We are thinking of going camping in October for a week with our two youngsters - 2 & 4. It would only be Dorset - not North Scotland BUT are we mad? Will it be stupidly cold for the kids?
For those of you that camp all year round with children do you have any tips on how we can warm the tent up (other than the obvious of a heater and extra clothes)?
I don't want to restrict us to the warmer months of the year because that would mean we would be camping 3 months of the year but conversely don't want to spend a week with two miserable kids (not to mention a miserable husband!!).
Thanks
------------- August 2013 - Kingsbridge, Devon
April 2014 - Ladram Bay,Devon
May 2014 - Whitehill Country Park, Paignton
July 2014 - Rivendale, Derbyshire
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It is cold in October . Even with a caravan it can be cold . But every year is different . My advice would be don't book just go if its nice . We have had freezing nights very cold frosty mornings last year we had a lot of rain and then on leaving the site it was snowing. This was in Devizes . Yet there were one couple in a tent . I did feel sorry for them though.
Also don't forget it's very dark nights. So unless you are somewhere with a complex it's a long night . We have a caravan I wonder if its worth it when we go.
Good luck what ever you decide.
We have camped at all times of year with young kids, and enjoyed it.
Whether we go in October half term comes down to A) if I can get time off and B) if it is likely to rain. Rain is more of a negative factor than cold to us.
Keeping active is the best way to stay warm. If you dress in too many clothes and look like Michelin man and sit down rigid you are likely to get cold and stay cold.
It's not the cold evenings that I dislike when camping in October, it's the fact it gets dark so early. It's too dark for the kids to play outside and it's too cold to have the tent open in the evening so you end up all crammed in together and it can get a bit claustrophobic. It's difficult to get young kids settled too if their parents are just on the other side of the pod door so you end up going to bed at the same time too, even if it is only eight o'clock. There's no peaceful balmy evenings outside the tent in October, put it that way.
April is better tbh, if you want to extend the season. It's still cold but the evenings are lighter. April-September is a six moth season, after all.
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I agree with Nora, pick a few sites out that you think might suit you and then see how the weather pans out. There is no need to book that time of year as it is not as busy as the summer hols. That way you can make a decision last minute whether to go or not.
I also agree with the long dark nights being an issue to consider too.
Thanks very much for all your input. We have found a potential site and I have said to hubby that he should book the time off work and then we can take a view the week before. Early nights don't bother us too much as the kids tend to knacker us out and we are often ready for bed before they are . Just don't fancy that early morning chill when you wake up and our two wake at around 6am! Hmmm - need to give it some careful thought.
------------- August 2013 - Kingsbridge, Devon
April 2014 - Ladram Bay,Devon
May 2014 - Whitehill Country Park, Paignton
July 2014 - Rivendale, Derbyshire
Just thinking about camping with early-rising youngsters generally - My kids have always been early risers (- wearing off now when it suits them) and I'm always very conscious of waking the neighbours.
I have been for some long early morning walks (sometimes with pram or baby carrier), and we have been to the play area if there were no pitches within earshot. On one rainy day when we couldn't do those things me and the little one went for a long shower (a warm one in the washblock, not in the rain lol). Sorry warden, but it was that or wake up the whole campsite...
DVD players with headphones are also a useful near-silent solution first thing if there's no better option.
TT
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
I'd say go for it, we have camped with our two in the lakes at all times of the year, camped near keswick one october half term, only tent on the site it was a cracking few days. main things to make sure of you have good sleeping bags, and good lighting.
We found the kids at that age where worn out not long after dark, they slept we read, we have a reasonable size tent, just had plenty of fleeces hats gloves and socks.
------------- The futures bright the futures ginger.
We do it but Don't Book as your free to choose were and when you go if at all . If the weather is clear but a little cold no issues if it's . Wet windy fog etc whats the point !