How to Go Camping with Kids for the First Time

The first time camping with kids is one of those parenting experiences that sounds brilliant in theory and then promptly throws about fifteen unexpected challenges at you the moment you arrive on site. I know, because I have been there.

The good news is that going camping for the first time with kids does not have to be stressful. Whether you have toddlers or older children in tow, camping with young kids is absolutely doable with the right approach.

With a bit of preparation, the right kit, and realistic expectations, it can be genuinely magical. This guide covers everything a first-timer needs to know.

Start Small: The #1 Tip for First Time Camping with Kids

The single most important piece of advice I can give for first time camping with kids is this: do not overdo it on the first trip. The most common beginner family camping mistake is going too big, too soon.

Pick a site that is no more than an hour from home. Book for just one or two nights. Choose somewhere with decent facilities, so you are not adding the stress of finding a toilet in the dark to your list of challenges. A short, manageable first trip that goes well is worth ten ambitious trips that fall apart.

If it all goes horribly wrong, you are close enough to go home. If it goes brilliantly, you will already be planning the next one before you have packed up the tent.

How to Choose the Right Campsite When Camping with Young Kids

For a first family camping trip, family friendly campsites with good facilities make an enormous difference.

Look for sites with clean, accessible toilet and shower blocks, a flat area suitable for tents, a safe space for children to play, other families around, and good reviews specifically mentioning families.

Avoid wild camping or very remote sites for a first trip.

For families going camping for the first time, a well-facilitated site takes a huge amount of pressure off.

Beginner Family Camping Kit List: What You Actually Need

As a beginner family camper, the kit can feel overwhelming. Here is what you actually need for a first trip, and nothing more.

This guide is written for families new to camping, if you’re looking for camping for beginners family advice, this is exactly the right place to start.

• Shelter and sleep: A tent big enough for your group, sleeping bags suited to the temperature, sleeping mats or self-inflating pads, and a mallet.
• Cooking and eating: A camp stove and fuel, a couple of pans and a kettle, plates, cups and cutlery, a cool box, and washing up supplies.
• Clothing: Layers for everyone, waterproofs, wellies or walking boots, and warm socks, more than you think you will need.
• Essentials: A torch, a basic first aid kit, sunscreen, insect repellent, and wet wipes.

You do not need everything on the market. Borrow what you can for a first trip before spending a lot of money.

For honest advice on the best family camping equipment to invest in once you know what you need, take a look at our kit guides.

Setting Up Camp with Young Kids: Tips for a Smooth Pitch

Pitching a tent for the first time with excited children running around is a test of patience.

One of the most useful beginner family camping tips is to practise the tent pitch at home before you leave.

After this, look to give the children a job, even young toddlers can pass tent pegs or hold a guy rope.

Practise at home first so you know what you are doing before you arrive on site. And always arrive early, pitching in daylight is infinitely better than arriving as it gets dark.

Managing the First Night: Beginner Family Camping Tips That Actually Help

The first night is often the hardest. Bring familiar comforts from home, a favourite teddy, a pillow from their own bed, and a familiar bedtime story can make a huge difference.

Keep bedtime as close to normal as possible, and accept that the first night might be broken. By the second night, most children sleep better in a tent than they do at home.

Food on Your First Family Camping Trip: Keep it Simple

Keep camp cooking simple on a first trip. Pasta, sausages, beans and toast are all perfectly acceptable camping meals, and children usually love eating outside regardless of what is on the plate.

Pack plenty of snacks, fresh air and exercise make children hungrier than usual.

What to Expect When Going Camping for the First Time with Kids

Your first family camping trip will probably not go perfectly. Something will go wrong.

None of that matters as much as you think it will. What you will almost certainly find is that your children love it.

There is something about being outside, away from screens, with space to run and explore, that children take to immediately.

Your first time camping with kids sets the tone for years of adventures. Camping with young kids is almost always better than parents expect — and much easier the second time around.

Head over to Camping With Kids to explore everything the site has to offer, from kit guides and recipe ideas to campsite recommendations across the UK.