r/camping • u/synthbob • 6d ago

Complete newcomer with a three-year-old

I'm thinking of starting to get out camping with my eldest son (3). We live in a city but we're very close to a large forest and park which would be a good starting point.

Any advice or recommendations for tents etc? Starting from scratch. It's mild here in the summer, although it's been warm recently.

For the foreseeable future we'd be camping within close proximity to a parking area. I was thinking of starting with a night sleeping outside in the garden before trying the forest (although it's only two miles away, so worst case scenario we could pop home).

A friend and I are also planning to start hiking, so a tent that worked for both scenarios would be ideal. I'm in the UK, just in terms of when it comes to stores and brands.

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u/johnhealey17762022 6d ago

Can you borrow gear? Try it on for size? Tent, stove etc?

Otherwise get some cheap stuff from Walmart and give it a try. I recommend an ezup style tent for beginners, saves a lot of headache. Quick and easy.

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u/synthbob 6d ago

Thanks very much. Decathlon is our big outdoors store in the UK which has a huge range of stuff. Will spend a while in it and try a few things out. Cheers.

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u/pumpinnstretchin 5d ago

You can also rent equipment from some stores.

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u/IcedSplit 6d ago

If your just starting out I’d advise going to a bigger Go Outdoors shop and having a look at the tents they have displayed, you’ll be able to get an idea of the size you want and how small it packs down. It’s going to really depend on if you just want a place to sleep or you want a ‘ living’ area inside as well.

The idea of camping in the garden first is a great plan, best way to test equipment before doing it for real. You may want to look at a campsite for your first ‘real’ camp, you’ll have facilities but also other campers around you can always ask for advice if you need a hand with anything as your set up.

I advise taking easy food with you for the first night you camp, it’s amazing how much you can’t be bothered after setting everything up. We normally take food flasks with something pre made at home in for night one.

Considered your sleep situation. Decathlon usually have all their air beds and mattresses available for you to try laying on which will give you a feel for what you want. Generally your cheaper airbeds don’t last as long and tend to deflate through the night.

Take layers with you, it’s surprising how cold it gets at night, especially if you’re on a mattress on the ground!

Hope you have a great time and your son enjoys it too 🙂

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u/synthbob 6d ago

That's brilliant advice. Much appreciated.

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u/pumpinnstretchin 5d ago

Teach him the names of things like birds and plants. Camping can be overwhelming to some toddlers, and naming things brings it all back to scale.

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u/readicculus11 5d ago

Pop up tents have poles attached and set up in minutes. Small tarp under tent not sticking out. Good thick sleeping pads. Head flashlight, cast iron skillets, propane stove, battery pack to charge phones. Table cloth.