Camping with toddlers

[Grunter71]

Wanting to start the odd camping trip again now that our twin boys are nearly 1.

The only issue we haven't sorted out yet is how we will feed them as they sure as hell won't sit in the one spot long enough to be fed, they need to be restrained.

The high chairs we use at home are a bit bulky to cart.

Does anybody have/seen any solutions? I was hoping somebody may produce a collapsible type seat or high chair with restraints to stop them climbing out.

Anyone out there have any ideas?

[stork71]

We bought a 'high chair' that would do the trick from Target or KMart a few years back. It folds in on itself and is fairly compact but hangs off the edge of the table which may be an issue, seeing how most camping tables aren't all that stable.. Suppose with two kids you could balance it up with one at either end!! I'll take a photo over the weekend and PM you

[Gorilla_in_Manila]

Hi Grunter,

I presume they will be travelling in car seats, so just pull them out and strap the little tykes in there.

Either that, or take one of those fold up fabric cots (portable corral), and chuck one in there whilst mum holds the other one and you try spoon the food in.

Good Luck.

Cheers
Jeff

[bonka]

Last Xmas, went camping for two weeks with a 1 year old. Used a portable cot to hold him for a while. Filled it with play stuff etc but in the end, I guess he got a bit bored with that and yelled to play with the other "big boys" running around the place. After a week I think he thought of the play pen as some kind of jail. Not much we can do as at this age they're getting into everything. Sorry for you with two but great fun...wouldn't miss this for quids.

Try a harness and tie one up for a while, it works.

Good luck


Brent

[wardypig]

We did nearly 6 months camping in a camper trailer last year with our kids 2 and 6mths (then) and found it best to give them food that they can carry around with them while they play (and fight!!). For dinner we sat them on our laps and helped them eat and they loved the extra attention they got. Our only real problem was the huge travel involved which saw them become nocturnal for a while and caused us some stressful nights. The main thing with kids, especially at about 1 yr old, is to make sure they each have a special job that is theirs and keep them occupied with small tasks, like collecting kindling, getting the tent pegs etc. If you wear them out enough during the day we found they will generally sit down like "humans" for dinner and just enjoy the company without carrying on like pork chops.

Cheers,
Wardy.

[rick_k]

wait till they get hungry. Ours sits still then, mouth open.

[Alex9797]

Hey Grunter,

when I started taking our boys out on the boat we took one of those plastic swings that lock down in the front ( if ya know what I mean ). We strapped it to the co pilots seat in the boat which kept them out of trouble and restrained and you could use it ashore as a swing or a chair.

Just a thought.

I reckon someone should produce a range of velcro clothing for toddlers. That way you could stick patches around the boat, house , shopping center to attach them to

cheers

Alex

[SCOTTYGC]

we have a folding type one from kmart

it is about 5 diff colors and straps on to a chair

had it for years and works a treat

my boys are now 6,3 and 1

and a bit of a hand full at times , but they sit still when they are hungry enought

[Grunter71]

Thanks for the ideas fellas.

The plastic swing could be a good one to try. When it is not strapped to a chair, it could be suspended from the rocket launcher. That should give them a thrill.

Was in ToyWorld yesterday and saw the plastic chair with the table attached, that is then starpped into a normal chair. Reckon these could be the best solution.

[Alex9797]

What about from the bow sprit.

Alex

[fishscale]

Hi we have a saftey first booster seat chair it is one that straps onto a chair but it also has little legs that fold down when you are using it on the ground they are about $60 from target they are about the size of 1/2 a stuby box they also have a tray on the front and a 3 point harness as well. We have always used ours at home and for camping. Very highly recomended
hope this helps regards kylie

[Grunter71]

Thanks Kylie.

Will have a look at that one.

[major-defect]

We took our 2 from the time they were born.Loved it!So hard to keep entertained at home yet when camping a stick or leaf will keep them occupied for hours.LoL

[ROB80]

DO NOT and I repeat DO NOT let your children roam unattended. I know this sounds like common sense but went camping on the weekend and 1/2 hour after we set up three kids lobbed into our camp site (the oldest 10 youngest 4) and there they attempted to stay all weekend. even asking us to feed them!!! our dogs thought it was great but my wife and I found it damn annoying, never mind dangerous for the kids as we were camped near a creek ( and don't even get me started on what freaks could have picked these kids up). I approached the parents and they couldn't give a shit. Just because you go camping doesn't mean you can let the kids do whatever they please, whilst you get pissed/relax/whatever.

I know no one on this forum would do that but had to get that rant of my chest!!!

[FNQCairns]

Still dreamin sure you didn't set up camp in that familys backyard??, Australia being what is today we have come across a few familys hidden away and living out the back of their cars these last few years.

cheers fnq