Caravanning with Kids

Both myself and partner belong to that happy band of grown ups who gaze off into the distance and go  nostalgically dewy eyed when recalling childhood caravan holidays. On the other hand, I have friends who were what they call ‘subjected’ to caravan holidays as a child and who still shudder every time they see one pass. And there you have it – get it right and you bless your kids with memories which they will treasure forever but get it wrong and you risk damaging your child psychologically for life it would seem.

It’s possible some parents get it right by accident but if you want to avoid the pitfalls and make your caravanning holiday a delight for you and you kids then you might want to consider a few things.

Choosing the right camp-site

What constitutes the ‘right’ camp-site will depend entirely on your own personal taste and the types of things you and your family like to do. These days there are a huge range of options to choose from – there are those sites in beautiful natural surroundings which are almost wild camping experiences. Nights are spent around a camp-fire toasting marshmallows and telling stories; during the day your children can learn shelter building and bush-craft. At the opposite end of the scale are the big holiday park type sites which have non-stop entertainment laid on, swimming pools, playgrounds, restaurants, kids’ clubs and sports facilities.

Natural Playgrounds

Contrary to popular belief modern day kids can find their own amusement and often just the presence of a stream to paddle in, pond dip, skim stones, build dams or generally get wet in, can keep kids occupied for the entire holiday. The same is true of a beach – very rarely will a parent hear those dreaded words ‘I’m bored’ by the seaside.

Company

Also consider the likelihood of companionship for your kids. If there are other kids around then children have this secret unspoken language – some unseen signal is given which means that within minutes they will be playing with total strangers as if they are age-old buddies.

Providing instant playmates for the children is one reason so many people opt to go caravanning with friends or family who have similar age children. Children who are not usually without other children around can quickly become lonely and bored .

Bad Weather Survival Plan

We all know the weather can’t be relied on unless you are taking your caravan holiday in the south of France or Spain for example, so to avoid disaster make some provisions should the heavens open. Short showers aren’t usually a problem but prolonged bad weather can send everyone a little strange cooped up in a caravan.

Make sure you know of all the places and tourist attractions in the surrounding area which are good in all weathers – a little research before you leave can really pay dividends.

Arm yourself with board-games, books, toys and some basic craft supplies. There are some excellent resources on the Internet for craft ideas for even the most reluctant or non-artistic parent from mask making to nature collages.

Be Enthusiastic

It is commonly said that if the kids are happy so are the parents but the opposite is also true. Enthusiasm and fun are infectious to children and they will take their cue from you. Kids will usually naturally take to camping and caravanning if it presented to them in the right package – they find sleeping in ‘little houses’ exciting and different. The foundations are already in place, you just have to find a way of building on and maintaining it.

There are some really wonderful books around, available in hard copy or on the Internet, if you are unsure where to start looking for that perfect camp-site. The ‘Cool Camping’ series of books are great for anyone looking for a basic, back to nature experience and have sections entitled ‘best for kids’. Technically they are aimed at tent campers rather than caravanners but some of the sites listed cater for both.

Alternatively, some of the quality newspapers have annual guides such as ’10 Best Family Campsites’ (The Guardian) or ‘Britain’s Best Family Campsites’ (The Times). For a truly unforgettable family experience try Llyn Gwynant Campsite in Snowdonia, Wales – the kids will never want to leave.