Whoop whoop the summer is here! This time of year always makes me want to get out and about and explore new places. And for us, the best way we like to do this is by packing the tent into the big red fun bus and spending a few nights under canvas.
We only actually started camping together as a family three years ago, when the girls were 3 and 6. But I also have very fond memories of camping with my mum and sister when I was little. It was these memories that encouraged me to give it a go with my own family.
Camping for me is the ideal opportunity for us to spend some real quality time together as a family. No work, no school, no after school clubs and no children’s social life to organise. This is when I find us making some of our best family memories.
Yes, setting the tent up and taking down can take some time. But when it’s up there’s isn’t much to do apart from sit back, crack open a beer or a bottle of wine, and enjoy the great outdoors. I have written previously about how to be organised on a camping trip but when Halfords got in contact and asked me how we create family memories when camping I thought I would share with you what’s on my memory making checklist.
My camping memory making checklist
1. Marshmallows – These are always the first thing the girls ask for on the camping food shopping list. Nothing beats, at the end of a long day exploring new places, everyone takes a seat around the camp fire, or the burning embers from the BBQ, toasting a marshmallow or 4. Oh, don’t forget the skewers, otherwise you will lose a gooey marshmallow through the grill.
2. Cool box & picnic stuff – To fuel those adventuring days you will need to pack an energy boosting packed lunch. So don’t forget to take some Tupperware, or tin foil, for the sandwiches. The cool box is a must too, a cold beer on the beach is always a winner. And as most campsites have the ability for you to re-freeze your ice blocks you can pretty much guarantee to have a perfectly cold cool box. The tin foil is always good to wrap up the BBQ leftovers, sausage sandwich anyone?
3. Buckets and spades – We live in South Devon, and very close to the beach, but that doesn’t stop us trying to find campsites near other beaches. A day on the beach just building sandcastles, splashing around in the sea or just chilling watching the world go by is a perfect day. One of our favourite campsites for a beach day is Pentewan in Cornwall, it’s just past St. Austell. The campsite is right on the beach. In fact Halfords have mentioned this fab campsite, amongst many more which are now on my list to visit, in their new camping guide. I don’t blame them it’s a great site for a family camping, or caravaning, holiday.
4. Fairy lights, Bluetooth speakers & camping chairs – Camping is also great for spending quality time with the husband and friends. And it is so easy to create a chilled out zone for you all to sit around the camp fire and just chat. To help create the right ambience I have started adding a string of fairy lights to the awning of the tent, and the inside too. Also don’t forget to take some Bluetooth speakers and download some chilled out tunes before you go.
5. Games – When we go camping we always pack a bag full games. UNO, travel LUDO, snakes and ladders always go down well. Activity and sticker books are also a great hit with the kids. Even a pad and pen for good old fashioned hangman or noughts and crosses, These are not only good for rainy days in the tent but are also great to take into cafes and restaurants when it’s lunch or dinner time. And don’t forget things for the outdoors – frisbee, bats and balls for an impromptu game of rounders and maybe a water gun or three. For my two, camping just makes them want to be outside more. So by taking a few things they will entertain themselves, and also rope you in to play games that you wouldn’t find the time to play when you are at home.
6. Throw/blankets – Again this is something for the night time, but my husband loves nothing better than sat around the camp fire having cuddles with one of the girls wrapped up in a blanket. They just chat about everything and anything. It is so wonderful to sit back and watch them growing their bond.
7. Camera – now I would say this is obvious, but with so much to pack it can be forgotten. Camping creates these great opportunities to be together as a family, and you will want to capture that! Don’t forget the charger or the spare batteries!
And there you have it, my checklist for creating family memories. What would you add to it?
If any of this has inspired you to take up camping, or you want to update your camping gear, check out what’s on offer at Halfords. Trust me, camping creates some of the best family memories. You will have stories to tell for a lifetime.
Lets go camping!
Jo
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Disclaimer: this post was sponsored by Halfords.
Thanks Jo, like you I have so many good memories of camping when I was a child. However my husband has only been once when we first meet, 18 years ago. It was extremely funny seeing him trying to put up the tent ⛺️. Anyway I decided to go and buy us a trailer tent, (he was not happy). We will be going on our first adventure very soon, family of 4, children are so excited . This list will be very useful. X
Have a fab time Rachel, I have heard those trailer tents are good. X
Camping is so much fun. my youngest is only 20 months so I am not brave enough to take him yet. As soon as he is a little older we will be putting up a tent somewhere and making lots of fun memories too.
Adds fairy lights to the camping shopping list. We love camping. We took our youngest when he was just 5 weeks old (not sure if that was pure stupidity or a moment of pure genius). It’s a fantastic way to spend quality time together – there’s nothing better than enjoying the great outdoors under canvas. My kids’ favourite campsites are the ones attached to theme parks – especially Woodlands, near Totnes. #DevonBloggers
I think I might bite the bullet and book somewhere not to far away.. try a couple of nights to start with. I love the idea of fairy lights and will have to get some.
I love the thought of camping and I see posts like this and think it all sounds wonderful but then I think of the reality and wonder if I’d be able to hack it! Maybe one day I’ll get the guts to give it a go, the rest of the family are all good at it as they are scouters. Mich x
We’ve just come back from our first family camping trip and we loved it. The girls had so much fun and we did the marshmallows too. I love the idea of fairy lights and music, this is going on my list for next time x
I adore camping, we grew up camping and it was such a great time. Board games are a must!!! And there is no camping without Marshmallows #SharingtheBlogLove
Great checklist. My daughters love camping (particularly if it involves going on the beach as well).
I think I would add hot water bottles, maybe they are for wimps and not hard-core campers but they are great for instant heat on a chilly night (and for getting kids off to a cosy nights sleep). #SharingtheBlogLove
I absolutely love the idea of camping, the marshmallows and twinkly lights, I just don’t want to have to bank on the weather! I am determined to change that soon though x #sharingthebloglove
I’m pretty sure I’m allergic to camping (many people have tried and failed to get me to spend the night under the stars!), however I’ve always wanted to cook marshmallows on a camp fire!
Oh you have inspired me to go camping, even on this very rainy day. Great tip about the tin foil! I also love your idea for decorating the tent with fairy-lights and bringing a blue tooth speaker. Sounds so lovely. Now I need to find a tent!
Speakers are a selfish idea. Rarely will the people in the tent next to you like the same music your bliss may be their noise pollution.
Thanks for your comment Catherine. Usually the people in the tents next to us are family & friends so our bliss is fine with them. We are considerate campers & always ensure our noise levels are appropriate for the site we are using. If it is a large very family friendly site then the sound of music is a sure sign everyone is having a fab time creating great family memories.
All your pictures make camping with the family look to wonderful. I did lots of camping with my family as a child but we haven’t been since we had our own children. I really want to take them but they’re only 4 and not quite 2 (and he doesn’t sleep very well!) so I think we might be better just waiting another year and making it a bit less stressful for everyone! #SharingTheBlogLove
We’ve been camping for the same length of time then. We go away annually with a group of girl friends and the kids. It’s mammoth but we love it (although things weren’t quite the same when some of the husbands wanted to go because they realised they missed out). Onesies for the kids are essentials here. They basically all get changed into them after dinner to run around in them #sharingthebloglove
Great tips!!! I’m hoping to camping with the kids solo for the first time this year!!!#sharingthebloglove
popping back to say thank you for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove
Great tips! We haven’t taken the children camping just yet but we will as they grow. Toasted marshmallows are a fundamental part of childhood aren’t they? I can’t wait to toast them over a campfire with the children. Thank you for joining us at #sharingthebloglove
I’ve stayed in a tent once (in my friends garden) so have no experience of the ‘camping experience’ but reading your post makes me think it might be quite nice. I think it’s the amount of ‘stuff’ you have to take which makes me wince a bit lol
We love camping and marshmallows and buckets and spades but PLEASE Don’t take your speakers……. the people in the next tent may be enjoying the noise of the outdoors and not want it ruined by your choice of noise. If I wanted to hear your music I’d come to your party.