Anyone took their toddler camping?

[liz1985]

Me and OH are thinking of going camping at the end of June, it's a bit of a spur of the moment thing. We've never taken LO before, I've never camped, except with brownies, all though OH used to go several times a year. Am I crazy for taking LO at this age? ( almost 18 months) and tips or advice from experienced campers would be greatly appreciated!

 

[louandivy]

Yes we have gone quite a few times now, kids love camping my LO talks about it all the time bring fold out chairs as kids get up early when the grass is still wet, bring loads of sleeping bags and even a duvet as even on hot days it gets surprisingly cold at night, you can also get great little toddler blow up beds which makes a big difference! One thing we learned is not to try and get our LO to go to bed at her normal time when we camp, it's pretty much impossible and is just very frustrating! Instead we usually wrap her up warm and let her fall asleep cuddling one of us later on then put her down. You're not crazy - we first camped at a festival when ivy was one and she had a great time, such a fun experience for kids!

 

[seoj]

Depends on the type of camping-- as a kid, I grew up "roughing" it in the woods with my family when we camped- literally... no bathrooms/showers (had to make our own! lol)-- and honestly, I loved it! We camped a lot when we traveled to visit family out of state too- as we couldn't afford to fly us all across country- so yea, my bother and I even slept in fold out platforms with mats that my Dad built into the back of our pickup truck cabin. haha. Hey- we had fun!!!

But now, I would never do that. I like having a comfy bed too much But a KOA camp cabin- with beds/bathroom would be fun. We've done that when I was prego- so I guess technically LO was there- HAHA- but haven't gone since she was born. I would do that with LO though- I'm sure she would LOVE it. Maybe we can find the time this summer too

 

[smokey]

If it was caravan camping then yes I would (god help the poor caravan neighbors though)
If it was tent camping then not a hope in hell am I that brave yet

 

[liz1985]

It's tent camping. The site were looking at is very well equipped though, with good facilities. If we survive this might try I bit more 'roughing it' camping later on. Hubby really has his heart set now so think we're going! I'm sure it will be an experience however it turns out lol.

 

[louandivy]

Roughing it is surprisingly easy if your toddler is pretty go with the flow, you'd be surprised! Also if you are planning on doing lots of camping in the future it's def worth looking into getting a bell tent, they are really cosy and don't get too hot in the sun so you can sit in it in the middle of the day. I love mine so much and have a candle chandelier so we can do cosy cuddles and bedtime stories as well have fun!

 

[sun]

Oh yes kids LOVE camping!!!! My only suggestion: bring compostable diapers and not cloth LOL!

 

[seoj]

It's tent camping. The site were looking at is very well equipped though, with good facilities. If we survive this might try I bit more 'roughing it' camping later on. Hubby really has his heart set now so think we're going! I'm sure it will be an experience however it turns out lol.

Yes- please advise how it goes You are brave to do tent camping- but I only say that cuase I'M the picky one- haha. I HAVE to have a bathroom close- and I have too many aches and pains to sleep in a tent- But I'm sure it will be good-- I text my hubby mentioning we should go to another KOA this summer (camp in a cabin- they have all the amenities) and he says "IDK- that seems a bit tough with our LO."- geesh? Now I feel like the more adventurous one! haha. I'll have to convince him- even just one night at the coast would be so fun!!!

ENJOY!

 

[sunflower07]

My little one loved tent camping when we first took her (18 months). She did wake at the crack of dawn though so I took a laptop and couple of DVDs (strictly for use for an hour in the morning only), just so we could stay in bed until at least 6.30am!

 

[Aphrodite]

We took ds1 when he was7months old then 9months, then 21 months and by this time we had ds2 who was 8 weeks old! Ds1 LOVES camping and as u can see so do we. I would just go with the flow, again dont worrh too much about bedtimes etc but mzybe do some of their routine like stories and singing at bedtime. Washing them can be a bit difficult, havent worked that1out yet! They just love the space and the fresh air and they usually sleep well as a result. It was hard work with 2 bht fun, we still cherish the memories. Have a great time!

 

[louandivy]

We took ds1 when he was7months old then 9months, then 21 months and by this time we had ds2 who was 8 weeks old! Ds1 LOVES camping and as u can see so do we. I would just go with the flow, again dont worrh too much about bedtimes etc but mzybe do some of their routine like stories and singing at bedtime. Washing them can be a bit difficult, havent worked that1out yet! They just love the space and the fresh air and they usually sleep well as a result. It was hard work with 2 bht fun, we still cherish the memories. Have a great time!

Our trick is that we just don't Although you can find campsites with good showering facilities but I prefer more 'rustic' sites!

Me and OH are such camping nerds, hes a teacher and has the whole summer off so our plan is just to go camping whenever the weather is good. I'M SO EXCITED! Ahhhhhhh I wish I could just live in a tent in a forest.

 

[Gc85]

We are going camping this summer for 2 weeks, we went last year and have done a few weekend trips in between. LO loves it especially now she's mobile!! She has such a great time being in the fresh air and sleeps really well! You will be fine on a well equipped site you will have a ball! Here's a few tips that I've learnt from the times we've been

- Invest in a sleeping bag with detachable sleeves for LO I got mine here https://www.thedreambag.co.uk/. This way you can leave the sleeves off if its warm or put the on later on when it cools down. I just dress LO in normal vest, pjs and then this sleeping bag and then layer over blankets if it gets really cold. The fancy proper camping sleeping bags for LO's are rubbish they are mummy style and my LO sleeps on her tummy and it almost smothered her

- we take an inflatable or folding bath https://www.amazon.co.uk/Real-Cool-World-Flexibath-Green/dp/B003AVMC84 so we can bath LO in the tent. Some sites like the one we've booked for this summer has family bathrooms with a proper bath

- the old faithful ikea high chair comes with us cause LO won't sit still in her little camping chair to eat. The legs come off so its easy to squeeze in the car. Also its a safe place to put LO with a snack or something while we get the tent ready etc. we started off taking her bumbo but that meant she had to sit on the floor while we were at the table when we ate, not great.

- if you can afford it I'd highly recommended getting an electric cool box and getting electric hookup on your pitch (not normally much more expensive per night) Then you can use your cool box as a fridge and keep milk etc. we also take a little halogen heater which we put on when getting LO bathed/changed for bed if its chilly and you can charge phones etc

- if your buying a tent defo get one with separate sleeping and living spaces, there's nothing worse than being cramped in. Our tent has a small living space and 2 sleeping pods and is more that comfortable for the 3 of us to spend 2 weeks without being on top of each other.

- wellies if your LO is walking cause as pp said grass is always dewy and wet in the mornings. Plus lots of changes of clothes and things you can layer up if its gets chilly.

- Don't forget though most place having washers/dryers, I always take some washing gel in a little travel bottle so I can do a wash mid week if needs be.

- my LO sleeps on one of these to stop her falling out https://www.google.co.uk/shopping/p...a=X&ei=6Su6UdqDK7T70gWhuoD4BA&ved=0CFUQ8wIwAQ

Sorry for the essay...I love camping!! HTH x

 

[liz1985]

Thank you everyone for all your tips. I'm actually really looking forward to it now, we just booked the site a few hours ago . LO is a fairly chilled out child so I think he'll be fine with the compleat change in routine. My mil has the ikea high chair, going to see if I can borrow, I'd not thought of that.

Thanks girls x