I am quite tempted to take the kids camping but what do you do apart from sleep in the tent?

[MrsWho]

And how would I stop dd2 escaping in the night?

And what are the pop up tent things like?

TIA

HA! My sort of questions! Doesn't appeal to me at all. I need a shower where I can get out and NOT have to put my shoes back on

we seem to spend most of our time putting up tent and sorting stuff out whilst the kids run wild with any other kids around, then the rest of the day eating, drinking and generally chilling around the camping stove. Time goes quickly and there's usually kids' playgrounds etc on even the more basic sites. Plus if you're there for a few nights they'll be walks/short trips to go on and a lot of sites have pools or other activities (mini golf ) etc. If it rains you just come home early if you're wimps like us!

We put up the travel cot for dd. I'd go for a more substansial tent if I were you.

dd2 is 5 don't think I can do a cot (actually she was out of one at one cos she used to climb it!)

Just thinking it would only be me putting it up and watching kids so needs to be simple and quick

zip the sleeping compartment up to the top so he she can't reach it.

we go for walks, play on the beach / rock pools / adventure playgrounds / visit stately homes with nice cafes (usually NT ones!)
oh and try and get the dd's out of their 'best friends' tents!

then drink lots of wine and sit outside talking - quietly!

and listen to the silence of the countryside.

Try and keep the kids in the car until the basics are done - sweets work as does a DVD if you have one.

oh and borrow someone to give you a hand erecing the tent - someone from another tent if necessary - campers will willingly help each other out.

Ah I see, yes then, zip her in the sleeping bit but my 3 year old can do the zips so you need to have a tent that is tall enough for her not to reach.

yep!

ours is nearly 6 foot!

Also pop up tents are quick to pop up but getting them back in the bag is another matter!

To be honest, it's a bit useless trying to make them go to bed on a campsite before they are drop down tired so she probably won'tup and down anyway

she doesn't get to sleep til 12 at least atm she is a nightmare