Camping with kids doesn't have to mean sleepless nights, muddy meltdowns, and a boot stuffed with things you forgot you'd packed. Done right, a family camping holiday in the UK is one of the best things you can do together — full of proper memories, fresh air, and the kind of fun that doesn't need a screen. But planning it well makes all the difference.
Whether you're booking your first pitch at a holiday park or you're a seasoned caravanner looking to keep the kids entertained this summer, this guide covers everything you need. From choosing the right site to surviving a rainy afternoon without losing your mind, we've got you sorted.
Choosing the Right Holiday Park for Families
Not all sites are created equal. Some are blissfully quiet — perfect for couples or retirees, but not ideal when you've got a seven-year-old who wants to make friends at the playground by 8am. Others are lively, activity-packed holiday parks with everything from splash pools to evening entertainment.
The key is matching the site to your family. Think about the ages of your kids first. Toddlers and under-fives need safe, enclosed play areas and short distances between facilities. Teens are a whole different beast — they'll want proper activities, space to roam, and ideally some independence.
What to Look for in a Family Holiday Park
A good family-friendly site will tick most of these boxes: clean, well-maintained toilet and shower blocks (a bigger deal than it sounds when you've got little ones), a playground or play area, some form of onsite activities or entertainment, and ideally a café or takeaway so you're not cooking every single meal.
Many of the best holiday parks in the UK also offer organised kids' clubs during peak season. These can be an absolute lifesaver — a couple of hours each morning where the children are entertained and you get to drink a hot cup of tea. Bliss.
Browse family holiday parks across the UK on Campercation and filter by facilities to find exactly what you need.
Camping with Kids: The Packing Essentials
Ask any experienced family camper what they wish they'd known on their first trip and packing always comes up. It's not about bringing everything — it's about bringing the right things.
Sleeping Arrangements Matter More Than You Think
Cold, uncomfortable kids don't sleep. And kids who don't sleep make for a very long next day. Invest in decent sleeping bags rated for lower temperatures than you expect, and bring a mattress topper or sleeping mat even if the kids say they don't need one. They'll thank you at 3am.
If you're in a tent, a family-sized tent with separate sleeping pods makes a huge difference for privacy and noise management. Bell tents are brilliant for younger children — there's plenty of room to spread out and they love the novelty of the shape. For caravan or motorhome holidays, bunk-bed conversions or a fixed rear bedroom layout can make bedtime dramatically easier.
Kit That Actually Gets Used
Beyond sleeping kit, here's what regularly earns its place on a family camping trip:
- A good waterproof jacket for every member of the family (yes, even in July)
- Wellies in the right sizes — don't guess, check before you leave
- A portable camping table with chairs, including a low one or booster for small children
- A headtorch for each child (they love having their own)
- Wet wipes. Hundreds of them.
- A small first aid kit with plasters, antiseptic cream, and antihistamine
- Reusable water bottles with names on — you will lose one otherwise
Keep a running packing list on your phone and add to it every time you think of something. By your third trip, you'll have it nailed.
Keeping Kids Entertained at the Campsite
One of the great things about family camping holidays is that children often entertain themselves in ways they never do at home. Give a kid a stick, a puddle, and a bit of open space and they'll be busy for an hour. But it still helps to come prepared with a few ideas up your sleeve.
Activities for the Campsite
Classic campsite games like rounders, frisbee, and badminton work brilliantly on grassy pitches. A set of boules travels well and works for all ages. If you're near a wooded area, den building is consistently one of the most popular activities with kids aged four to twelve.
In the evenings, a campfire (where permitted) turns into the centrepiece of the whole holiday. Toasting marshmallows, telling stories, spotting stars — it's exactly the kind of thing kids remember for years. Check your site's rules on fires before you go, and always bring a few firelighters and decent wood rather than relying on damp sticks.
Nearby Days Out Worth Planning
Most UK holiday parks are within easy reach of brilliant family days out. In Cornwall, you're spoilt for choice with beaches, the Eden Project, and Flambards. In the Lake District, Grizedale Forest has brilliant Go Ape and cycling trails. North Yorkshire offers everything from the coast at Whitby to Dalby Forest.
Don't try to cram too much in. One or two days out mixed with lazy pitch days and campsite activities is usually the sweet spot for families. Children genuinely enjoy the slower pace of a campsite morning — especially when there are new friends to find.
Rainy Day Ideas for Camping with Kids
Let's be honest. It will rain. This is the UK, and even a gorgeous August week can throw in a grey Thursday. The families who enjoy camping the most are the ones who plan for it rather than dread it.
Make the Most of a Wet Day
Rain on a campsite isn't the end of the world — it's actually an adventure for younger kids, especially with the right kit. Pull on the waterproofs and wellies and go for a muddy walk anyway. Splash in puddles. Make it the point, not a problem to work around.
For longer or colder rainy stretches, here are some genuinely useful options:
- Pack a travel version of a favourite board game or card game
- Bring a waterproof picnic blanket and have a "indoor" indoor picnic under the awning
- Look up the nearest soft play, swimming pool, or cinema before you go — having a backup plan reduces stress massively
- Keep a small watercolour set or colouring book for genuinely stuck-inside hours
- Many holiday parks have indoor entertainment or an arcade — perfect for a rainy afternoon without judgement
And honestly? Sometimes a cosy afternoon in the caravan or tent watching a downloaded film with hot chocolate is exactly what everyone needs. Don't fight it.
Family Camping on a Budget
Family holidays can get expensive quickly. But camping and caravanning remain some of the best-value options in the UK, especially compared to a week in a hotel or a foreign package holiday. A bit of planning goes a long way.
How to Save Money on Your Family Camping Trip
Booking early gets you the best pitches and the best prices. Most holiday parks release their peak season availability in the autumn of the previous year. If you're planning a July or August trip, book in October or November.
Self-catering saves a huge amount. A proper camping kitchen setup — a two-burner gas stove, a decent non-stick pan, and a cool box or camping fridge — pays for itself quickly. Simple meals like pasta, fry-ups, and jacket potatoes taste better outdoors anyway. Save the pub meal for a treat on the last evening.
Look out for off-peak deals too. Late May half-term and early September are brilliant times to camp — the school holidays are close enough that children's activities are still running, but the pitches are cheaper and the sites are quieter. Win-win.
Glamping and Motorhome Options for Families
Traditional tent camping isn't the only option for families, and it's worth knowing what else is out there — especially if you've got very young children or you're new to the whole thing.
Glamping for Families
Glamping has grown hugely across the UK in recent years, and for families it can be a brilliant middle ground. Pre-furnished safari tents, shepherd's huts, and timber lodges mean you arrive to a made bed, a proper kitchen, and often a wood burner or fire pit. It's the camping experience without the faff of unpacking and setting up.
Sites like those in the Cotswolds, the Peak District, and mid-Wales offer some gorgeous glamping options for families. Search glamping sites on Campercation to find family-friendly setups with the right facilities.
Motorhome Holidays with Kids
Motorhomes are increasingly popular with families, and it's easy to see why. You've got your own kitchen, bathroom, and beds wherever you go. No packing and unpacking at every site, no worrying about tent pegs in a gale. Kids often love the novelty of living in a compact mobile home — everything has its place and it feels like a proper adventure.
If you don't own a motorhome, hiring one for a week is very manageable. There are good hire companies across the UK, and a family-sized motorhome with a fixed rear bedroom and dining area that converts sleeps four comfortably. Pair it with a well-located holiday park and you've got a genuinely brilliant family holiday.
Making Memories That Last
The best thing about camping with kids isn't the activities or the perfect pitch. It's the small stuff. The way the light looks through the tent at 6am. The first time your child successfully lights a fire. The walk to the showers in the dark with a headtorch feeling like a proper expedition.
These are the holidays children grow up talking about. Not the resort with the waterslide, but the camping trip where it rained and you all huddled under the awning eating crisps and laughing about it.
Start planning your family camping holiday today. Browse hundreds of family-friendly holiday parks, caravan sites, and glamping spots across the UK at Campercation — and find the perfect base for your next outdoor adventure.