It's probably been done a million times but I have camping questions...

[Titsalinabumsquash]

1. What's the best tent for a novice, it would be for 5 and we'd like separate sleeping section for the kids and us and then a bigger space for gathering in.

1. Has anyone camped with a toddler .. Does anyone have any bright ideas about stopping them legging it every five seconds!

1. Is there any essential equipment or accessories that a make camping easier with kids.

We've done glamping with a wood stove and running water but not actual camping.

I'm very about how little I know.

I'm interested in the toddler legging it question too. I suppose it's not the done thing to tie its reins to a tent peg is it?

Specifically I'm wondering, how do the two adults pack down the big tent without a third adult to do the toddler catching?

Anyhoo, here's a bump for you!

My dd wasn't a runner, but I can advise putting the toddler into their car seat While erecting/collapsing the tent.

If they are 'helpful' you can give them the job of handing you the pegs/putting them back in the bag. Make sure they don't just dump them out and run though ;-)

I've camped on my own with dd since she was a baby.

Easiest tents to put up apart from bell tents are tunnel tents. Outwell are a good make.

Dd never tried to run from a tent. So can't help much. When I was pitching the tent or packing it up I used to put her in the car so I didn't have to keep an eye on her while busy with the tent.

Wellies no matter how warm as grass will be wet. Crocs for the shower. One of those poncho towels to walk back to the tent in after a shower so you can dress them in a dry tent rather than dropping clean clothes on wet floor.

I've camped with two runners, including an autistic one. I think we used to just let them toddle around the campsite, with one of us in hot pursuit, festivals were an absolute nightmare though. So glad they are older now

I camped with DD as a toddler quite a bit. She's a fearless and sometimes impulsive child but she never did try to leg it from a tent really. She always stayed roughly where we were.

Best tip is to get the toddler one of those all in one waterproof suits and wellies, and if the weather's wet (or cold, or puddles, or muddy) then put them in it at the start of the day.

Wet grass makes your shoes wet, and children don't realise this - so need to be kept to wellies or barefoot until it dries out in the morning.

I used to give DD the tent pegs to sort/count whilst getting DS to help me put the tent up. If it was really raining, I'd leave them both in the car with an audio book on.

retractable dog lead and harness.

Buy the vango maritsa 700 that someone is trying to sell here! Easy to put up with 2 of you if you contain the toddler in a car seat or travel cot while you put it up. Takes about 30 mins

Or if cost is no object get one of the tents with inflatable poles.

1. What's the best tent for a novice, it would be for 5 and we'd like separate sleeping section for the kids and us and then a bigger space for gathering in.

Hi-gear voyager 6

1. Has anyone camped with a toddler .. Does anyone have any bright ideas about stopping them legging it every five seconds!

It all depends on the campsite - we try to get ones with a safe play area and/or where the camping area is separated off from cars, so people aren't driving past all the time. Some small/more basic campsites will have an enclosed field. But toddlers do run off and when you have small DC camping is not all that relaxing! It helps to do activities in the daytime e.g. go for a walk, go swimming, go to beach.

However toddlers usually love tents and like playing insde the tent too.

1. Is there any essential equipment or accessories that a make camping easier with kids.

Plenty of blankets/take duvet and pillow from home. It can be colder than you expect at night and kids will go to sleep better with familiar bedding.

Things like frisbee, ball, outdoor skittles, fun play tent may keep them amused and attract other kids to play with. Even just a bucket of water and plastic cups can be entertaining. We find getting them their own cool torch and letting them pack their own bag of toys and books etc gets them really excited.

We delegate our 4 year old as the 'peg basher,' which involves him circling the tent finishing off the tent pegs that we've put in 'a bit.' They love feeling as if they have an important job, and it also keeps them in-situ.

I've always found a good wind break erected so it acts like a gate contains most toddlers.

Depends on age of toddler but I used a travel cot when my youngest was a young toddler, both as a bed and as a safe place when the adults attention is divided by important arguments about the most efficient way to pitch and strike the tent. Travel cot in the tent also prevents possible attempts to leg it whilst supposedly asleep.