inflatable sofas, yay or nay?

[justforachange]

I have been stocking up on all new camping kit for our first camping trip in over 7 years (oh my, how desperate am I to use all these shiny new things, and how good are you all at giving out good tips?!).

Sooo, I've got a couple of Coleman sling chairs for DH and me but so far nothing for the kids. I was going to just take collapsible kids chairs but am thinking DD1 (age 7) is getting too big for them and DD2 (age 4) will most likely want to clamber up on our knees if she's not comfy enough in the evenings and I know chances of getting her to bed awake will be zilch no matter how tired out she is! I've been wondering if those inflatable sofas (the ones that are like double chairs) would be better for them. Do any of you use them? Good, bad, indifferent?

Thanks muchly

Can't say I've ever tried them but the combined worries of blowing the darn thing up, possible punctures and them getting blown away in the wind would put me right off. I would stick with the small camping chairs.

I agree with hz. ASDA do kids moon chairs (not the inflatable ones which they also do) for £8 and they are a bit more comfortable than standard camping ones. They go in and out of stock quite quickly though.

Not sure if your 7 year old would be too big for one - I think she might need an adult chair.

Oh didn't really answer the question - I have had inflatable chairs in the past and they never seem to last any time before they spring a leak and it is always worse camping because they take more of a battering, getting dragged into and out of the tent.

We got one as a joke one year - was quite comfy (and electric pump inflates v quick), but was really a gimmick - and something pinged inside so the shape isn't quite as it should be now. I'd suggest not.

Will have a rethink on that then! And will keep an eye on Asda, thanks!!

We had one. I think we must of over inflated it as it kept rolling over and tipping us off.

We took a pair that dtds got given for Christmas by the maddest of their six aunts, they were comfy to lounge in but needed covering up with a rug in sunshine as they were too hot and sticky, and again when it was dark as they sucked warmth up. And neither survived a riotous afternoon in a lake.

Well after a one night beach camp on Saturday where there were adult and kids chairs that various friends had brought, both DDs preferred the adult chairs so I've bought 2 cheap ones from Tesco using the clubcard voucher exchange deal. We'll just have to see if we can fit them in the car on the next trip. I can hardly believe how stuffed it was!

I'm so glad I took all your advice (although it might have been worth it just for the riotous afternoon in the lake idea )