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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
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:
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Simple outdoor games like frisbee, catch, or even a bubble wand can keep kids happy for ages.
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A scavenger hunt (safe and supervised) around the campsite is great fun and encourages them to explore nature.
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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:
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Bring a mix of quiet-time toys (colouring books, puzzles) and active toys.
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Consider packing toys they haven’t seen in a while, “new” toys hold attention much longer.
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A small portable DVD player or tablet (used sparingly) can be a lifesaver during bad weather or late evenings.
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.
Extra suggestions:
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Glow sticks for the evenings, kids love them, and it helps adults keep track of them in low light.
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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 on an airfield can get surprisingly cold. 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.
Extra tips:
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A warm hat for sleeping can make a big difference.
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Bring extra blankets, more than you think you’ll need.
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A hot water bottle (used safely) can keep little ones cosy.
Spares
When camping with young kids, you can never have too many spares. 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:
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Pack a “quick access” bag with essentials so you’re not digging through suitcases in the dark.
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Bring spare batteries/chargers for night lights or any comfort gadgets the kids rely on.
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Wet bags are great for dirty or soaked clothing.
