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I think you will be surprised at the kids behaviour. All that space and freedom to burn off energy and explore will keep them busy for hours and then at night they will be tired so will sleep well.

Only on rare occasions have we seen kids fighting or having a tantrum. Camping must be good for them

When they get home the fighting will probably recommence though lol

Angie

There's so much to do on campsites, and friends to be made, you probably won't see alot of them once they have other camping pals, I am sure that you won't have too much of a problem with behaviour, as Angie say's it don't last when you get home though!

Quote: Originally posted by crazymama on 16/4/2009

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So we're hopefully going with the Khyam Indianna 8. I think this will be a good start freeing up more money for all the other equipment we need!! Utility tent ordered too for cooking!! Getting excited may have to have a weekend away in May to test it! Now anyone got any tips on getting the children to behave.........

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I think you'll find that this design of tunnel tent an excellent one for your needs. Roomy, a place for the kids at one end and adults + baby at the other, lots of living  space, tried and tested design and easy to put up. You could add one of the Coleman Tent Porches eventually, for a bit of sit out space. And you're really going to thank me for that cooking tent once you get out there....

So...what else is on your shopping list? Sleeping bags? Cooker? Airbeds?

Seats? Table? High chair for the baby? (Could use fold up buggy or car seat to save space.) You could use one of the picnic style benches with integral stools to eat off, plus a chair at each end for the adults. Kids don't really need armchairs...they can slob around on a picnic rug.

Pillows? Six pillows will take up a lot of space. You can get half sized camping pillows that roll up into little stuffsacs.

You'll need some insulation on top of the airbeds at the very least. A cheap fleece blanket held on by a fitted sheet will work perfectly well. Take more fleece blankets as well...and check your sleeping bags are proper outdoor rated ones, not just sleepover play ones. it gets much colder at night while camping than you might think.

Cheap coolbags are good for carrying foodstuffs, as they're insect and rodent proof and keep stuff dry. A coolbox for chilling things. Ice packs? Will you have the facility to have them refrozen on site?

How is the baby being fed? If you're breastfeeding then you'll find it easy, otherwise you'll need some sort of cold sterillizer system and readymix formula.

You'll probably want some sort of cooker, if only for boiling water for cups of tea and possibly hot water bottles. The suitcase stoves are easy and cheap.

A first aid kit.

A water carrier. I get one of  the big one gallon bottles of mineral water you can buy in Tesco and refill it when there.

Couple of cheapo picnic rugs from the ££ shop. Keep one by the door and make everyone take their shoes off when coming into the tent. You don't want water and mud over the groundsheet...this is not being houseproud, it's because you need to keep the interior as dry as possible. Never allow wet shoes or clothes anywhere near your sleeping pods. it's difficult to dry things on site unless it's sunny.

A bucket and some babywipes, for nightime wees! Put it on one of these cheap picnic rugs and get the boys to kneel to use it, not sprinkle all over the surrounding groundsheet........(belive me on this one, ick...)

Can't think of anything else just now...

Being as summer is just around the corner, there are a number of  plastic plates, bowls, cups etc. around at the moment some are very reasonably priced as well. A lot lighter to carry than china and less likely to break also.   A cheap set of cutlery as well is good, saves you taking any from home. For the summer I would suggest some form of stacking 'billy' cans for cooking again another space saving idea.I think it was in Tesco's yesterday in their camping range I saw some blow up pillows that weren't too bad a price. For the summer, we have found that pack-a-macs are great as they take up less space than coats. Last summer we certainly got our monies worth out of them!

Picnic rugs are great for kids to sit on inside and outside the tent.    We always take a few with us, then if one gets dirty, or something is accidently spilled, I can replace it.     Poundland have small ones in at the moment - OK I have seen bigger and better quality - but for the kids to sit on, they are ideal.   Going to get some more next time I am in there.
Fleece blankets/throws are very practical.    I use them as extra bedding, and also to wrap around us if it is chilly.     

I know that you are going with friends - but it the cooking stuff is going to be in one families tent, make sure that the other family has somewhere to boil a kettle - that way you can at least get a cuppa without disturbing each other.    

Don't be afraid to use the site laundrette to wash some clothes mid week.     I used to swear that I would NEVER EVER do a load of washing on holiday - unitl the day I had a sicky sheet to wash.     Now I have cut down on amount of clothes I take and do a wash mid week.    OK the clothes don't get ironed - but who cares.

Be prepared for your kids to get mucky - so don't pack that designer teeshirt. or favourite pair of pants.     At the beginning of the summer I stock up on cheap shorts, tshirts and jeans from the likes of ASDA - they do the season.    I usually find that the shorts have stains on the bum, that even the annoying Vanish Lady couldn't shift - but can't complain because they have done the kids all summer.   

Start buying things like the toiletries now, and you won't be rushing out spending loads of money the week before you go away.   We do this, and when I add up what I have spened it comes to quite a bit, yet I haven't notice a pound here and a pound there.     I keep them for the season, bringing what is left into general use after our last camping trip.    Also, by having separate stuff, means that I don't get to site and find that I have forgotten the soap.

Quote: Originally posted by Camping nutcase on 17/4/2009

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Be prepared for your kids to get mucky - so don't pack that designer teeshirt. or favourite pair of pants.     At the beginning of the summer I stock up on cheap shorts, tshirts and jeans from the likes of ASDA - they do the season.    I usually find that the shorts have stains on the bum, that even the annoying Vanish Lady couldn't shift - but can't complain because they have done the kids all summer.   

Start buying things like the toiletries now, and you won't be rushing out spending loads of money the week before you go away.   We do this, and when I add up what I have spened it comes to quite a bit, yet I haven't notice a pound here and a pound there.     I keep them for the season, bringing what is left into general use after our last camping trip.    Also, by having separate stuff, means that I don't get to site and find that I have forgotten the soap.

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Yup, agree with both points wholeheartedly. This is the time to bring out all the not-quite-outgrown hand-me-downs and raid the Basics ranges. It's all going to get wrecked so why ruin good clothes and spend a weeek yelling "Don't get dirty!!!" Long shorts are better than trousers that drag in the wet grass, btw, and cheap Croc-a-likes are almost a camping essential for trips to the loo at night, muddy fields and for ease of slipping off as you go in and out the tent.

As for toiletries I like to take a sponge bag per person, each with shampoo/conditioner, soap, toothpaste etc. This is to prevent that awful moment when you're wet in the shower and realise your son left the shampoo in the gents. A small cheap sponge bag for each child from the £ shop might be a good idea? Or at least one girls', one boys' and one parents' bag.

One thing that's quite nice btw is to colour code kit, to save arguements as to who owns what. DS1 is red, DS2 is green, that sort of idea. Also it's not possible to take vast amounts of personal items camping and this makes each child's space their own. My son (aged 12) still insists we bring the plastic "Surfer Dude" plate, bowl and cup we bought him when he was seven, for example, because it's not proper camping without it, lol.

Similar with things like colouring books/games and things for keeping kids amused when they are not out playing.
I buy cheap colouring books and feltpens/coloured pencils - then if one goes missing it is not the pink from the Disney Princess set that was a birthday present from best friend.
Charity shops are a good source of games.    Last year we needed to up age ours - and for under £20 got loads of new to us jigsaws and games that will do a few years and will be kept for camping.
Colouring stuff comes from our local bargain store - 40 felt tips for £1.09, colouring books for 59p, and drawing books for the same.   That way if they take them outside/share with friends etc it isn't going to break the bank to replace.

Hi Emily,

I am glad you are pleased, I hope you all will have many an happy camping trip in it.

All you you need to do now is find a campsite with a childrens play area and escape with the children whilst it is being put up!

I am sure our paths will cross again, we may even bump into each other in the local camping shops!

Jane