Camping in France is an opportunity for plenty of shared time and fun for families. However, if there’s a baby in your family you may be concerned about meeting new challenges on your holiday. Don’t despair! The new addition to your family doesn’t mean you’ll have to hold off on camping trips for a few years. You can have an enjoyable experience camping in France with a pre-toddler in tow.

Successful planning provides the best results when camping with a baby. Cheap family holidays save your family money that could be used for the little one’s camping essentials. Pack extra wipes and diapers, as well as burping cloths and receiving blankets. The blankets will come in handy, as you’ll be able to use them for changing your baby, giving him a place to sit and play or have tummy time and also for sleeping. You can layer the blankets as needed based on the temperature. Be sure to pack enough clothing items to layer your little one this way too!

Feedings while camping in France don’t have to be a challenge either. If you are breastfeeding, no preparations or supplies are necessary. However, if you are formula feeding, purchase the premixed formula and store it in a cooler. If your baby is eating solid foods, pack the commercial jar baby foods and snacks so you have nothing that requires mixing and preparations.

Bring toys to keep your baby busy and a play yard or portable crib for him to play and nap in safely while camping. If you plan to hike or do much walking, a baby sling or back pack is a superb idea. These will allow you to have your hands free and your baby is likely to enjoy a comfortable nap as you go about your hike or stroll.

Ensure your baby has both a safe and good night’s sleep by bringing along a battery operated baby monitor, a small light for the tent, a battery operated stereo for soothing music, a sleeping sack and a baby travel bed, which features a self-inflating mattress to keep baby off the cold ground and protective netting to keep pesky insects away.

Don’t forget to pack emergency items. A first aid kit, baby medications and a baby safe sunscreen are three things you can’t afford to travel without when traveling with a baby. What else is good to have around for baby related emergencies? Helping hands! Having others around to watch the baby while you take a nap, wash or have some quiet time to yourself will make for a more enjoyable camping experience.

Though cheap family holidays are a lot of fun, try not to plan a lengthy trip. This will allow your baby to get a feel for camping in France and will help with budgeting. Keep in mind that camping in France doesn’t have to be a venture into the great outdoors with your first time camper. In France, there are many family friendly camping sites that provide baby travel necessities like cots, high chairs and baths. There are plenty of leisurely activities available that will make you, your family and baby happy while on holiday!

Now that you have decided to take a family holiday camping in France, there are a few things to consider. There are many campsites suitable for family holidays in France to choose from; each one as beautiful as the next. However, there are a few things to check you have with you before you get underway. These vary slightly depending on if you are using a mobile holiday home, or a camping resort.

You will want to be sure you have your passport, driving licence and car insurance details for any road trip on the Continent. It is likely you won’t need them of course, but better safe than sorry.

It is highly advisable to have travel insurance and the E111 to provide basic medical cover. French law also requires that you have a warning triangle in your car (in case of breakdown), and you should also have a basic first-aid kit and fire extinguisher.

The majority of campsites are fully equipped with everything, including barbeques. If you wish to tent, you must verify that you can use your own. Some will only allow touring guests to bring a personal tent, and offer pitch areas at reasonable cost.

If you are camping in a mobile home you can carry your favourite perishables with you, as they are equipped with fridge/freezer combos, but in gastronomic France, this may not be necessary of course! There is a variety of bedroom choices available, depending on how many you take on your camping holidays.

Most importantly, you will want to bring bedding, towels, basic toiletries like toothbrushes and paste, and you should check to see if cooking supplies are provided. Often they are; however you may need to provide bottle and can openers. Waste bags, a torch and matches are must haves, regardless of how you camp. There are stores near all major campsites for you to purchase perishables or other needs.

Camping in France is so incredibly popular, and not just with the British. Regardless of where you choose to stay you will find that there are Dutch, German, French and lots of people from the Eastern European countries on campsites in France. You may not speak the same languages but it is amazing how quickly all the kids start to play together; football seems to be universally understood.

Making a success of your family holidays is simple because it is largely a state of mind. The pace is whatever you want it to be. You can eat when you like, get up when you choose and sit outside until the small hours just having a glass or two and talking. Of course booking a mobile home on a good site is pretty essential if you know that you would hate being in a tent. Mobile homes come with everything including the kitchen sink and even the most basic come with a good bathroom, a cooker and a fridge. Most camping holiday companies offer various levels of home and some of them are downright luxurious.

There will be holiday reps on the site to help you if you need any advice or have any problems and if a holiday company has invested in putting mobiles on to a campsite it is because they know that it has something special to offer. Whether it is a fantastic pool complex or direct access to a stunning beach you will find that they are perfect for family holidays. In fact once the children have left home you will probably find that you are still going to a French campsite because you will love just being able to relax and go with the flow.