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Lake and family camping: top 7 water activities for children

Published on 22 December 2025 · updated on 21 October 2025 · 5 min read
je By jerome
Lake and family camping: top 7 water activities for children

Holidays at a lakeside campsite always have a special charm. It is the chance to reconnect as a family, enjoy nature and, above all, multiply the moments of play and discovery with the children.

Swimming, boat trips or simple picnics by the shore: there is no shortage of family activities at a lakeside campsite.

Indeed, they are simple, accessible and fun. They turn each day into an adventure! Let’s discover together the activities for children to enjoy by the lake.

Lakeside campsite

 

Swimming in the lake

When you think of activities on a lakeside campsite holiday, the first one that comes to mind is of course swimming!

Children love spending time in the water, whether to play, learn to swim or simply cool off.

Lakes often offer supervised bathing areas or fitted beaches where you can enjoy the water in complete peace of mind. For parents it is reassuring, and for children it means the freedom to play for hours on end.

Pedal boat rides

The pedal boat is one of the great classics on the lakes.

Easy to use, it lets you set off together without any particular experience. Children enjoy pedalling, steering or simply drifting on the water.

It is a gentle activity, ideal for discovering the lake from a different angle and enjoying the scenery as a family.

And let’s be honest, little ones (and grown-ups) love jumping into the water from the pedal boat before getting back on. Some operators even offer pedal boats with a built-in slide!

Picnic by the water

After a good swim or a pedal boat ride, nothing beats a picnic by the lake. Children appreciate this simple moment when the cool box comes out, along with sandwiches, fresh fruit and crisps, before heading back to play.

It is a chance to sit back, enjoy the view and share a genuinely convivial moment.

The picnic by the water is one of the essential small pleasures of a family stay at a campsite near the lake, as it combines nature, good food and relaxation!

Canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding as a family

For a change from the pedal boat, water sports such as canoeing, kayaking or paddleboarding are ideal and very often offered on the lakeshore. They keep you active and let you discover the lake in a whole new way.

Children, even beginners, quickly have fun paddling or trying to stand up on a board. It is also a way of learning teamwork: moving forward as a pair in a canoe takes a bit of coordination (and plenty of laughter)!

These water outings bring a good dose of adventure and remain accessible to the whole family.

Introduction to fishing

Fishing is one of the calm activities that children really enjoy. With a small rod and a bit of patience, they discover the joy of waiting for a bite and the excitement of watching the line move.

Even without a big fish on the hook, the fun is there: watching the water, staying alert and sharing the moment with the parents.

It is an activity that teaches patience, respect for nature, and can quickly become a little ritual of family holidays at a lakeside campsite!

Play areas and inflatables

More and more lakes near campsites now offer inflatable play structures installed right on the water.

Slides, trampolines, floating obstacle courses… children love climbing, jumping and letting off steam for hours. It is the ideal activity for anyone who needs to move about and take on little challenges while having fun!

These structures turn swimming into a playground and are among the memories that most mark family holidays.

Exploring the lake bed

With just a mask and snorkel, children can discover a whole different world beneath the surface.

Fish, aquatic plants, coloured pebbles… there is no need to go deep: even close to the shore, exploring is fun and sparks curiosity!

Looking at the lake bed turns an ordinary swim into a discovery!

In France, family campsites by the lake are plentiful. On your next stay, take the opportunity to enjoy a host of water activities by the lake. Your children will not soon forget their holiday!

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