Family Camping with Children — Portable Toilet Tips and Setup

Camping with children is brilliant — until someone needs the toilet at two in the morning and the nearest block is two hundred metres away across a dark field. A portable camping toilet eliminates that problem entirely and makes family trips smoother, safer and less stressful. Here is how to set up and manage a portable toilet for family use ahead of summer 2026.

Why Families Benefit Most

Children need the toilet more frequently and more urgently than adults. They also find long walks to distant toilet blocks daunting, especially at night. A portable toilet in the tent porch, awning or vehicle means instant access, which makes a tangible difference to everyone's comfort and sleep quality. For families with toddlers in potty training, it is practically essential.

Choosing the Right Toilet for a Family

A family of four needs a larger waste tank to avoid emptying every day. The Thetford Porta Potti 365 with its 21-litre waste tank is the obvious choice — it provides two to three days of full family use before needing an empty. The piston flush and tank-level indicator are practical features that simplify management.

For families on a tighter budget, the Blue Diamond Deluxe with a 20-litre tank offers similar capacity at a lower price point. The bellows flush is less refined, but children will not notice the difference.

Avoid the smallest models (10-12 litre tanks) for family use — they will need emptying almost daily, which defeats the convenience benefit.

Setting Up for Children

Seat Height

Portable toilets sit lower than domestic toilets, which is actually an advantage for small children — their feet reach the ground, and they feel more stable. For very young children, you can place a step stool in front for mounting and dismounting if needed, though most manage fine on their own.

Privacy

Children value privacy just as much as adults. If the toilet is inside the tent porch or awning, hang a curtain or use a folding screen. If it is outdoors, a pop-up toilet tent from Kampa or a similar brand gives them their own enclosed space. Practise using it at home before the trip so the setup feels familiar rather than strange.

Night-Time Access

Position the toilet where children can reach it from their sleeping area without navigating obstacles in the dark. A clip-on LED light with a red mode provides enough visibility without waking the whole tent. Ensure the path is clear of guy ropes, shoes and bags.

Teaching Children to Use It

1. Show them how to open the blade valve before use and close it after flushing.
2. Demonstrate the flush — let them pump the bellows or press the piston. Children usually find this entertaining.
3. Explain that only toilet paper goes in the toilet — no wipes, tissues or toys.
4. Place hand sanitiser at child height and make handwashing non-negotiable after every visit.

Hygiene Essentials for Family Use

• Hand sanitiser: a pump bottle right next to the toilet. No exceptions.
• Antibacterial wipes: wipe the seat after each use by the youngest children. Teach older children to do this themselves.
• Rapid-dissolve toilet paper: it breaks down faster and prevents blockages. Thetford Aqua Soft is widely available.
• Correct chemical dosing: a family generates more waste, so ensure the chemical dose is adequate. Use Thetford Aqua Kem Blue or equivalent at the recommended or slightly increased rate.

Managing Emptying with Children Around

Emptying the waste tank is an adults-only job. Do it while children are occupied elsewhere — playing, eating breakfast or exploring the site. Wear gloves, use the pressure-release button on your Porta Potti or Dometic unit, empty at the Chemical Disposal Point and rinse thoroughly. The whole process takes five minutes.

Common Family Camping Toilet Mistakes

• Buying a toilet that is too small — always opt for at least a 20-litre waste tank for family use.
• Not practising at home — children adapt much faster if the toilet is already familiar.
• Forgetting hand sanitiser — it is the single most important hygiene measure.
• Placing the toilet too far from the sleeping area — convenience is the whole point.

Get your family camping toilet setup sorted before summer 2026. Browse portable toilets, toilet tents and accessories at UK Camping and Leisure and make this year's trips the most comfortable yet.