Family camping in Europe: campsites with kids clubs in Croatia, Italy and France

Family camping in Europe is one of the best summer holidays with children: freedom, outdoor play all day and new friends at the kids club. The big campsites in Croatia, Italy and France have pools, playgrounds, beaches and daily programmes for kids. Here are ten favourites, which ages they suit and what to pack.

Why kids love family camping

Children love campsites because they can play outside from breakfast to bedtime and move around more freely than in a hotel. There are bikes, pools, playgrounds and other kids everywhere. Parents get a break too, especially when there is a kids club for a few hours a day.

Modern family camping is not just tents. Most big campsites offer mobile homes and glamping tents with beds, a kitchen and air conditioning, which makes life much easier with small children.

Which ages it suits

Campsites with kids clubs work best for children from about four, but families with babies can also enjoy them in a mobile home.

10 campsites with kids clubs at a glance

Istria in Croatia, the coast near Venice and Lake Garda in Italy, and the French coasts have the biggest choice of family campsites. Distances are from the nearest main airport by car. Check prices and availability on the official websites.

Price for a mobile home per night in high season: budget = under about €80, mid-range = about €80–180, premium = over €180. Approximate, prices change.

See family trips in Istria on the Kid.ooo map

Croatia

Lanterna Camping Resort near Poreč is one of the largest campsites on the Adriatic, with pools, water slides and kids clubs. Maistra Camping runs several family campsites around Rovinj and Vrsar. Bi Village in Fažana is close to Pula and has a big pool area. Further south, Zaton Holiday Resort near Zadar has a long beach, pools and a full kids' programme.

Italy

On the coast near Venice, Union Lido and Marina di Venezia are huge campsites with sandy beaches, water parks and kids clubs. Pra' delle Torri in Caorle is a classic for families. On Lake Garda, Camping Bella Italia is close to Gardaland and has pools and a kids club.

France

Le Sérignan Plage on the Mediterranean has a big beach and pool complex. On the Atlantic, Panorama du Pyla sits next to the Dune du Pilat, Europe's tallest sand dune, a great family adventure.

Safety and kit

Agree on clear rules from the first day and pack for both hot days and cool evenings.

• Walk the site together on arrival and agree on meeting points.
• Teach children the number or location of your pitch.
• Use high-factor sun cream and keep kids in the shade at midday.
• Bring head torches, flip-flops for showers and a small first-aid kit.
• A bike or scooter for older kids makes the big sites much more fun.

Snacks and stops on the way

Plan a stop every two hours and choose places with a playground, not just a petrol station. Pack fruit, sandwiches and plenty of water so you can eat anywhere. For Istria and the coast near Venice, many families split the drive with a night on the way.

Find family-friendly restaurants and playgrounds along your route on the Kid.ooo map. If you prefer a sandy beach without camping, see our shallow-water beaches guide, and for a break on the road, our list of spectacular playgrounds may help.

Parent tip

Book a mobile home near the playground or the pool, but not right next to the entertainment stage. You will hear the evening shows until late. A spot in the shade is worth paying a little extra for in July.

For family travel inspiration from around the world, follow @fouraroundtheworld on Instagram.

Find nearby trails and playgrounds in Kid.ooo

Kid.ooo is a free kid-friendly places map where parents share playgrounds, trails, beaches and cafés across Europe. Use it to find playgrounds near me around your campsite and save the best ice cream stop for the evening.

Find playgrounds near your campsite on the Kid.ooo map

Missing a place you loved? Add it to Kid.ooo and help the next family planning a camping trip.