10 tips for camping with kids (part 2)

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two-children-in-a-wheelbarrow
6. Transport
With one baby and one toddler, one of my big questions was how to lug the kids around while we were out and about. The buggy takes up most of our boot space and can be a pain at Glastonbury or other festivals, with the mud and the crowds. We take two Bushbaby backpacks, one like this and a larger one like this, which are more flexible when it comes to rural walks and use up less space in the car. Before we had the car, the buggy was essential for balancing the tent or the cool bag upon; in fact the buggies used to take so much punishment, the axle snapped on one in Cornwall.

7. Which campsite?
I’ve done the full range: festivals, campsites with launderettes and shower rooms and ones with composting toilets and a single cold tap. If you know what to expect then you can plan ahead. Sites with shops mean you can always get snacks and fresh milk, which is convenient, but you may be sacrificing other things like having an open fire. Festivals sell lots of gloopy food and beer but are shy of grocery shops and so you will have to take supplies, at least for baba.
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8. Hygiene
Babies don’t like showers, nor do toddlers. Little babies can be bathed in sinks if there are plugs; otherwise a collapsible bucket filled with warm water and a sponge is your best bet. If you take your toddler into the shower don’t expect it to be a refreshing, relaxing experience. It won’t be for you, your child or any other campers in the shower block. A couple of days without a bath won’t do them any harm.

9. Illness
Always unfortunate in a tent, one holiday resulted in Matthew losing a filling on some Spaghetti Vongole and Alice, then 18 months old getting conjunctivitis. A basic first aid kit along with Calpol, ibuprofen for kids and adults, a light burns kit and insect repellent is a must.
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10. Nappies
I have always worked on needing an average of four per day per child and a few extra on top. Sites vary and some will expect you to take your rubbish home with you; come prepared with nappy sacks and bin liners.


  2 comments for “10 tips for camping with kids (part 2)

  1. Bubbles
    March 2, 2010 at 11:00 pm

    Blow the buggy. We used a sling until the eldest was 4 then bought a 4 wheeled garden cart (the sort you put bags of compost or sand in) It carries all the stuff on to the site and the kids sit in it in the evening, curl up, fall asleep and we tow them back to the tent. It sleeps 2, although ours are lightweights. It’s done 8 festivals now, most of them muddy, and is highly recommended. Get one that steers- much easier on uneven terrain.

  2. July 18, 2015 at 10:51 pm

    super useful – thank you! main concern keeping little one warm at night as he usually hates having a blanket.. think will need a fleece all in one for him.. anyway thanks for this article!

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