Just been camping for 1 night with dh, ds (7) and dd (5). Dh and me used to really enjoy camping, and didn't really bother much about e.g. the ground being hard under our rubbish sleeping mats! Ds also seemed to love camping, but dd seems less convinced. She is very keen on being at home, and generally on cuddles, cosiness, furry teddy bears... you get the picture!
We need to like camping, because it is affordable! And we have a ferry booked to go to France this summer, and we were planning to camp... What can I do to make the tent more cosy for her? More comfortable and homely? And nicer to sleep in?
Our tent pole broke on our Easy Camp tent, and though we mended it with tape, dh is not happy to take it for a week's camping. So either we need to source a new pole, or we could maybe buy a new tent. If so, what sort of tent would be good? Any advice on tents, mattresses, etc would be great. Thank you!
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badger2005 · 15/07/2013 11:14
Well, I would say a bell tent, but they are not everyone's cup of tea, I know 
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For your daughter, does she have her own ready bed or is she too big for that now? If she is, then you can get airbeds with sides (like a sort of rubber dinghy) and that might make her feel more secure and cosy. You could take her duvet and pillow from home if you have space and, of course, teddies etc too (if she is on an airbed, make sure she has a fleece blanket or something underneath her to insulate her from the cold air rising up from the ground). Her own torch/lamp might make it more exciting for her and also mean she can have light at night if she is concerned.
If you are buying a new tent (and not going for a bell), then I know Outwell used to do special children's pods which were decorated and had fun things to do (like a basketball net I think) so it might be worth checking those out.
Hi badger, we do have a belltent yes. We have a 5m and I think this is the perfect size for a family of 4 (we are only 3 but like the space). We love it but you have to decide what sort of camper you are. If you like to be tidy and for everything to have its place and everyone to have their own bedroom, bell tents are probably not for you. You can keep them tidy of course and you can buy inner tents for them but, to be honest, this does defeat the point of them - the feeling of airiness and space.
That said, I would not swap our bell now, even though I do admire all the beautiful family tents out there and I can see their advantages/.
And, whilst you can glamp in any tent, fairy lights, chandeliers, bunting and rugs/cushions etc do seem particularly suited to a bell tent and, yes, I am sure your DD would love all that. We took away our tea light chandelier for the first time a couple of weeks ago and our DD (3 years) spent the weekend taking her little toddler friends in to look at it and to play with the (battery) tea lights. She is definitely a glamper in the making.
As to bedding, we take our king size duvet but there is no doubt it takes up a lot more space in the car than sleeping bags would. the jury is out on whether it is as warm as a sleeping bag too. I don't like the cramped feeling of being zipped into a bag but lots of people find them warmer and cosier. So I think, space permitting, it is worth trying the duvet option and seeing how you all get on. But definitely remember some insulation for under you (fleece blanket or an open sleeping bag or something).
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