The Complete 2024 Guide to Family Caravanning

Investing in a caravan is the perfect way to bring the family together on holidays that allow you to embrace outdoor adventures and rainy weather for years to come, creating memories that you’ll never forget.

But, ensuring your caravan is family friendly and fully equipped for all those surprises that your little ones throw at you can seem like a challenge.

Luckily, at Rhyd Y Galen, we know all the tips and tricks for keeping the whole family comfortable as you embark on your caravan adventure.

How to find a family friendly caravan

When searching for the ideal caravan for your family adventures, there are several things you’ll need to take into consideration to ensure your little ones are comfortable, and that the caravan is convenient for all of your needs.

Whilst you may have your own list of requirements for your family, we would recommend looking for caravans with the following features:

A Functioning Heating System

UK weather can be unpredictable and chilly nights are not uncommon, even in the warmer months. A functioning heating system ensures that your family stays cosy and comfortable regardless of the outdoor temperature.

There are two main heating options available for caravans:

Blown heating:

Blown heating systems will heat the air and water in your caravan and can be tucked under the floor to prevent it taking up essential space. It works by generating warm air that is pumped through vents in the floor.

Radiator heating:

Radiator heating works much like a house’s might, by pumping hot liquid through pipes to physical radiators.

Each has its own benefits, so it’s important to research which will suit your needs the best before settling on one or the other.

Table for Meal Times

Meal times are a crucial part of family bonding, and having a dedicated table inside the caravan makes dining together convenient and enjoyable. Look for caravans that come equipped with a sturdy table where the whole family can gather for meals, games, or other activities.

Tables that can be folded away or extended can be better suited to bigger families where you require more space.

Suitable Bed Layout

Adequate sleeping arrangements are essential for a good night's rest, especially when travelling with young children.

Choose a caravan with a layout that offers comfortable sleeping spaces for everyone in the family. Whether it's bunk beds for the kids or a spacious double bed for the parents, prioritise a layout that meets your family's specific needs.

Plenty of Storage Space

Travelling with children often means packing a lot of essentials, from clothes and toys to outdoor gear and supplies.

Different sizes and styles of caravan will offer varying amounts of storage. Choosing the right system will ensure you can keep everything organised and easily accessible throughout your journey and once you arrive at your campsite. 

Look for: 

• Overhead compartments
• Built in cabinets
• Storage under beds and seats

You can customise your storage by adding hanging baskets, storage nets and organisers.

Fridge

Having a fridge onboard allows you to store perishable items and keep food fresh throughout your trip. This is particularly useful for families who prefer to prepare their own meals or have specific dietary requirements.

Stock up on essentials and ingredients for quick and easy meals, saving both time and money for a more budget-friendly holiday.

Caravan Insurance

Don’t forget to invest in caravan insurance to provide peace of mind during your holidays.

Caravan essentials

Alongside your built in caravan features, there are plenty of items that you’ll want to pack to ensure smooth operations throughout the duration of your holiday.

Everyday essentials:

Water containers:

You’ll need to make sure you have plenty of water on board your caravan. Although most camping sites will have access to clean water, it can be more convenient to have access to it at all times for drinking, washing up and cleaning all the messes that children make.

Utensils:

As you might expect, caravans don’t come with built-in utensils so you’ll need to pack cutlery and the cooking essentials you’ll need for creating tasty family meals.

Crockery:

Don’t forget to pack plates, bowls, mugs, pots and pans if your caravan has a kitchen area.

Tupperware:

Tupperware can make for a very useful storage item on caravan holidays, especially for leftover dinners.

Bedding:

Ensure a comfortable night's sleep by packing bedding essentials such as sheets, blankets, pillows, and sleeping bags, depending on your preferences.

Bath towels:

Pack towels for bathing, or if you plan to go swimming during your travels.

Toiletries:

Remember to pack soaps, shampoos, conditioners, toothpaste and sunscreen to protect your skin. Caravan holiday with children can get mucky, and rightly so, so you might need more body wash and shampoo than you’d expect.

Battery pack:

Caravan holidays are fantastic for escaping technology fuelled lives, but you might still want access to electronic devices like your phone for safety and navigation, cameras for capturing precious memories, and a portable TV for movie nights under the stars.

Portable battery packs allow you to keep these devices charged and accessible.

Washing line:

Set up a washing line outside your caravan to air dry laundry and wet gear, keeping your living space clean and clutter free. This can also prevent condensation and humidity from building in your caravan.

Safety essentials:

Tow mirrors:

Towing a caravan will obstruct your view of the road, so it is essential to invest in tow mirrors. These attach to your existing wing mirrors and allow you to see beyond the caravan.

Hitch lock:

Enhance security and deter theft by using a hitch lock to prevent unauthorised access to your caravan when it's unhitched from your vehicle.

Can you add an extension to a caravan?

Extensions and awnings can be added to caravans to provide much needed additional space when travelling with the family.

In fact, bringing an awning along can have many benefits including:

Additional storage space:

Awnings are a fantastic solution for adding additional storage to a caravan. You could use it for storing outdoor equipment like bikes, garden furniture, shoes and sports equipment. Additionally, many awnings have clippings suitable for hanging storage.

Weatherproof leisure space:

Caravans can get cramped when the whole family is doing their own thing, and an awning can give the children space to play outside, whatever the weather. Whether you’re cooking or require some quiet, this can give you a bit of time to yourself.

With an awning, you know your children are safe, as you can keep an eye on them in the enclosed space.

Versatility:

Awning designs are a tad more versatile than caravan space with various different styles to suit different requirements.

Keeping the kids comfortable

When you take your children on holiday, you want them to have the best time possible, and create memories that will last a lifetime. This comes from predicting their needs in advance and making sure you have planned for everything.

Entertainment

Keeping your children entertained is likely to be your main priority over the duration of your adventure. Whilst you know your children far better than we do, these are some of our favourite options for keeping the kids busy whilst spending quality time together as a family:

• Pack an inflatable paddling pool
• Bring along your child’s favourite books or toys
• Bring compact sports equipment like balls, rackets, frisbees and plastic bowling
• You can never go wrong with a humble deck of cards
• Explorer kits are a fantastic adventure starter
• Colouring and painting kits bring creativity to the quieter days
• Portable games, electronic devices, audio books and music are essential for the long journey

At Rhyd Y Galen Caravan Park, we have all the amenities you need to relax on your family holiday amongst the breathtaking Welsh mountains. Our caravan park, campsite and glamping accommodation are a beautiful base for exploring everything North Wales has to offer, alongside the people who mean the most to you.

Book your getaway online today.