Camping with a 2 year old

[User202242]

So, I keep having a moment of crazy and wanting to buy a family tent to go camping with my two year old and husband.

I know obviously loads of people do this but it feels a little daunting.

Any tips, tricks or recommendations? Or is this a crazy idea and wait a few years?

Any age is a great age to start camping with kids. Don't skimp on the camping mattresses, and if you're travelling by car / similar and you have space, take your normal pillows.

2 year olds have an amazing ability to create laundry emergencies. Campsites with washing machines, or within striking distance of a laundrette, can be a good idea.

Don't do it - it's exhausting at that age. 5+ is much better!

Get one with a good strong zip that you can secure. We got a bell tent, the door of which has 3 zips that meet up, with holes in the zip tabs so they can be tied or even padlocked together. Everyone in, zipped up and padlocked, hey presto- you can fall asleep and the youngster can't escape.

Nice warm sleeping bags. Some form of camping loo, we just have one of the bucket ones for middle of the night wees. Hats and layers in case it gets cold at night. Microfiber towels are great because they dry fast. Ensure you buy a tent with a nice dark bedroom, I've heard the berghaus air tents have good blackout. A nightlight if you little one sleeps with one at home. Don't expect a normal bedtime or routine in a tent where they can hear everyone else still up and having fun.

Zips up to the top so the toddler can't reach them. Have a tent where you can open the bedrooms up into one. When they inevitably roll off the air bed, get tangled in the sleeping bag, wake up for water etc then you can just roll over and help rather than have to get out of your nice warm sleeping bag and bedroom to help them.

Wellies or crocs.. Old clothes. Second hand buggy. Zip the tent at the top every time. Long walks before bedtime. Keep the buggy in the car not left outside..
It WILL GET WET..
IME

Start close to home in case it all goes wrong! Our first 3 summers, we camped within an hour of home. Had 1 awful trip, 70mph winds in an air tent with a terrified 5 year old was Not Fun (typically, the 2 year old slept through it). Thank goodness we were close enough to cut the trip short and get home the next morning.

Look for family friendly camp sites which have quiet hours so the kids will be able to get to sleep eventually, and good toilet / shower blocks.

Go for it - camping with kids great!

DO IT!

We have been taking all 4 kids for years. My daughter was 6 months when she first went. It's great for all ages.

This summer I'm going on my own for a week with DD6 and my baby who will be 4 months when we go.

My friends think I'm insane but I can't wait :)

Wellies and a puddlesuit
Lots of snacks, a billion snacks, being outside makes mine really hungry
Some colouring and a few toys for in the tent
Fleece onesie for them to sleep in
We have a double and a single sim which zip together then I put a blanket and a superking sheet on, then we have a thick king size duvet which goes over all of us
More socks than you think you will need
A camping chair for the 2 year old which is the right size or one of those little folding stools, ideally so they can eat at a table. Mins is rubbish at keeping a dish upright on his knee

I’ve done it, much younger than 2 (5 weeks was the earliest, but obviously a different set of challenges to 2) what’s worrying you about it? What kind of tent do you have? Are you using a campsite or wild camping? Uk or aborad? Hiking or biking? Do you have a car?

Wellies
waterproof suit
sunhat
self inflating mat
sleeping bag
absolutely essential: fold up seat with tray like this: https://jackies-kids.uk/products/tinythrone?variant=46737576067414&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gc_id=19822237916&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwyJqzBhBaEiwAWDRJVFvDU4jSqiQm7E4VFh7ncF0Q6oH6cPwF-PeZgeZ8hpClgiICdYXiuBoCSRMQAvD_BwE

It’s brilliant, btw. One of my favourite memories was, when we got to our first campsite, watching my usually shy toddler racing across the field. So many happy memories.

Its a must!
Cooking outside, as mentioned walk before bed time, it can get chilly at night even in the summer.
Let them get grubby / muddy, let them help put the tent up well at least think they are helping.

A bigger tent then you think you'll need. Definitely one you can stand up in.
We like the Go Outdoors brand (Berghaus)... we have an Air 6XL but 4XL might be big enough with just one toddler? (The XL bit is a massive living room. It makes life so much easier!)

And if you don't want to be hated... if they wake early, take them to play away from all the tents . Dont be the oarent encouraging your toddler to ride their balance bike down the hill at 6 30am, squealing with joy.

I would leave it closer to being 4 and stay in a Premier Inn instead, unless you go on the understanding that it won't be restful for you particularly if you haven't got much camping experience.

Camping is great but you need eyes in the back of your head all the time when they are that young another few years and they have less of a death wish.

By all means camp in your back garden or a family members back garden of you haven't got one. That's a nice compromise and you have easy access to facilities if you need them.