Tent Recommendation

My advice is, stay in a hotel! LOL

Just kidding, we went camping a few years ago and we bought the biggest tent at Target. It's like the Taj Mahal of tents, it's absolutely huge. Surprisingly it wasn't hard to put up. I forget what brand it was - Coleman or something? I'm sure Target doesn't carry a ton of huge tents; it's probably the only brand there. We had a king sized air mattress, a pack-n-play, and a twin air mattress, along with clothes, shoes, toys, etc. We still had room left over.

After that camping trip, I decided that I would rather enjoy the great outdoors from the indoors, and we gave the tent to our cousins who have a strange affinity for bugs, dirt, and campfire smoke, and they've used the heck out of that tent. It has held up really well. You could probably find a used one on Craigslist or eBay for cheap.

I don't know how "rustic" the place is that you'll be camping at, but we found the Coleman instant hot water machine to be a lifesaver. It runs on propane and will take freezing cold water and make it as hot as you want, on demand. Soooo handy for washing faces, hands, dishes, making coffee, etc. We bought ours used on eBay for $50 or so. (I also brought our French Press to make coffee, along with coarse-ground coffee.)

The other thing I found super helpful was to go to Dream Dinners and pre-make a bunch of dinners. I put them in a cooler with dry ice to keep them frozen until I wanted to make them. It was SO wonderful not to have to try and assemble dinners over a picnic table.

And, bring tons of bug spray, baby wipes, and clorox wipes.

Happy camping!

We are going camping this weekend. I have an almost 4 yr old and a 5 month old. I am borrowing a tent from a friend so we can try it out. I will let you know what kind and how it goes. I do know it is a 2 room though. We are doing the same thing that you are planning. A pack n play and air mattress. Plus, my son will have a mat with a sleeping bag. Coleman is always a good brand. Sports Authority has some nice ones too.

Hi M.,
We camp with our three kids regularly (age 2,4 & 6) and we have an inexpensive, large tent from Target. I wouldn't recommend it. It has poured down rain on us the last three weekends that we have gone up and our tent has not held up well (OK, it is about 4 years old, but still!). If your budget allows, I would go to REI and get a decent one. IF not, try to get one from Craigs list. Believe me, Camping is great, but not nearly as much fun if all your stuff gets wet!
My other tip: bring a broom. Kids have no idea how to keep dirt from getting in a tent. And make sure your air mattress comes with a patch kit. AND, don't stress about the dirt. AND, build the kids a "Fort" on the first day you are there. Playing in and around the "fort" has provided hours of entertainment for our kids while we make dinner, collect firewood, pack up, etc. Have fun!

the best thing we ever bought was the port-a-potty. with little kids its great to have your own potty. nothing like a case of 3am diarrhea and trying to make it to the campground outhouse, or an occupied outhouse when someone really needs to go !! if you decide camping is for you, a port-a-potty is so worth it. we have a huge tent and set it up in a corner. our tent is a three room northface that we got for 75 dollars used from a friend. hit a couple of garage sales and see what you can find.