Camping in the Rain with Kids

Rain is a fact of life for UK camping families. If you only camp when the weather is perfect, you will not camp very often.

The good news is that camping in the rain with kids is not nearly as miserable as it sounds, and some of our best family camping memories have come from trips that were decidedly damp.

The secret is attitude and preparation. Here is how to handle rain on a camping trip without it ruining the experience.

Accept That It Will Rain

The most important mindset shift for UK family camping is accepting that rain is part of the deal.

Families who plan only for sunshine and then fall apart when the weather turns have a much worse time than families who expect rain and are ready for it.

Tell the children before you go that it might rain, and that rain is fine. Frame it as part of the experience rather than a problem with it.

The Kit That Makes Camping in the Rain with Kids Bearable

Some of your decision making before you set off will help you when you are camping in the rain with kids, as much of it comes down to your kit.

A tent with a proper porch or awning

A covered outdoor space transforms a rainy trip.

It gives children somewhere to play out of the rain but not inside the sleeping tent, keeps muddy boots contained, and provides a sheltered space for cooking.

If your tent does not have a porch, a separate gazebo or tarp is worth its weight in gold.

Waterproofs for everyone

Not optional. Every member of the family needs a proper waterproof jacket and trousers.

Children who are dressed for rain can go out and play in it without getting cold or miserable.

Wellies

A campsite after rain is muddy.

Wellies keep feet dry and children who have them can splash in puddles, which is one of the genuine joys of camping in wet weather.

A good tarpaulin

A large tarp rigged over the cooking and eating area creates a weatherproof outdoor living space that makes the whole trip significantly more comfortable.

This is definitely one that depends on your other kit. For some, this will be a lifesaver, while others may have tent porches and other spaces that make a tarpaulin not needed.

Dry bags for sleeping bags and clothes

Wet sleeping bags are a genuine problem.

Keep sleeping bags in dry bags or bin liners inside their stuff sacks to make absolutely sure they stay dry.

Activities for Camping in the Rain with Kids

So, it’s raining, you don’t want to go out, but how can you keep the kids entertained?

We’ve got four ideas listed below that should work in keeping the little ones happy, for a period of time anyway.

• Card games and travel board games. The perfect rainy day activity for a tent. See our guide to the best card games to take camping for recommendations.
• Drawing and craft. A few sheets of paper, some pencils, and simple craft activities take up almost no space and can keep children occupied for a surprising amount of time.
• Reading. Camping and reading go brilliantly together. A wet afternoon in a tent with a good book is a perfectly pleasant thing, and children who are reluctant readers at home sometimes find that the novelty of reading in a tent makes them much more willing.
• Cooking together. A rainy afternoon is a brilliant time to involve children in cooking. Something slow and satisfying like a stew or soup on the camp stove, with children helping to chop vegetables and stir the pot, fills a couple of hours and produces a genuinely warming result.

Getting Out in the Rain

The thing that most surprises people new to camping in bad weather is how much fun it can be to go out in the rain.

Provided children are properly dressed, rain is not a reason to stay inside.

A walk in the rain has a completely different quality, puddles, waterfalls, the smell of wet grass, animals that come out in damp weather.

Children who are allowed to get wet and muddy tend to have a brilliant time.

Drying Out

At the end of a wet day, getting everyone warm and dry is the priority.

Change children into dry clothes and layers as soon as you are back at the tent.

Wet clothes hung in the tent porch or on a line under the tarp will dry faster than you expect. A warm drink and a hot meal go a long way after a wet day outside.

For more tips on making your family camping trips run smoothly whatever the weather, visit our family camping tips section and explore everything at Camping With Kids.