Checklist for camping with children

Camping with a family can a fun way of having a holiday with a lot of fun and the potential for it not to be so expensive. We have been camping a few times with a baby, toddler and child we believe if you are prepared you will be fine. We are camping this coming weekend and the weather forecast does not look good lots of rain. Although there is nothing more refreshing than hearing the sound of the rain against the tent when you are nice and warm inside.

Early mornings

One thing you need to be prepared for when camping with small children EVERYONE WAKES EARLY. Last time we went camping with our toddler she was up at 4:40am as it was so light outside! My tip is to keep them up till its dark to try and get them to sleep longer in the morning. Bring some toys to keep them entertained in the tent so you can have a bit longer in bed.

Be prepared for noise 

Being on a campsite there can be a range of people you may know and some you don't. We have had nights where young people have been drinking and end up running round the site. Not great when you can't sleep as it is. There is also noise from other peoples children/ snoring so maybe invest in some ear plugs.

Safety

Make sure you stay safe, take sun cream being outside for long periods a little sun can burn so be prepared. Warn older children about talking to strangers and discuss a boundary for them to play in. We camp by the woods and my son loves to build dens it can take ages to find him which can be a bit scary at times but it is great fun for him. Some campsites have fires which can still be hot in the morning and if you have toddlers sometimes you need eyes in the back of your head.

Enjoy the time together

With the mix of early starts, forever muddy feet and endless changes of clothes it can be alot of fun. I love to sit round a campfire and enjoy being under the stars not having much planned. Spending lots of time out doors is a great way to wear the kids out and make plenty of fun memories. 

What you need

• Tent - need this if its going to rain
• Sleeping bags, blankets, travel cot
• Blow up mattress - much more comfortable than the floor! 
• Food and little stove
• baby food and milk, bottles, milton, bowls, spoons
• Clothes, Plenty of pairs as will get mucky knees
• Nappies oh year must not forget these bad boys!
• Toys for kids and water gun - for extra sleep in the morning in the tent
• Toiletries
• pushchair/ sling for transport 
• Sun cream and hats, you never know what the weather will do this weekend
• Children must not leave them at home
• Safety stuff, calpol, Plasters Sun cream

Camping with a children - Checklist

Camping with a family can a fun way of having a holiday with alot of fun and the potential for it not to be so expensive. We have been camping a few times with a baby, toddler and child we believe if you are prepared you will be fine. We are camping this coming weekend and the weather forecast does not look good lots of rain. Although there is nothing more refreshing than hearing the sound of the rain against the tent when you are nice and warm inside.

Early mornings

One thing you need to be prepared for when camping with small children EVERYONE WAKES EARLY. Last time we went camping with our toddler she was up at 4:40am as it was so light outside! My tip is to keep them up till its dark to try and get them to sleep longer in the morning. Bring some toys to keep them entertained in the tent so you can have a bit longer in bed.

Be prepared for noise 

Being on a campsite there can be a range of people you may know and some you don't. We have had nights where young people have been drinking and end up running round the site. Not great when you can't sleep as it is. There is also noise from other peoples children/ snoring so maybe invest in some ear plugs.

Safety

Make sure you stay safe, take sun cream being outside for long periods a little sun can burn so be prepared. Warn older children about talking to strangers and discuss a boundary for them to play in. We camp by the woods and my son loves to build dens it can take ages to find him which can be a bit scary at times but it is great fun for him. Some campsites have fires which can still be hot in the morning and if you have toddlers sometimes you need eyes in the back of your head.

Enjoy the time together

With the mix of early starts, forever muddy feet and endless changes of clothes it can be alot of fun. I love to sit round a campfire and enjoy being under the stars not having much planned. Spending lots of time out doors is a great way to wear the kids out and make plenty of fun memories. 

What you need

• Tent - need this if its going to rain
• Sleeping bags, blankets, travel cot
• Blow up mattress - much more comfortable than the floor! 
• Food and little stove
• baby food and milk, bottles, milton, bowls, spoons
• Clothes, Plenty of pairs as will get mucky knees
• Nappies oh year must not forget these bad boys!
• Toys for kids and water gun - for extra sleep in the morning in the tent
• Toiletries
• pushchair/ sling for transport 
• Sun cream and hats, you never know what the weather will do this weekend
• Children must not leave them at home
• Safety stuff, calpol, Plasters Sun cream

Camping with a baby and a toddler!! Am I Crazy?

So this weekend we are going camping at a festival called big church day out, Little Bear is 6 months Ami is 21 months oh and Asti who is 7. I don't know if I am mad or an adventurer. Its only for two nights and the forecast is rain but hey ho better than being at home on my own whilst my husband is away. So here I am thinking is this a good idea? See I am very much an adventurer and like to go with the flow of things, do things then think about what it will mean later. I try to think about it but I don't know, I don't know what I am doing most the time! I need to get my head around what to take, how much is too much. I always under pack! Its just for two nights.

I know Pants will be fine he will explore but its the tantruming toddler and a busy husband. I think she will be on the move alot no chance of sitting still for the weekend. My husband is busy volunteering at the event along with some of our friends so may get a bit of rest sometimes. Look out for a post next week from either a stressed out mum or a happy after a little break mum!

Here is list of stuff I am taking please help me!

• air beds (dont want to sleep on the gound)
• Clothes X 1 million due to being outside bound to get dirty 
• Nappies size 3 + 5 (Deffo need these)
• Food ( nothing worse than hungry children)
• blankets (lots of them) 
• Milk 
• Toys and balls ( stuff to keep kids entertained when they wake at sunlight!) 
• Reigns (dont want to loose toddler)
• Sling/ Wrap ( same as above)
• pushchair (although unsure how much I want to drag a double pushchair around with me)
• Rain clothes (foretasted rain some days) 
• wash stuff (to try and stay clean) 

So my little list let me know if there is anything you think I need? Maybe a holiday somewhere hot? That would be nice! 

Camping weekend 2 of 2

So our weekends of Camping have come to an end! No more deflating airbeds for some time! Pants really enjoyed himself and so did Ami! We stayed an extra night as Pants had a teachers training day so another night in the fresh air! The weather turned out to be very nice so was lovely to wake up to sunshine and the sound of the sea!

Pants enjoyed the fires and creating an Olympic torch out of wood, he also in his clubs made a cake out of orange skin! Him and Ami also went for a quick swim although the water was freezing! My husband was a bit mroe busy this weekend so I was entertaining Ami trying to stop her causing mischief or crawling out of the tent! We didnt see much of Pants he was gone!

The weekend was finished by some baptisms in the sea! although he tide was right out was still amazing!
Heres a highlight video my husband made of the Saturday and Friday take a look, see if you can spot Ami and Pants!

Glo Weekender 2013 Highlights from global generation church on Vimeo.

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Camping Weekend week 1 of 2

So there we are were back from the first weekend of Camping! We were at Kingsdown Camping ground in Deal,  we fared well bearing in mind there was string winds and rain! boo! Our Tent didnt blow away and stay dry so thats a bit of good news, Some peoples did in the night rough stuff! I would have demanded to go home I think I was very close one day, there is only so much being cold one can take! We went along to serve New Generation church who were holding there weekender that weekend! This involved us prepping meals that were being made and generally helping when we could with two children!

Fortuantly my husband had gone beforehand to set the tent up so all we had to do is get there! and not forget anything important like some towels, pillows or a travel cot (because they are important mental note dont forget these things next weekend!!!!) We got there and Pants was of we didnt see him for ages I did see him climbing a tree and playing football! I got Ami sorted and prepared to decide how to sort stuff out for Ami dinner milk etc! Me and my husband sorted times where we could both serve so that Ami and Pants would be looked after!

So after helping with the evening meals and sorting later food out we settled to bed! Pants was fast asleep and Ami was asleep in her pushchair cot bit (big mistake for bigger baby) It was so so cold and windy I couldnt settle to sleep! very annoying then Ami woke about 3 in the morning and was trying to climb out of the pushchair! oh dear! she settled an hour later on the airbed with me! then woke at 5:30! oh dear! My husband got up with her he is so good! The Saturday was windy and rainy I was so so cold just wanted to
go home and sit in the bath for hours just to remember what to be warm was like! Finally in the after noon the sun broke through and it seemed a bit warmer!

That night we had borrowed a travel cot and Ami slept in and even had a little lie in! Was a busy weekend also great to see people really getting stuck in to what god was doing! The kids loved it too, Amis favorite game to crawl in and out of the marquee! We look forward to this weekend when its our church's weekend! going to be good were not on team so its a bit more chilled out! Hopefully better weather just need to remember to take the right stuff this weekend! Heres some photos I took when i remembered!

Camping With a baby and friends!

This weekend and the following we are off Camping! as per usual for any trip i am unprepared, wanted to get a pop up travel cot but never got round to it! One day we may go proper camping were we will need a stove and wont have electric!

So essentials I have taken!

• Tent ( must not forget that, dont want to sleep under the stars!)
• Sleeping bags (for extra warmth) 
• Blow up matress (was so good last year best sleep I had at 35 weeks pregnant!) 
• Food (ok basically crisps and chocolate, we dont own a camping stove!)
• baby food and milk, bottles, milton, bowls, spoons
• Clothes, Plenty of pairs as will get mucky knees both children
• Nappies oh year must not forget these bad boys!
• Toys for kids and water gun (for extra sleep in the morning in the tent) 
• Toiletries ( must get round to pack these!) 
• push chair ( using this as a pod for Ami to sleep in) 
• Sun cream and hats, you never know what the weather will do this weekend!
• Children must not leave them at home!
• Safety stuff, calpol, Plasters Sun cream

Fortuantly My husband got there last night the tent is up and all i have to do is take food, clothes and kids! We love these two weekends they are the high lights of our year! Our church and New gen church in Sidcup go camping as a huge church family! The weekend is followed by baptisms in the sea good fun! First is New Gen weekend so were going to help out however we can! Looking forward to catching up with friends, listening to the sea at night listening to some awesome teaching! Pants loves It for him its fire, fresh air, climbing and football! Lets hope the weather holds out and Ami sleeps well! 

Heres some photos of last years Weekenders! 

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