Virgin campers with two under 3. Are we mad?

[Iggly]

We're going to buy a tent this year and try camping. We normally like lake district holidays etc so the wet doesn't bother us. Plus have enjoyed wild camping pre DCs.

We have two DCs under 3 now and are going to buy a tent and try camping, but closer to home (SE). Are we mad? Will we hate it? Any tips for survival, ds is 2.5 and dd 7 months and nearly mobile.

I think it's a great idea. Pack lots of clothes so that you can keep them warm and dry. Of course it could be sunny. Remember plan B if you go local you can always go home.

No-you will love it, it is the best holiday with tiddlers there is nothing to be worried about, they can just grub about in the dirt all day. BUt be prepared to zip them into the tent and give up on trying to get them to go to sleep

They will sleep at night if they normally do - they'll be tired, it will be dark and they'll have been outside all day.

That's the best thing about camping for a toddler - you wake up and you're already outside! :)

Buy some kind of waterproof suit for the baby so he can crawl around on dew or rain-sodden grass.

Buy a big a tent and put smaller tents inside it for the littlies - it keeps them extra warm and means you don't disturb them so much when you come to bed.

Do not assume that they will sleep particularly well just because they've been charging around in the fresh air all day and they're knackered.

Does that sound very bitter?

Noooooooo don't say that Stuck! Bums.

Yes I think DS will love it, he's very much an outdoors child

I'm quite excited but can see it going spectacularly wrong. I reckon the DCs won't sleep ever until midnight as they don't do sleeping if there's even a chink of light but I can deal with that.

To be fair, you would need a small thread of insanity running through you to even contemplate taking up camping with the summer we have had. Chucking two under 3's into the mix hardly counts!! :o

AThingInYourLife is spot on - waterproofs are worth every penny. Chances are they will wake early (you'll be on Camping Time) - a quick nappy change and then the waterproofs over their PJs and then the early morning wet grass is not an issue. And don't underestimate how cold it can get at night, even in the height of summer.

It'll be fab

Hey you're not mad Iggly. Our first post children camping trip was with 3 children under 5.

Tips- get a decent tent with a good living space. We went the whole hog and got the footprint and carpet (and eventually extension) and it was well worth it- especially with the rain and mud. And a cupboard for putting stuff it/on top of- otherwise they will be playing with your pots pans food etc that is in the corner of the tent. (At least now mine play at taking the food/other stuff out and then rearranging it back into the cupboard again)

• take clothing for all eventualities and all in one waterproofs/ trousers and rainjacket for the bigger one.
• go to a nice campsite with nice facilities if possible. Our first trip was to a site that had heated floors in the washrooms, a bath, decent washing machines. It just made life soooooooooooooo much easier (wasn't cheap mind!) Didn't have to worry too much about the littlest one crawling about on the floor if you see what I mean, and actually had somewhere to change her s**y nappies other than the tent.
• get insulated mugs with lids for your tea/coffee. Cos you will need it. And they WILL knock them over.
• get out there in the rain. The kids don't mind.

PS last time kids slept every time we got in the car then slept all night too. Much better than at home- we decided that we're best off living in the tent in the rain :)

BTW I was worried about my kids (and husband) going camping mainly as I saw them as a bit...well....soft. They LOVED it in a way I couldn't possibly every have envisaged- and we've been on 3 trips now- 2 of which were rainy- they really don't mind. Go for it I'm sure you won't regret it as long as it's well planned and you have a decent tent.

sorry did I mention the rain :o ?

You are going to need very good sets of waterproofs for both children. I can recommend muddy puddles. But them big and they will last a few years, or try ebay.

When mine were little I got them dressed straight into waterproofs in the morning as it's dewy out.