Growing green: responsible travel ideas for kids

Yurts in Cornwall
If you think tents are a bit old hat, and you fancy something a little different, then why not hire a traditional Mongolian yurt in Cornwall - the height of bohemian chic. A yurt is a portable structure made from wooden poles that connect lattice-work walls insulated with felt and canvas. In Cornwall you can hire either a 16-foot yurt which sleeps 4, or a 20-foot yurt which sleeps 6. Each is luxuriously furnished, and comes complete with wood-burning stoves inside and a separate bathroom yurt with a roll top bath below an open ceiling through which you can watch the stars as lantern light flickers from the walls. The reception area comes with fridge freezer and organizers can provide locally produced charcoal, organic sausages and bacon, plus fresh eggs from their hens. Prices range from £45 - £375, depending on length of stay, season, and number of people. Visit www.yurtworks.co.uk for more information, or if you fancy an even more luxurious yurt experience situated in the Ardèche in France, check out www.canvaschic.com

The Forest Tented Lodges
If you feel like a safari holiday, but are conscious of the cost of the carbon emissions of a flight to a safari destination like Africa, head to The Forest Tented Lodges in Pembrokeshire. Based on owner Rob Thomas's experiences of camping in Kenya, here campers can get amongst nature by taking part in informative and fun walking and cycling tours, while enjoying the luxury and comfort of a more traditional safari trip. The camp has no permanent structures or mains connections, and uses only solar power and water recycling, to minimise the impact on the environment. Kids can explore the adventure zones and nature trails with their families and in the evenings learn about making fires and open air cooking. Each 'tent' has its own veranda and private shower, and guests are even brought a cup of tea in the morning. The evening meals usually consist of locally sourced fresh meat and fish, with home-grown cheeses and the all important Pembrokeshire new potatoes! Prices start at £300 a week.
For more information visit www.tentedlodges.co.uk

Shambala Family Camp
A great way to meet other like-minded families is to go to the Shambala Family Camp, which takes place for one week in August in Devon. It offers families who like camping a creative festival-like experience amid a 'green' environment. Here kids can enjoy DJ master classes, performance workshops, nature treasure hunts, survival nights and more, while adults can relax and listen to live music on the Acoustic Stage, relax in the saloon bar with an organic beer, or spend their evenings star gazing with local experts. There are the all-important compost loos, lots of solar and wind power, and locally sourced fresh food. The organisers have a laid-back, fun approach to the week, claiming that they are 'not driven by money, glory or God'. The cost for the week is £125 for adults, and £40 for kids between the ages of 5 and 16 - under 5's go for free!
For more information, visit www.family-camp.org

Melissa Corkhill, author and editor of The Green parent magazine www.thegreenparent.co.uk has some great 'green' travel suggestions for eco minded parents of young children.

• Pack a homeopathic first aid kit
  Helios Homeopathy (www.helios.co.uk) produce a travel kit with 36 remedies to treat common problems encountered when travelling, everything from car sickness to insect bites.
• Stay protected
  When travelling to warmer climes with young children, sun protection is very important. Apply SPF 30+ sun lotion to exposed skin, even when it is overcast. Reapply every hour, especially after getting wet. Cover up with hats and long sleeved cotton tops during the hottest part of the day (12-3pm). Natural sun cream (without parabens and other suspect chemicals) is available from Lavera at www.lavera.co.uk.
• Go organic
  Visit www.whyorganic.org for a range of great organic holidays in the UK. Choose from self-catering or B&B. These are often located on a working farm and food served is usually locally sourced and organic.