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Camping

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

Original poster

What do I need to get for camping with small children?

35 replies

foxessocks · 31/07/2017 20:18

We are going on a last minute camping trip and haven't done it before (apart from in our younger days at festivals!) , We have a 3 yo and a 10 month old...what are the most important things we need to get organised?! (We have a tent but may get a new one we are undecided on that at the moment so any recommendations would be great)

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RelentlesslyPositive · 31/07/2017 20:24

Take toys that will keep them amused in the tent. Stacking cups are good, they don't take up much space when packing but there are lots of games you can play with them.

Lots of wipes. Wellies. More spare clothes and pants than you think you could possibly need.

A small padlock for the zip on the tent (to prevent escape during the night).

Snacks that can be eaten cold and are instant.

Good luck!

RelentlesslyPositive · 31/07/2017 20:26

If you get a new tent, get one with a fitted groundsheet and a carpet. It will make all the difference if it rains! Small children and muddy tents are not a great combination. ...

elQuintoConyo · 31/07/2017 20:27

Mini dustpan and brush - necessary for sweeping crumbs/dried mud/leaves etc. Also tons of fun for kids!

Torch for the 2yo, as long as careful not to shine in babys eyes/own eyes.

Some battery-operated fairy lights.

defineme · 31/07/2017 20:29

A wee bucket...

FedUpAndFeelingLow · 31/07/2017 20:33

Gin. Lots of gin Gin

milkjetmum · 31/07/2017 20:40

We camp every year, have done since eldest was under 1 (now 6 and 3).

Can you borrow a tent from a friend before buying? That's what we did the first time.

If yoi want to buy and have a go outdoors near you they have the tents set up so you can see how you'd all fit in. Depends whether you want the tent to be light or you want to have space inside for rainy days. We went for space inside and have an 8man tent for our family of 4 (with room to stand up inside).

Most important thing is layers and more layers, it gets surprisingly cold at night so sleep all together and always have an extra layer available. especially if you're on an air mattress on the floor (we got camp beds which are much warmer). We were camping last night and I had on pj, Cardigan, sleeping bag and was still chilly. Luckily had a 3yr old hot water bottle Grin

StandardLampski · 31/07/2017 20:41

Solar power fairy lights - leave to charge in day. At night they will come on without you having to remember and low level lighting quite useful without having to shine torch in eyes / hold between teeth / knees!

Also...a potty. Night time trips to loo are a pain. Especially if you are on your own...

Stickers. Something for them to do when you are putting the tent up. Or something snack that takes a while to eat ...Smile

leddeeburdee · 31/07/2017 20:43

Also a couple of washing up bowls or buckets - if it ends up being hot then they can play with cold water in them.

Original poster
foxessocks · 31/07/2017 21:01

Thanks this is all very useful! I'm a little worried we are all going to get chilly...must sort out some warm sleepwear for the children. DD tends to just wear pants in bed at home so we'll have to talk her into some warm pyjamas!

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Original poster
foxessocks · 31/07/2017 21:03

Got a potty, got a torch, got wellies.

Haven't got a padlock and that has made me nervous! That's on the list!

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SheRaaarghPrincessOfPower · 31/07/2017 21:04

BIN BAGS!

shit loads of blankets. A tent with some sort of shelter over the front door so the rain doesn't pour in

All in one waterproof suit, for both of them.

SheRaaarghPrincessOfPower · 31/07/2017 21:07

Do NOT padlock the tent. It's a fire risk, you need to be able to get out. Most tents will let you just put the zips up high so that you can reach them but the kids can't. Lots have a little strap across the zip, but you can remove this.

If you can't put the zip up high, the a bell or something else noisy on the zip pull, and position yourself between the kids and the exit.

Never padlock yourself into a tent.

Lamby80 · 31/07/2017 21:10

We are in the same boat. Older ds loves camping but never been with a 10 month old and im a bit nervous. He wants to walk around now and pull himself up on everything so I think it will be hard work.
If it helps, I bought him a pop up travel cot and plan to take a 3.5 tog sleeping bag, fleece babygrow with long sleeve vest and some socks for his hands. Not sure he will need it all.
And I bought an all in one rain suit in the supermarket for crawling around.
When do you go?

Original poster
foxessocks · 31/07/2017 21:16

Ok. Understood. No padlock.

Ds needs a new coat anyway so will see about getting him an all in one. DD had a decent rain coat and boots but will see if there's enough money left for an all in one.

We go next week!

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Original poster
foxessocks · 31/07/2017 21:16

Or possibly end of this week actually

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Original poster
foxessocks · 31/07/2017 21:19

He has a sleeping bag not sure what tog it is but was thinking of getting a fleece babygro for under it. We have a travel cot but need to make sure it fits in whatever tent we have...we sometimes co sleep at home so I know he would sleep in with us but not sure that's ideal.

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Lamby80 · 31/07/2017 21:25

Oooh let me know how you get on!

SheRaaarghPrincessOfPower · 31/07/2017 21:25

Sorry, got a bit ranty there
😄

Original poster
foxessocks · 31/07/2017 21:31

No don't apologise - I am clueless!

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mamaduckbone · 31/07/2017 21:32

Definitely waterproof all in ones and wellies, lots and lots of snacks, layers for nighttime - the first time we took ds2 he was in a travel cot and froze. He ended up with all of my jumpers and my down gilet over him as well as his own pjs and grobag. A fleece / sheepskin underneath makes the cot snugglier to get into and you could warm it up with a hot water bottle. Also, as many wet wipes as you can carry.
It is fun, honestly!

NapQueen · 31/07/2017 21:33

We recently went and filled thw bedroom part of the tent with fleece blankets, topped with those self inflating mats, then another fleece blanket across the top and our duvets over us. Cosy warm all night.

Compact folding table for a travel stove for cooking. Folding camping chairs for all. Citroenella candle and some Skin So Soft (avon) for the midges.

Original poster
foxessocks · 31/07/2017 21:40

Ok...blankets and more blankets.

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Crispmonster1 · 31/07/2017 21:41

Take their scooter or play pushchairs, buckets for them to do pouring with. Colouring, toy cars. Ball.

Original poster
foxessocks · 31/07/2017 21:52

Sorry not sure if anyone mentioned this already but if his travel cot doesn't fit in the tent which I don't think it will what can the baby sleep in? I was thinking just build him a little bed on the floor by our bed? We have an inflatable mattress for us and a little bed for DD. The special camping cot things are really expensive.

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Original poster
foxessocks · 31/07/2017 21:53

He can crawl and moves around quite a bit in his sleep so not sure how this will work!

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