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Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

Original poster

beach 'sun tents'for babies - are they worth it?

43 replies

Holymoly321 · 10/03/2006 13:58

We'll be taking DS on 2 week holiday to Corfu in May (counting the weeks!) and am wondering wether we should fork out for one of those beach mini tent things to keep him out of the sun. He'll be 8 months old when we go.

OP posts:
Lucycat · 10/03/2006 14:00

It depends whether he's likely to stay in one! You may well be better getting a sunlounger with an umbrella and a UV suit with legionnaires hat. Then again if you see one going cheap on ebay you can always use it in the garden when you get back.

Marina · 10/03/2006 14:00

Get a big one and then you can all get in it. Useful for keeping stuff off the sand and out of sight, and when he is bigger and prone to wander off you have a meeting point. Seriously, our family sized one is a total godsend.
Once folded down (ha, and that's another story...) there is not a huge amount of difference between baby and family cabanas as we are apparently supposed to call them.

Avalon · 10/03/2006 14:04

Definitely worth it in my book - especially for napping in.

Normsnockers · 10/03/2006 14:06

Jolly useful if you have a dh and ds who don't seem to feel the cold as you can hide out in it and keep out of the bracing English seaside breeze whilst they paddle at the waters edge.

Marina · 10/03/2006 14:07

I think normsnockers holidays where I do Grin

Lucycat · 10/03/2006 14:09

We have got one of those cheap ones that they sell in all the seaside resorts (ours came from Tenby!) it cost £5 and while it's not a UV one it is good to chuck everything in as Marina says, our dd's would never sleep in it - too much else going on, but it is good to shelter from the wind - not applicable in Corfu I know!

Aero · 10/03/2006 14:09

I never really thought we needed one......until we got one. Wouldn't do the beach thing without it now. I'm not a great fan of the sunshine anyway as I burn so easily. Just great for a bit of shade etc. Ds2 slept safely out of the sun in it giving me peace to chill a little reading a mag while dh played with ds1 and dd.

Original poster
Holymoly321 · 10/03/2006 14:12

How big are the baby ones? And do they fold down quite small?

OP posts:
trace2 · 10/03/2006 14:12

yes there worth it,

Original poster
Holymoly321 · 10/03/2006 14:13

Can anyone recommend a particular one?

OP posts:
trace2 · 10/03/2006 14:14

yes they fold to a flat circle, to fit in case, i paid £35 for mine,, i maybe selling mine, do you want me to ask dh?

Marina · 10/03/2006 14:15

Got the big one from John Lewis, smiling. It is one of those monster spring-loaded jobbies so "folds" down into a flat round case about the size of a medium-sized bike tyre.

Lucycat · 10/03/2006 14:15

Have a look at \link{http://www.gltc.co.uk/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=G1070&CatID=Product&language=en-GB\this one} should give some dimensions, they also do little one for £30.

Surfermum · 10/03/2006 14:16

I had one for dd's first holiday when she was 13 weeks and it was great. We were able to stay on the beach all day without worrying. I did have one of the cheaper ones, but as a first time mum wasn't going to take any risks and got a UV one. It's still really useful. It marks your territory on the beach, it's good for sticking the step-daughter into to get changed because "everyone's looking at me", it's a windbreak and if dd was so inclined she could still have a nap in there in some shade.

Lucycat · 10/03/2006 14:16

Then again \link{http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3409165.htm\this one from Argos} is a bit more reasonable!

TinyGang · 10/03/2006 14:19

Oh yes..do get one they're greatSmile But no need to spend too much. A bigger one is good too if you feel you like some shade as well.

tassis · 10/03/2006 14:22

we borrowed one for last summer.

ds didn't really stay in it. dh liked the shade with his book.

do practise putting it up and down as it seems so easy but is a NIGHTMARE and you feel very conspicuous in the middle of a beach struggling with it.

think if i had a non moving wee one I'd definately go for it...

Original poster
Holymoly321 · 10/03/2006 14:41

Hi trace,
what type is your one? Is it UV? Also how big is it when open and closed? Thanks

OP posts:
trace2 · 10/03/2006 14:49

its a 50 uv, ill go and have a look

trace2 · 10/03/2006 14:57

its this one, so shocked its gone down in price too, \link{http://www.elc.co.uk/toy-40219\elctent}

Original poster
Holymoly321 · 10/03/2006 15:08

It's nice trace. Does it fold down quite small? If you were to sell it, how much would you want for it? Do you think the postage would be much?

OP posts:
mojomummy · 10/03/2006 15:19

we have a FAB one from Verbaudet. We put our cool bags (with sandwiches, crisps & beer Wink in the corners to weight it down. lay our towels in then lay with our heads in the shade.

I got ours off ebay, for less that £10. best one because I can get in it Grin Also good for nappy changes & it's very light & packs flat. I LOVE IT !!

trace2 · 10/03/2006 15:23

arrrgghh , i just had a look, for got its a pop up,it took ages to get back, forgot how to do itlol, anyway done it. it would be £ 3.60 to post, very light, its in its own little bag, with carry handell, so if we say £15all in, its in vgc, just let me know if you want it

Original poster
Holymoly321 · 10/03/2006 15:47

Hi Trace, thanks for getting it all out! One quick question - does the front zip up at all so that it becomes enclosed or is it an open front only model?

OP posts:
trace2 · 10/03/2006 15:58

no zip, its got a ground sheet, when dh comes home i can ask him to do a pic if you want?

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