camping novice - advice on bedding please!

[Goldberry]

Am going camping for a weekend at the end of June. I've only been once before, as I've only recently been convinced that camping might not be a hideous experience! My family were definite non-campers, but DH and PIL are outdoorsy types. I was surprised that I mostly enjoyed my first camping trip, in spite of bad weather and disastrous bedding. We had a massive inflatable double airbed which slowly deflated during the night, leaving us with our heads and feet up in the air, bums on the floor!
Anyhoo, since I'm hoping to become more of a regular camper, what are the best (but not too expensive) things to sleep on? Atm I have the choice of a therma-rest, a fold-up camp-bed, or just the mattress from the camp-bed. And what about the dc? They are 2 and 4. Would they be fine on a camping mat, and do I need to buy junior sleeping bags or would adult ones be ok?
Apologies for the essay. I'd ask dh all this, but he'd probably say I was making a fuss about nothing, and suggest sleeping on a bed of leaves or soething.

I'd recommend self-inflatable mats for all of you (children included). Alpkit or Thermarests the best. We have Fat Airics (now replaced by Dozers) from Alpkit and they're fab.

Self inflating provides better insulation against cold from the ground, so that's why we went with that instead of a readybed for 2-year old ds.

We've got a junior sleeping bag for ds, but if I had to buy again, I'd just buy a normal adult one for him. You can always tie part of the bottom off if you want, but in all honesty, I can't see it making any difference.

If you already have a thermarest then I'd deffo go for that.

Now in my day [mild old gimmer] children were put on a roll mat on the floor (the rolls of thin blue foam you can get from millets and the like). I survived and have no recollections of moaning about being uncomfortable or cold.

On the other hand I do have vivid memories of the fun and games we used to have when we upgraded to airbeds, with the whole arse on the floor scenario as you describe and endless footpumpingsup in the morning.

As for sleeping bags, in a fit of sleep deprived madness I bought some heinous pink flowery children ones from Blacks for the dds (they obviously love them). They do need a fleece blanket or two over the top to keep them warm though, so yes, in hindsight I would have preferred to have invested in some better quality adult down ones...

saying that there is the whole incontinence and vomiting angle to consider....

hmm the hideous pink flowers to come up fine after several hot washes

not my most decisive post

sorry

Thank you, MisSalLaneous and Slubberdegullion. I have enough adult sleeping bags already, so hopefully no need to fork out for pink flowery ones (although dd too would love them). I think I'll persuade dh to invest in a couple more thermarests though. Let's just hope the weather is kind to us...

I vote Thermarest.

And [whispers] I don't do sleeping bags anymore. In this country I only camp in the summer (woh, get me sounding like a veteran, I have only camped about 20 nights in my entire life) and I much prefer a sheet over the Thermarest, pillow and duvet tbh. I move a lot when asleep and end up trussed up like a chicken in a sleeping bag, plus much too hot. I love to be able to stick my feet out the side if I need to cool down. I wear normal pyjamas with a fleece to hand. The tent collapsed once and the duvet/sheet got a bit damp, but sleeping bags can get wet too and so far I have camped within reach of a dryer (actually, usually within about 2 hours of home).

But I know at least one person who camps despite feeling the cold terribly, and she likes a full sleeping bag plus liner of some sort, plus a hat and a couple of fleecy layers [sweat springs on my brow at the thought].

I used to just use a sleeping bag, direct on the tent floor, and so did DS, but this season we finally spoilt ourselves and splashed out on airecs (not the fat ones, the regular ones) from Alpkit and MY GOD they make a world of difference, so much warmer it is unbelievable!

So I recommed them.

DS has a child size sleeping bag, but still a good proper one well insulated, got it from mountain warehouse.

That's all we use, but if you have the space in the car and like your creature comforts take pillows and even a duvet as well, or blankets and things, it is nice to have a nest to sleep in

omdb, can't tell you how pleased I am to hear you are enjoying your new mats and are no longer lying on the hard, cold ground.

brr

I was amazed Slubber, my hips didn't hurt in the morning! It is a revelation so thanks for making me buy them!

How you lasted so long without them is a testament to your hardyness.

So what't next then? Have you consisered any further on the washing up bowl front? This too may be a revelation.

I only do comfort where sleeping is involved, and have a kingsized Aerobed (no pumping up required, stays up no matter what) and our down duvet (its a two part one, so can put together if its going to be cold), and flanelette sheet. DH moaned this weekend as I'd forgotten to pack the mattress topper . We've been doing this combo for about 6 years.

DS (who has just had his first trip) has a childrens sleeping bag and a junior airbed, and seemed fine although I inflicted pyjamas on him

Thanks for your replies everyone. dh says he'll sleep on his camping mat, the children on the camp-bed mattresses and I get the thermarest . From what you've all been saying, that sounds ok by me!
Since you're all being so helpful, what are your bits of can't-do-without-it camping kit? Dh will tell me I'm just looking for an excuse for a camping-based shopping spree, but heck I've just come over all enthusiastic for this camping lark

Goldberry, my favourite item is my Eydon Storm Kettle.

We stayed at a yurt this weekend, and everything was great, perfect really - except every time I had to boil a kettle on the gas stove, I wished I'd brought my Storm Kettle with! It's fab and slightly addictive feeding it whilst waiting for the water to boil - which only takes a couple of minutes!

ha Slubber, I'm more likely to have bunting before I bother with a washing up bowl

I take a thin duvet to go on top of the mattress and my usual one to go over me! I also take cushions as pillows and my latest must haves are the hot water bottles - purchased for the half term camping trip.
I fold the duvets in half and squash them under the Dcs' car seats so in my mind they don't take up any space!

We got camp beds and it has made a world of difference to our comfort and warmth, that and good sleeping bags.

My can't do without is something called a travel john which is a delightful bag of crystals that you wee into during the night if you need to go, rather than trekking in the freezing cold to the communal loos. I have a weak bladder so it is definitely a good investment.

Having said that though, I would still much rather stay in a caravan. The rented ones are absolutely fabulous these days with all mod cons and nice comfy beds.

My camping must-have is a MINIMUM of one other family.

Storm kettle looks good. Pricey though! I think we'll manage to take a duvet as well as sleeping bags - car is reasonably big. maktaitai - do parents-in-law count? My MIL, as well as having more energy than me and being an all-round outdoorsy type, has run brownie packs since the year dot and is a genius at entertaining small children.
rookiemater - are those metal-framed, foldable type camping beds. What did you use before you got them. Was thinking of taking ours, but most people seem to think thermarests are the best. Hmm. Indecisive emoticon.

It is, however, if you're going to use it often (we now use it for picnics too), it works out cheaper over the long run, as you don't need to buy fuel - it works by twigs, leaves and whatever else is lying around. My favourite is pine cones. The only thing that I actually buy is firelighters, but that's not technically necessary of course.

AS others have said - I find therma-rests the best - so much warmer than a air bed plus they are smaller and lighter to carry in the car and very quick to set up - no pump required.

Only down side is that kids roll of them. I know you can get air beds with raise sides and although I love thermo-rests I am considering the ready beds with raised sides for my 2 year old.

Thanks everyone! Can't wait to go camping now.