Camping with a 20 month old who runs off all the time?

[Concordia]

Hi,
we really want to go away in august. have enjoyed camping pre kids now have DS aged 4 and DD aged 20 months, well she will be 23 months by august.
can't really afford much at all, esp now boiler has broken so considering camping.
but i am worried that it will just be exhausting dealing with DD running in all directions. any experience / advice?
also very stupid question about travel cots and tents, reading through previous threads, others have recommended taking a travel cot. we have a usual kind of one, not a pop up tent thingy, and DH says that the hard 'feet' to it will damage our tent floor? is that correct or can we take it, if we can fit it in?
thanks campers...

Bumping for you, as I'm taking my 2.5yo camping for the first time.
He likes to wake at 5.30am and "explore". Even in the house we have to be careful.

Would a padlock on the zip be perilous??

Well, I think it wouldn't be more exhausting that everyday care of a toddler is iyswim.
And if you choose a bit more secluded camping site where you don't have to worry about traffic, other tents 2 meters away, that would be probably more relaxing.
I wouldn't get a cot, I would just put the kids on a matress. As long as you close the tent properly for the night and if she sleeps well, so she won't try to escape while you're having a beer with dh outside.
I camped with dd when she was 5 months so obviously immobile yet, but we're planning to saty at my mum's country house in a tent. DD will be 17mo.
It's fun, kids love it.

When we've camped with DD around this age we used windbreaks to fence ourselves a sort of garden area with toys/bubbles etc for her to play with to keep her contained.
It's also worth thinking about how you're going to toddler-proof things a bit (keeping sharp knifes out of access etc).

I'll be honest with you though - it was sometimes exhausting and there were times I could have thrown her over the hedge. She wasn't sleeping so good and was tired, kept falling over nobbly bits of ground - just all round grisly.
But then plenty of good times too.

I love the tethering idea!

Might just sleep with our heads next to the zip.

Buy some identity bracelets from boots and write your mobile number and pitch number on the back. That way if she does get lost people will know where to return her to. Most camping people are great,very helpful and kind. Took Dd3 camping when she was little and she was a terrible runner!! You need to be on the ball but it can be great fun. Don't expect to put your feet up tho.LOL

Hi Concordia
It's about a million years ago since we camped with toddlers but we found that ours preferred to stay close to us on a campsite. Probably something to do with it being unfamiliar territory.

Excellent idea about the bracelet. Dont put the child's name on it though.

A good tip I read was putting children in matching brightly coloured t-shirts. That way if one does stray then you can hold the other one up and say 'she/he looks like this one'. An especially good tip if out and about.

there are some really good ideas here, thank you. i'm still not sure whether we are brave enough to take the plunge...

I would recommend you make sure all your zips are at the top at night so your little escapee is safe. also have a look here you'll get some great advice