Hi
This will be our first year camping. We have 3 kids, 7,5 and 2. I was just wondering of anyone has advice on how to put up a tent without losing a toddler.
Thanks
I used to keep my toddlers strapped into the car-seat if I was on my own camping with them, if there were two of us then one would entertain the kiddies whilst the other erected the tent yelling to kiddie watcher to hold/pin-in/peg-out the odd pole or flap. Admittedly I have been camping for many years and see that this is your first year of camping (YAY!! hope you love it!!) so I would suggest bribing the 7 and 5yr old with whatever it takes so that they entertain the toddler whilst he/she is strapped into the car seat......the other benefit of this is that if they are all in the car, they might not hear the way mummy and daddy are yelling and swearing at each other whilst putting up the tent
How do you put up a tent with a toddler....Easy you use him/her as a peg mallet!!!! should be fast asleep by the third peg....
Seriously...I would get them All involved in pitching the tent...The wee one could be in charge of some simple element of this..Holding the mallet for mum/dad...fetching/carrying something light..If she/he understands the concept of help..Other than that its do it in shifts with one of you looking after the kids, one getting the tent done.Childminder nipping over when two sets of hands are needed...And BTW Don't be surprised If the other two do a runner as soon as you get to your pitch...The excitement of arrival (especially on your 1st ever trip) will probably mean them off exploring as soon as the car door opens. leaving mum and dad to the boring stuff.
I still smile when I think of when mine were young..All the plans of who would do what when we reached the site went right out the window as soon as they got out the car..Off they would head, 4 directions at once with their mum trying to round them up...
Above all don't stress about any of the pitching process(including what to do with the toddler)See it all as part of the holiday..Its not like your going anywhere for the 1st 1-2 hrs anyway,and you have the rest of your holiday to enjoy..
Good luck on your 1st trip...and here's to many more in the future....
Jelboy.
------------- Campers of the storm,Into this world are born
I find mine always seem to be hungry as soon as we reach the site and start demanding food while I am trying to pitch tent. A picnic in the car (prepared in advance at home) keeps them quiet while I pitch. It's also one time I resort to the in car DVD player. I do agree with Jelboy in theory, and try to get them involved in pitching, but in practice it rarely holds their attention long enough!
Leave them in the car or put a lead on their reigns and attach them to a peg or pole - sounds strange but they are secure and still have the ability to roam. Ensure the child is in view at all times in case of strangulation! You could also strap him into the push chair or put up the travel cot first as a play pen. We've done all of the above!
Our theory changed from trip to trip, but we bought cheapy pound shop mallets and let our twin toddlers hammer pegs, only to loose said pegs, now bought cheapy pound shop pegs! No matter what you do, bribe, beg, feed, pin down ........ just accept its going to take you longer than not having little ones around!
------------- April-Norfolk 7nts, Oxford 2nts, Defford 2nts
May-Symm Yat 3nts
June-Defford 2 nts,Pembridge 2nts
July-Tabacconist 2nts, France 19nts
Aug -Bosworth 2nts, Winchcombe 3nts
Oct -costwolds 6nts
Pitch close to the play area and the 2 older ones can go play while you get the tent up. Thats what we do. The 2 year old could watch a dvd in the car? Although in my experience they just dont want to stay in the car when you get there so maybe get the little one involved somehow while you do the main bit that takes 2, then i used to take mine on the park while dh pegged down etc. when he finished he would take over while i did the equiptment.
Hi and welcome to the forum
Ive seen a rather clever way to keep very young kids occupied for the first hour or so of a trip.
A family turned up with i would guess kids about the same age as yours and the first thing they did was put up a very cheap pop up tent and put in a duvet some tupperware boxes of butties and non spill drinks then put the two younger kids in the tent and left them to it
The older one was encouraged to keep an eye on them as well as help with the family tent making him feel important and useful.
As soon as the main tent was up enough to be safe all the kids were invited inside and there was minor chaos as the whole family pitched in doing the finishing touches. During this time the youngest never ventured outside as she was never alone due to the constant comings and goings.
I spoke to the parents later that day and they told me that the pop up had been used a few times as a treat to picnic in while still at home and this helped keep the younger ones happy as to them this wasnt so different to being at home
Quote: Originally posted by cathyh on 20/2/2012
I find mine always seem to be hungry as soon as we reach the site and start demanding food while I am trying to pitch tent. A picnic in the car (prepared in advance at home) keeps them quiet while I pitch. It's also one time I resort to the in car DVD player. I do agree with Jelboy in theory, and try to get them involved in pitching, but in practice it rarely holds their attention long enough!
This is what a single dad did with his 3 of about the same age. He arrived just before me and was pegging out, helped by the oldest one. I loaned my electric pump for speed and within a short time youngest was asleep in bed.
------------- Mavis
It is easier to smile than frown so share a smile every day
i have camped with my 5 year old grandson from a newborn with my oh to help out.but the last 2 years we have gone camping boys only and what i do is make him feel important by giving him the peg bag so he can hand me the pegs as i need them.then once the tent is up he gets a treat works every time for me.
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Topic: How do you put up a tent with a toddler?
