Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Camping with a reluctant child

50 replies

Juiceey · 23/07/2020 20:43

Hi all,

Tips please. We're 'glamping' next week (in a bell tent) for the first time and taking DS (10) with us. He generally makes our trips a bit miserable... he's an only child and it shows. He can't entertain himself at all and lives for his electronics.

So! He'll probably hate it but I'm determined we'll have a good time. Any tips for me please? DW isn't that keen either to be honest... but at least the dog is. Grin

OP posts:
bookmum08 · 23/07/2020 20:48

What do you actually plan to do while camping? Can you incorporate his love of technology into it - nice long walk = combine it with Pokémon Go. Be prepared for moaning.
Maybe you and the dog should just go.

crustycrab · 23/07/2020 20:55

Activities you can all do. Tbh a 10 year old isn't going to entertain himself for very long is he while you do....what?

Plan activities you can all do together. If you're expecting him to just sit and enjoy the fresh air he'll be understandably bored

chomalungma · 23/07/2020 21:01

What activities are there to do where you are camping?

Is there anything to do in the evening - there is opportunity for board games.

He might find someone to hang out with in the evening,

I understand though - it's just been me and DS camping for the last 7 years. It can be hard.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Camping
Original poster
Juiceey · 23/07/2020 21:24

I'm planning on taking cards and board games, marshmallows for the fire. We'll go for walks to local cafes for lunch. Take a football. I really don't know!

He's 'completed' (level 40) Pokemon go so that's a great suggestion but no good for us anymore.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 23/07/2020 21:28

Why on earth has he got away with making trips “miserable”?
Look at what there is to do locally. Engage him in planning trips and days out.

bookmum08 · 23/07/2020 21:38

I think geo-catching is a similar thing to Pokémon Go.

drspouse · 23/07/2020 21:47

I took my tablet-addicted DS for a night's camping and he happily did a sticker book (he's 8 and has some SEN). Puzzler type books would also work, or the Usborne pad books are good.
He is also a board game fan and the kite was popular (and other DCs on their own were playing with kites too).

Beamur · 23/07/2020 21:47

Geocaching is a great suggestion.
Short interesting walks.
Simple stuff like endless games of French cricket kept my kids amused!
Ask him to come up with some camp cooking ideas before you go.
Can you have a fire where you're going?

Beamur · 23/07/2020 21:49

How about an escape room game? These tend to be one use but quite inventive

bookmum08 · 23/07/2020 21:57

Walking to cafes is good because you can point out he could charge the gadgets there.
(I have a gadget addicted child and we camped a few times. It was fun - ish....)

KoalasandRabbit · 23/07/2020 21:57

I'ld try and add in a few days activities he would enjoy - maybe a zoo / safari park, the beach, an aqua park, swimming, cinema, walking an alpaca, look up local activities and let him choose some.

Other than that could maybe take a BBQ if allowed to have with fire and marshmellows for some evenings. The days in I would get things in for him to do - art kits, lego, board games, puzzle books - wordsearches and maths puzzles, notepad, pens, football, kids magazines.

YellowTelevision · 23/07/2020 22:04

When we are camping we do film nights on a portable DVD player. All snuggled up in sleeping bags. If there are other kids around they all go off and play. Then there’s football, whittling, making fires, board games, great opportunity to bond

YellowTelevision · 23/07/2020 22:05

Also games on iPads. Countdown and escape games. At that age ds loved then

eddiemairswife · 23/07/2020 22:08

Any chance you could take one of his friends with you?

CrotchetyQuaver · 23/07/2020 22:09

take some books for him to read and if he's being a brat and starts spoiling things, then tell him and get him to stop! hopefully he might find some other kids to be friendly with.

FunTimes2020 · 23/07/2020 22:13

How about downloading a star gazing app for the evenings?

loutypips · 23/07/2020 22:13

Well there's only one reason why he's like that!
Take the device away! Only children are better than most at entertaining themselves. It will be a great time to wean from the device. But you must practice what you preach and stick to it.
Tbh I wouldn't be thrilled at going camping either. I like luxury. I'd be miserable if I was stuck in a tent too.

Thehogfatherstolemycurry · 23/07/2020 22:16

Are there any permanent orienteering courses in the area, there's lots round the country.
Geocashing.
If you have electricity take iPad for evening providing he hasn't been a pain during the day.

Cupidity · 23/07/2020 22:17

Is there any possibility of dragging a mate of his along (even if only for a few days).

My tech addicted DC were ok on about day 2 of their camping WiFi detox.

Some campsites have courses going on (den building, woodcraft, etc)

Historydweeb · 23/07/2020 22:21

Remove all screens immediately. By the time he has to go camping any activity will look like fun 😂

userxx · 23/07/2020 22:25

he's an only child and it shows.

What does that mean? I'm a bit offended by that to be honest, as a child I'd be off on my own exploring and making loads of new friends.

mamaduckbone · 23/07/2020 22:34

We have a no electronics rule when camping and my techy kids don't ever argue it as it's just part of camping.
If you can have an open fire get him building it, lighting it (we have a flint and steel but just make sure you have some cotton wool) cooking marshmallows on it - my ds11 will sit and poke a fire all night.

FunTimes2020 · 23/07/2020 23:01

@userxx

he's an only child and it shows.

What does that mean? I'm a bit offended by that to be honest, as a child I'd be off on my own exploring and making loads of new friends.

Agreed. My DC is an only child, now a teen. She has always been fab company and enjoyed holidays with us, and made friends on every one. You reap what you sow...
CoffeeRunner · 23/07/2020 23:08

Oh heavens! You can’t “complete” Pokémon Go!

There are new Pokemon & new shinies etc released all the time. Level 40 is by no means finished!

By way of practical advice, my very techy 9 year old loved camping last year. Card games (Happy Families & UNO were favourites). Camping kind of makes you get up early & out seeing & doing. It shouldn’t be too hard.

As an aside - will you have shower & toilet facilities? I wanted to go camping again week beginning 3rd August. But as no shower or loo we won’t be!

drspouse · 23/07/2020 23:09

We had both where we just went.