Family camping:
tips for an unforgettable vacation
Have you ever tried family camping?
Whether you’ve tried it solo, with friends or as a couple, or whether it’s your first time, camping offers a unique adventure, ideal for family vacations. In fact, it’s one of the most popular ways to combine nature, relaxation and sharing.
Imagine waking up to birdsong, sharing moments of complicity around a campfire, or exploring magnificent landscapes together…
More than just a vacation option, camping is a great way to reconnect with nature and strengthen family ties.
Whatever your budget or the age of your children, there’s sure to be a natural, unusual, authentic or modern campsite to suit your tribe.
Here’s an overview of the many advantages of family camping and some tips for a memorable vacation.
Welcome to the campsite!
Why is camping ideal for families?
Back to basics
Away from daily stress and screens, camping offers a welcome break in a natural setting. Kids run barefoot, explore the surroundings, and create memories that don’t need an Instagram filter.
Adults, meanwhile, rediscover the pleasure of slowing down and sharing simple moments.
Stronger ties
Camping is a great way to get together and share precious moments. Between swimming, outdoor games and evenings under the stars, this convivial interlude strengthens the bonds between parents, children and even grandparents. A true haven of peace where every member of the family finds his or her place.
Family and intergenerational reunions are among the values promoted by Cottage Parks.
Moments of conviviality
Campsites are great places to meet and talk. Parents and children can easily forge new friendships by taking part in group activities: games, outings or aperitifs shared with other families. These moments of sharing reinforce the sense of community and leave lasting memories.
A paradise for children
With swimming pools, playgrounds and kids’ clubs, campsites are designed to delight the youngest. But above all, it’s the freedom that makes them happy: no dangerous traffic, friends around every corner, and a thousand ways to have fun in complete safety.
Activities for everyone
Whether you’re a sporty, lazy or adventurous type, the campsites offer activities for every member of the family: hiking, canoeing, nature workshops, evening entertainment, and sometimes even unusual experiences such as cabin-building or local cooking workshops.
An economical option
Camping offers solutions to suit all budgets. Whether you opt for a cottage, a mobile home or a comfortable safari tent, you can enjoy a memorable vacation without breaking the bank. Top-of-the-range options combine comfort and the spirit of nature in “open-air hotels”.
Our tips for a successful stay
1. Choosing the right campsite
Define your priorities: do you prefer a campsite with a kids’ club, a swimming pool, or a quiet, intimate setting?
If you’re concerned about the environment, look for eco-responsible campsites with the “Clef Verte” label.
2. The right equipment
Even if some campsites are fully equipped, it’s best to plan ahead: flashlights, appropriate clothing and games for children are essential.
For young explorers, an adventurer’s kit (magnifying glass, compass, notebook) will do wonders.
⚠️ Above all, don’t forget essential equipment such as a first-aid kit and waterproof clothing.
3. Involve children in the organization
To avoid frustration, let your children take part in the preparations: choosing activities, cooking recipes on the barbecue or organizing a walk.
Their involvement will transform the vacation into a collective adventure.
4. Finding the right rhythm
Avoid overloading your days: leave time to stroll, explore at your own pace, or simply enjoy a sunset with the family.
How old do you have to be to go camping?
There’s no minimum age for a family camping trip, but there are certain criteria to take into account to adapt the stay to the age of the youngest:
Camping with a baby (0-2 years)
It’s perfectly possible, as long as you’re well organized:
- prefer a quiet, well-equipped campsite with suitable facilities (paddling pool, nurseries, baby toilets);
- Opt for comfortable accommodation such as a mobile home, bungalow or converted tent to avoid sleeping and temperature constraints;
- prepare everything you need: travel cot or nomad tent for baby, portable bathtub, sun and insect protection, warm sleeping bag suitable for baby, small inflatable pool, changing bag and blanket, etc.);
- tell the campsite when booking that you have a toddler.
?? Take a look at our campsite reviews to help you make the right choice!
Camping with toddlers (2-5 years)
This is the ideal age to enjoy simple activities like splashing in a pool, playing in a sandbox, or discovering nature.
Our advice:
- Choose family campsites with entertainment, children’s playgrounds and secure areas;
- Stay close to home or choose an easily accessible destination to reduce travel time;
- prepare suitable activities (outdoor games, coloring for quiet moments).
? Try camping on a farm– your children will love it!
Camping with children (6-12 years)
The ideal age to discover the pleasures of camping! Children love the freedom campsites offer:
- Children’s clubs, aquatic areas, swimming pools and entertainment are often a great way to keep the kids busy;
- Activities include light hiking, biking, swimming, campfire evenings and group games with other children.
?️ You want to create an indelible memory: offer your adventurers (and your childlike soul) a stay in a treehouse! Or ideas for simple, creative activities to be carried out on site: lantern-making, a nature-themed treasure hunt with clues written in advance, etc.
Camping with teenagers (13 and over)
Camping is often an opportunity for them to make new friends and grow as a group, but sometimes involves finding interesting activities for them:
- Choose campsites with sports activities, water parks or entertainment for teenagers;
- Allow them a little autonomy, like sleeping in their own tent and taking part in outings or activities without parents.
❌ Mistake to avoid: Choosing a campsite too far from shops and leisure centers.
Read also:
Where to go camping with the family?
Do you prefer camping in the Dordogne or Brittany?
The destination is an important part of the experience. Here are several options:
- Seaside camping: for those who love the sun, the sea and swimming;
- Mountain camping: for families in search of fresh air, hiking and lake swimming;
- camping in the countryside: for peace and quiet, rivers and forests;
- family vacations abroad: an adventure with a change of scenery!
Whichever destination you choose, you can opt for :
- a nature campsite, for the ultimate in relaxation in the heart of nature;
- a ecological campingfor a vacation that respects the environment and teaches best practices;
- glamping, for an unusual and eco-chic experience;
- a traditional campsite with entertainment and classic facilities (swimming pool with slide, etc.) for a family atmosphere!
Vacations for the whole family
Camping is much more than just accommodation: it’s a real school of life! Children learn to connect with nature, to share and to adapt. Parents, meanwhile, often discover that they can let go (yes, life goes on even if the kids go to bed a little later).
It’s also an opportunity to strengthen family ties: an impromptu game of pétanque, a campfire to roast marshmallows, or a walk in the moonlight are all moments to remember.
Spending a vacation at a family campsite is the guarantee of a successful, friendly vacation, rich in discoveries and emotions.
So, ready to pitch your tent (or unfold your deckchair)? Where will you be spending your next vacation?