised bed or camp bed, as the ground is much cooler and can make them cold quickly. Travel cots are great, and worked well for us this year. (see below for ideas and links to amazon)
Extra tips:
-
A warm hat for sleeping can make a big difference.
-
Bring extra blankets, more than you think you’ll need.
-
A hot water bottle (used safely) can keep little ones cosy.
-
Don't let the tent get damp, keep the doors shut as the sun goes down. This keeps the tent dryer inside for everyone.
-
Keep the door mesh zipped up, Keep the insects out, especially if its been a warm day, the tent will be filled with all sort of bugs, insects, gnats. TOP TIP, Bring fly and Bug Spray
Spares
When camping with young kids, you can never have too many spare items. Children make messes, lose things, drop things in mud, and generally get through supplies much faster than expected. Pack spares of anything essential: nappies, clothing, wipes, bug spray, sun cream, anything you absolutely can’t go without.
Extra tips:
-
Pack a “quick access” bag with essentials so you’re not digging through suitcases in the dark.
-
Bring spare batteries/chargers for night lights or any comfort gadgets the kids rely on.
-
Wet bags are great for dirty or soaked clothing.
-
Pack a "spares" bag in case of any misplacement.
Safety
When bringing children to RIAT and camping, keeping them safe is a top priority. It’s a very busy environment, with large crowds and plenty of vehicle movements. Depending on your campsite and pitch size, there are a few simple ways you can help keep them secure.
One of the best options is to create a clear boundary around your pitch so they can’t wander off unnoticed. Windbreaks work really well for this. They can be linked together to form a solid barrier and, as a bonus, they also give you a bit of extra privacy. See below for an example.
Ear protection
When attending RIAT, Please bring ear protection for the little ones. jets can be loud, especially on take off and fast passes. These can be purchased on base for around £10.00 or the likes of amazon have a great selection. It might be worth testing them on your child before attending so you know that they are the correct fi, and they are comfy for your child.
This is just an example of how you can create a boundary with windbreaks. Depending on your pitch size as some sites are set out for you, it gives the children some space to run around.
These examples shown below are some ideas I have researched and thought I would share with you to see if it works for you. Links to the products will be included.
All links to Amazon are soley for guidance and not a sales click, I gain nothing from any amazon purchases
Portable Playpen for Babies and Toddlers
About this item
-
INDOOR/OUTDOOR USE – Whether playtime is indoors or out, keeping your little one in one place is essential. The Bright Starts Pop ‘n Play Portable Playard provides 14 square feet of contained playing area, and the folding metal frame weighs only 12 pounds.
-
LIGHTWEIGHT AND PORTABLE – The ultra-lightweight and compact play yard for baby and toddler is perfect for use at home inside or out, a day at the park or even a vacation at the beach.
-
COMPACT FOLD – With a lightweight, innovative pop and fold design that sets up and comes down in seconds, plus an easy and compact fold, you can have a travel toddler and space saver baby playpen to bring with you on all your adventures.
-
WATER RESISTANT FLOOR – Playpens for babies can easily become messy, but not the Bright Starts Pop ‘n Play. The water resistant canvas floor helps keep baby dry, even on damp grass.
-
ADDITIONAL FEATURES – 14 square feet of playing area (48 inches wide, 26 inches tall), compact fold and travel bag with strap for easy portability included. For use for 6-24 months (up to 35” tall).
Please note that is is from the USA Amazon site, and can be shipped to the UK.
Baby Delight Go With Me Eclipse
Portable Playpen with Removable Canopy
Whether it be fun in the sun, or a secluded indoor area, the Go With Me Eclipse Portable Playpen with Canopy is the perfect place for your little one to play.
The Eclipse folds and unfolds in just seconds! Simply open the walls away from each other and press down on two locks to secure in place. To fold back up, lift up on both locks and pull walls in together. Once folded, the compact playard and canopy fit into a convenient carry bag so you can quickly get to your next adventure!
Please note that is is from the USA Amazon site, and can be shipped to the UK.
BEDDING
Below are a few examples of beds that can work well when camping at RIAT. Have a look through them and see which ones might suit your youngsters.
Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed
A portable toddler travel bed with safety sides can be a real game changer when camping with children. These inflatable beds come as a complete set with a high-speed pump, making setup quick and easy. Being raised off the ground helps keep little ones warmer and more comfortable through the night, while the safety sides stop them from rolling out. Paired with a sleeping bag or a duvet, it creates a cosy, familiar sleeping space that helps everyone get a better night’s sleep.
Folding Travel Cot
If you’re bringing a baby to RIAT camping, a portable travel cot with safety sides can make a big difference. These folding cots are designed to pack down neatly, saving space in the car and making setup quick and straightforward. Being raised off the ground helps keep babies warmer and more comfortable overnight, while the safety sides prevent them from rolling out. It also creates a cosy, familiar sleeping space, which can really help everyone get a better night’s sleep
Please note that is from the USA amazon, however it can be shipped to the UK if this works for you.
Inflatable Bed with Sides and Roof
This little gem is perfect for keeping bugs and pests out. It features zipped sides to keep your child safe, and it’s ideal for outdoor use, especially for afternoon naps. You can comfortably keep an eye on your child while sitting outside the tent watching the aircraft. If the tent gets warm, it’s also perfect to place outside, allowing better airflow to help keep them cool
KIDS GAMES
Below are a few examples of games that work well when camping at RIAT. Have a look through them and see which ones might suit you and your family
Bean Bag Toss Game for Kids
In 2024, we brought this with us and it turned out to be perfect for the kids. It kept them entertained for hours, and before long the adults were joining in too. Things got surprisingly competitive, which made it even more fun. It was a great game for everyone and the kids especially loved playing and interacting with the adults.
Giant Tic Tac Toe Game
This is a game that really works for all ages. It can provide hours of entertainment, and if you have more than one child, it’s great for encouraging a bit of friendly competition. It keeps them engaged, gives them something to focus on, and does a good job of distracting them from boredom. Even better, it often pulls adults in as well, turning it into a shared activity rather than something just for the kids
Toss and Catch Ball
Toss and ball is one of those simple games that just works really well when you’re camping at an airshow. It’s easy to pack, quick to set up, and doesn’t need any power, which makes it ideal for use around your pitch. The game can keep kids entertained for long stretches of time, and it’s easy for the rest of the family to join in too. It’s a cheap, no-fuss way to keep boredom at bay between flying displays and helps everyone unwind at the end of the day
