Top ten tips for successful camping holidays
5th August 2010
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SALES of tents are booming as families opt for value-for-money stay at home holidays and as the proliferation of summer festivals introduces even more people to the fun of camping.   But how easy is staying in a tent with young children?

Haven Holidays, who have 23 touring parks around the UK, have shared their top ten tips for summer camping holidays with a family with Best of Worcester.

Choose your site carefully.  Are you looking for a real back to nature holiday with only basic facilities or somewhere that combines all the fun of camping with plenty on offer by way of activities, entertainment, food, drink and shops?

Pack for comfort.  Travelling light is all very well for backpackers but if you’re camping with kids they’ll enjoy it more if it’s comfortable. Bring along airbeds and blankets.

Don’t forget cooking implements. Cooking over a camping stove is good fun – but you’ll still need at least a tin opener, a sharp knife, a spatula and a wooden spoon. Turning bacon in a frying pan with plastic cutlery just doesn’t work!

Pack torches as well as lanterns. Kids love the torches that you wind up and you won’t need to worry about batteries. If they wake up in the middle of the night it’s useful for them to have a torch close at hand.

Travel cots are much easier for toddlers even if they use a bed at home. It helps to contain them at night and means they are not sleeping directly on the ground.  And don’t forget a portable potty!

Allow for some meals to be eaten out. Parks that have good value for money restaurants or takeaway options on hand put less pressure on parents to cook every meal and make it more of a holiday for the whole family.

Be realistic about packing wet weather gear – bring macs, wellies and jumpers.   And choose a park that has something for the kids to do if the weather is not that great.

Fly a flag, or a windmill outside your tent so your kids can find their way back easily.  Whilst finding your tent on a campsite is a doddle compared to spotting your tent at a festival, nevertheless it’s good to have a marker so children know exactly where you are.

Remember matches, a water carrier and a washing up bowl. A fold up table and chairs makes meal-times easier.

Involve your children in the decision-making process about where to go. If you choose somewhere that they’ll enjoy it will make the holiday more fun for everyone.

For more information or to book with Haven, visit www.caravancamping.co.uk or call 0871 230 1933.

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