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CAMPING WITH KIDS
The Joy of Glazing at the Stars
If camping has been your lifestyle Before Children (BC), you are probably wondering when it’s a good tome to go back to your favourite campsite… this time with your kids. You may want to wait until your baby is at least one, so it’s an enjoyable time for the whole family. Camping with kids is great and memorable; they love it, get more parenting attention, feel free to explore and learn new things about Mother Nature. However, there are more things to consider to make it safe and to keep the kids healthy.
Finding a campsite
Facilities-based or wild campsite – it’s your choice. But the beauty of camping is in enjoying nature, so make sure you find the place you’d love. Mountain or seaside? – Both could be eco-friendly and kids-friendly. If you prefer a wilder camping experience it is definitely worthwhile seeking out the more basic campsites, those that offer a real sense of tranquillity. The benefit is that these places are fairly easy-going in terms of rules and regulations, so even the facilities might be limited to the basics, you'll probably be allowed to build a campfire.
Sometimes less promoted places recommended by friends might be the best choice for a serene, quiet family break. Just keep in mind that in England and Wales it is illegal to camp anywhere you like, while the laws are different in Scotland and in some areas wild camping is openly allowed. It is best to do your research before you go and definitely to obtain permission from the landlord in advance.
Choosing a tent
Sleeping under the stars is exciting, but having your kids with you makes your choice for a good, reliable tent extremely important. Particularly in wet weather (and summer in England might not be all sunny). So be prepared. My preferred tent is the Vengo Eco range. For a “green” family camping choose a tent that uses recycled material.
Vango have created an Eco range which use recycled components wherever possible. The flysheet, window covers, hanging storage areas, inner tents, and carry bag are all made from recycled plastic bottles.The benefits of plastic recycling include less used plastic going to landfill, less oil used for plastic production and less energy consumed to create the new product. Research shows that similar recycled products used only around 1/3 of the energy taken to produce a new product from virgin materials.
Tents are generally viewed as fairly low impact on the environment, especially a Vango tent as it will last you many, many years. To ensure that the quality of our product is not compromised, there are certain elements of the tent which at the moment cannot be made from recycled materials. These parts include the PE groundsheet, zip teeth and pullers and poles for example.
Should your tent come to the end of its life then you can play your part in the re-use process. Try and think of all the useful things that can be fashioned from the flysheet like car windscreen covers to kites! Tents in the Eco range include Green Tea, Greeen Bean, Green Wing and Green Leaf. I would go for either Vango Green Wing 500 or Vango Green Bean 350 as both are dynamic and flexible family tents for those wishing to reduce their carbon footprint. These ones is probably the top eco family tent budget-wise.
Getting there
It’s best to choose a low impact method of travel. Trains are one of the most efficient means of travel, and they offer quite an amazing experience if your kids can take the long-hours to travel. Considering you’ve selected a very eco-friendly way to spent your holiday, getting there by car might not be all bad. You will have lots of baggage to carry such as tent, clothes, sleeping bags, food… so adding kids to the picture may make any other transport method a bit difficult. If you choose get there by car, make sure your kids will feel comfortable and safe during the travel.
Good-quality car-seats are mandatory for kids under 12-years old and those under 135cm tall. My preferred car-seat is Graco Nautilus. It’s not only safe and easy to use, but being extremely comfortable makes it the best choice for a long-drive. It’s suitable for kids from 9 month to 12 years, so it’s cost-saving. The head-support helps your little one sleep more comfortable, and the bottle and toys-holder eases your life and make the trip less stressful and enjoyable for the whole family. You can now buy Graco Naulituls with 10% discount at Halfords.
Setting up camp
…It’s not easy for first-time campers. But if camping is your lifestyle, you already know how to do it efficiently and quickly. Following the instructions for newbies is essentials, so make sure you keep them with you. How would you like your morning – bright and shine so the sunlight wakes you up, or would prefer to stay in a shadow for another hour or so? Plan to arrive in daylight so can work out where the sun sets and rises and choose which way to face your front door.
When pitching your tent, remember that old phrase 'high and dry'. You don’t want your tent to be flooded with the first rain, right? And also don't camp under trees in strong winds if you don't want branches crashing down on you.
Making your camp feel like home (even for a few days) is essential for a great-time family holiday. But rather bring decorations from home, look around you – there will be either wildflowers, tree leaves if in mountain, or sea-shells and stones if you are camping on the coast. You may take some of those with you when you go home to keep the memories as a “herbarium” from your holiday.
If you have brought some home-made jam jars with you, you can use the jars when empty for tea-light holders and bring some romantic atmosphere to your tent. These are great especially if you're not allowed a fire and kids will enjoy them, too.
Camping essential – what to pack
It’s your choice how to decorate your tent, but there are some camping essential you must bring in with you, such as warm sleeping bags, warm-up bag for your kids, such as the Kipling Sleeping Monkey Charcoal Toddler Warm Up Bag, waterproof mats, extra pair of warm clothier despite the summer weather, a solar-powered camp lamp and torch, a knife set, stainless steal pans, plates and cups for easy-use, your natural First Aid Kit, organic travel-size face and body-care kits, a baby hammock if your kid is under one, kids stainless steal BPA-free drinking bottle, cooling bags, gas-cooker if fireplace is not allowed, safety matches. Hey, don’t forget the waterproof raincovers and wellington boots, you never know…
Sunny summer days are great, but the sunlight could be dangerous. Best quality organic sunscreens are a must-have for both kids and parents. I recently tried the Lavera SPF 20 kids sunscreen and it’s brilliant! It helps protecting little ones’ delicate skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays with this waterproof sun cream. The Lavera Baby and Children Sun Screen SPF20 contains Organic Jojoba Almond and Apricot Kernel Oil to nourish and soothe your child’s skin. It protects babies and children from direct sunlight in very strong sun without irritating the skin.
My daughter has been testing it for a few weeks now and her extremely sensitive skin is fine! I am so happy as the product is 100% natural mineral sunscreen, so no allergic reaction, she is protected, it smells nice, it's waterproof (well, we are planning to spend some time on a beach abroad, so this is important), and doesn't leave white marks (not that she cares about the white marks, but I still think it's a plus!). You can buy it online at Ulula.co.uk.
Keep kids entertained
Don’t worry about kids’ toys and entertainment. Make the most of the nature and benefit from the free outdoor play. Help them explore the nature and learn, join them in their games and make if fun for the whole family. Collect some stones and leaves and keep them inside the tent in case of bad weather moments, so you can keep up with the joyful and quality family time. Try games as Hide & Seek,
Great campfire food
Choose organic ingredients and make sure your keep eating healthy and have a balanced diet. Get plenty of organic pulses such as dhal and peas and kidney beans, organic brown rise, wholegrain macaroni and couscous, fine oats, quinoa flakes, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, parsnip, lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and keep the natural yoghurt, organic eggs, milk and some meat for the BBQ in the cooling bags.
Cooking and eating outside is probably the most enjoyable thing to do when camping, so get your family together and make the most if it. Explore the area where you are camping as see if there are any local farms where you can buy fresh organic food – it tastes much better! Take the opportunity to ask farmers to take you around and to show your little campers how the food grows.
Have a look at our Green Holiday Guide for some inspiring ideas on what things to do when camping.
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