Camping in the Rain - 10 Tips for a Dry, Warm and Surprisingly Cosy Family Adventure
After one of the warmest summers on record, we somehow chose the only wet summer weekend for our very first family camping trip. We arrived to a full downpour - the kind where you step out of the car and instantly question all your life choices. Thankfully, we’d practised putting the tent up at home (it took over two hours in the garden!), so when the rain passed, we managed to get it up in a flash. If it’s your first trip like ours, that practice run is a lifesaver.
With autumn settling in, there’s still time for a final weekend away or even an October half‑term adventure. So we wanted to share the rainy camping tips that genuinely helped us stay drier, warmer and far more cheerful than expected. We’re not experts - just a family who learnt fast.
Here are the 10 wet‑weather camping tips that made the biggest difference to our trip.
1. Choose higher, level ground
Pick a pitch where rainwater naturally runs away from your tent rather than pooling underneath it. Even a slight slope makes a huge difference during heavy showers.
2. Keep shoes at the entrance
Wet, muddy footwear is the fastest way to make a tent feel damp. We learnt this after one enthusiastic child marched straight through the tent with boots still on. Create a dedicated boot spot by the door and keep the inner tent strictly shoe‑free.
3. Use camping drawers for easy storage
One of the best things we packed was a set of lightweight camping drawers. They kept clothes and everyday bits in one dry, organised place - no rummaging in bags, no damp chaos. In wet weather, having a simple, reliable storage system made the whole tent feel calmer and more manageable.
4. Pack more clothes than you think
Rainy camping means multiple outfit changes. Spare socks, warm layers and a dry bedtime set keep everyone comfortable and help avoid the ‘I’m cold and wet’ meltdowns.
5. Choose proper waterproofs
Go for waterproof jackets and trousers that can handle sustained rain, not just “weather‑resistant” layers. Our Kids’ Originals Waterproof Jackets kept the kids perfectly dry.
6. Set up a shared shelter
If you’re camping with more than one family, a central gazebo or tarp becomes the heart of camp. We had a gazebo in the middle of our pitch and it was brilliant - everyone could sit together, eat, chat and avoid the rain while the kids played nearby.
7. Don’t be afraid to escape the rain
Leaving the campsite for a few hours can transform the day. We went bowling, warmed up, dried off and returned feeling like new people (almost!). Indoor breaks are not cheating - they’re smart.
8. Pack a few simple, dry‑day activities
Rainy camping can feel long if everyone is stuck inside the tent. We packed a deck of cards, Uno and a couple of colouring books, which turned out to be perfect for those in‑between moments when the rain eased but everything was still too wet to explore properly.
9. Create cosy evenings
S’mores, hot chocolate, tea, coffee - and maybe something stronger for the grown-ups - turn a damp evening into one of the best parts of the trip. Even with rain hammering on the gazebo roof, the kids declared it ‘the best night ever.’
10. Know when to call it
If after a few days of rain and everyone is cold and wet, you don’t have to stick it out. We left a night early - and it was absolutely the right decision.
The real lesson from camping in the rain
Camping in the rain can actually be brilliant: evenings feel extra cosy, and children often decide that puddle‑jumping is the highlight of the holiday. When you lean into the weather, it becomes part of the adventure rather than a setback.
Our biggest takeaway was that good preparation matters more than perfect weather. Practise putting the tent up, keep a dry space, pack proper waterproofs, plan a few indoor activities and give yourself permission to change course if the weather becomes too much. With those basics covered, wet‑weather camping can still feel warm, joyful and full of brilliant family memories.
