Camping is a great way for foster families to get outside and enjoy nature together. It’s also a fun, budget holiday. Whether you’re a seasoned camper or new to sleeping under the stars, there are many ways to make a Camping trip fun for both kids and adults alike. With a bit of planning and creativity, your whole family can make memories that will last a lifetime. 

Camping on a Budget

Your fostering allowance is there to help pay for essentials such as clothing and anything else your foster child needs. Camping is a fun way to enjoy a holiday without spending too much money, so you can make your allowance stretch a bit further. 

Pick up everything you need second-hand. There are always tents available on sites like Facebook Marketplace or eBay. Just check everything before you pay for it. 

It’s best to speak to your social worker before buying camping gear, as sleeping arrangements will need to be considered. 

📖 Recommended Reading: If you’re looking for more useful information, check out
10 Things You Should Know When Going on a Camping Trip.

Pick the Right Campsite

When choosing where to pitch your tent, look for campsites with family-friendly facilities. Many have playgrounds, swimming pools, recreation halls for games/movies, and organised kids’ Activities. Campsites near lakes or beaches also provide plenty of options to keep little ones entertained. Avoid far-flung spots or farms unless you know they cater well to children. 

Make Camping Comfortable  

While the point of camping is to rough it a bit, you also want your family to sleep well and stay dry/clean. If you buy new, invest in good-quality family-sized tents, sleeping mats and bags, camp chairs, and torches. Waterproof ground sheets and spare tarps will also come in handy. And don’t forget the wellies! Make things fun by allowing the kids to help choose the tent or have their own portable chairs.

Plan Engaging Activities

Kids tend to get bored easily, so having a rota of engaging activities is key. Outdoor pursuits like trekking, cycling, watersports, and scavenger hunts are all popular options. Bring fun outdoor games like frisbee, badminton, or croquet too.

When staying at campsites, there may be organised activities you can sign up for as well. Have a backup plan for rainy days stuck inside your tent – card games, colouring books, comics or pre-downloaded tablet movies help.

Cook Creative Camp Meals

You haven’t truly camped until you’ve tried cooking outdoors! Let each family member contribute one item or meal. Having a diversity of campfire-friendly foods like kebabs, tin foil parcels, sandwiches, pancakes and noodles adds variety and fun. Dutch ovens allow for tasty stews, casseroles and hot pots. Be sure to pack plenty of campfire treats like marshmallows and chocolate as well.

Stay Up Late

Camping is one of the rare times kids are allowed to stay up past bedtime! Take advantage by planning fun evening activities to tire everyone out.

Tell scary stories around the fire, break out glow sticks or torches and play night games, do some stargazing through telescopes, or simply relax and bond over food and conversation. The darkness makes even familiar campsites seem new and exciting again. Cherished family memories are often made after sundown.

Follow these tips, and your next camping adventure is sure to be a hit with young and old alike. The beautiful British countryside awaits – get out and enjoy it together as a family!

Disclosure: This blog post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission for any purchases made through the links. Your trust is important to us, and we ensure that all products or services we recommend meet or exceed our editorial standards.

Last Updated on February 22, 2024

The post Camping in the UK with Foster Children: How to Make It Fun for the Whole Family appeared first on Travel Experta - Travel, Lifestyle, Freedom.