What Kids Should Sleep In When Camping

Kids and children sleeping when camping

Question #1 for parents taking kids camping is normally "what should I get for my child to sleep in?", and Kids Camping Store are here to help find the right solution for you, with our "IOU" method:

I - what your child should be IN
O - what your child should be ON
U - what your child should be UNDER

Please remember, this is general guidance as we can't account for the weather conditions of individual camping trips, or the needs of individual children.

Babies (approx up to 1 year): Travel Cot

	WHAT	WHY
IN	Growbag or similar and The babygrow (or similar) that they wear at home, with a thin extra layer (eg a vest-babygrow) if its cold	Your baby will stay cocooned all night, with no cover to kick off and Thin breathable layers that your toddler is used to will give them a familiar and comfortable night's sleep.
ON	Baby Bed suitable for overnight sleep or Camping Travel Cot	Lifted off the cold ground, sides to ensure your baby doesn't roll out, and surrounded by breathable material. Compact when not in use, for easy transportation.
UNDER	Light breathable blanket	Extra layers should be light and breathable

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Toddlers (approx 1-2 years old): AirBed, ReadyBed or SnugglePod

	WHAT	WHY
IN	The pyjamas (or similar) that they wear at home, with a thin extra layer (eg a vest) if its cold.	Thin breathable layers that your toddler is used to will give them a familiar and comfortable night's sleep.
ON	My First ReadyBed or Snuggle Pod	Specialist kids air beds have raised sides so that your toddler stays in bed. or "My First ReadyBeds" & "Snuggle Pods" both have a thin sewn-in top sheet to keep your toddler in bed all night.
UNDER	Kids Sleeping Bag (125cm) or Duvet from home and extra light breathable blankets	Kids sleeping bags are the right size to keep your little one consistently warm throughout their body or Extra layers should be light and breathable, and can be put on once the temperature has dropped.

Kids Camping Store Links:

My First ReadyBeds and Snuggle Pods
Kids Sleeping Bags (125cm)

Kids Camping Store's top tip - foil sheets and foam squares can be added under your toddler's bed to increase insulation from the cold. This is preferable to increasing their layers, which can cause overheating.

Kids Aged 2-6: Kids SIM, Duvalays, AirBeds, ReadyBeds or SnugglePods!

	WHAT	WHY
IN	The pyjamas (or similar) that they wear at home, with a thin extra layer (eg a vest) if its cold.	Thin breathable layers that your toddler is used to will give them a familiar and comfortable night's sleep.
ON	Kids AirBed or Junior ReadyBed or Snuggle Pods or SIMs or Dinky Duvalay	Specialist kids air beds have raised sides so that your child stays in bed or Junior ReadyBeds & SnugglePods are air beds with a thin sewn-in top sheet to keep your child in bed all night. or SIMs are a self-inflating mattress. The structured interior is warmer and more stable than an air bed. or Dinky Duvalay's are a premium mat, as seen (successfully) on the BBC's Dragon's Den, with a matching pillow, pillowcase and duvet on top!
UNDER	Kids Sleeping Bag (165cm) or Duvet from home and extra light breathable blankets	Kids sleeping bags are the right size to keep your little one consistently warm throughout their body or Extra layers should be light and breathable, and can be put on once the temperature has dropped

Kids Camping Store Links:

Kids Camping Store top tip - foil sheets and foam squares can be added under your toddler's bed to increase insulation from the cold. This is preferable to increasing their layers, which can cause overheating.

Kids Aged 4+: as above plus Bunk Beds!

	WHAT	WHY
IN	The pyjamas (or similar) that they wear at home, with a thin extra layer (eg a vest) if its cold.	Thin breathable layers that your toddler is used to will give them a familiar and comfortable night's sleep.
ON	As "Kids Aged 3+ or Bunk Beds	Bunk beds offer a fun and compact way for children to sleep when camping. Children are well clear of the cold ground, and the design of the bunk beds encourages kids to stay in the bed.
UNDER	Kids Sleeping Bag or Duvet from home and extra light breathable blankets	Kids sleeping bags are the right size to keep your little one consistently warm throughout their body or Extra layers should be light and breathable, and can be put on once the temperature has dropped

Kids Camping Store Links:

IMPORTANT NOTE

We hope that the above is of use, but please remember, the above guidance is generic, representing the personal views of Kids Camping Store and the author and editors of this article only. Kids Camping Store can not cater for the weather conditions of individual camping trips, or the needs of individual children. The above guidance is offered as a gesture of goodwill, and represents free advice with no inducement to purchase, and is generated annecdotally from the experience of parents taking kids camping. In no way does advice provided by Kids Camping Store constitute professional, medical or expert advice. Kids Camping Store is not responsible for the safety or comfort of children when camping, and any subsequent impacts thereof.