How to Go Glamping with Kids - Family Camping Checklist

We all know that spending time outdoors is great for kids: it boosts their creativity, teaches them about the world around them, and supports their mental and physical well-being. A camping or glamping trip is a great chance to spend some quality time together as a family and offer your kids the chance to spend more time outdoors.

With this in mind, today we’ll share our top tips for going glamping with the kids. We’ll also provide a family camping checklist to help you pack. Let’s get started!

Tips for Glamping & Camping with Kids

1. Borrow gear from family & friends

This is both cheaper and eco-friendly! Tents, air mattresses and sleeping bags are things a lot of people own but don’t use regularly. Ask and you’ll receive!

2. Do a practice run in the back garden

Not only can this be a fun activity for the kids (think bedtime stories read under torchlight or for older kids, a fun sleepover idea with a friend), it gives you a chance to practise pitching if you’ll be staying in a tent. It also gives the kids a taste of what the “real thing” might be like. This could be especially helpful for neurodivergent kids.

3. Get the kids involved with packing & cooking

Giving kids responsibilities for the trip gives them a sense of accomplishment. Get them involved in the packing process as well as cooking at the campsite. Cooking on the campfire (think s’mores and hot dogs) is a unique experience that can really help them enjoy outdoor living.

4. Figure out your family’s camping style

We love camping in a tent, but there are many other options, from RVs to glamping cabins. Especially if you’re a first-time camper, glamping could be a great introduction to holidays in the great outdoors. You get a good night’s sleep on an actual bed, stay cosy in your heated glamping pod, and there’s a wee bit more space to break out the games and enjoy an afternoon snack around the table.

Family Camping Checklist for Packing

Accommodation & sleeping

What you need to pack for your accommodation depends on what camping style you choose. Of course, if you’re staying in something like a shepherd’s hut or a camping pod, you’ll have no need for a tent, though you might still need to bring bedding with you.

• Tent (if applicable)

• Sleeping bags or sheets & duvets

• Pillows

• Sleeping mats/air mattresses (if applicable)

• Camping table (if applicable)

• Folding chairs (if applicable)

• Torches & extra batteries

Clothes

In the unpredictable UK weather, lots of layers and weatherproof clothing will help keep you warm and dry. Make sure you pack extra clothes for the kids in case of any mishaps.

• Thermal base layers

• Socks & underwear

• Pyjamas

• Weatherproof jacket

• Weatherproof trousers

• Waterproof shoes

• Hats, gloves & scarves

Campsite kitchen

Cooking your meals on a firepit, camping stove or BBQ is one of the highlights of a camping trip. Tinfoil is very versatile when it comes to campfire cooking: you can wrap any number of food items in it to cook over the flames, from nachos to hash browns. Pack smaller portions of things like rice and pasta in reusable containers and pre-chop veggies to save time. We have a dedicated tag for campfire recipes on our blog.

• Camping stove & propane/butane (if applicable)

• Matches/lighter

• Plates, cups & utensils

• Pot, pan & cooking utensils

• Knife & cutting board

• Tinfoil

• Cooler

• Reusable water bottles

• Washing up liquid, sponge, basin

• Tea towel

• Bin bags

• Anti-bacterial wipes

• Spices & condiments

• Food items for meals

• Snacks

• Coffee/tea

• French press/pour-over kit

Fun & games

Keeping the kids entertained on a camping or glamping break doesn’t necessarily require any physical items; classic games like tag and hide and seek, foraging for berries and collecting leaves and acorns are just a few fun and free activities. But here are some things you might want to pack.

• Board games (great for rainy days!)

• Books

• Binoculars

• Scavenger hunt (DIY or buy)

• Football

• Frisbee

• Badminton rackets

Babies & toddlers

Camping with a baby or a toddler can be a great experience! We have a dedicated guide to camping and glamping with a baby, so do check it out if you’ve got children under two!

• Diapers

• Potty (if applicable)

• Bassinet or roll mat

• Formula (if applicable)

• Baby food

• Changing mat

• Bottle & sterilising equipment

• Sippy cup

• Sling

Toiletries

Going camping doesn’t mean you have to feel all grimy! Here’s what you need to feel fresh and clean. Need some info on what to add to your camping first aid kit? Check out this guide.

• First aid kit

• Wet wipes

• Toilet paper

• Toothbrushes & toothpaste

• Soap

• Shampoo & conditioner

• Sunscreen

• Bug spray

• Prescriptions

• Camping towels

Why choose Wigwam® Holidays

When you choose glamping for your holiday in the great outdoors, you won’t need to pack as much - many of the items on this family camping checklist won’t be necessary. 

At Wigwam® Holidays, our glamping pods come equipped with the necessities - a fridge, beds, even kitchenettes and en suite bathrooms as well as firepits outside. All of this makes glamping the easier choice especially if you don’t have a car.

If you’d like to learn more about the glamping experience, visit our Inspire Me page. You can view all our 80+ UK glamping sites here.