In a moment of madness we agreed to take our almost 3 year old grandson away in the caravan for the weekend in order to give Mum & Dad a well earned rest and some much appreciated time alone together
Now dont get me wrong we both adore him and love spending time with him never having taken a little one away with us we are a little anxious as to whether he might be too young for caravanning
Any tips you can offer for a first time trip with a kiddie in tow?
My daughter's first camping trip (under canvas, I might add!) was at 6 weeks old, and she actually took her first steps in a field. 3 is definitely not too young to take your grandson - he (and you) will love it. Don't worry about trying to stick to his usual routine or bed-time - just let him play until he's ready to drop, then he'll sleep like a log until morning, despite the excitement! And a bit of muck won't harm for a couple of days, so just wash the 'important little places' and forget about baths until he's home again!
If you have room to take a play-pen, it will prove invaluable when you are doing those set-up and packing up jobs that need you both ... we didn't have room for a play-pen when Lady P was toddling, so I used to put her harness on (she had a harness and reins - old fashioned, but safe!) and fasten her to a dog-screw! I know it sounds cruel, but it was only ever for a few minutes and meant we could do things like those bits of taking the awning down that NEED two pairs of hands, and hitching up, knowing she was safe and couldn't wander off and get where she shouldn't be.
You could also try giving him jobs to do - if you're putting an awning up, let him pass you the pegs. Take him with you to fetch water - tell him it's 'his' job, but grandma/grandad has to go too in case he can't reach the tap - let him think he's pulling the water-barrel! Make him feel useful and he's less likely to throw a toddler-strop!
Above all, HAVE FUN - there is no better place for a small child than in a field.
They love it! 3 year old loves the top bunk and 2 year old loves the bottom.
Just remember to have colouring books for 'bored' times etc and you will be fine.
Enjoy!
------------- Enjoying caravanning, realising what an expensive hobby it is and spending the family’s inheritance before they can get their hands on it!
My daughter's first camping trip (under canvas, I might add!) was at 6 weeks old, and she actually took her first steps in a field. 3 is definitely not too young to take your grandson - he (and you) will love it. Don't worry about trying to stick to his usual routine or bed-time - just let him play until he's ready to drop, then he'll sleep like a log until morning, despite the excitement! And a bit of muck won't harm for a couple of days, so just wash the 'important little places' and forget about baths until he's home again!
If you have room to take a play-pen, it will prove invaluable when you are doing those set-up and packing up jobs that need you both ... we didn't have room for a play-pen when Lady P was toddling, so I used to put her harness on (she had a harness and reins - old fashioned, but safe!) and fasten her to a dog-screw! I know it sounds cruel, but it was only ever for a few minutes and meant we could do things like those bits of taking the awning down that NEED two pairs of hands, and hitching up, knowing she was safe and couldn't wander off and get where she shouldn't be.
You could also try giving him jobs to do - if you're putting an awning up, let him pass you the pegs. Take him with you to fetch water - tell him it's 'his' job, but grandma/grandad has to go too in case he can't reach the tap - let him think he's pulling the water-barrel! Make him feel useful and he's less likely to throw a toddler-strop!
Above all, HAVE FUN - there is no better place for a small child than in a fi
psml at the image of your little one tethered up. What a fab idea!! would love to do that with mine...........stroppy daughter aged 16 and moody son aged 13...!!
I wish we had started caravanning earlier with my kids. We only started 3 years ago by which time they were far too old (and too cool) to enjoy caravanning!
Thats one of the reasone we started early with our so as they really get in to it. Your never too young!
Isnt the outdoors great!
------------- Enjoying caravanning, realising what an expensive hobby it is and spending the family’s inheritance before they can get their hands on it!
Toddlers love it, My now 2 and a half year old has been going since he was 8 weeks., There is so much for them to see when away, Your grandson will love it,if he has a bike take that aswell as they love riding round the campsite like the big kids do
------------- Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
Toddlers LOVE IT!!! when my son was small we only had a tent but he loved it,we now take my 2 nearly 3 year old nephew and he just has the best time,he loves the van,loves walking around the site hand in hand with me taking the dog for a walk,i ask him to do little things like get the bucket to put the pegs in,he pulls back the blinds all little jobs make him feel as if he is helping,he does get hyper sometimes but its because he is so excited by it all,but the best thing is....he gets so tired he sleeps really well all night.
Our 2 boys came camping with us from the age of 18 months until they were 16 or so and always loved beeing in the Tent now we're taking our nearly 4 year old Grandson with us in May in our new to us van and hopefully he will love it as much as his Dad loved the Tent..
our grandson has been with us from 6 months old and he is now 6 years old,he loves it.we also have other grandchildren that come with us now and then.he now has a full size bed but up to three he used a single seat with a bed rail from mothercare.(£20).buy bottled water for the child.spare cloths are a must because they can get very wet and muddy some days twice,so they should that's what puddles are for.lots of his/her DVDs if its raining.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
We have bought our daughter a waterproof all-in-one for over her clothes and this has proved to be invaluable for the mud and rain which he will undoubtably fall in when on site. Doesn't matter then if he gets dirty its all part of the fun.
we are going with our grandchildren 15, 4 and 19 months and really cant wait, you will be able to put him in his car seat (if the car is next to ur van of course) while u do the 2 people jobs he wont mind if he can see you and you give him a toy to play with or book to look at while he is watching you both. Enjoy him while he is young as you know time flies and befor know it he will be all grown up .
Thanks to all for all your very sensible and much welcome advise and tips,not nearly so daunted now and looking forward to introducing the little man to caravanning and caravanners - both are great ( and of course the tenters too)
your not on your own we are taking our grandson (6mths old) away at easter for first time in van so we are thanks full some one else has same worries as us, lol
Nice to know we are not alone. Silly really as we have him at home all of the time at home. Still, thanks to the advice here we will waiver Mum and Dads time schedules and routines and just relax and have a great time - after all what are Nannies and Grandads for?
You need to be aware of the safety issues like the kettle lead and kettel, step, hot gas heater, cooker knobs. Not to say don't take them, but just keep an eye on them.
Ours had his 1st birthday when we were camping. It is great.
i must say we are so excited to about taking him away as hes our little angel. 1st grandchild and all that, can you tell!! lol. we are taking travel cot so when thigs need doing we can put him in there and know hes safe, he will sleep in his travel nest at night as he does when he comes to stay at our house so there will be no difference in bed time really, but im sure the fresh air and being in the woods at manton farm will do him the world of good, cant wait now 1st trip out this yr in van and with our 1st grandchild what more could you ask for
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: Caravanning with toddlers!!!
