If you’re looking for an affordable holiday idea, then camping is certainly one possibility that is open to you. However, many people are turned off the idea, and that is because they assume it will be hard work and less than fun.
Why?
Well, some people prefer the comforts of a hotel, so the idea of a week in a tent might appear less than comfortable. The prospect of cooking outdoors might not seem appealing, and neither will the prospect of having to put up a tent!
And especially when there are kids in tow, some parents avoid camping as they assume there won’t be a lot of scope for keeping their little ones entertained. Parents might also assume a camping holiday will diminish the fun factor for themselves too, as not only might they face the possibility of their kids bemoaning that ‘this is boring,’ but they might decide that camping isn’t an interesting way to spend their vacation time,
However, camping doesn’t have to be hard work or boring. We have some tips for you here, so have a read, and then consider the option for your next vacation, as you might enjoy the benefits of a camping holiday if you do.
#1: Get a decent tent
If you don’t want to spend hours trying to put up a tent, buy a simple pop-up tent, or consider the ease of a 3 room camping tent for your family trip that comes pre-attached with the necessary poles. The benefit of the latter is the size too, as there will be plenty of space for everybody, with privacy included. So, don’t make life difficult yourself with a cheap tent that takes hours to put up. And don’t risk flooding with a tent that isn’t fit for purpose on a rainy day away. Shop around for a decent tent, as you might actually enjoy a little bit of comfort and a lot less stress if you do.
#2: Prepare food at home
Cooking over a gas stove isn’t that difficult, so don’t let the prospect of cooking outdoors put you off a camping holiday. However, if you can prepare as much of your food at home as possible, you will save yourself a lot of time and stress when away. So, plan what you want to eat, and then do what you can at home. Marinate your meats. Prepare your vegetables. And pre-make as many camping meals as you can, because you will only need to heat them up when you’re trying to enjoy a lazy day on your camping trip.
#3: Invite your friends
If you can find a campsite that accommodates plenty of other people, invite your friends to come along (as long as they have their own tents). Camping is always more fun when you can experience it with others, and especially if your friends have children of their own, your kids will have more people than you to keep them entertained during the trip. Not only that, of course, but you will also have people on hand to help you if you do get stuck putting up your tent, or if you do make mistakes with your cooking.
#4: Plan things to do
Yes, your camping trip will be boring if all you do is laze around all day. You will get agitated after a while and your children will be less than happy too. So, create an itinerary for each day, as there are loads of things you can get up to on your holiday. For starters, you could buy outdoors games equipment to ensure there is plenty of scope for fun and games with your kids. From frisbees to water pistols, bring plenty of things with you to keep everybody entertained. Research a few equipment-free games too, as you will be able to reduce your packing list this way. And then plan to do things away from the tent. Go on scavenger hunts, hiking trips, and nature walks. If you’re camping near water, plan for fishing, swimming, or boating. And if there are any towns or villages nearby, check out the kinds of activities that will be on offer to you, and if necessary, make any bookings in advance.
#5: Learn a few things before you go away
If you do buy a tent that is more complicated than you would like, practice putting it up before you go away. If you are going to be using a gas stove for your meals, practice cooking with it in your garden before your trip begins. And if you’re hoping to enjoy a few singalongs around a camping fire, learn how to safely build a fire to ensure you don’t burn down a few trees when you’re on your holiday. The more you can learn before you go away, the better, so make an effort to research and attempt anything you’re not sure about.
#6: Make sure you pack the essentials
You will be less than comfortable if you don’t have the essentials with you, and your stress levels will rise if you find yourself in a tricky situation. So, before you leave, create a packing list of camping essentials, and then buy what you need ahead of time. From bug sprays to help you all fend off mosquitos to the necessary eating utensils, you will all need to…erm…eat, check out the previous link for everything you might need, and then cut out those non-essentials (you won’t need to bring the TV) to ensure you have enough space in your bags and car for your trip.
#7: Get into the right mindset
And finally, this is the most important thing to do before you go away. If you have a negative mindset before your trip, you will have a miserable time. Instead, remember the positives. Think about the bonding time you will have with your family. Think about the beauty of the scenery that you will hopefully be camping against. And think about the money you will be saving when you opt for a tent instead of a hotel. By thinking positively, you will have a good time, and you will create many happy memories during your time away.
Thanks for reading, and enjoy your camping trip!
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