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Camping with your kids can be a great experience; what better way to bond than to get away from everyday life and have an adventure? Not only will your children have fun, they'll learn new skills, take on responsibilities and get fresh air and exercise.

Forward planning, however, is essential. Imagine being stuck in the middle of nowhere with the wrong gear or without an important item! This is a guide on what to pack for your camping trip, so you and your kids have a great time away.

The most important thing, as you can probably guess, is a tent! Make sure that your tent is the right size for the number of people going on the trip ' it's uncomfortable to be squashed up together, but there's no point taking a 6-man tent for 3 people. Remember that you might have to carry your tent for a long way, so take its weight into account.

A good sleeping bag and floor roll are essential for a good night's sleep. There's nothing worse than lying down on cold, hard ground! If it's cold weather, make sure your sleeping bags are well-insulated and your floor roll is thickly padded.

A lantern for those midnight chats or (inevitable) long toilet trips is another must. Get one with a long battery life, and make sure it's charged!

Be sure to take enough water flasks; each camper should have their own, but they should be the right size. Smaller water flasks will hold enough for your kids but be light enough to carry on long days in the wilderness.
Family first aid kits can be bought in stores, or you can make your own. Make sure to take plasters, antiseptic, scissors, tweezers and paracetamol. A good camping trip is sure to include some insect bites and scrapes but you can ensure happy children by being prepared.

The right clothing is another essential; after all, you're going to be wearing it all day in all weathers! Children's waterproofs, walking boots, thick socks and warm fleeces will make sure that your little campers are all wrapped up and happy outdoors.

Make sure everything fits into your rucksack! A good rucksack should be big enough to hold everything, light enough to easily carry, and comfortable enough to have on your back on long walks. Padded straps are great for spreading the load, and a lot of modern rucksacks have handy pouches for water bottles and rings on which to hang compasses and whistles.

You might also want to think about energy bars, for midnight snacks or long treks. When you're camping you can't just pop to the fridge, so a supply of food can be a lifesaver when hunger strikes. Bars like Kendal Mint Cake have a lot of calories and are eaten by walkers everywhere.

These are all the basics you'll need on your camping trip; remember, your kids will be outside for a prolonged length of time, so reliable equipment and clothing is a must. Make sure you buy from a reputable, specialist shop who can give you any extra advice you might need.