Camping in the rain, especially with children, doesn’t have to be soul destroying. If you take a leaf out of the Scouts’ book to ‘be prepared’ and follow our top tips, rain doesn’t have to put a dampener on your holiday.
Check the weather forecast – we know our Great British weather is unpredictable but our weather forecasters do a pretty good job. Check for the period you will be away and if the forecast is a higher than 50% chance of rain, you can be confident that it will rain. If wet weather sets in after you have arrived on holiday, check how long it’s expected to last as it may not be for long.
Check your tent – new tents are waterproof but if yours is a few years old, the waterproofing may have worn away, and the tent will need to be treated with an awning and tent reproofer. A groundsheet is a good idea whatever the weather but is particularly practical in the rain when it will help to keep the floor of the tent dry and stop the bottom becoming too muddy.
Choose the right pitch – if you have the choice, pitch your tent on higher ground to avoid any puddles or flooding that could occur in low ground
Create a sheltered area – If your tent doesn’t have an integral covered porch area, like the Coleman Tasman 3 tent, consider taking a waterproof gazebo or awning. This will give you somewhere other than the tent to take shelter and is useful for putting wet gear under, instead of taking it into the tent.
Take seating – in bad weather, you may choose to stay on the campsite so take camping chairs for under the awning. Together with an easy-fold camping table, they will ensure you have somewhere comfortable and dry to sit and eat.
Prepare nourishing meals – if you knew in advance that rain was forecast, plan ahead and take pre-prepared meals that can be warmed through on arrival. Our article ‘Easy campfire recipes’ has some hearty recipes that will warm everyone up!
Separate your sleeping bag from the floor – camp beds or inflatable mattresses are vital to ensure you are not sleeping directly on the floor, as this will reduce the cold you feel. If possible, lay blankets or throws on the floor of the tent too to keep it well insulated.
Take rainy day activities – keep boredom at bay when rain stops play by taking a selection of activities that can be enjoyed by the whole family. A pack of cards is useful, as well as travel versions of popular board games, and of course books and colouring are perennial favourites.
The chances of heavy rain in the UK during the summer months are real and no one should assume the weather will be glorious for the entire trip. However, with a little forward planning, you can have a great experience, rain or not. If you find yourself on the east coast and fall foul of wet weather, our shops have everything you need to stay dry and comfortable, and our blog has some great tips for camping and advice on all aspects of camping and leisure.
