Not near my tent! Bubble Rage!

[TestTubeTeen]

Ok, not rage, perhaps but increasing irritation!

4 kids with pots of bubbles. Blowing all over our tent. I have asked them to keep away. I have pointed them upwind of their own group of tents. I have politely asked their parents to keep bubbles off the camping field.

What next?

(For those who don't know, bubble mix, like any detergent, wrecks waterproofing).

God they must be first time campers or idiots.

It is possible they don't know - a colleague of mine started camping and mentioned taking bubbles camping and she didn't know.

We take bubbles camping, but keep them well away from tents. Maybe speak to the parents again and explain about the waterproofing issue?

Speak to the parents again and that doesn't work speak to the owner of the site - really not acceptable.

If that fails get your own bubbles and then pour a bucket of water over their tent! Just for demonstration purposes...

I did explain to the parents, they apologised and did that 'ooh, do keep away from the tents, won't you?' ?' To the kids, and let them get on with the 'run wild and free' vibe.

But they are kids. They can't judge distance, wind direction and they are excited and playing a kind of bubble 'chase and tag'.

I never let my kids on a campsite with bubbles at all.

I don't know why site shops sell them, and why tents aren't sold with 'no bubbles ' as part of the maintenance instructions.

Right , I have just said 'that looks great fun but bubbles harm tents. Go on the field over there because if you bring bubbles near my tent again I will have to tip all your mixture out'. They looked appalled, I feel a bit mean and guilty but their parents put them in this position.

Well I've learned something new!

I didn't know that
Useful info (if embarrassingly obvious once you've engaged your brain)!

Ah, no need to be embarrassed NoSquirrels, many people don't realise until it is pointed out. And most people are glad to know so that they can take care of their tents,

I thought it was a known 'rule' that you don't have bubbles near tents, I would have been pretty annoyed too.

Usual lack of consideration for other people.

I've been camping all my life and didn't know that, you see bubbles at campsites all the time.

Steamgirl: detergent on a canvas tent, in particular, will make it non waterproof.

I agree, camping is about having fun, but a non waterproof tent is not a usable tent. Maybe the burst bubbles haven't been running down the side of YOUR tent.. I'm glad your tent is not leaking, but I do not want other people's kids getting what is essentially washing up liquid on my tent.

I DID feel mean, because it wasn't the kids fault. One of the parents actually did know about the tent/ bubbles clash, the others said 'oh, of course'. But they didn't do anything effective.

I didn't use a nasty tone to the kids or shout at them. And they did go through the gap in the hedge away from the tents.

Are you camping at the moment Steamgirl? Do your kids wear wellies with the little handles at the top

Not knowing is fair enough.

To continue to let it happen once you DO know is unacceptable.

And if my ds was told to take bubbles away from gents into a field and returned when my back was turned and someone threatened to tip the liquid out he'd be told tough luck for ignoring the adults!

What's the thing about wellies with handles?

Their wellies have a loop handle that sticks up each side, to help them pull them on, I suppose. They look great!

YANBU op. You spoke to the parents and it still carried on. Tents cost ££££££££££££ 's There are a zillion ways of having fun on a campsite that doesn't involve bubbles.

Oh I see, you thought it was the family you're talking about! I know about the wellies but was worried I'd committed some faux pas by having them.

Well, you learn something new everyday, thank you OP!

Aerosols are very bad for tents, too. From the inside. But because they affect the flame retardant rather than the waterproofing.

Right: fry up! Bad for campers from the inside and outside, but never mind

Really glad I came across this thread. Was going to buy a bubble machine for dgs to take to campsite! I'd have been lynched Seriously, I'm glad I know this now. Bubbles well & truly off caravan list.

We're camping right now. DH picked up a bottle of bubbles for the DC as we were packing up the car. NOOOOOOOOOO!!!! I made him take them in the garden instead.