My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

Camping

DH just suggested we take ds (3) camping for the first time. Am terrified - advice please!

11 replies

KiwiKat · 25/05/2009 10:54

Last time we went camping was 10 years ago, when we camped our way around France and Italy. Was absolutely brilliant - but I cannot even begin to imagine how camping would work with a small child. Biggest question is - what happens when ds goes to bed at night in the tent? One of us would have to stay with him so that no one steals him (dc are so expensive to replace) which means that the other one would be free to mingle, but that's a lonely thing.

Or am I missing something here? How do the rest of you make it work?

OP posts:
Report
mckenzie · 25/05/2009 17:24

would DS sleep in his pushchair and then you can put him into his sleeping bag when you are ready for bed?

Report
Washersaurus · 25/05/2009 17:44

He could stay up later; campsites are generally a little noisy with children running around playing until late (by late I mean around 9.30pm ). DS1 (nearly 4yo) stayed up with DS2 (nearly 2yo) - we took them for a meal in the pub and went back to the tent for a drink whilst they played.

If you are really lucky he will sleep in a bit later in the morning (didn't work for us but they did both have naps in the afternoon to compensate)

Report
Flutterbye · 25/05/2009 21:45

Kids go to sleep from 8 to 8. We stay outside tent talking, drinking, eating. If you go with other families you could take it in turns to go out with your partner (others babysitting) or girls night and boys nights out.

Report
skramble · 25/05/2009 22:22

If you go to a family campsite in the Uk the chances of mingling are very small, a 2 min chat at the bin area tops.

More likely to be sat eying up tents and passing comment (to each other) about neighbours and passing campers.

Tuck up DC in the back of the tent while you sit out in the opening with a glass or two, or if chilly get zipped in and get out the cards.

Report
Washersaurus · 25/05/2009 22:31

I had a lovely weekend sat outside the tent drinking wine with DH whilst we eyed up enviously all the new tents and camping equipment that the other campers had.

I may have also had a giggle at the people who spent around 3 hours pitching their enormous Vango tent, but also enjoyed the pretty fairy lights on their windbreak (was it a MNer d'you think?)

Report
skramble · 25/05/2009 22:35

Tis main activity on campsites, tent/ caravan/ awning envy. Either that or you laugh about how crap they are, or their outfit (thats campsite term for their car and caravan/ tent combo.)

Or if you are a caravaner you get all set up then get out the cloth and polish and clean your van, don't get me started on caravaners .

Report
cheesesarnie · 25/05/2009 22:39

all of my dc love camping and have done since they were babies!go on!

Report
Washersaurus · 25/05/2009 22:45

Oh our car is green to match our Outwell tent and carpet (and wellies) - is that OK?

Report
skramble · 25/05/2009 22:47

Oh that would be a lovely outfit, just make sure your crocs match too.

I happened to end up on a campsite this weekend and I have never seen so many crocs .

Report
Washersaurus · 25/05/2009 22:48

crocs?

I'm an old fashioned flip flop in the shower kind of gal

Report
4andnotout · 25/05/2009 22:50

We take our 4 dd's who are 7,4,20m & 7m and they all love it, we either take them over the clubhouse or let them play until bedtime and then sit outside reading or playing cards.

This weekend all my family wore crocs except dd4

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.