This Bachelor’s thesis was commissioned by a non-profit organization that organizes family camps for families with children under 16 years of age. The aim of this thesis was to examine how the participation of under school-aged children manifests itself in the everyday life and activities of the family camps, and how their participation could be supported. The starting point for the thesis was to increase consideration of small children and their families.

The study was implemented as a qualitative research. The theoretical basis of the thesis consists of child-centeredness, social development of a child as well as participation of children. The method used for collecting the data was thematic interview. The data consisted of interviews of parents who had participated in family camps with their children aged 0–6 years old. The data were analysed thematically.

The results show that participation of small children manifests itself especially in children’s free play and social relationships with their peers. The interviewed parents found it important for children to learn to play with others. Changes in daily routines such as dining and sleeping, a child’s illness or level of difficulty in camp activities occasionally made it challenging for small children and their families to participate in the activities. Parents wished for activities planned especially for small children and also free time for parents was seen important.

Small children need adults to support their participation. Good experiences of participation help children to adapt flexible ways of acting in upcoming situations. At the camp the families had time, and they found the joy of doing things together. They formed new social relationships with other families and thereby got strength for their everyday life at home after the camp as well.