Camping with children can be great fun. However, at the same time it can also be stressful if you haven’t planned prior to travelling and don’t ensure there’s plenty for them to do on arrival.
Just think of the worst case scenario at home when there are tears and tantrums. You’ll want to avoid this at all costs when camping, as this is the time for you to relax and escape the tiring demands of everyday life.
Remember, your children are out of their comfort zone also. The good news is though, from toddlers to teenagers, there’s a long list of great activities whereby you’ll be able to keep them well entertained for the duration of your stay. Kids will also be able to access Wi-Fi from many campsites around Europe, so they can still spend time on their phone or tablet to keep them occupied.
Alan Rogers has inspected and selected the very best child-friendly campsites around Europe, with loads on offer for all the family. You can also follow the tips outlined in this article to be sure of bettering your camping experience.
If you want your children to maximise the potential of the campsite, ensure to get them involved with everything around the site. For the older children, this could involve helping to set-up the awning or collecting fresh water.
You can also explore your new surroundings and the whole site, or if they’re old enough allow them time to find out more on the facilities and activities they can get involved with over the week. This has the extra benefit of giving you a little more time to sort everything out on arrival too.
Whilst the campsite you’re booked onto may have loads of great facilities available, you shouldn’t turn up without prior planning. Make sure to bring toys and games along on the trip, so you’ve always a joker card to play if the weather takes a turn for the worse.
For outdoors entertainment there are great games such as swing ball, whilst tennis rackets or a football wouldn’t go amiss. When everyone’s relaxing in the evening or waiting for the rainclouds to pass, a deck of cards or a few family favourite board games would go down a treat too.
Many of the child-friendly campsites advertised on Alan Rogers offer children’s clubs. These can be excellent in helping your kids to make friends at home or abroad, whilst playing games and receiving an education all at the same time. What’s more, once the kids are out of your hair you’ll be able to have some all important alone time.
You don’t have to spend a fortune to keep the children entertained, as there’s a whole world to explore. Nature trails can be great fun for younger children, whilst scavenger hunts will easily keep the kids entertained for several hours. There’s nothing better than a family coming together in the great outdoors.
Before booking your next camping trip, it’s worth finding out what facilities are available for the youngsters on site. There could be a complete range of activities available for children to make the most of, including swimming pools, mini golf, cycling, play parks and even sports.
If you’ve older children, you can even let them explore the area and meet friends of a similar age, giving you a chance to enjoy a little peace and quiet.
If you’ve children, the chances are you’ve probably heard of geocaching. This is still popular amongst kids of certain ages, giving children and adults the chance to explore the local area. There are millions of hidden geocaches worldwide, so download a mobile app and find out if there are any treasures tucked away nearby.
With the six tips above you can find some great ways to keep your children entertained, whether you’re taking a caravan or staying in onsite accommodation. There’s plenty for all the family to get involved with and the key to this is prior planning.
If you’re looking to book your next camping trip with children, make sure to browse Alan Rogers’ inspected and selected campsites around Europe. There are some great offers available, so make sure to pick a site with all the facilities and amenities you could possibly need.
Rob Fearn
Editor - Alan Rogers Guides
Rob is the General Manager at Alan Rogers Travel Group, he is responsible for the ongoing development of the Alan Rogers website and publication of the Alan Rogers Guides.
He has been involved in the leisure industry since completing a BTEC in Travel & Tourism in 1993. Previous roles have included the promotion of tourism in Yorkshire and running a motorcycle touring company in the Australian Outback.
