camping with 4 under 7 are we mad?

[tiredmumov4]

as my title says we have four kids 6.5, 4, 2 and 15 weeks. holidays (uk only) are begining to cost a fortune and im sure the kids will lurve campin but im wondering how i can make life easier whilst we do it. not got a tent yet but have been looking at outwell montana 6 or 12.
can anyone recommend any good sites skegness or whitby way (we know these places and thought it might be best to start in resorts we are familiar with.
Am i just crackers to even consider this? any advice gratefuuly recieved
tia katex

I think it would be extremely hard work but I'm sure it would be a great experience for the children.
I couldn't face camping until my youngest was 3.
Couldn't you compromise and hire a mobile home instead?
Good luck!

We camped a bit with 3 under 6 last summer - just a few days here and there in the South East. It was fine, manageable and really good fun after the 3yo overcame being nervous of the dark. Small sites make it easier to keep an eye on wayward toddlers.

I've no idea what tent we have, it's a 6-man and it was dirt cheap in Amazon sale (about £40) but served it's purpose and wouldn't have been a waste of money if we'd hated camping.

This year we will have 4 under 7 but I'm not due until May so we're not planning any trips this summer.

Please post back your camping reports so I know what to expect next year!!

I can't recommend any specific sites but have you thought of renting a ready tent the first time. That way you don't have to outlay much on equipment etc the first time. If you like it you can always buy the stuff for the next time

hi thanks for all your replys.we have thought about ready tents before but it still works out pricey and theres none wiithin 100 miles which is the furthest we wanted to go this year.have rented mobile homes before but in summer months they are around 450 per week!!! so i thought second hand tent and clobber and its a hol every year til i can afford 7 stars in dubai lol.what exactly would we need to camp in comfort for a week with just sarnies and breakfast to prepare.(like eating out when away!)

well my hubby is sold on the idea and i recon ive bin convinced my 6 year old (eldest) has just asked why we cant stay in hotels like normal people!!!!!!!!!! im hoping he enjoys it!thanks for the tip about fleeces i wouldnt have thought of that im gettin quite exited now!roll on the warmer weather eh!

do clothes not get damp stored in the tent?would it be a good idea to get a wardrobe or are they a waste of money?

We've got 4 under 7s - 6, 4, 2 and 7 months - nice to hear someone else has 4 such small ones too! We camp every yr. and the kids love it. I don't think there's a better holiday because they get lots of fresh air, run around all day and even mundane jobs like washing up are fun and our DD really loved helping us do that when she was just 3.5! Also campsites are really child friendly places so noone looks askance or vaguely horrified when you pitch up with lots of small children. you and they will have the best hols ever! Can't help out with campsites though, sorry1

thanks its nice to here someone else is as mad as us!

hi i only have 2 lo. but we went camping for the first time last summer- and we loved it are totally hooked!!
we have 2 trips planned(very loosely) so far this year.
we bought our tent in halfords in the sale- not knowing much about it- we still have so much to learn lol
we have a 4 person tent it doesnt have sewn n ground sheet but we love it. we bought it in a set similar to ones argos do where you get the tent 2 double sleeping airbeds and 4 sinlge sleeping bags. we then bought a cooker with 2 rings and a grill on it, a pan set and some torches i think we spent about 300 on it all (not to sure as xp paid not me)
the children loved it, as op said loads of fresh air plus lots of friendly people- even some willing to help us/ provide tips for next time! easily the best holiday i've ever had ( ok i only had 3 now and 2 to haven which i loved til i went camping)
go for it it really is fun

thanks everyone im trawlin ebay as i write this looking for bargain tent equipment,cant wait!

hello, i have four children, twins aged 7, then a 6 year old and a 4 year old, we have been going camping since my youngest was six weeks old, so we had four 3 and under

yes it is hard work and yes you do have to be organised, but as a mum of four you know that already!!!
what we tend to do when we go camping is make sure we book sites that are fields rather than square pitches. I find this alot less stressful as then i don't have to mind too much about being noisy. I try not to take too many clothes and do a laundry stop whilst away. We found our biggest problem was the sheer amount of stuff we had to pack, one thing i did learn was it doesn't matter how many toys i take my children never play with them, there is always too much to do, normally a roll of lining paper and felt tips pens suffice!! Good luck, i'm sure you will love it.