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Subject Topic: Camping with tots! Post Reply Post New Topic
25/7/2014 at 7:59pm
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We are soon to go camping for two weeks in two different locations (not been for a few years) with a one and three year old. Does anyone have any tips to make it easier please? Am excited, but also slightly nervous.

Thanks


25/7/2014 at 10:16pm
 Location: Essex
 Outfit: Vango Maritsa 600 Icarus 600
View Lauren57's Profile View Profile   Reply to Lauren57 Reply   Quote Lauren57 Quote  
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Oh where to start! lol it really depends on your children. You know how flexible they are, what calms them etc. I have 8 and 4 year old girls and a 22 month old son. We have been camping for 3 years now and the youngest we took any of them for the first time was 7 months.

Top things would be do not worry about dirt! They will get grubby and they will love it!

Dont be too strict with bedtimes, its very different to home and will smell different with lots of different sounds and a weird routine so do whatever you can to keep them happy and get them to sleep.

Dont get stressed yourself, they will pick up on that. Most campers have had young children and know that they dont keep quiet or sit still for long

Take a fair few toys and things to keep them entertained and expect them to wake up early!

Make sure you have plenty of snacks to hand - always works for keeping mine happy and quiet while i get on with things.

Plan what you will do with them while you set up and pack away. It's the worst part for us as my son simply will not sit still and do anything nicely, he runs off at every available opportunity, and protests loudly every time he is strapped into the buggy or car!! It's a phase and it will pass..... hopefully sooner rather than later!

Baby wipes! You can never have enough baby wipes!! xx


-------------
*~*2014 Wish List*~*
Cornwall; Norfolk Coast;


25/7/2014 at 10:36pm
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You are a star Thanks so much for your reply, am going shopping this week to stock up on baby wipes. xx


26/7/2014 at 9:23am
 Location: Cumbernauld Scotland
 Outfit: Monty 6Icarus 500 Halo 300
View jelboy53's Profile View Profile   Reply to jelboy53 Reply   Quote jelboy53 Quote  
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As someone who has not had a tot around for several years(Youngest now 21!!) My memories from that time would say...Just as at home...One eye on whatever your doing and one eye on them....Routine...As in bed time etc may have to be relaxed somewhat....But don't be surprised if they fall asleep early doors what with all the fresh air and new things to do....

I would also try and keep the "Excited" feeling you talk of....And lose the "Slightly nervous" one...Though I understand where your coming from on that one...You know your tots better than me or anyone else..Their wee traits or foibles and will be experienced in dealing with them...As we all had to do...

If its the waking early and disturbing other campers your worried about......A few toys/books etc and a calm approach to any early morning tantrums etc should see you through.....

As a parent...I've been through some of that on campsites myself....And as a camper I have absolutely no problem with crying babies early morning as long as the parents are dealing with it as best they can...

Last bit........Chill and relax!! give them a bit of freedom in and around the tent to explore their surroundings...All sharps(Knifes etc) and anything that could cause them harm well secured and out of the way(As you would at home) and you shouldn't have too much to worry about....

Enjoy your upcoming holiday.........

Jelboy.

-------------
Campers of the storm,Into this world are born

Some days are Diamonds...Some days are stone...


26/7/2014 at 10:51am
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Thanks so much Jelboy. Two weeks today and we are off, am starting to organise everything now


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26/7/2014 at 1:49pm
 Location: Suffolk
 Outfit: Vango Keswick 600 + 2 others
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Windbreaks! and lots of them! Not very sociable but means you haven't got to worry about them running off and then tantrums when you call them back!


27/7/2014 at 12:04pm
 Location: Essex
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A slightly different take on this, but we have a 6 year old with learning disabilities who has a tendency to run off. Last year we booked a campsite where we could camp in the field with the playground, and it meant that she headed for the playground so we knew where she was, and could see her from outside our tent (except the time she didn't and we found her in the gents' loos dancing in front of the mirror!)


27/7/2014 at 5:16pm
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Thanks for your replies. Just hoping the one year old doesn't decide to start walking whilst on holiday. At least when she crawls I can catch her quite quickly.

Ah bless her! Think I would have chosen somewhere a bit more fragrant to dance ;0)


27/7/2014 at 10:01pm
 Location: Yorkshire
 Outfit: Outwell Trout Lake & Vango Orchy 400
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Hi, we've taken our daughter camping since she was 6 months old, now 2.5. And we have number 2 on the way in October,

Do you have your sleeping arrangements sorted, as in what the kids will sleep in/ on?

Don't underestimate how cold nights can be, even in summer - take plenty of layers for them, including fleecy all in one type sleep suits if you have any. My daughter , now 2.5, usually wears a vest, PJ's and then a fleecy all in one... even in summer, but early or late in season can need more blankets, hat even then.

Bathing arrangements; will the kids take showers? It's easier if they are used to showering and the sites you choose have big family showers. If not, a big plastic container is useful for bathing them in and/ or water play to keep them amused on site if the weather is nice!

A site with kitchen facilites (fridge, freezer, microwave) can be useful if you need to chill milk or warm up quick meals for the kids, but if not you just need to be a bit organised with meals.

Do you have any specific worries or questions?



27/7/2014 at 11:03pm
 Location: scotland
 Outfit: Outwell Montana Lake
View weeshell's Profile View Profile   Reply to weeshell Reply   Quote weeshell Quote  
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Hi I have a 17 week old a 2 year old and an 8 year old. We have been taking the 2 year old camping since she was 12 weeks old and our 17 week old since he was 6 weeks old. The kids absolutely love it and the baby sleeps better in the tent than he does at home. Our 2 year old follows her big sister everywhere. We take pre made cartons of milk and a cold water sterilizer. Hope you have a great time, the kids will love it.


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28/7/2014 at 5:12pm
 Location: buckinghamshire
 Outfit: Vango Anantara 600tcxl
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Hi. We have a five and two year old who both love camping. I would just like to pick up on the cold at night issue. If you are using air beds for the children just remember its best to put more blankets underneath the air bed than on top. this will keep them a lot warmer and prevent the damp from rising into the air bed.

Relax and we wish you all a happy holiday.


28/7/2014 at 10:08pm
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View Zebedee77's Profile View Profile   Reply to Zebedee77 Reply   Quote Zebedee77 Quote  
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I really appreciate all of your replies, thank you.

We are putting the one year old in a travel cot and the three year old in a ready bed (which she hasn't slept in it before). Thanks for the advice about keeping warm at night.

I suppose I am most worried about how they will sleep and the bathing. The first campsite has one shower which is 20p for two minutes! I do have a flexi bath that I am taking along with us, as the children are not used to showers yet.

We have also bought an electric cool box to keep milk cold. I am certain they will both be in their element on the adventure we will have.


28/7/2014 at 10:25pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Explore 546 & Cabanon Biscaya 500
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Not much more to add as top tips above. We've taken both our daughters from 3 weeks old, now one and four. They both love camping!

Stay calm, even if they scream at night. Anyone with kids will understand. We heard a poor couple getting really stressed one evening as their son couldn't sleep, they were getting more and more worked up which was making him more anxious. We've all been there, but somehow easy to see from the outside. In the end we went over to reassure them that it wasn't a problem, we understood and no one thought they were bad parents!

Camping with little ones is simply magical, we never tell our two when we're going. We pack the clothes after they go to bed. The trailer is always ready. I take a half day on Friday and surprise them when I get home early, they never guess. We tell them we're off and their faces light up.

Have a brilliant time!


29/7/2014 at 1:36pm
 Location: Essex
 Outfit: Vango Maritsa 600 Icarus 600
View Lauren57's Profile View Profile   Reply to Lauren57 Reply   Quote Lauren57 Quote  
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..... my daughter started walking whilst on our first camping trip at 14 months old..... when we got home she was running!! lol good luck

-------------
*~*2014 Wish List*~*
Cornwall; Norfolk Coast;



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