Hi, We started camping this year too, and despite the weather, we are also hooked.
The kids found ways to entertain themselves with friends they discovered whilst running around. we also go with friends with little ones the same ages as ours, so makes it a lot easier to get on with pitching.
I like the walkie talkie idea, might go with that one next time we go.
as we have just started, we have slowly over the summer, built up our kit, also this winter the sales have been ace for things like torches, melamine crockery, blankets and picnic rugs etc. I think we have a carfull for next time we go....!
All I can say i that the advice from the people here is priceless.....It's all from people who know what they are talking about because they have been camping for years. the best bit of advice I have had is about the kids beds. I was all ready for forking out on big expensive airbeds, then someone said they will be so tired from being outside all day that they will sleep anywhere.....they did...
Whatever you decide, enjoy it, and welcome to the most useful and addictive forum on the net....
Have either of the kids have a small tape player? I've found I can easily pick up story tapes on e-bay or in charity shops, and is a good way of keeping the kids occupied during the journey and also in the early mornings and on wet days.
For pots and pans, get asda's smart price range. I would say a stove is a must, a bbq is a nice to have. Take drinking chocolate, it's great at bedtime!
This is my first ever post! Have read everyones comments and learnt so much! have taken on the idea of walkie talkies, in fact just ordered some on ebay! I normally got with my 6 year old son and find he soons make friends! pack of cards a must, he loves playing "Donkey" Well happy camping to all this year!
------------- Well that's xmas out the way! Now to the camping!!!!
Hi, all. Cheap disposable plates cut down on the washing up. There are also some very cheap (around £3.00) UFO type LED lights available from various DIY shops and Supermarkets. These are great if your're tight on space in the car!
We also love camping - I grew up with it and it's sooo much better now! We have just changed our Cabanon Frame tent for a Vango Aspen and they are sooo excited especially dd1 aged 7 (she'll be 8 in the summer).
The other two will be 3 and 6 by then and we've been the last two years. It's the only holiday we can afford thankfully!!!
We all go to bed together at 10-10.30pm and after the first full day there we all wake at around 10 the next day which works perfectly for us.
We take drawing things/books and a few toys for rainy days (plenty last year) and wellies. Last summer dd3 was in the throes of potty training so we had a potty too but didn't need one the previous year. I think we'll probably take it this year too though.
Just relax and let them enjoy it and you will too!
Maybe we'll bump into each other at somepoint
------------- Giving a greyhound a home may not change the world, but it will change the world for that greyhound.
Hello! Something that I find useful are those little glow sticks, like the ones used by clubbers. I hang one up in the kids' side of the tent at bedtime as a nightlight. I buy a packet & they take turns choosing the colours. Also, I find our fold up table & bench thingy (c.£20 from Argos) great if you have room for that. It can be pretty difficult getting a 3 year old to eat food sitting on the ground without throwing it all over themselves...
Camping with kids is great fun, hope you enjoy it!
We've been camping for 2 years with our kids 9,7,4 & 2 they all love it. My motto is to "be prepared" as long as they have things to entertain them when dark/wet they are happy. Our older children enjoy meeting new friends and exploring the sites. As long as you choose a family friendly site you should be fine. Most of all, relax and enjoy your on holiday after all.
We have 5 kids, our kids love it, I always make sure there is a childrens playarea on site, I find it helps if we ask to pitch near the playarea so we can sit outside the tent and watch them!!!!
Like someone else has said make sure they have wellies!! especially after the summer we had last year.
Our first camping trip was to a ready setup tent with Canvas in France. Its not cheap, but its a great way of finding out if you like camping without buying any gear whatsover, and the weather is likely to be better so its one less thing to worry about.
Not sure if anything similar is available in the UK?
Last year for the first time we took our own kit and it was great, but it takes a bit more planning on stopovers etc. than just turning up to a Canvas tent.
This year we are taking our own kit again, but daughter (9) voted for a hotel holiday.
Think next year I'd like to do a hotel holiday again - but it would need to be activity based, I think I have grown out of sitting round a pool all day. Maybe win the lottery and go Sunsail??
The other useful advice is to go with another family with similarly aged kids who have done it all before - that way when you arrive on site and realise there is something needed that you forgot all about chances are they will have it with them.
We are doing this with friends of ours this year, and already they say we have given them some tips about things they would never have thought of. They are going Keycamp to try it out before buying the gear, and we are going to the same site with our own stuff and then moving on elsewhere when they come home.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Newbie...and kids!
