Message Forums

We are taking our two year old toddler camping for the first time ever this season. When we have been camping in the past, we eat at a smallish table (80 x 60cm) and sit on those folding green garden/BBQ chairs with the criss-cross legs and the obligatory drinks holder in the arm. We have just bought our toddlera mini matching chair.

It was only then that we realised he will not be able to sit at the table in it to eat at the table. We can still use the chairs to sit outside etc, but what are other people's views/comments of this folding set with regard to seating him for eating ?

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3404892.htm

Is it sturdy ? (He likes to climb anything that is above floor height), Is it small enough for him sitting on a cushion and yet big enough for two average sized adults ? (I'm 5ft 10 and 14 stone (ish ;o) my wife is fairly petite at 5ft and 9 stone). Is it likely to tip up if I get off it with my wife still sitting on the opposite side ?

Hi Rick,

We used one of these for camping with before upgrading to the 'van. They're pretty good for the price, fine for 4 adults to eat at. I would say they're perfectly stable for sitting at (including getting off and not tipping your opposite number onto the floor), but wouldn't let the little'un climb onto the table top. Not sure how he'd cope sitting on a cushion to eat at though, as the table doesn't reach as far as the seat, hence you have to lean forward slightly. This is fine for an adult, but you may find the table isn't close enough for him, however i'm sure our youngest was using it when she was either 2 or 3. Perhaps the best thing to do is get it from Argos, try it and if it's no use, take it back within 14 days!

One other thing to remember, which experience has taught me: don't underestimate how much heat a disposable barbeque gives off, even if on a frame and not contacting the table surface.....

Buy him his own little table to go with his chair an put it at the end of your table where you can keep an eye on him. We have a small white low folding table that would be ideal. It cost about £8 in a camping shop. We use ours as a drinks table and somewhere to stand the lamp.

Carol

Go to IKEA and buy him one of these.....

http://www.ciao.co.uk/Ikea_ANTILOP_High_Chair__5607384

They are about £13, the legs unscrew and the tray (the tray is optional and you buy it for £2) comes off for easy packing, they hose down in seconds and they are very, very stable and sturdy. You need to add a set of reins, but that`s no big deal. I came to prefer it to my house highchair after a while, and got rid of the big fancy padded one!

They are one of my best camping with children equipment tips. My daughter was happy to sit in one and draw or mess about with dough while I cooked, and you could take the tray off so she could sit right up to the table. (I preferred not to.) We used to take it in the car when visiting restaurants on holiday, just in case they didn`t have a high chair!

Our son will be 2 in May and faced the same problem.  Just used his booster seat with the tray attached last year, although he also had had a folding chair last year.

I've just bought him a small table for eating his meals at, like this http://www.qksrv.net/click-1428744-10297635?URL=http://www.wildday.co.uk/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=4481

hth

Denise