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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to take a 3 year old camping?

42 replies

nosuchthingasbadweather · 01/04/2017 10:45

Just that really. Camping at the end of April, in Scotland, just the two of us.

She's never camped before. I have. Love it.

Am I off my head?

Any tips?

OP posts:
Temporaryanonymity · 01/04/2017 10:46

Not at all! It will be fine, why wouldn't you?

EastMidsMummy · 01/04/2017 10:47

Perfect age. They'll love it.

(Anything over about 10, not so much, from personal experience.)

coolaschmoola · 01/04/2017 10:48

It'll be brilliant! We've taken DD (5) since she was a baby.

Meowstro · 01/04/2017 10:49

What's wrong with that? I think if I had have camped earlier I would have grown up to like it more.

SaucyJack · 01/04/2017 10:51

What's the overnight temperature of where you're planning to go? Cos there is plenty such thing as bad weather if you're not fully prepare for it when camping.

Camping in summer with small kids is great fun tho.

SheRaaarghPrincessOfPower · 01/04/2017 10:53

It'll be brilliant.

Take a bucket for night time wees though, then you won't have to leave her at night/first thing in the morning if you need the loo.

Top tip - pack carrier bag in the evening with your towel, change of clothes etc so that when she wakes at the crack of dawn you can just head to the shower block before the queues start, and you don't have to rummage around looking for clothes. . It might be just me that likes doing that though Grin

SheRaaarghPrincessOfPower · 01/04/2017 10:55

End of April will be cold at night though. Any chance of EHU and a fan heater?

Original poster
nosuchthingasbadweather · 01/04/2017 10:55

Thanks guys, all very positive!

Good tips to :-)

OP posts:
rumbelina · 01/04/2017 10:56

Do you have the IKEA high chair? It's very transportable and we found it a godsend with DS to keep him in while we put the tent up etc (he's a runner Grin)

JigglyTuff · 01/04/2017 10:56

Wear onesies before you start to get cold and sleep together. Take hot water bottles and put them in the bed an hour before you get into it.

Learn how to make a decent fire if you don't know how to :)

anothermalteserplease · 01/04/2017 10:56

Why would you not take her? Camping is perfect for young children. As long as you take extra clothes and some wellies you'll be fine.

honeylulu · 01/04/2017 10:59

I first camped with our littlest at 16 months, end of September. It was fine, she loved it. Lots of layers. Travel cot is brilliant for keeping the chill off as it's off the ground - we still take it even though she's nearly 3.

Original poster
nosuchthingasbadweather · 01/04/2017 11:29

Awesome, thanks!

I think she'll love it, I guess I just wanted some encouragement :-)

Hot water bottles, marshmallows by the fire, cosy beds, love it!

OP posts:
SheRaaarghPrincessOfPower · 01/04/2017 19:35

You'll be fine as long as you've got lots of warm things on/under her bed. I've got one of those massive pod sleeping bags. The toddler sleeps in his brilliant 3 season vango bag until the small hours, but then tends to come in with me. So double airbed for you and huge sleeping bag. Or just sod it and go full duvet.

Can I recommend a bloody good Thermos so you've got coffee ready to go in the morning?

MrsTwix · 01/04/2017 19:45

Sounds great.

Huldra · 01/04/2017 19:47

I would but as others have said watch the night time temperatures. Insulate yourselves under as well as the sleeping bag and blankets

When mine were younger they used to wiggle quite a bit and would end up with gaps around the top of their sleeping bags, or partially come out, so their bodies wouldn't heat up the air inside as well. I used to keep a couple of small blankets near me so if it were cold I could kind of put one around their heads and necks to seal the gaps.

Millybingbong · 01/04/2017 19:48

Would you ŕeallyou squeeze a 3yo in a Highchair while you put up the tent?

Last year thend 3 yo helped with the awning while the 2yo played and baby lay in the carrycot...

Wishiwasmoiradingle2017 · 01/04/2017 19:50

Crocs from poundland!! Easy to get on and off in and out the tent.!
Night light!
Bigger sized onesie to go over pj's.

Ineverdidmind · 01/04/2017 19:50

I first took my daughter when she was 9 months. It was grand. We're regular campers, have taken them both each year.
Enjoy!

3boys3dogshelp · 01/04/2017 19:52

She will have a ball. I'm planning to take my 3yo somewhere next week too (and his 7 and 8 year old brothers Shock ) next week. He went as an 8 month old and a 2 1/2 yr old too and absolutely loved it. I missed out the sticking-everything-in-his-mouth Summer though! The tricky but is keeping an eye on them while you get the tent up, the rest is fab. We took a travel cot and it doubled up as a play pen but I think he's too big now.

JellyWitch · 01/04/2017 19:57

Of course you should. We are camping with our 2 year old next weekend (and the one after). She's been camping since she was a fortnight old.

Huldra · 01/04/2017 19:57

I do the packing shower stuff the night before too. I have clothes in one plastic bag wash stuff in another, then put them both into a large reusable shopping bag with towel. Then I can hang the whole thing on the shower cubicle peg, it keeps everything dry and mean you have somewhere to put the clothes you were wearing.

Huldra · 01/04/2017 19:59

sheraaag what's the thermos recommendation?

PaulaBBB · 01/04/2017 20:04

We went wild camping for an almost 2 year old, 3.5 year old and a 6 year old. It was fine, in fact it was a lot of fun. It will be very cold in the evenings still so just go very prepared.

averylongtimeago · 01/04/2017 20:12

When I was 3 (a very long time ago!) my DM (a single parent) got a job as caterer to an archaeological dig in the outer Hebridees, from Easter to the end of September. We lived in a tent, the toilet was a "bucket and chucket" behind a canvas screen and I don't remember much actual washing.....We went again for the following season. I remember the golden sunshine, exciting gales, endless fun, it was perfect.

I have camped with my DC, and now GDC, since they were 13months old. Lots of good advice on this thread, bucket for night time wees (if you want to be posh you could get a porta Pottie) layers underneath as well as on top at night, pack dry clothes in "outfits" in plastic bags, good waterproofs (those all in one waterproof baby gro type things are ace) , wet wipes, something to sit on, don't forget the corkscrew!

Go for it!