Camping can be an economical option for family holidays, but many parents find it daunting. Raisingkids.co.uk's guest travel expert Barbara Murray has some advice about camping with kids, and some reassurance about the facilities!

Raisingkids member's question
My sister-in-law suggested that we go on a camping holiday this year rather than staying in a hotel. We've got 2 girls (5 and 8) and a new arrival who will be 10 months old in August. I admit that camping is cheaper option but the last time I slept under canvas was when I was a Girl Guide! I don't fancy 2 weeks of earwigs and chemical toilets, especially with a baby. Is camping practical, and is it even safe for a baby?

Barbara Murray's advice
Don't panic - the days of earwigs and chemical toilets are over! Modern tents are more like canvas bungalows. They are light, bright and airy, and above all spacious, with all the comforts of home. The better campsites offer tents with separate double bedrooms and fully sprung beds, electric lights, kitchens with fridges and cookers, and even a child safety gate to keep eager young children out of harm's way.

Of course, a camping holiday doesn't necessarily mean staying in a tent. If you really can't face walking to the toilet block in the middle of the night, many campsites now have luxury mobile homes with private toilet and shower room. Mobile homes are a generally a little bit more expensive than tents, but are still much more economical for a family than staying in a hotel.

Camping is no problem for a baby. The only major difficulty most parents experience when camping with babies is that they tend to wake up with the dawn. I strongly advise you hire a tent with curtains. Otherwise, babies are adaptable and spend much of their day asleep. Teach your older children to respect the campsite quiet hours, as you won't be the only family with a sleeping baby.

Remember you can never have enough wet-wipes and disposable nappies. Even the most eco-friendly parents tend it use disposables on holiday as a bucket of soaking nappies is no fun in a tent. You can always buy bio-degradeable ones.

As babies can't regulate their temperature as well as older children, you might want to consider taking a battery-operated fan unless air-conditioning is provided - believe it or not, some of the modern luxury mobile homes are air-conditioned.

Before a camping holiday, make a list of important items so that you won't forget them. Remember, however, that it's unnecessary to prepare as if you were going for a 3-month trip up the Amazon - apart from essential prescription medication, it'll be easy to buy most things near your campsite . Make sure you pack a basic first-aid kit, including a thermometer or cough syrup. Don't forget a hat and sunscreen, even if you're holidaying in the UK.

Parents should remember that temperatures can drop drastically at night. Children will be warmer if they're not sleeping directly on the ground, so consider packing an inflatable mattress or book a tent with beds.

Each family member should have their own torch and if you're planning on taking story-tapes or music, remember lots of batteries. Before you pack games equipment like footballs, Frisbees or tennis rackets, check your campsite doesn't already supply them as part of the package.

Part of the fun of camping is getting dirty, but you might prefer to hire a camper van with a shower if communal washrooms aren't your idea of fun. Bring at least 2 pairs of shoes per child in case one pair gets wet and in case of wet weather, take plenty of socks to ward off damp feet! Choose clothes that won't be ruined when (not 'if') they get dirty.

Make sure your children know the layout of the campsite and - most importantly - how to find their way back to the family tent or camper. Explore the site with your children and set safety boundaries e.g. non-swimmers are not allowed beside the pool without an adult.

I hope I've persuaded you to give camping a try! In fact, many families begin camping for financial reasons and then find they prefer it to the expensive hotel alternative.