Family adventure holidays come in all shapes and sizes, with various activities and itineraries available. When planning a family adventure holiday at an adventure campsite, there’s lots to consider including accommodation, kit, meal planning, clothes and more. With that in mind, we wanted to help simplify the planning process so your family can enjoy a hassle-free adventure.

We surveyed campers from beginner to expert level to get the best range of tips and advice. Here we have collected their most useful ideas and tricks to help your family’s first adventure holiday go as smoothly as possible.

Adventuring and meal planning

Food is important! When you are active, your body will need more fuel. Bring plenty of snacks and main meal ingredients, and scope out local food shops if you run short. When planning your holiday meals, think about how much time you want to spend on meal preparation and shop accordingly.

Some points to consider are how much cooking you will do, what kind of cooking equipment you have, and if you need packed lunches. Simple, easy-to-prepare snacks and meals will help you and your family have plenty of time to explore new places and try new activities.

Here are some excellent ideas to help you plan meals, snacks and treats that will keep your family going strong.

Think of an easy meal for the first night

  • You can make something to heat up, such as pasta or chilli, or make snack boxes with your family’s favourite holiday treats.
  • Check out local takeaway or shop options ahead of time.

Plan your first breakfast

  • Pre-mix dry pancake ingredients at home and add water when you want them.
  • Pick up some sausages or bacon on your way to the campsite - don’t forget the rolls!

Snacks, snacks and more snacks

  • Bring something to eat when you arrive so your family is all fueled up to set up camp.
  • Keep it simple - you want to spend your energy on adventuring and family time, not food preparation, so bring snacks the children can fetch or prepare themselves.
  • Check out the local area in advance for shops and food options if you need to stock up again.

You will also need things to help with food preparation, cooking, washing up and storage. You can keep your kit in a large box so you stay organised and aren’t hunting around frantically for a teaspoon.

Some important items to bring include:

  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Cutlery
  • Plates
  • Bowls
  • Mugs
  • Water bottles
  • Washing up bowl/bucket
  • Dish liquid
  • Kitchen towels
  • Storage containers
  • Bags for rubbish
  • Aluminium foil/trays
  • Gas bottles and stove
  • Waterproof matches and firelighter

    • Basecamp Bonus

    When you want a break from cooking, we have a lovely restaurant open for lunch and dinner, plus a pop-up cafe in the Pavilion serves freshly made pizzas, fries, breakfast rolls and delicious coffee. You can also pick up essentials like bread, milk, burgers, sausages and more while you are there

    A family group sits in camp chairs around a table, eating together. A barbeque is next to them on the right and a couple of footballs are scattered around. They are in a field, next to a large green tent, and the sun is setting. The sky is golden and streaked with thin clouds. Brightly-coloured flags, tents, people and cars are in the background.

    Take shelter - what makes a good adventure holiday tent?

    A decent tent will go a long way towards an enjoyable experience and will be a steadfast companion for the family on future trips. It is also more sustainable than buying a cheap tent which is unlikely to last a season. Online research will help your choice and if you can borrow a tent from a friend to try it before you buy, that is even better. Facebook groups are a valuable resource and you can often find lightly used good-quality tents for sale

    Here are some helpful things to keep in mind when considering a tent:

    The Goldilocks rule - not too big, not too small

    • Pick a tent that can accommodate your family, but be mindful of the size. Pick-your-pitch places are pretty relaxed, while many other sites with defined pitches might be too small for a large tent. If you want to get the most out of your tent purchase, make sure you can use it at pick-your-pitch and allocated space campsites.
    • A tent with a communal entryway is handy for removing wet shoes or taking shelter if the weather turns wet.

    Make sure it’s waterproof!

    • Bring a good groundsheet and all the tent components like strong tent pegs, guidelines, and a mallet for putting in the pegs.

    Practise is key

    • The best thing you can do before going away is to have a practise run. Try setting up your tent and make sure to pay attention to how it packs up as well. This will help speed things along when you arrive and everyone will understand what they need to do.
    • YouTube is a handy resource for tent-pitching tips and many brands have tutorials.

    Here are some more useful tips for tent camping

    • Before setting up, check your pitch for loose things like stones or sticks.
    • Bring a dustpan and brush to keep the inside free of debris.
    • Solar lights or reflective tapes to mark your lines and doorway are useful at night.
    • Pack your tent in the car last so you don’t have to drag everything else out first when you arrive.

    Basecamp Bonus

    If you aren’t ready to take the plunge and buy a tent just yet, or you would rather someone else set it up, we offer excellent pre-pitched options like bell tents, bunk tents and safari tents, complete with mattresses. All you need to bring are bedding and pillows!

    Sleep comfortably, sleep well

    A good night’s rest is key to a comfortable family holiday, and the equipment you use inside your tent or a pre-erected glamping tent is important to your family’s sleep quality. Seasoned campers call it a ‘sleep system’, which consists of a sleeping bag or quilt, mattress or mat, and a pillow. Ultimately you want to be warm and dry, with equipment suitable for the climate.

    Good-quality sleeping bags and mattresses will hugely increase your comfort and sleep quality. When starting though, look for the best you can afford and bring extra blankets. Facebook groups and YouTube are good resources for researching sleeping equipment. One thing to bear in mind is bed-sharing - while it may be perfectly comfortable at home on your regular mattress, consider how you would feel sharing an air mattress. It may be more relaxing (and peaceful) for everyone to have their own. But whatever you do, remember the pillows!

    A family of four is grouped around a campfire on a grassy field. A red tent is pitched behind them to the right, and an open-sided gazebo is directly behind them. A woman with brown hair is kneeling by the fire with two children, and a man wearing a baseball cap sits in a chair with a small dog on his knee. The man is enjoying a glass of wine and the woman and children are roasting marshmallows on the fire.

    Dress for adventure

    It’s hard to know what clothes to pack, especially on family activity holidays. Consider the weather, time of year, evening and night temperatures, activities and how many changes of clothes your children are likely to need. It can get chilly at night when the sun goes down, even in the summer, so consider your family's needs and pack more than you think.

    Here are some essential clothing items that will help you stay comfortable and ready for anything:

    • Hats, gloves, scarves
    • Plenty of socks
    • Light, loose clothing for warm weather
    • Warm layers for cool weather
    • Waterproofs, warm jackets
    • Practical footwear
      • Trainers or walking shoes for activities
      • Crocs or flip-flops for the showers and around camp
      • Wellies if it gets wet

    Basecamp Bonus

    Take advantage of our rented firepits to keep chilly temperatures at bay when the sun sets, or take a short walk to the Mendip Lodge and relax in one of the cosy lounge areas.

    Our top camping clothing tips are:

    • Keep spare clothes in the car so you always have a dry set
    • Bring a laundry bag
    • Designate bags for dirty clothes/shoes
    • Bring some laundry detergent if you think you may need to wash things

    Basecamp Bonus

    If you forget a layer (or would like a great souvenir), we have hoodies, hats and shirts available at the Mendip Activity Centre reception area.

    Attitude is everything on holiday

    How you and your family approach an adventure holiday will go a long way towards influencing your experience. It is good to be flexible and adaptable, and not to stress if things do not happen exactly how you imagined.

    Here are a few useful points to consider and prepare for:

    Welcome the weather

    • Be prepared - check the forecast and pack accordingly.

    You don’t need it all

    • New kit is fun, but every family is different and you will learn what works for you.

    Things might take longer than you are used to

    • Simple things like your morning routine may shift when away from home conveniences. However, it’s a lovely chance to share the experience with the family and immerse yourself in outdoor opportunities.

    Have a Plan B

    • Sometimes things just aren’t meant to be and you might need to change your plans.
    • On your first trip, it may be worth staying fairly close to home so that you can make it back quickly in case your circumstances change - many of our campers travel from places within an hour’s drive of Basecamp.

    If it is your first time, don’t worry - you can always ask for help, and you will learn loads for next time! It’s easy to look at others and fall into the comparison game, but there’s no need - you are here to relax and have fun. It is important to remember that it was everyone’s first time at some point.

    Basecamp Bonus

    Our staff have loads of camping experience and are ready to help if you need a hand setting up or have any questions. Plus chatting with other campers is a great way to learn more about the subject and discover what other families have found to work well for them.

    A group of children are trying out a circus skills activity. A girl in the middle balances a red plate on a stick, a boy to the right is playing with a diablo and a girl to the left is walking out of frame.

    Family activities and entertainment

    A family adventure holiday is a wonderful chance to unplug and take the opportunity to engage with nature and shared experiences. You can fill your time with exciting adventure activities, exploration, and relaxing moments with the family.

    Look for adventure holiday locations that offer activities for the whole family. Sometimes there are age requirements to participate in certain activities, so it is worth checking that there are options that suit your children. At Basecamp, we offer something for everyone! We have free activities at the campsite and sessions you can book at our on-site adventure centre.

    Find out if activities are included in the holiday, and if you need to travel off-site to participate. Check out the booking process and how far in advance you need to book. When it comes to cost, that depends on the activity and location but prices per person can start around £5 for a self-led session or around £17 for an instructor-led activity. You may be able to find family rates or discounts on exclusive bookings if you have a large group.

    Alongside structured activities, consider portable games or entertainment options that can fill downtime, like playing cards, Uno, books, ball games or colouring books.

    Basecamp Bonus

    There are loads of fun self-led, free and bookable activities at Basecamp and Mendip Activity Centre. We invite you and your family to walk through the woods, try bat spotting, play in the sand pit, and try a free activity such as Circus Skills. You can also book adventure activity sessions for your family such as target sports, rock climbing, caving and more! When you are ready to relax, there is plenty of space to sit back with a nice drink and enjoy the woodland views.

    Ready to camp

    We have covered the main areas to consider before your first family adventure holiday, but here are a few more things that will make your camping trip more comfortable:

    • Seating (folding chairs/stools/blankets)
    • Camp table
    • Torches
    • Bug spray
    • Sun cream
    • Umbrella
    • Necessary chargers/battery packs

    Pick a destination and start planning

    We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who contributed their tips and advice and we hope this has helped break down the planning stages of your family adventure holiday. Join some family camping Facebook groups, chat with your family and get ready for the adventure of your life!

    Why not start your research here? Check out our 10 excellent reasons why your family should visit Basecamp this year and look at our fantastic facilities here.