A great idea is to give the kids a few easy tasks to complete around camp, which helps promote responsibility and a good routine. It might be collecting some kindling for the fire or setting the camp chairs up. Heck, even getting dad a coldie from the fridge will do! Often what’s normally a chore at home becomes a novelty while camping. In saying, sometimes the only tip should be to go away while mum and dad attempt to set up camp, eh? 

Bag of tricks
If you don’t want to be hassled for every single thing while you’re on the road, try packing the kids their own bag of essentials for family day outings before you leave home. Add things like a water bottle, a snack or two, a torch and sunscreen, along with one or two favorite belongings. Granted this is for the slightly older kids but if it means you don’t have to lug half a truck one worth of supplies on your back it’s worth a try.  

Baby wipes for the win
It might sound simple, but you’d be surprised at just how refreshing a bit of a rub down with a few baby wipes can be when there’s no showers available. The kids will definitely get a better night’s sleep, and we all know what that means – you get to have a good old slumber too!

Rainy Day Arrangements
Keeping the little munchkins confined to the tent without anything entertaining to do is like letting an overactive bouncy ball loose in a shopping mall! So it goes with saying to have a plan-B for bad weather. Now there’s a bit of an art around choosing the right stuff to help keep them occupied, too. Digital devices work a treat for such an occasion, but make sure there’s plenty of battery power available to charge from. Alternatively, you can stick with the old reliable stuff like a simple board game (think Twister), coloring activities and books. Oh, and stay away from things with oodles of loose parts, we all know they won’t last very long.

Apps for kids on the road
SWEET BABY GIRL – SUMMER CAMP, TutoTUNES: Let the kids immerse themselves in the reality world of a girl’s dream summer camp. Try different hairstyles, make an assortment of camp meals around the fire or go for a paddle. It lets you do the things you want without leaving the tent. Available on Google Play or as Sweet Olivia – Summer Camp at the Apple App Store 

JIGSAW PUZZLE: Enter the virtual puzzle world! There are many great apps to pick from. Choose the difficulty level, enter tournaments and make puzzles from your own photos. And best of all, you won’t find puzzle pieces under your pillow or on the floor. 

MECHANICAL MAX, FM by Bubadu: Let the kids complete a bunch of cool reality chores while you’re on the road. Wash the car and play the mechanic as they fuel and repair the car! Plus, give the kids and the parents a makeover for the memorable group photo before sunset. Available on Google Play and at the Apple App Store.