Rain is part of camping. With children, the difference between a miserable day and a fun one is usually a covered space, a pile of dry socks and a plan for the hours in between.
Here is a simple, step-by-step plan for when the forecast turns or the sky opens unexpectedly.
Before the rain
If rain is forecast, the most valuable thing you can do is rig a tarp over the picnic table or cooking area before it starts. A dry living space means you are not stuck in the tent all day. Set it with one corner lower so the water runs away from where people are sitting.
Set up
- Tarp over the table, angled to one side
- Chairs and a mat under the tarp
- Line kids' bags with trash bags
Stash
- Dry clothes in zip-top bags
- The activity box and snacks under cover
- Towels and a clothesline
Dress for it
Children are much happier in rain when they are dressed for it. Put full rain gear on before going out, rather than waiting until they are wet. For young children, a one-piece rain suit over a fleece is ideal. Boots and a hat with a brim under the hood keep rain off the face.
Get out in it (when it is safe)
Light rain is a chance for adventures that are impossible on a sunny day. Children love:
- Puddle jumping, in boots and rain pants.
- Looking for snails, slugs, worms and frogs that come out in the wet.
- Rain-drop races down the tarp or car windows.
- Building dams in small runoff streams (then taking them down again).
- Listening to the rain on the tarp and guessing how heavy it is.
Under the tarp
When rain is steady, set up base camp under the tarp. This is where the activity box comes in. Bring it out one item at a time rather than all at once. A deck of cards, a drawing pad and a new sticker book can each fill an hour.
| Age | Under-tarp ideas |
|---|---|
| Toddlers | Sticker books, stacking cups, simple puzzles, songs with actions |
| Preschool | Drawing, matching games, story-telling, a snack-making job |
| School age | Card games, drawing a camp map, reading, cooking lunch with you |
| Tweens | Card and board games, a journal, knot practice, planning dinner |
A wet day in camp can be the one children talk about most: the day of hot chocolate, card games and puddles.
Keeping everyone warm
Rain often means cooler temperatures. Hot drinks and hot food help a lot, so plan a warm lunch like soup or noodles. Keep a fleece blanket under the tarp for small children to wrap up in, and watch for signs that anyone is getting too cold: shivering, quietness, or clumsy hands. If you see them, move that child into dry clothes and the warm car or tent.
When to head for shelter
Most rain is harmless, but thunderstorms are not. If you hear thunder, leave the tarp and tent and go to a hard-topped car or building until it has passed. Tarps and tents offer no protection from lightning. Also watch for rising water if you are camped near a stream after heavy rain, and never pitch in a dip or dry creek bed.
Keeping spirits up
Children take their cue from adults. If you treat the rain as part of the adventure, most children will too. Make a ritual of it: hot chocolate every time the rain gets heavy, a "rain walk" once it eases, or a prize for spotting the first rainbow. Short, planned activities with breaks in between work better than trying to fill every minute.
After the rain
When the rain stops, hang everything wet on the clothesline, open the tent doors to air it out, and go for a walk. Rain-washed forests smell wonderful, and there is usually plenty to discover. For the complete list, see our rainy-day camp kit checklist.
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