We need to sort out some equipment for the kids as our first camping trip with them is approaching fast.
They are 4yrs & 2yrs. The 2yr old still sleeps in a cot at home but is too big for the travel cot, he'll be sleeping in a grobag and can either use a summer or winter bag depending on the temperature and alter what he wears underneath BUT what would be good for him to sleep on?
I'm less worried about the 4yr old but I'm still wondering what the best option for him would be.
I can't decide between, ready-beds, air-beds, roll mats!
We tried airbeds for our kids (6,5 and 2) but they just rolled off them. Now we just cover their bedroom with rollmats first, then a layer of fleece blankets, then they have their sleeping bags and some sleeping bag liners I made from fleece. Generally by morning they are all curled up together like puppies in one corner of the tent, but they don't seem to get cold. They just have vests, pyjamas and socks at this time of year.
Our 20 month old has a ready bed (my first ready bed), and she sleeps in that in her normal pjs and grobag. We've had no trouble keeping her warm or anything, there's always a blanket handy just in case, but so far we haven't needed it.
When our daughter outgrew her travel cot, we bought a metal framed camp bed from Argos £8.00. Its not too high from the floor but just incase we did initially put some pillows etc around the bed.
She has never fell off and always sleeps soundly on it - she is nearly four and is still using it - so a good investment.
I also like the fact that she is elevated from the floor - because sometimes it can feel cold and damp even on an air bed.
There is a nack to assembling the camp beds - my friend travels with hers half assembled - the poles already in them and she just clips the legs on when she gets to the site.
I use a self inflating matress for our 11 mth old and her grobag and layers. I used air beds for my other 2 but they rolled off them and under them nd would wake up one on the floor the pther 1/2 under one with her head resting on the other one. Now they sleep on mats in vnago kids sleeping bags. They start off on pj's and usually take their tops off as they get so warm.
i always used the blow up beds with a fitted sheet on and then two fleece blankets then the kids inside there sleeping bags with pjs socks and then a duvet on top of them depending on the time of year they have been cold yet
We too bought a 'My First Ready Bed' for our little one who was two last May. He's been using it since he was 18 months old and it's been the best buy out. It doesn't take up too much room in the tent and the inflatable bedhead keeps his little head out of any draughts etc (not that there are any draughts in our super-sealed tent!). The sides are slightly raised too so it's unlikely he'd fall out of bed unless you are on a slope!
I think he feels nice and snug in it and we haven't had any problems with him being cold either. At Easter when it froze one night he wore his pj's with a fleece sleepsuit over and a gelert junior sleeping bag and was as snug as a bug (see below looking all sleepy!) (CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE CLEARER)
I think it will last him a good couple of years yet as there is still plenty of leg room. But the next stage 'Ready Bed' would be an ideal option for your older one.
Post last edited on 11/08/2006 21:19:45
------------- Claire x
Jan 2013 - Skiing, Kühtai, Austria
May - Swiss Farm
Fforest Ffields
Aug - Saumur, France
Oct - Somewhere...
Jan '14 - Skiing, Les Houches
Thanks for the replies. Today we went out and bought the bedding, we got our 4yr old a junior camping ready bed from Argos (seemed better value at £18.99 than getting a kids ready bed for £29.99!) and the 2yr old a First ready bed from Argos (that one was £29.99 but I think it'll last for a couple of years, hopefully), I'll take various blankets and things incase its chilly.
CaddyClan - Great pic, your little one looks so snuggly.