As a solo parent still recovering from the financial impact of our latest Disney trip (Orlando for £6,000: Is It Really Worth It? Solo parents Full Breakdown), I’ve been on the hunt for budget-friendly solutions for the upcoming summer break.
One idea that keeps coming to mind? Camping.
Truthfully, it’s something I’ve been a little hesitant about—I have visions of late-night tantrums, emergency dashes to the toilet block, and meals gone completely wrong. But I think this year is the year to tackle it.
Not only will it give us a mini adventure, but it might open up the possibility of more frequent trips throughout the year once I prove to myself that it isn’t as stressful as I’m anticipating.
Step One: Backyard Campout – A Trial Run
Before diving headfirst into the great outdoors, I plan to test the waters with a backyard campout.
We did this last year—set up a small tent in the garden, fired up our portable firepit (because does it even count as camping without a campfire?), and settled in for a night under the stars.
It was mostly a success, but I learned a few things:
- Feeding my fussy child at a campsite is going to be tricky. Classic campfire meals like sausages and kebabs? A no-go.
- Enter the wood pellet pizza oven idea. Ludicrous or genius? Can you imagine sitting at the campsite, enjoying a freshly fired pizza? Om nom nom.
- The early wake-up dilemma. Last time, my daughter woke up at 5 AM, demanding to go inside and watch TV. Not an option in the middle of a campsite! She’s a year older now—hopefully, another test run will offer reassurance that we can avoid a meltdown (and a campsite-wide wake-up call).
Step Two: Finding the Right Campsite (for a Quick Escape if Needed!)
Since this is my first proper camping trip with a toddler, I’m playing it safe. That means finding a nearby campsite so we have the option to bail if necessary.
My must-haves:
- ✅ Child-friendly facilities—bathrooms, play areas, family-friendly vibes
- ✅ Within an hour’s drive—just in case things go sideways
- ✅ Highly-rated by other parents—because real-world toddler-tested feedback is gold
Step Three: Packing Smart
I’ve realised that knowing your own camping style is key to making the trip work.
- Minimalist campers? Happy with a roll mat and sleeping bag?
- Luxury camper? That’s more my style—meaning I’ll likely want a site where I can pitch next to my car for easy setup and pack-down.
My essentials for surviving solo-parent camping:
- ✅ Battery packs—because a movie night wind-down on the tablet might save my sanity
- ✅ Fold-up/pop-up potty—for avoiding nighttime dashes with my toddler
- ✅ A plan for solo-parent bathroom breaks—because what do you do when your child is asleep?
Step Four: Making It an Adventure
I want my daughter to feel part of the experience from the start.
- Let her pack her own bag with a favorite toy, book, and activities.
- Get her involved in campsite setup—peg duty, handing over tent poles, setting up her sleeping space.
- Pack distraction kits—small travel-friendly games like Snap or pocket-sized snakes & ladders.
- Plan nature exploration! A printable wildlife scavenger hunt with birds, animals, and insects local to the area.
Final Thoughts – Help Me Solve This Dilemma!
Here’s the thing—I still don’t have concrete plans.
So I’d love your thoughts and advice:
- 💭 What’s the ultimate campfire-friendly meal for a fussy eater? Is my pizza oven plan completely ridiculous or actually brilliant?
- 💭 How do you handle super early toddler wake-ups at a campsite? Any tricks to keep them entertained without waking up the entire site?
- 💭 Luxury camping vs. minimalist camping—what’s your approach? Do you camp light or bring all the comforts? What’s been your best investment?
Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear how other solo parents navigate camping with little ones!