Camping in Portugal with kids. Tips & gear guide.
(part 2)

Welcome back to Part 2 of our camping preparation guide. In the first part, we covered the fundamentals of selecting a campground and establishing your living space. We spoke about how to choose a good tent, assure sleeping comfort, and pack essential things for ease and hygiene. I suggest reading it to gain a thorough understanding of the first stages of camping preparation in Portugal.

As a recap, our family opted to broaden our summer experiences by visiting the RFM Somnii music festival in Figueira da Foz, Portugal, and staying in the festival’s specialised camping area. We divided our preparation process into four primary areas: Where to Stay, Cooking and Food Storage, Safety, and Hygiene.

In the first part, we covered the ‘Where to Stay‘ area and the other three essential components of a fantastic camping trip—cooking and food storage, safety, and maintaining hygiene—will be covered in this second part. To help you be ready for your outdoor vacation, I will also be providing you a free camping checklist. Let’s go right to enjoying and stress-freeing your camping experience!

Meal planning is crucial while camping. Making sure you have the proper equipment and food supplies will make your camping trip much more pleasurable. Here’s how we did it:

Portable Stoves: Choose between an electric or gas stove. An electric burner requires access to power, which is not always accessible on campgrounds. Typically, you may obtain this information on the campsite’s website. Because our campground did not have the possibility to connect an electric stove, we picked a gas stove for its mobility and convenience of use. If you pick this option, determine how many gas canisters you’ll need depending on your cooking time. The number of canisters required should be easy to determine since gas consumption is usually specified in the stove’s handbook. However, I suggest packing additional containers just in case.

Cooking Gear: Bring basic kitchenware like a pot, pan, and kettle. We suggest beginning with the stove and then selecting the appropriate cookware. Typically, manufacturers recommend certain cookware sizes for their stoves.

Tableware and cutlery: Bring knives, chopping boards, dishware, and utensils. Consider utilising eco-friendly disposable dinnerware to save time while cleaning dishes, particularly if suitable washing facilities are unavailable. Remember to include sturdy and easy-to-clean glasses, dishes, and cutlery. Nesting and folding sets are ideal for conserving space.

Coolers and Vehicle Refrigerators: Coolers and automobile refrigerators are the two major types of equipment used to keep food cold. Coolers may keep objects cold for up to 48 hours using ice packs, while automobile refrigerators provide more advanced cooling by connecting to your vehicle’s electrical source. We utilised a combination of the two to keep our food fresh during the trip. A vehicle refrigerator is a great idea for longer excursions if you have access to electricity or a car power source. Coolers are ideal for short travels or when you require additional mobility. It’s usually a good idea to carry extra ice packs or frozen water bottles to help lengthen the cooling duration.

Storage Containers: Store food and ingredients in sealed containers. These containers shield your food from elements such as weather, sand, and insects. They also help you organise your supplies, making it simpler to find what you need fast. Stackable containers may help you conserve space while also keeping your campground nice and tidy.

Ensure that you have an adequate quantity of drinking water. If the campsite has potable water, bring containers to fill up. Otherwise, pack extra bottled water for your stay. We packed a large water container and several smaller bottles for convenient access.

Cleaning supplies: Bring biodegradable soap to clean dishes and utensils. Also, have sponges, dishcloths, and a small basin for cleaning dishes. Wet wipes and hand sanitizer are excellent for rapid clean-ups when water is limited.

Safety is an important aspect of camping preparation. Many individuals take safety for granted, expecting that everything will go well. However, I always advocate being prepared for any circumstance to avoid letting unanticipated problems mar your trip. Here are some important guidelines and advice to keep everyone safe and sound.

First-aid Kit: It is crucial to have a first-aid kit that is adequately supplied. Include supplies such as antiseptics, bandages, gauze, tweezers, scissors, pain relievers, allergy remedies, and bug bite treatments. Personalise the kit to your family’s individual requirements and health circumstances.

Sun Protection: Sunscreen with a high SPF is essential, especially if you’re camping during the summer. Don’t forget to carry hats, sunglasses, and lightweight, long-sleeved clothing for sun protection.

Insect Repellent: Pack insect repellent to avoid mosquitoes and other pests. Consider products containing DEET or natural alternatives such as citronella.

Weather-appropriate Clothing: Pack clothing appropriate for the weather conditions. Layering is essential since temperatures might vary throughout the day and night.

Safety education: Teach your youngster the camping regulations and how to recognise potentially harmful situations. Make sure kids understand what to do if they get lost.

ID bracelets: Give your youngster a wristband with your contact details in case they get missing. This is a basic yet effective safety precaution.

Supervision: Always keep a watch on your children, especially around campfires, bodies of water, and on hikes.

Campfire safety: If you want to have a campfire, be sure it is allowed at your campground. Keep a bucket of water and a shovel nearby to thoroughly extinguish the fire before leaving it alone. Build your fire in a defined fire ring, keeping it modest.

Cooking safety: When using a portable stove or grill, keep it on a firm, level surface away from combustible things. Never leave culinary equipment alone when in use. Consider adding a windscreen to protect your camping kitchen. These windscreens can shade the flame from the wind and keep neighbouring objects like grass from catching fire.

Food storage: To prevent attracting wildlife, store food in sealed containers in your car or a certified food storage facility. Never leave food outside overnight.

Wildlife Awareness: Be mindful of the local wildlife and know how to deal with interactions. Maintain a safe distance from all animals, and never feed them.

Communication devices: Bring your fully charged phone and, if feasible, a portable charger. In distant places, consider bringing a walkie-talkie in case of emergency. We also got walkie-talkies, which are not only a fun toy for our youngster but also really useful. They are especially beneficial in locations with weak cell service, allowing us to constantly communicate fast.

Emergency Plan: Have an emergency plan in place. Know where the nearest hospital is and have a list of emergency contacts. Make sure everyone in your company understands the plan.

Weather monitoring: Keep an eye on the weather prediction and be ready to change your plans appropriately. Pack additional supplies in case you have to remain longer due to unforeseen weather conditions.

Maintaining proper cleanliness when camping is essential for both health and enjoyment. These are some things I did that helped me stay clean and fresh on my trip:

Toiletries: Pack your regular essentials including toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, and deodorant. For optimal space efficiency, choose travel-sized units. It may appear to be a little thing, but having your normal amenities might help you feel more at ease in the vast outdoors.

Wet wipes and hand sanitizer: They are extremely useful for rapid clean-ups when water is limited. They are ideal for washing your hands and face or freshening up when a shower is not available. I usually have a pack in my daypack for convenience.

Towels: Prepare lightweight, quick-drying towels. They are compact and dry considerably faster than normal towels, lowering the risk of mildew. When it comes time to pack up and transfer to a new campsite, a quick-dry towel might come in handy.

Cleaning supplies: Have biodegradable soap to wash your dishes and utensils. Also, have sponges, dishcloths, and a small basin for cleaning dishes. Keeping your kitchen area clean can help avoid bugs and make cooking more enjoyable.

Trash management: Always keep trash bags on hand for appropriate garbage collection and disposal. Separate recyclable and biodegradable rubbish if the campground encourages recycling. Leaving no trace is critical to environmental sustainability. I always feel better knowing that we’re leaving the campsite as clean as we found it.

Laundry: If you want to camp for a lengthy amount of time, pack a small container of biodegradable washing detergent. You may wash your clothes at a basin or designated area at the campsite. For drying stuff, a little clothesline might come in helpful.

Portable Toilets: There are permanent toilets and showers at our campsite, so we do not consider this alternative, although we are aware that portable toilets exist. They may be a lifeline at campsites without sanitary facilities. Look for models that are simple to set up and maintain.

Toilet Paper & Bags: Always carry your own toilet paper and sealable bags to dispose of wasted paper and other trash. It is preferable to over-prepare in this area.

Preparing for a camping vacation, especially with a youngster, might seem intimidating at first. However, with proper planning and organization, it can be a joyful and rewarding event for the whole family. From picking the appropriate campground and packing the correct gear to ensuring safety and maintaining hygiene, each step is vital for a successful vacation.

The purpose of this piece was to offer an overview of the most important parts of camping preparation. By concentrating on where to stay, where to cook, safety, and cleanliness, you can create a well-rounded and delightful camping experience. Remember, the goal is to be prepared for anything that can come your way, ensuring that unanticipated complications do not mar your trip.

To make your preparation even easier, we have produced a detailed family camping checklist that organizes everything covered in this post. This checklist is handy to use and guarantees that your camping preparation goes quickly and painlessly. To obtain your free camping checklist, please provide your email, and we will send it to you.

As you prepare for your camping excursion, keep these ideas and thoughts in mind. They originate from our family’s experiences and are aimed to assist you have a smooth and pleasurable journey. Happy camping!