Grampin’ on the Go, a Guide to camping with the grandkids

Normally Peter and I travel with friends, or groups, sometimes we even get to go away on our own. That’s all good fun and, when you are travelling with similar people, you tend to do similar things. One of which is a few quiet days here and there. Earlier this year our daughter Tory floated the idea of inviting the grandparents (us) on a family camping trip. They would take their camper trailer, we would take our caravan and we would do the Dinosaur Triangle of Hughenden, Richmond and Winton in Qld and a few other places too. Well, we couldn’t say no, could we?

My expectation was that it would be different from the normal way we travel, and I was right. We also loved being part of this trip and would do it again without hesitation. Here’s what we learned.

With a few well established ground rules, camping together rewards everyone including Nan and Pop

Understanding the Kids Zone

• The back seats of a car are an adult free area, it’s a Kids Zone
• Kids need snacks at any time of the day, it’s best to be prepared
• They are either full on or asleep, that hasn’t changed
• Just because you think something might be worth seeing doesn’t mean the kids will want to be there for 5 hours!
• Ours were really good, though Master 8 years old could get a bit of a fidget going

…when you’re like parents but better

• When it’s wet, a movie marathon with the Grandma or Grandpa is a great way to go
• The Grandparents and Special People are always going to be checked in with at an early time of the day 
• Go to bed early so you can get up early for the morning check in!
• Be prepared to play all sorts of games
• Give the parents or main caregivers a break from the kids, ours loved the full on nanny and poppy experience and special person time
• You can give the kids treats, but make sure they won’t result in them being car sick!

Making Long Drives Fun for Kids

• Tory solved the problem of long drives with audio books. Audio books were such a good idea we are doing it now too
• On any driving day to a new camp find a playground for lunch
• Or meet up in a really iconic pub and have a pub lunch
• If you think the drive is too long for one day, take a day off from the family trip and do the drive over two days 

Setting Healthy Boundaries on a Family Trip

• Tory planned the trip, we joined them in the sightseeing and activities. It was their trip, not ours
• Plan the activities ahead of time so everyone knows what is happening and what time you have to start the day
• You don’t need to eat meals together. If the family group eat at 6pm and you eat at 7pm, that’s fine, stick with that and do your own food–it’s easier Respect the family’s routine, it’s how they do things

Last but not least! Allow yourselves a few days RnR after a family trip, you’ll need it

Words and photos Alison Huth

Want more? Check out these family tips from our mates, Roaming in the Robbo