Camping with children under 5

[MummaBear03]

What would you consider essential? So far we don't have much. I have a tent and gas cooker and we have sleeping bags and a picnic rug and picnic set complete with utensils and wine glasses. Not sure what else to buy if anything. Haven't been camping since she's been here but would like to now that I have reliable transport and can go places from time to time. Am looking at going away for a weekend in August/September.

[rjsmummy]

I spent 6 days away at Easter - DS was 19 months old. We were with 3 other families with 8 other children ranging in age up to 9yo. The only other things I can suggest are:
* a small plastic bowl to wash dishes and utensils in
* a large plastic box to store food in
* an esky or similar for cooler items (probably not as essential for a weekend away)
* I found a little battery operated plastic lantern which has a hook I could hang from the centre of the tent at night
* a kettle or billy for your morning coffee or tea ;)
* insect spray, mozzie repellent, sunscreen and first aid kit
* a hammer for your pegs
* small dust pan and brush to remove dirt, sand etc from the tent during the trip and prior to re-packing it
* camping chairs for lounging around in
* I took my doona in lieu of a sleeping bag - rather bulky but I had a pod on the roof so had space!
* inflatable mattresses and pump (electric pumps are good :))

I can't wait for the weather to start warming up again so we can do some more camping - it is soooo much fun! Whereabouts are you planning to go?

Any questions, feel free to PM me :)

Just thought of something else.... one of those small round bbq's - the ones we had were used nearly every day either for hot breakfast's or sausages etc at night

[josiesmum]

If i only had to take ONE thing (apart from a tent!! :yes:) it would have to definately be an ERGO Baby Carrier - hands down!!!

You can carry your child on your front, hip or back very very comfortably! It will support children up to 18kgs which is about the equivalent to a 4 year old!! Its got Chiropractic endorsement and won lots of awards.

I have travelled A LOT with my children and it has always been a breeze..... The ERGO range also has a back pack and front pouch that cleverly clip on to the actual carrier to increase teh capacity of what you can carry hands free! Check it out - definately worth it!

It is a totally brilliant design - by a fellow mum (of course) http://**********.com.au/forums/images/smilies/dance.gif!! I was just sharing on another post that i just saw that the Babes in Arms website have 20% of the Indigo ERGOs at the moment.....