10 top tips for glamping with kids

Glamping lets you enjoy the great outdoors, but from a warm, cozy place with private bathrooms. When you get to your glamping site, everything is already set up and ready to go, so there’s no need to bring your own tent or any heavy equipment. 

It’s a fun experience for kids too. They get to go on outdoor adventures without the work of regular camping, and experience unique places to stay like yurts, treehouses, lodges, RVs, or safari tents.

Ready for a fun family-friendly adventure? Here are ten tips for glamping with kids.

Every glamping site has a different vibe. Some offer exciting on-site activities, while others are quieter and more remote with an emphasis on exploring the great outdoors. Certain sites also have a party vibe, catering to bachelor and bachelorette parties. With this in mind, it’s important to do some research and choose a kid-friendly glamping site that aligns with your family’s preferences and interests. 

Here are some great family-friendly glamping sites.

1. MOONSTONE Lymington

Moonstone Lymington at Harts Holiday Park offers everything you could want for a relaxing family trip. Set in Leysdown-on-Sea in Kent, this mobile home has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, a TV with streaming services, and a fully-equipped kitchen, so whipping up meals for the kids is a breeze. 

Guests can relax on a private area of Leysdown Beach, just a quarter-mile away, before heading to the on-site restaurant as the sun goes down. There’s plenty for the kids to do too, with a kids club and playground on site

2. The Wardens Escape: Tattershall Lakes Country Park

The Wardens Escape at Tattershall Lakes Country Park serves up fun for kids and relaxation for adults. It’s in a great location for sightseeing too. 

This mobile home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a well-equipped kitchen, with capacity for six guests. On the private terrace, you’ll find a hot tub. Family-friendly amenities include a playground, indoor swimming pool, and an on-site minimarket. 

When it’s time for an adventure, head to Somerton Castle – a 13th-century structure about 20 miles away. There’s also Lincoln Medieval Bishops' Palace just under 25 miles away.

3. Luxury Lodge: Hoburne Devon Bay

Ready for a beachy glamping break with the family? Luxury Lodge - Hoburne Devon Bay is set within a resort village that the whole family will love. 

The kids can spend their days splashing in the park’s two swimming pools, putting at the on-site mini golf course, and enjoying the indoor and outdoor play equipment.

The lodge also comes with access to a hot tub, fitness room, steam room, sauna, and grills. Plus, you’re less than a half-mile from Goodrington Sands Beach. 

The stay itself is a large mobile home with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fully-equipped kitchen, a dining area, and a patio.

If you’re glamping in the UK, the weather will likely be your biggest challenge. After all, it’s not uncommon for Brits to experience all four seasons in just one day – even in the summer. 

But if we let the possibility of bad weather stop us from going outdoors, we’d never do anything at all. Instead, just prepare for any changes to the weather, and remember that many glamping accommodations are heated. 

Even if the forecast looks good, pack plenty of layers for the whole family, as well as rain coats and boots. 

While there will be plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, remember to bring some indoor activities for any rainy days. Think cards, board games, or arts and crafts. 

Many glamping sites have great restaurants with kids’ menus, but you might not want to eat out for every meal. 

It’s worth packing some easy meals to whip up in the kitchen, from cereals and eggs to pre-prepped favorites you just need to heat up. Don’t forget to bring your family’s favorite snacks too.

Glamping offers a unique blend of nature and comfort, providing the perfect setting to get creative. Away from the stress of everyday life, your family will have space to explore new hobbies and get inspired by glamping activities that make the most of the natural surroundings. 

Here are four creative glamping ideas. 

1. DIY outdoor movie night

Turn your glamping site into an outdoor theater with a portable projector and a white sheet for a screen. Then, set up comfy seating with sleeping bags, pillows, and blankets and serve popcorn or roast marshmallows over the campfire.

2. Nature art souvenirs 

Collect leaves, flowers, rocks, and twigs to create nature-inspired art. Kids can make leaf rubbings, rock paintings, or press flowers to take home as souvenirs. For a fun twist, create memory jars by filling a small jar with little treasures from your trip!

3. Campfire storytelling with a twist 

Telling stories around the campfire is a tradition that dates back about 400,000 years. Why not put your own twist on this time-tested activity by building a story together? The first person starts the story, then everyone else adds a sentence to keep it going. You could also use shadow puppets against the tent or cabin walls for a more visual experience. 

Alternatively, start a campfire sing-a-long with all your kids’ favorite songs.  

4. Introduce the kids to stargazing 

IIf you live in a big city, it’s rare to experience the night sky with no light pollution. In many glamping sites, you’ll get a clear view of the stars. Use this opportunity to introduce the kids to stargazing. 

You can print out maps of the most famous constellations and play stargazing bingo, ticking off each set of stars as you spot them. There are also plenty of apps designed to educate kids about the night sky. 

Glamping accommodations vary significantly, from small tents and pods to big mobile homes and chalets. Yours may come with a fully-equipped kitchen, along with board games, books, and bicycles for the whole family to use. Or you may need to depend on the things that you bring. For a smooth trip, check in advance what’s already there and what you’ll need to pack.

Getting the kids to sleep in an unfamiliar environment can be tricky, so it’s worth making sure you all come home well-rested. This means keeping their bedtime routine as close to the norm as possible – with some fun extras. Why not add some night lights and glow-in-the-dark stars to your tent or cabin to make it extra cozy? And don’t forget the kids’ favorite blanket or stuffed toys.

Want to get your family away from their screens? Glamping is the perfect time for a digital detox. While many sites have sockets and Wi-Fi these days, why not leave most of your devices at home? 

You’ll want to bring one phone for emergencies and navigation, but leaving the rest behind will let you fully connect with both nature and each other.

If you’re glamping in a tent, cabin, or caravan, you’re not roughing it in the wilderness. But that doesn’t mean you can’t teach the kids some camping and wilderness skills. 

Depending on your kids’ ages, this could include:

• Fire-starting techniques (with supervision)
• Pitching a tent
• Reading a map and compass
• Identifying safe and poisonous plants
• Basic first aid for insect bites and minor injuries
• Tying basic knots

• Respecting wildlife and nature conservation

If you’re traveling with kids, it’s best to stay somewhere close to plenty of amenities like restaurants, supermarkets, movie theaters, and other indoor attractions for rainy day activities. 

Before the trip, scout out the most important amenities—such as the pharmacy, supermarket, and restaurant—and jot down their address and phone number or save them in Google Maps. 

That way you’ll know exactly where to go in case of an emergency or you forget something important at home

With so much nature right at your doorstep, it’s important to make sure your kids stay safe while exploring. 

Set some campsite rules so they know what is and isn’t okay in this new environment. Set guidelines for how far they can venture, whether they’re allowed to visit the playground alone, and what time they need to be back inside. 

It’s also a good idea to establish a meeting point and make emergency contact cards, which they can carry in their pockets in case they get lost.