AIBU to take a 3 year old camping?

[nosuchthingasbadweather]

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?

We went last year (do at least once a year) with dd1 who had just turned 3 and dd2 who was 7mo.

Not in April though, dh and I used to go in April, pre-dc and the nights were flipping freezing.

Scotland you say? Midge repellant, vital!

Head on over to the camping section OP. There's a bunch of us going over the Eater holidays and no, YANBU

We took ours from 3 yo. They love camping and we go regularly.

If there's just you be very careful using a camping stove - we grabbed one of ours moments before an accident when they were little - they hadn't understood that it was hot like the cooker at home.

We took DS the first time when he was a bit over 1yo. I agree with the Ikea high chair if she's not too big. Our tent has a separate kitchen area we can zip off and that was so helpful for keeping DS away from the stove, food and washing up.

We also bought fleece liners for our sleeping bags (camped at the end of September) and we were toasty warm.

Snacks are key. We kept DS in the car seat (all car doors wide open and he was sat in the shade) while we pitched the tent. Just kept feeding him snacks and drinks. It was the best way to contain him safely while we sorted everything out.

Have a lovely time.

Ds was camping at 2 weeks (summer baby), spent 5 weeks in a tent the following year ad has done every year since. Lots of layers, lots of spare clothes, more spares socks thank you think, and hundreds of wet wipes.

Duplo is good camping as it is indestructible and big enough that it doesn't get lost (and can be chucked in the bath to clean afterwards). Hot water bottles are great (as a PP said) good for in bed or to cuddle by the fire) and take all your towels as they can multi task as an extra blanket or anything else and can be boil washed at the end too. And carriers bags - for wet clothes, dirty clothes, dry clothes, rubbish, toys and everything else

If your DD usually uses a cup then this is the time to invest in a good drink bottle (or you'll be using the towels to mop up drink too).

A child friendly torch is great - one of the cheapy ones that project animals/ space stuff with changeable tops. Keeps them quiet for hours and keeps their mitts off your important/ over bright torches

have a great time and take all your jumpers, Scotland will most likely be cold

Huldra its the only way, isn't it.

Oh, the Thermos thing comes from wanting everything packed up for the morning you leave, but still needing a coffee when you've drained the cool box and stuffed it with other things,

Any actual Thermos. The bigger the better. Milk is fine out of the cool box overnight.

Nope. We took a 2 and 5 year old and they both loved it. The little one did sleep on a double air mattress with me though.

What do you sleep on OP? I'm an airbed fan bit fat for a SIM but it's so warm as long as you put layers under it. Ikea blankets, cardboard, those silver roll mats from decathlon - the more the merrier/warmer

I have camped lots and have never thought of a thermos for morning coffee!

I'm fat so I prefer a good a quality sim. Can't cope with the airbed moving up and down as I get on/off it or bouncing partner.

And yes camped with both ours since about 6months (simply when summer coincided with age).

Id be a bit worried about Scotland in April though. Won't it be cold.... We do end of may onwards in the south!

Thanks you guys! Sorry been off radar for a few days.

I usually sleep on just a mat with a sleeping bag - but recently invested in a blow up mat which gives a bit more comfort! I may take an airbed this time tho...

Loving all the tips. Quite early for midges so one less thing to pack! Campsite now booked, can't wait!

Have a fab time with your trips everybody, bon voyage :-)

Camping with a 3 year old is not unreasonable.

Camping in Scotland in April is though!

DS2 was 15 weeks on his first trip

The DCs love camping (now 6 & 4). We've been several times around the UK and in France. I'm being nagged to go camping again!

I agree that keeping warm is the biggest key to keeping happy.

We've take ds since he was 4 month's old. They bloody love it. All that fresh air and the change of scenery. Go for it. Enjoy