With our great British weather playing its usual summer games, you could be forgiven for being a bit on the concerned side if you’ve got a camping trip coming up. But fear not, because here we are with a few ideas for activities to keep you occupied during a downpour, as well as practical things to do to make sure you don’t suffer too much during a deluge.

If the weather forecast is looking somewhat drizzly for your upcoming camping trip, worry not. Wet weather camping needn’t be a problem when you have insider tricks and tips to get you by. Read on for practical advice on how to make life easier – and more fun - when camping in the rain.

1. Be prepared

Even if the forecast is set fair, we say apply a dubious approach. UK weather is well known for its surprises, so it’s best to go prepared. That means packing wellies, waterproofs, quick dry towels, weather-proof lanterns, extra blankets, a decent ground cloth, plenty of plastic bags for wet things, games and a pack of cards (see activities further on), and a few food staples that don’t need to be cooked on a campfire.

Also make certain that your tent is waterproof. If you’re buying a new one, if you can opt for one with a covered porch area. These are great for storing wet items away from your dry stuff.

What not to pack… down sleeping bags which are useless in the wet weather. Go for synthetic instead. And cotton clothes, which take ages to dry.

2. Let the air in

Your tent needs decent ventilation to prevent condensation when it rains. Even a little bit of condensation can result in a damp tent, which means a cold night awaits. Whilst it may seem counterintuitive, open your vents to keep that fresh air circulating.

3. Avoid wet feet

Pack plenty of spare socks. It’s no fun having wet feet and makes you feel cold all over. Also be sure to leave wet shoes in your porch or awning to prevent wet footprints in your living space.

4. Pitch perfect

Pitching up in the rain is always going to result in wet belongings. So check your weather app and, if there’s a dry window on the horizon, plan around that. If the deluge is on for the entire day, try and keep your stuff covered, or leave it in the car till you’re ready to move in.

Wherever possible, choose a pitching spot where you can make use of a tarp as an additional roof over your tent. Putting this up first will give you some shelter whilst you pitch the tent.

You’re going to want to give muddy puddles, ditches and large bodies of water a wide berth. Ideally you’ll want to find somewhere on elevated ground with a bit of a slope. Try to position the door of your tent to face the opposite direction of the wind so that when you unzip your door, you’ll not get soaked by a gush of windswept water.

Also, if you can, choose a pitch as close to the toilet block as possible so there’s less of a trek through the mud to use the facilities.

Finally – very important advice – be sure to keep everything away from the walls of the tent, including sleeping bags, or you’ll end up with a soggy tent. And don’t touch the inside of the tent yourself!

5. Eat inside, cook outside

NEVER cook inside your tent, no matter how wet it is outside. Remember to pack those ready to eat essentials we already mentioned, or if you’re using a gas stove, get yourself a windshield so you can cook outside without frustration.

6. Dry your stuff before storing

Lastly, never, ever stow away wet camping gear. Be sure to thoroughly dry everything, otherwise when you next go to get it out, you’ll find it covered in mould and good for nothing other than the rubbish bin.

Rainy days camping activities

OK so there we have the practical advice for wet weather camping. Now it’s time to share a few ideas to keep you occupied until the rainclouds clear.

Board games – well why not?! When do you ever get time to play a board game with the family? Whether you go for something intellectual like Trivial Pursuit or Scrabble, play detective with Cluedo or put your money on the table with Monopoly, you’ll be sure to have a great laugh and hours of fun.

Charades – ah go on, give us a clue! This timeless game can help pass the time, and gives everyone the chance to show their dramatic side too.

Cards – no camping trip would be the same without a game of cards. From snap to rummy, this is your chance to practice your poker face and get competitive.

Storytelling – when was the last time someone read you a story? Or you read to the kids? Take a couple of good short story books with you, take turns in reading aloud and see who’s best at bringing the words to life.

Photography or art – the rain can create the most amazing scenery. Ominous skies, looming clouds, rainbows, shadowy hills… so why not take the opportunity to capture the drama on film, or get those pencils or paintbrushes out and see what artistic wonders you can come up with? You never know, you may even find your inner Bob Ross!

Ready for a spot of wet weather camping?

Naturally, we wish you fair weather for your next camping trip. But if the forecast doesn’t seem to be on your side, hopefully our advice will help to make your break more of an adventure than a damp squib. Just make sure you’ve got all the right camping kit before the off!