Posted on 12 Mar 2013
Given how early Easter is this year, it is likely to be cold. So layers and more layers is vital. A travel cot for the 1 year old is probably the best bet. When our daughter was a baby we had a sheepskin rug from IKEA to go on top of the mattress for insulation with a sheet over that. Then dressed her in a vest, babygro, all-in-one fleece suit with feet (Trespass do a good one with a hood which is great and feet and hands which fold back so they can have their feet/hands covered or not). Alternatively, Primark and Mothercare do them too. We then covered her with plenty of blankets as the temperature required.
Now she is a toddler, our daughter has an all in one with pyjamas and a vest underneath and a hat if it is particularly cold. She usually ends up in bed with us (we have a 6 foot wide airbed) under our duvet. However, we bring a single airbed and duvet for her - you can get beds with raised sides which are good for toddlers. If you use airbeds, always remember to have a layer of insulation under the airbed or under you, as the air in the bed provides no insulation from the cold ground. We usually put a blanket under the sheet covering the airbed, but some people use those thin aluminium blankets under the airbed itself. Whatever works for you.
Bring a monitor if you can find one which takes batteries in both units (the BT150 used to but has been discontinued though they are still available on Ebay). This way, you can sit round the campfire or outside the tent in the evenings and still hear the children if they wake. Gives you a bit of freedom so you don't have to stay in the tent with them.
You will probably find they take a while to settle the first night, but the fresh air knocks them for six after that.
Take loads of changes of clothes and plenty of waterproofs and that should cover you for all weathers.
Hope it goes brilliantly. Camping with kids is fab and they have a ball.
