18 month old camping

[penguinparty00]

Is it silly to think we can go camping this summer with an 18 month old? We are really into camping and hope to continue this with the little one but not sure if this is even possible, he will be 18 months when we go but I've no idea where to begin .. what will he sleep in? What will I need? Any help from fellow campers who have travelled with little ones would be so appreciated, we have 2 holidays all booked and paid for so there's no getting out of it apart from to just not go.

Oh, bring a washing up basin if your baby needs a bum bath, better for a nappy wearer than a shower imo a that age).

The early wakings are a pain, we used to take lots of brioche, they're v handy for them to eat first thing in the tent. We could then doze a bit longer whilst they played/coloured/did sticker books. We would then all have a bacon sandwich later when we were all up and dressed. And frankly I let them stay up as late as they wanted so they were exhausted when they finally went down.
It can be hard work sometimes but children generally love camping. And I love seeing them grubby and shiny eyed, smelling of woodsmoke. There's something almost primitive and satisfying about sharing and sleeping together in a small space with the people you love most in the world, hearing them all breathe and murmur in the night.

Some great tips on here, I love the bum bath bucket!

We took DD1 at a similar age one April, she had loads of fun. Agree with lots of blankets and a hat. I ended up bringing her into bed with me one particularly cold night.

It can be hard work sometimes but children generally love camping. And I love seeing them grubby and shiny eyed, smelling of woodsmoke.

This is lovely.

Take wellies and waterproof trousers / splash suit and put them on first thing in the morning so that they’re not soaked by dew as soon as they get up.

Mine have camped from 3m old.
I found it easier than being stuck in hotel rooms all evening.

We co-slept on the floor on mats. Agree with lots of blankets!

And I love seeing them grubby and shiny eyed, smelling of woodsmoke
Love this. One of my favourite ever photos of DD is age 2, barefoot, covered in filth from playing in the ash of a 3 day old fire, eating a biscuit and looking joyful, defiant and relaxed in equal measure.

An outdoor onesie. Wellies. An old buggy. Travel cot. Our ds went camping at 10 months and has loved every trip. Even the wet ones!

@DappledThings I know that look!! 😁 They go slightly feral, often barefoot, and their hair doesn't see a brush for days. Or is that just my lot! 😆

[quote tattychicken]@DappledThings I know that look!! 😁 They go slightly feral, often barefoot, and their hair doesn't see a brush for days. Or is that just my lot! 😆[/quote]
Not just your lot! 😍

We took older dc abroad with dd1. Packed loads of dresses and fancy outfits..meanwhile irl the dc took turns running her entire self under the campsite tap to get the mud /dirt /twigs and leaves off her. Her case of fancy atire went home unworn.. Cut the feet off a few baby gros and she was a feral being for 4 weeks.

I'd be careful of campsite rules and quiet times, there's a lot more campsites introducing 'quiet time' (the hours vary but 10pm - 7am seems to be fairly normal) since the post lockdown camping surge. Family friendly campsites are usually fine but when booking through somewhere like pitchup it can be easy to book a walkers campsite.

She took her first steps in the local pub.

Which is ironic given that many people will have temporarily lost the ability to walk in the same pub.

We camped with DD at six months a few times but not again until 2.5 due to the pandemic. When she was little she had a littlelife camping travel cot which we got off marketplace for about £10 and then when she was older we got an air bed with an edge round to stop her rolling off. (It’s also shaped like a unicorn and is fucking massive but she loves it 🤦🏼‍♀️).

We are planning on going with a 14mo so following with interest. I can see the benefit of a travel cot but I’m not buying a new tent just to accommodate one, that’s ridiculous in my view. We have a three man with porch (not our preferred tent as it’s quite heavy but given we’re not backpacking with it should be fine) and planning on cosleeping.

Whilst I am not a natural camper (DH is thankfully) we took a 3yo, 2yo and 9mo camping for a family wedding. It was the only night the 9mo slept through in his first 2 years of life!

I agree with the brioche and other quick and easy snacks (the mini boxes of cereal you can pour milk into are good).

We have an old portable dvd player that came out for camping, would bring it out in the morning for early wake ups and bedtime to wind down)

Whilst sleep suits etc are useful it's also worth putting them in separates underneath so when you need to change makes you're not having to strip them right back.

Battery lights, little fold up camping chair, microfibre towels, wellies and puddlesuit and fast more bin bags than you realise.

Ours were all horrifically early risers so DH would put them into the car to listen to stories, and drained the battery. The car is a good idea but use a separate music player!

Enjoy