Family Camping in Summer: The Ultimate UK Guide in 2026

Last Updated on 14 April 2026

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Family camping in summer is something we love doing each year. Don’t get me wrong, I love camping all year round, but this time of the year is the best for me. I really enjoy the late evenings, the warmer weather, and that feeling of just doing something as simple as camping with my family.

But it can also be chaotic if you’re under-packed, over-ambitious, or caught out by the classic UK summer weather.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to plan a family summer camping trip that you can enjoy, from choosing the right campsite and packing smart, to easy meals, safety basics, and loads of boredom-busting ideas.

Let’s read on to find out more!

A family camping in the woods in the sunshine. Family camping in summer. Photo by Greg Rosenke on Unsplash — Photo by Greg Rosenke on Unsplash

Why Family Camping in Summer is Worth It

My family are a big fan of family camping in summer. One of the things we love is spending more time outside being active or just relaxing by a fire.

When we’re summer camping with our kids, there’s no rushing back as the night’s draw in like when we go camping in autumn. Our girls love it as it means they can stay up late. Plus, that extra daylight makes things to do camping with kids so much easier because you’re not worried about it getting dark.

Another bonus is that there is less time on technology, instead focusing on being present. Last year, over a few days camping in the New Forest, we spent our time making dens, jumping in streams, making flower bracelets, meeting new friends, and seeing shooting stars. It was amazing.

Of course, unlike spring camping with kids when there are less crowds, the downside for family camping in summer means you’re likely to see more people. Oh, and the mosquitoes as well!

Choosing the Best UK Campsite for Summer Camping

Here are a few things I always consider when we’re summer camping:

Clean loos, hot showers, a washing-up area, somewhere to empty bins easily, and a small shop/café
Check how close the toilets are to pitches
- If you’re camping with toddlers or camping with babies, see if you can pitch somewhere close to facilities. Failing that, bring a portable toilet with you, which we always find is handy for those night time toilet needs
  - We use this portable toilet
  - And this toilet tent for added privacy
Choose the right pitch type for your set-up
- Grass is comfier for family tent camping, but can get muddy
- Hardstanding is cleaner, but you may need pegs
- Avoid steep slopes
Think about shelter and exposure
- A pitch with a hedge or fence nearby can reduce wind and make family summer camping calmer. We bring our windbreak with us for added protection and a bit of privacy
- Don’t pitch directly under old trees in windy weather
- In hot spells, seek shade for hot weather camping and ensure you do sun safety for kids
Look for flat open areas, traffic-free zones, and a play area
Water hazards: scan the map/photos for ponds, rivers, cliffs, and unfenced drops
Check what’s allowed: fires, BBQs, and stoves
Read recent reviews (there have been a few times we’ve not done this and regretted it once we got to a campsite)
Plan for making easy camp food and supplies
- If there’s no shop, check the nearest supermarket and how far it is
- This makes family camping meals, easy camping meals for kids, and camping snacks for kids much easier to manage and means you don’t have to bring everything at once

When to Go on a Family Summer Camping Trip

A family overlooking a lake eating marshamallows in the fading sunlight. Photo by Brooks Rice on Unsplash — Photo by Brooks Rice on Unsplash

The best time to camp in summer, I think, is early in the season or just when summer is ending. If you love a lively atmosphere and don’t mind a busy campsite, peak school holidays can be fun for family summer camping. If you want easier days, go just before or after the busiest weeks.

Here are some pointers to bear in mind:

Late June/early July can be a sweet spot: long evenings, often warmer, and sometimes less manic than peak holidays. If you have kids at school, you’ll need to wait until they break up (middle of July), unless you don’t mind taking them out beforehand
Late August can be great too, but nights start cooling off (so pack for how to keep warm in a tent)
If it’s your first time camping with kids, start with a short trip
- 1 night = a test run for your family summer camping set-up
- 2 nights/long weekend = enough time to settle in without feeling stuck if something goes wrong
Think about bedtime and daylight
- Long summer evenings are great for summer camping with kids because you can do dinner and let them have extended play without rushing
- But, bright tents can make kids fight sleep, so pack eye masks or plan a darker sleeping set-up for family tent camping. We love our Skarvan five-man tent from Easy Camp, which comes with two blackout sections in the bedroom area to help with sleeping or late rising
UK evening temperatures can drop, even in July
- Pack layers and sleeping bags for kids
Time your trip around your kids’ rhythms
- When camping with toddlers, avoid days with lots of travelling and a late arrival. We used to always arrive as early as we could and leave when their nap time was due
Use the forecast, but plan for rain anyway
- Even in summer in the UK, build in rainy day camping activities for kids and bring shelter
- A simple wet-weather plan can make family summer camping feel easy even when it’s drizzly. Our girls love the rain and are always quite happy running around, splashing in puddles
Consider midweek stays for easier days (if you can do that)
- Midweek is often quieter and cheaper, which is handy for cheap family camping tips
- Less crowded facilities means less waiting around with kids (no getting up early to beat the shower queue!)

Family Camping in Summer Packing List

Someone writing a checklist. A family summer checklist. Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash — Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

Use a family camping checklist, so you don’t forget any important bits for family camping in summer
Shelter
- We use this Skarvan five-man tent from Easy Camp
- Groundsheet or footprint
- Extra pegs and guy lines
- Mallet or hammer
- Tarp, awning or simple shelter
Sleep kit
- Sleeping bags for kids. Our girls have these Vaude sleeping bags, which are 3-season with a comfort rating of 4C to ensure a cosy night’s sleep. My partner and I sleep in these sleeping bags from Mountain Equipment
- Sleeping mats or airbeds and pump
- Pillows or pillowcases stuffed with clothes
- Extra blanket for when the temperature drops at night
- Earplugs and eye masks
Clothing
- Layers: a quick-drying top, t-shirts, fleece or hoodie
- Waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers
- Warm hat for evenings
- Spare socks and underwear
- Shoes: walking shoes and wellies or sandals depending on the forecast
- PJs
Cooking and food
- Stove and fuel
- Pots, pan, kettle, spatula, knife, chopping board
- Plates, bowls, mugs, and cutlery
- Washing-up kit: sponge, tea towel, washing-up liquid, bowl
- Cool box and ice packs
Water and hydration
- Refillable water bottles for everyone
- Extra water carrier
- Hydration tips for kids: electrolyte sachets can help after active days
Sun and weather protection
- SPF, aftersun, lip balm with SPF
- Sun hats and sunglasses
- Shade and sun shelter
- Insect repellent bands (our girls love wearing these)
- Tick remover tool and plan for tick prevention checks
Safety and first aid
- First aid kit
- Hand sanitiser and wipes
- Torch or head torch per person and spare batteries
- Portable power bank for camping
Comfort and organisation
- Camping chairs and small table
- Bin bags and zip bags (wet clothes, rubbish, snacks)
- Microfibre towels
- Clothes line and pegs
- Storage boxes or bags to keep the tent tidy

What to Pack for Babies and Toddlers When Camping in Summer

Three boys and one girl playing outside on a rope hammock. Photo by Alexandr Podvalny on Unsplash — Photo by Alexandr Podvalny on Unsplash

Sleep
- Travel cot or pod
- Toddler bed or mat and a familiar blanket for toddlers
- Warm layers and a suitable sleep bag
Nappies and changing
- Extra nappies, wipes, and nappy sacks
- I used to bring a rolled changing mat, so I could change nappies on the grass when we were out and about
- Nappy rash cream
- Plenty of spare outfits
Feeding and snacks
- Bottles or formula (unless you’re breastfeeding)
- Sippy cups and water bottles
- Bibs, muslins, and toddler cutlery and plates
- Easy snacks
Clothes
- Layers
- Waterproofs
- Warm socks, spares, a sun hat, warm hat, and suitable shoes
Safety and practical
- Baby carrier
- Two or three calm bits (books/bubbles/small toy)

For older children, let them pick things to bring, including a sleeping bag and sleeping mat, clothes, music, books, and any other activities they enjoy doing outside.

Easy Family Camping in Summer Meals

Camping breakfast ideas
- Porridge pots or instant oats and fruit
- Cereal and UHT milk
- Bagels or wraps with peanut butter and jam (we love these!)
- Yoghurts and granola
- Eggs (scrambled/boiled) if you’re up for it
Easy lunches that work for summer camping with kids
- Cheese, crackers, cucumber, ham, and fruit
- Wraps: tuna mayo, chicken, hummus and grated carrot
- Couscous pots and cherry tomatoes
- Pasta salad made at home and kept chilled
Simple dinners
- One-pot pasta (jar sauce, veg, and sausage)
- Chilli or bolognese pre-cooked at home, reheated on site
- Sausages or burgers, wraps, and salad
- Foil-pack dinners (potatoes/veg/sausages) if fires are allowed
- Stir-fry noodles

Here’s a Simple Two Night Family Summer Camping Menu

Someone cooking food over a camping stove outside. Photo by Sandra Harris on Unsplash — Photo by Sandra Harris on Unsplash

Two Night Menu

Day 1

Lunch (on the go): wraps, fruit, and crisps
Dinner: sausages, wraps, and salad
- Cook sausages on stove/BBQ; serve in wraps with ketchup and cucumber sticks
Treat: marshmallows (if fires allowed) or biscuits, and hot chocolate

Day 2

Breakfast: toaster breakfast
- Toast, bagels, butter, jam, and bananas
Lunch: snack plate picnic
- Cheese cubes, crackers, ham, cherry tomatoes, grapes (halved for little ones), yoghurt
Dinner: one-pot pasta (another firm favourite of ours)
- Pasta, tomato sauce in a jar, frozen peas or sweetcorn, and grated cheese
- Optional: add cooked chorizo/sausage for adults/older kid
Evening drink: hot chocolate or warm milk

Day 3

Breakfast: porridge pots, instant oats, and fruit
- Quick, warm, and easy while packing down
Lunch (optional): leftovers in wraps and snacks for the drive home

Download Your FREE Family Camping in Summer Activities Checklist

To make your summer camping stress-free with some fun activities, download your FREE summer camping checklist before you go.

Final Thoughts on Family Camping in Summer

Family camping in summer is a great time to relax, enjoy spending time outside with the longer nights, while soaking up the summer heat.

If this is your first time family camping in summer, remember it doesn’t have to be perfect. With each time you go camping, you learn something new to do the next time. Or you realise you don’t need half the things you thought you did.

For your first time, keep it short, stay flexible, focusing on the basics: food, warmth, sleep, and having fun. By the end, you’ll be ready to go camping again.

For more outdoor inspiration, check out our related guides:

Happy camping!

Have you found this family camping in summer guide useful? Will you be doing any family camping this summer? What things do you take with you? How do you make it fun for everyone? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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