Camping with kids can be truly memorable, for all the right – or wrong – reasons.

Living in the great outdoors is an eye-opener for most of us, but experiencing it through the eyes of your kids makes you see things in a whole new light.

But a successful camping holiday is a well-planned one. And don’t forget your sense of humour – sometimes it’s the most important thing you can pack, apart from toilet paper.

Before you go

Before you set off, do your research. From the weather forecast, to facilities at the camping ground, it pays to be as informed as possible.

Then, pack accordingly. 

It’s a good idea to practice setting up your camping equipment before you leave home. Check that you’ve got all the ropes, pegs, ground sheet and fly, that the zips work and there are no rips that need fixing. Test out the camp stove too – make sure you’ve got enough billies and pans, as well as enough gas to last. 

Setting up the tent helps you practice packing it up again too.

What to buy

It’s an oldie, but a goodie: buy once, buy well. There’s no point spending money on cheap equipment – it simply won’t last the distance. A ripper tent, snug sleeping bags, top quality air mats, a decent stove – these are the things that matter. Nobody wants to be sleeping in a flimsy tent in a gale, or shivering in a summer-grade sleeping bag on a frosty night.

But doesn’t make sense to buy up big when you’re a newbie camper – you might hate it.

So if you’re new to camping why not hire or borrow equipment first? You can try out a few different styles, and work out what gear your want when you’re ready to drop some money on good quality equipment.

Make sure your gear will keep you warm. Even summer nights in Australia can get chilly – especially if you’re by the coast. A sleeping bag that’s rated to -5 will keep you snuggly warm in everything bar a blizzard.

In tents, look for one with reinforced seams, fully waterproof, and is about twice the size you think you need. If the weather turns foul, you’ll be spending a lot of time in the tent, so ideally find one that you can stand up in, and has plenty of room for muddy gear. Find a camping equipment expert here.

One last tip before you set off – don’t underestimate the importance of lighting. While getting snug by the light of the camp fire is the dream, the reality is that cooking in the dark is hard, as are late night trips to the toilet. Make sure everyone has a torch – a head torch is ideal – and don’t forget a strong lantern for a late night game of cards.

These are the essentials for camping:

• Good quality, waterproof tent
• Lighting
• Shovel
• First aid kit
• Bedding
• Good esky/fridge
• Cooking stove or equivalent
• Fold-up table
• Washing-up tub

At the campsite

From the long car journey, to setting up camp, cooking meals and sleeping cheek-by-jowl, camping is great family bonding time. 

The best thing about camping? Being outdoors. From daybreak until well after dark, you and your family will be rediscovering nature – from bushwalking, spending hours on the beach, night walks and observing wildlife close hand, your kids will be up close to all sorts of creatures.

They will observe at close range weather and tides, stars and constellations, they’ll cook over an open fire, tie knots, fish or hike. And they’ll learn to get along with each other – you can’t ask for more than that.

But you’ll need to prepare your kids first. Unless you are seasoned campers, the great outdoors won’t be a natural environment for them.

Here are our tips to make your family camp run smoothly.

• Get them involved setting up camp and preparing meals. Even basic tasks are fun when you’re camping;
• Have plenty of wet weather activities on standby. Colouring books, board games and cards are great easy-to-pack options;
• Give the kids their own backpack with essentials like sunscreen, hats, raincoats, water bottles, a head torch, a whistle and a few snacks;
• Baby wipes and hand sanitizer are a great go-to solution for dirty hands and faces, especially if your campsite has no shower or handbasin;
• Encourage basic courtesy around other campers, including keeping quiet in the early mornings, not running through other campsites, and not inviting themselves to other people’s mealtimes;
• Keep food simple. Everything tastes better when it’s cooked outdoors.

And finally, you’ll need to choose a camping site. Find one for your next holiday here.