Camping With Kids: The Book
Posted by Shell Grayston.First Published Jun 2017; updated May 2023.
Stuck for ideas to do with your kids while camping? Then check out this book by Simon McGrath called 'Camping with Kids'
Does the thought of camping with the kids fill you with horror? How do I keep the kids occupied? What do I do if it rains?
These are all common concerns of new campers. This new book called, Camping With Kids, by Simon McGrath, could alleviate your fears and provide you with lots of inspiration for your camping adventures.
About the author
Simon McGrath is the Camping and Caravanning Magazine Editor-in-Chief at The Camping and Caravanning Club.
He's been camping all his life and loves taking his family camping. Simon is passionate about camping and the benefits it brings.
About the book
The book consists of seven chapters, each with a central theme.
Chapter One - Getting there and pitching up
Chapter Two - Reconnecting with nature
Chapter Three - Relearning ancient skills
Chapter Four - Games and activities
Chapter Five - Night-time fun
Chapter Six - Campsite cookery
Chapter Seven - Active young explorers
Within each chapter, there are ideas for activities and useful tips.
Our Thoughts
The book is easy to navigate with the chapters covering the different aspects of camping. The information is easy to digest and not overwhelming. Short snippets of information with graphics make for easy reading. The activities in the book are so straightforward, and this is what makes this book very appealing.
Simon's passion for the outdoors really shines through, and his message that it's all about having fun as a family comes across in his ideas.
Here are a few examples of the activities and tips suggested in the book.
Work together to pitch a tent and get the kids involved with some of the tasks.
Work together to put the tent up - and down!
Use a tarp to make a shelter in case of a downpour.
Using a tarp to protect your family in a downpour
Have a go at Geocaching - a worldwide treasure hunt.
Have a go at geocaching
Make a tiny raft from sticks.
Make a tiny raft from sticks
If you're new to camping or looking for some inspiration to add to your family camping experience, this is the book: A Bible of family camping ideas that you can dip into when needed.
There are no large sums of money, technical skills or resources required. Just a bit of imagination and sense of humour.