Has anyone any handy hints or tips. As a pair of die hard campers we stupid;y haven't been camping since the birth of our daughter who is now 2 and a half!!!
I know, shame on us, but we are going next weekend. Have bought her a junior airbed and one of those sleeping bags with pillows attached, but I was wondering if anyone has anything they would like to share that worked for them?
When we took ours a little younger than that we found plenty of warm clothes as she loved to just run around come whatever weather! She also loved a little camping chair, think hers is a panda one and our other daughter 15 months has a pink pig one. We overdid the toys first couple of trips and realised she didn't play with them, however she loved pushing her doll in the pushchair everywhere which kept her entertained and her colouring things. She had a readybed but still insisted on joining us - ok with the 1 child but now both daughters try and squeeze in - 2 adults, 4yr old and 15 month old all in 1 bed - no it doesn't work;)
One handy hint I was given when we took our 3 month old last year was a layer under is same as a layer over, so a blanket either under airbed or under sleeping bag instead or as well as over the top might be useful. Though saying that ours sleep in jamas and their bags, 1 blanket and we usually find them out of the covers and still warm. If I think of anything else or you want to ask anything don't hesitate xxx
I camped with my daughter until she was 3 - she slept like a log, even at this time of year when it's light by 4am! She played all day (very rarely had a nap), and had late bedtimes (I never bothered with 'bedtime' when camping - she went when she dropped!) and there was never a problem.
We use something like these (waterproof dungaree) for the little ones if the weathers a bit naff. Also helps when there is a lot of dew on the ground in the morning so they can go toddling around and we dont end up with endless amounts of wet and dirty clothes.
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Outwell Wolf Lake 7
Outwell Greycliff 7ATC
upcoming camping trips:
Henlow Lakes May 18
Somewhere over the rainbow June 18
Henlow Lakes July 18
Hele Valley Devon Aug 18
Ross on Wye Aug 18
There are quite a few other threads on this topic, worth a search.
Re sleeping and light, we never have had a problem with it, but then we've never been fussy about dark and sleeping at home, they aren't bothered about closing curtains and so are used to the light anyway.
Waterproof dungarees are good, we use those from Muddypuddles, which are very good. Note though they are sized large. Their Souwester hats are good for kids who don't like hoods, and are very cute :-)
Don't take loads aof toys, they won't play with them - a few little things to play with maybe, but mostly ours like colouring and crafting as a quiet activity -we ahve a small box with crafty stuff in.. Ours have alweays liked something to ride - scooter, or at 2-4 ours loved one of those scoot along bikes. Or as suggested something to push around. A ball, a kite etc. is popular as well.
Bedtimes, we just tend to go witht he flow for the first 2-3 nights, after that we tend to get them into bed a bit earlier as they start to flag and get crotechy otherwise
We took a one year old and a two year old this weekend. My thoughts/suggestions are the following
Reading books, Colouring books, Puddlesuits ( a god send!!), small camping chair, Favorite snacks, Nice snuggly sleeping bag (we bought baby Vango Diablo nitestar), and last but not least a portable DVD player. This is superb for entertaining when they get a bit tired or if you are doing the barbecue or washing pots etc.
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: Camping with a toddler.
