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Subject Topic: First tent for camping with a toddler Post Reply Post New Topic
13/5/2014 at 12:50pm
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Hi All

My first post here and am looking for a little advice...

I'd like to start taking my 3-year old camping every now and again around local campsites (East Sussex area). It'll only be 1 night at a time. Since it'll only be me pitching the tent (with a little 'help' from the toddler), I'm after a 2/3 berth tent that is easy to put up on my own, but it also needs to be nice enough not to put him off on the first night :)

It doesn't need to be huge as we'll have the car for storage, but it would be nice to be able to sit up comfortably in it.

Any ideas? I've seen some pop-up tent reviews, but I'd appreciate some opinions.

Thanks,
Brett



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13/5/2014 at 1:11pm
 Location: North West
 Outfit: Obelink Familia 6; ESVO Bedouin 280
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For little 1-2 nighters with my lot, I went for a cheap and cheerful dome tent. I upgraded later, but this still gets used.

Mine is something like a 5 man version of this: THIS

But I would also consider something like THIS

You will probably be able to sit on the floor, but not on a chair. If you want to spend more, I would look at a 5 man tent which just gives you a little bit more space. These wont stand up to a gale on the side of a mountain, but I don't think that's the pace you're looking for here...

Aside from the tent, you want a comfy and warm bed. We use a sleeping bag and put the kids in pjs under fleecey onesies and fleece blankets.

See if you can borrow stuff from friends and also have a look around a camping shop to see if they have any smaller tents on display.

Have fun - I loved camping with mine when they were toddlers!

EDIT: Waterproof all in one... get him a waterproof all in one. Thank me later.


13/5/2014 at 1:50pm
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Thanks for the reply, Dave.

I will take a look at your suggestions. Sitting on the floor is fine. Would it be possible to put up a 5-man tent on my own? This is pretty much top-priority, because it'll just be me and an excitable 3-year old.

I plan to use a thin blow-up bed and sleeping bags, as long as there's room.

I'll definately be buying a waterproof all-in-one, then - thanks :)

 



13/5/2014 at 2:08pm
 Location: North West
 Outfit: Obelink Familia 6; ESVO Bedouin 280
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If we're talking about a tent like the ones I have linked to, then yes, there should be no problem. I reckon it will take you around 20 minutes. Give him a mallet and some pegs and he'll be happy enough!

You should practice putting it up a couple of times beforehand, just so that you don't get to the campsite and have no clue where to begin (or worse, have something missing!). Pay attention to how you unroll it from the bag the first time, so you know how to fold it later on.

Good luck!!


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13/5/2014 at 2:29pm
 Location: Sunny Suffolk (West)
 Outfit: inflatable dome Palamos6 frame tent
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Most tunnel tents with fibreglass poles are easy to erect solo, my first camp with the children was in a Gelert Atlantis 5 and I pitched it solo in a rain storm whilst the children sat in the car beeping at me! Whilst it was probably the worst thing that can happen for a first timer I can still laugh about it .

Get a cheap poundland mallet for little one to help with the pegging out They will love thinking they're helping and also stop them from getting distracted while you pitch up.


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13/5/2014 at 3:02pm
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I would agree that if you go for a 5 man tent you will have headroom and space. It will also enable you to be comfy inside the tent if the weather is rubbish.

My other bits of advice would be, firstly, if you can, borrow a tent the first time that you go. That way you will get a feel for what you like/dislike about it, and a better idea of what you want to go for!

Secondly - see if there is anyone else you can go with. We have found that camping with friends is such a different experience to going on our own, both for the kids and adults!

Enjoy


14/5/2014 at 6:52am
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I would second the suggestion about camping with other families. We have 3 and 5 yr old boys and we have started camping with another family this year. What a difference! The kids love it, there are extra hands to help out and it is great having other adults to talk to when the kids are either driving you mad or have gone to bed!

As for the tent we have got a Vango Icarus 500 for weekend breaks. I am going to try and pitch it on my own on Friday just to see if it can be done. It would be a good sized tent for you and your little one as you definitely need a bit of space with a 3 yr old!

-------------
August 2013 - Kingsbridge, Devon
April 2014 - Ladram Bay,Devon
May 2014 - Whitehill Country Park, Paignton
July 2014 - Rivendale, Derbyshire


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14/5/2014 at 9:10am
 Location: North West
 Outfit: Obelink Familia 6; ESVO Bedouin 280
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In my earlier suggestions, I was leaning towards a small, cheap tent for 1 or 2 nights, for which I think a small dome / tunnel tent would be fine (but there wouldn't be standing room or much dedicated living space...)

But if your budget (and car space) will stretch to something like a Vango Icarus, that also opens up options for longer trips. The extra inside living space is useful - especially if it rains, but it's not essential!

Also - if you get a cheap-ish* tent, you can upgrade later!

* It's just my personal opinion, but I would usually avoid tents from supermarkets and argos... I might like cheap-ish tents, but I don't like rubbish ones!


14/5/2014 at 10:47am
 Location: Scotland
 Outfit: Nevada3 Evo 600DL Andorra Elzas
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How about this. Not quite standing height, but up in. A jiffy and gets good reviews. Coleman Instant Tourer Thats a great price for this tent, and if you have a Costco card it will probably be cheaper in store if they have it.

reviews here. Think quite a few of our members are fans.

Video here including pitching

Post last edited on 14/05/2014 10:58:15

Post last edited on 14/05/2014 11:01:16

-------------
Christine

2014
April -
BunRoy Fort William 3 sleeps
April / May
Invercaimbe Arisaig 4 sleeps
Bleatarn Brampton tbc July


14/5/2014 at 12:06pm
 Location: North West
 Outfit: Obelink Familia 6; ESVO Bedouin 280
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The Coleman Instant looks like a decent little tent, if budget will allow! I now want one (but have neither the need, the room nor the money...)

They're showing as out of stock online, but googling found a few others at around the £130-140 mark.


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14/5/2014 at 1:39pm
 Location: Scotland
 Outfit: Nevada3 Evo 600DL Andorra Elzas
View hlk01's Profile View Profile   Reply to hlk01 Reply   Quote hlk01 Quote  
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Quote: Originally posted by dmsplat on 14/5/2014
The Coleman Instant looks like a decent little tent, if budget will allow! I now want one (but have neither the need, the room nor the money...)

They're showing as out of stock online, but googling found a few others at around the £130-140 mark.



Oops .. I didn't notice that. Pretty sure they were in stock a couple of days ago.   
I was in the Glasgow store the other day but k didn't look to see if this was in, too busy spending on other stuff lol.   Worth noting that those online prices are higher than in store ones. They are usually good if you call and ask.

-------------
Christine

2014
April -
BunRoy Fort William 3 sleeps
April / May
Invercaimbe Arisaig 4 sleeps
Bleatarn Brampton tbc July


Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes

New! Please upload a photo of your tent to the Tent Showcase!



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