Camping, hiking, or simply holidaying together is one of the best ways to bond as a family. It gives everyone a chance to interact and have fun in a relaxed environment with lower stress levels, giving you the opportunity to create incredible life-long memories.
Of course, any getaway requires some amount of planning and packing, so here’s a list of essentials to consider for your next outdoor family adventure.
7 outdoor essentials for a family camping trip
1. First aid
Naturally, we long to have fun when we go on holiday with our family. However, safety should always be a top priority. No matter how careful we are, accidents can strike without warning, especially with young children around. Prepare for any potential minor injuries like cuts and bruises by carrying a disinfectant, plasters or gauze. In addition, it pays to pack any necessary medication for indigestion, allergies, travel sickness, and/or potential dehydration. Of course, if anyone in your family has pre-existing conditions, you’ll need to bring their prescription medications along too.
2. Sunscreen
Whether we’re holidaying in the UK or sunning ourselves overseas, sun exposure can poses a serious threat to our health on an outdoors adventure, especially where kids are concerned. While you mightn’t realise it, UV radiation can do a lot of damage beyond simply causing sunburn. If serious, it can cause lasting damage to your skin cells, increasing the risk of skin cancer. Pack sun-protective gear like wide-brimmed hats and UV-protective sunglasses but, most importantly, include a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. If the youngest member of your family is joining you on the trip, make sure to also carry a baby-safe sunscreen as these are designed specifically for their sensitive, delicate skin.
3. Bug spray
Insect bites are a common cause of skin irritation and, for many families, this is one of the most annoying aspects of holidaying outdoors. That said, it’s an inconvenience that we’re prepared to live with if it means getting to spend some quality time with our family in the great outdoors. Just ensure you pack appropriately before heading off on your trip. Not only can ticks, mosquitoes, and other insects give you an itchy or painful bite, but they can also cause infections, making bug spray and insect repellant essential in any family travel kit.
4. Travel laundry detergent sheets
When camping with the family, clothes can get dirty quickly, especially if little ones are exploring the outdoors. Travel-friendly laundry detergent sheets are a lightweight, mess-free solution that won’t take up valuable space in your backpack. Simply dissolve a non bio laundry detergent sheet in water to hand-wash clothes at your campsite or in nearby facilities, keeping everyone’s wardrobe fresh without the need for bulky bottles or powders.
5. Life jackets
If you’ll be taking part in outdoor water sports with your family, you may wish to bring your own life jackets with you. Regardless of how well you can all swim, this is a precaution that everyone should take – especially if you’ll be taking part in adrenaline-rushing activities like white water rafting, or kayaking while on holiday. This is especially important when travelling with children, even if you’ll only be fishing at the water’s edge. While you’ll usually be supplied with life jackets if you take part in a pre-cooked tour with a reputable provider, it may be worth investing in your own life jackets if you often practice water sports together as a family.
6. Dried fruit and nuts
Although it might be tempting to carry sugary snacks when you go camping or hiking with the family, it’s a far better idea to pack a selection of healthy snacks like dried fruits and nuts. They’re easy to pack and nutrition-dense, providing you with plenty of protein and fibre to keep your energy levels topped up.
7. A compact baby carrier
If you’ll be travelling with a baby, don’t forget to pack a baby carrier. Even if you’ll be travelling with enough adults to have several pairs of hands-free at all times, many outdoor activities require hands-free mobility, particularly if you’ll be hiking or trekking through uneven terrain. Ideally, you should look for a carrier that isn’t too bulky, which can be packed away easily when not in use.
While this is by no means an exhaustive list of all the essentials you’ll need on a family holiday, hopefully it will help to get you thinking about what you might need to pack for your next getaway. Ultimately, the question of what to pack will depend largely on where you’ll be going, and what the weather might be like when you get there. Take a look at my guide to what to pack for camping in Wales, for example. Enjoying the outdoors brings with it an element of unpredictability, but basic preparations will help you make the most of your adventure.
What are your must-pack essentials for an outdoor family holiday? Let me know in the comments.