collaborative post
If you’re going on your first camping or caravan trip this summer, there are a few things you need to consider to ensure your first trip goes smoothly. Read on to find out how to prepare for your first time camping or caravanning. Find my complete guide to camping with kids here.
Find a great campsite
The location and facilities of your chosen campsite can make or break your first trip. Think about what is essential to your family. Do you want a play park on the campsite? Do you want to be close to shops or a pub? What activities will you do during the day?
We often choose our campsite based on places we want to visit. For your first camping trip, you might decide you want to stay close to home so that you can pop home if you forget anything!
Make sure you pack the essential camping kit
You do need a certain amount of kit as first-time campers but you don’t need as much as you think. You can add a few creature comforts to your kit as you go along.
A great way for new campers to get started is to borrow a tent if you can or if not buy your first family camping tent. There are loads on the market to choose from. We loved our Coleman pinto mountain 5 plus XL. It has a blackout lining to make sure you get a good night’s sleep.
The other most important items you will need are a sleeping bag for everyone and something to sleep on if you are tent camping, chairs and a picnic table, and a way to cook food and a way to keep it cool. You’ll also need things to wash dishes, store water etc.
Before your trip, you also need to make sure you know how to use your caravan or camping kit. Perhaps you could try pitching your tent or caravan awning in the garden first?
The best way I know to make sure you don’t forget anything is to have a camping checklist. It will stop you from forgetting essential items like toilet paper, your first aid kit or your camp chairs! Over the years we’ve forgotten all sorts of essentials like toothpaste, suncream and even tent poles! Now I have a camping packing list that I use on every trip.
It’s a good idea to check you know how to use things like your camp stove, caravan kitchen, any heating or hot water systems in your caravan etc.
Think about how you can get the kids involved
There are so many ways to get kids involved when camping. Here are some camping chores for kids to do.
Check your caravan is ready to go
Caravan maintenance is really important. We don’t have a caravan so I’m no expert at this but take a look at this guide to caravan maintenance to get loads of tips.
Make sure your car is suitable for towing
Have you checked that your car is suitable for towing a caravan? If you have purchased a new car then make sure you have appropriate Gap Insurance.
Make sure you have caravan insurance and breakdown cover
Organising insurance and breakdown cover might not be the most exciting parts of planning your first trip but is possibly the most important. We might not like to think about it but caravan breakdown cover is so important and you’ll be grateful you made the effort if you do breakdown.
Plan your meals
Camp cooking is different to cooking at home but as long as you think about the meals that your family love and how you can cook them on a camping stove or in your caravan kitchen, you’ll eat well.
Start with a meal plan and then make sure your camp kitchen essentials are packed. Things like oil, salt and pepper, tomato sauce and any herbs or spices you need for the things you plan to cook. We all get so used to having everything to hand in our home kitchens.
Here are some great ideas for easy first night camping meals.
Check the weather forecast
The weather conditions will affect what you plan to pack. Cold weather or wet weather can affect your camping experience but it needn’t ruin it if you plan ahead. You can still enjoy quality time together whatever the weather.
It’s a great idea to check the weather and pack accordingly but don’t forget the forecast can sometimes surprise you! The weather affects the clothes you pack and also your activities. Have ideas for rainy day trips and dry weather days. Find ideas for camping toys for kids here. There are ideas for indoors and outdoors.
I hope these tips help you to enjoy your first camping adventure in the great outdoors.