taking a 8 year old on tour. .
wirral wonderer
Posts: 14
Hi all
I'm new to this site and to touring, i'm glad I found this site so helpful.
I'm planning on taking my 8 year old daughter, on a short camping weekend tour of Wales, during the summer.
Problem is i'm stuck as what to take, as there be two of us, how many tops and what kind of jackets etc. .
Obviously I have 2 sleeping bag's tent and cooking equipment, after that I stuck as what to take.
I'm borrowing a tent for the trip it's a 3 berth vango halo,(will this be to big )
Look forward to your input
Thanks in advance.
I'm new to this site and to touring, i'm glad I found this site so helpful.
I'm planning on taking my 8 year old daughter, on a short camping weekend tour of Wales, during the summer.
Problem is i'm stuck as what to take, as there be two of us, how many tops and what kind of jackets etc. .
Obviously I have 2 sleeping bag's tent and cooking equipment, after that I stuck as what to take.
I'm borrowing a tent for the trip it's a 3 berth vango halo,(will this be to big )
Look forward to your input
Thanks in advance.
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Comments
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At age 8, you wont want her carrying any significant amount of the luggage, so you really need to pair things down to an absolute minimum and choose things that are light and pack up small.
Personally, I would prefer a tent like this: http://www.decathlon.co.uk/quickhiker-u ... 45650.html Packs up a third smaller and weighs half the weight of the Vango. the Vango is not bad as they go if you have no choice though.
I would get sleeping bags which pack up really small too - this can save a HUGE amount of space. If taking some type of mat to sleep on, I would go for ones which are only 3/4 length as your legs dont need to be on a mat and they are much smaller again. Not sure you will have room for luxuries like mats though.
Take as few clothes as possible - I would have two sets in case one gets wet but other than that just wear the same thing every day and be prepared to smell a bit (apart from underwear - need to change this!).
Personally, with what you have planned and on the basis you will be carrying most of the kit for both of you, I would ditch the cooking gear and buy food. If you want the smallest/lightest though, a hexamine cooker inside a pair or rectangle mess tins would be my choice. The mess tins will do for cooking and serving. If carrying food, empty stuff out of tins into zip lock bags and put them all in a single tupperware container, or use the dehydrated/pouch type stuff. I would probably just buy food locally though.0 -
Oh - and make sure to take good locks, which will be heavy and take space - you will be locking your bikes up outdoors somewhere overnight though so they need to be secure...0
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How good is her cycling? What's her maximum distance so far? How is she on hills? What's her bike? Are you expecting her to carry any kit? Are you carrying all kit? Panniers front and rear? Small trailer?
Lots of questions. My daughter once did 27 miles when she was 8 (nearly nine). It was flat and bribed her with fish&chips at the end of the ride. I'd suggest getting all the kit you are expecting to take. Load up bikes as you intend. Then do a 20 minute journey out, 20 minutes back with the daughter and see how you get on. No point planning until you know what's possible and realistic. 8 year olds tend not to want to carry ANYTHING!Sometimes. Maybe. Possibly.
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hi
Thanks for your quick replies,
I was thinkin of buyin food,( but breakfast and nightime may want hot chocolate or bite to eat),as it's only a short break or pick up a throw away BBQ, when we get to where we'll be camping.
I thinking of 4 panniers as I be carrying for 2 unless I could just get away with 2 rear's.
Clothing was takin minimum for myself extra for my daughter as she probably end upgettin filthy kids haha.
Her cycling ok, lucky were we live plenty of safe places to ride. .
We can get a train and cycle over to Wales via a newly open cycle route from Ness to Deeside, most of what I planning is flat, riding along the sustains routes to Denbigh .
Most she has rode is 13 mile's, but I have up grade her bike to a ridgeback dimension 7 gears. from her hello kitty bike.0 -
P.S thanks for the link
Smart tent that looks ideal, I may invest for future tours, just see how my daughter take to this, I was goin down the YHA aveunue, but like the idea of campsite and the freedom0 -
For breakfast, I would be tempted to take a couple of these: http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/beyond-t ... t-E2412011
No need for cooking kit and eat straight from the pouch - takes up little space and is very light and no washing up to do.0 -
Wow how cool are they who'd of thought eh,0
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I think I would rather do YHA/B&B until she is old enough to carry some of the gear, especially if you havent done much touring yourself before. Rather than make such a big leap in one go. Remember, if she hates it she will never go again.0
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The thing I'd struggle with is keeping the morale up, keep the children going (when the weather gets bad) and getting them restarted once you've stopped somewhere.
Lots of bribes. If you could sell it to her as a sightseeing tour, taking in ... (plan some sites, Macdonalds, extended beach stop). I'm not sure how many hours of the day you'd be in the saddle, your daughter wont be very good at knowing when she's tired. That may leave you alot of the day when you're not cycling.0 -
wirral wonderer wrote:Wow how cool are they who'd of thought eh,
Not cheap - but if just going for a few days and it means you dont have to take cooking gear, well worth it IMO. The breakfast ones are pretty good too. Some of the main meals are a bit rank but some like curry/pasta are fine.0 -
What a great adventure to tell her friends in school, who will probably spend the summer on their video games...
Make sure you go somewhere with no internet signal!left the forum March 20230 -
Thanks all
Thinkin the YHA 1st so least we have somewhere cozy if the day's been a bad ride.
The route hopin to take is low not hilly scenic and if go onto the costal road a beach stop thrown in for good measure.
If pass Talacre there's the arcades for a stopping point0 -
Or electric point , one of the reason wanted just to go camping go to a plain old , no frill's camp site,ugo.santalucia wrote:What a great adventure to tell her friends in school, who will probably spend the summer on their video games...
Make sure you go somewhere with no internet signal!
but may be to much, after riding during of the day, so comfort in YHA or b & b ,1 st trip see how it goes.
Then go bit more adventurist.0 -
Hi all
Here's a break down of what i'm planning to take for a 3 day tour. .
Me - 1 Merino top
cycling shorts x2
underwear x 3
1 pair zip off trousers
1 off the bike shirt
rain jacket and fleece
shoes x 2 bike and off bike
Daughter
Cycling tops x 2 } muddy fox from sportsdirect
cycling shorts x 2} as above (never been tested but the price was right hope the comfort is)
underwear
off bike clothing x 3
rain jacket and fleece} mountain warehouse good reviews
shoes x 2 cycling shoes regatta approach waterproof shoes normal trainer's
sleeping bags 1 each, no cookin equipment or tent as goin the YHA route, toiletries small bag first aid kit .
Is there anything else I have missed out on?0 -
are your cycling shoes SPD or road? I use SPD and as well as proper cycling shoes also have some 'bike & hike' shes which I would use for this to save having to take normal shoes aswell. Does daughter really need normal trainers too?
Might want to add some cycling tights for daughter (and you?) or just some leggings she can wear over the cycling shorts if its cold/wet on the bike.
Definately add jelly babies and some other snacks!
Sounds pretty good though.0 -
apreading wrote:are your cycling shoes SPD or road? I use SPD and as well as proper cycling shoes also have some 'bike & hike' shes which I would use for this to save having to take normal shoes aswell. Does daughter really need normal trainers too?
Might want to add some cycling tights for daughter (and you?) or just some leggings she can wear over the cycling shorts if its cold/wet on the bike.
definitely add jelly babies and some other snacks!
Sounds pretty good though.
Hiapreading wrote:are your cycling shoes SPD or road? I use SPD and as well as proper cycling shoes also have some 'bike & hike' shes which I would use for this to save having to take normal shoes aswell. Does daughter really need normal trainers too?
Might want to add some cycling tights for daughter (and you?) or just some leggings she can wear over the cycling shorts if its cold/wet on the bike.
definitely add jelly babies and some other snacks!
Sounds pretty good though.
I have accidently reported this post sorry,by hittin the wrong button,
We'll both be wearing approach shoes for on and off the bike, jelly maybe the answer I was only takin them as spares if get wet.
Thanks for the reply and sorry for my mistake, of reporting0 -
I would camp - my experience is kids tend to be less enthusiastic about camping the older they get so make the most of it while they are young. Of my three only my 14 year old daughter will even entertain camping now, her twin bro wont, their older sister will probably never come on holiday with us again !
Sounds like a great adventure, go for it, the opportunities for these things pass too quickly.[Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]0 -
DeVlaeminck wrote:I would camp - my experience is kids tend to be less enthusiastic about camping the older they get so make the most of it while they are young. Of my three only my 14 year old daughter will even entertain camping now, her twin bro wont, their older sister will probably never come on holiday with us again !
Sounds like a great adventure, go for it, the opportunities for these things pass too quickly.
Good call
That was my idea so we ,can have quality time before she grow's up,
Pretty lucky were we live as the train links are good and we have Wales on our doorstep,
I'd like her to get active, we have loads of lovely spot's in our country to enjoy ,I just showing her the tip of the iceberg, give my daughter a little insight of the possibilitie's there is. . .
I'm always flicking through STEPHEN LORD'S ADVENTURE TOURING BOOK,which she has noticed0 -
I also think you should go camping. Kids these days don't have enough opportunities to be outdoors and if you can plant the seed into her brain at an early stage, there is a chance she might enjoy doing these things later in life... more of an adventure too.
I think kids these days live a terrible life... too sheltered, yet too pressured into achieving at an early stage, constantly glued to a display, bombarded with brand advertising, play time has become entertainment... I really wouldn't want to be a kid today... I really feel for my 8 year old nephew, he doesn't know any better, really sad!left the forum March 20230 -
ugo.santalucia wrote:I also think you should go camping. Kids these days don't have enough opportunities to be outdoors and if you can plant the seed into her brain at an early stage, there is a chance she might enjoy doing these things later in life... more of an adventure too.
I think kids these days live a terrible life... too sheltered, yet too pressured into achieving at an early stage, constantly glued to a display, bombarded with brand advertising, play time has become entertainment... I really wouldn't want to be a kid today... I really feel for my 8 year old nephew, he doesn't know any better, really sad!
That's mostly down to parenting, from parents that were never interested in outdoor stuff themselves.0 -
Bonus !!
Just stumbled across a farm that, let's you camp. quite location but has shower block,
Not to far from where we live, if fact we have cycled past this location few times without knowing,
On route there is a Maccie's/Hungry horse/ sainsburys and massive field with play area, to fill the day ideal place for our 1st over nighter.
Goin to ride out without any gear, and see how long takes us both. .0 -
ugo.santalucia wrote:I also think you should go camping. Kids these days don't have enough opportunities to be outdoors and if you can plant the seed into her brain at an early stage, there is a chance she might enjoy doing these things later in life... more of an adventure too.
I think kids these days live a terrible life... too sheltered, yet too pressured into achieving at an early stage, constantly glued to a display, bombarded with brand advertising, play time has become entertainment... I really wouldn't want to be a kid today... I really feel for my 8 year old nephew, he doesn't know any better, really sad!
Its not that bad Ugo!
my daughter is 16 now but at primary, every 4th friday would see maybe 300 kids from across the region take part in XC races, the school would also do walking trips to Dartmoor and an end or term trip to a sea adventure centre.
In Comp, kids can do Ten tors, DofE, sailing, in/out door bouldering, her new 6th form college does Devises to Westminster canoe racing....
we ve been euro camping and independent camping trips to france and we have entered a french Sportive in August
sure there are kids with over protective (or lazy) parents but it doesnt have to be as you say, just needs a bit extra thought put into it.
As for the OP, my concern is that your daughter will get bored/tired/lonely, kids are social things and that why we went to campsites, hired bikes, did cycling day trips and where kids could socialise with others their own age.
oh and stay away from Maccd's they are are full of sugar and salt and wont do your kid any good what-so-ever. good eating habits start from a young age.0 -
mamba80 wrote:ugo.santalucia wrote:I also think you should go camping. Kids these days don't have enough opportunities to be outdoors and if you can plant the seed into her brain at an early stage, there is a chance she might enjoy doing these things later in life... more of an adventure too.
I think kids these days live a terrible life... too sheltered, yet too pressured into achieving at an early stage, constantly glued to a display, bombarded with brand advertising, play time has become entertainment... I really wouldn't want to be a kid today... I really feel for my 8 year old nephew, he doesn't know any better, really sad!
Its not that bad Ugo!
my daughter is 16 now but at primary, every 4th friday would see maybe 300 kids from across the region take part in XC races, the school would also do walking trips to Dartmoor and an end or term trip to a sea adventure centre.
In Comp, kids can do Ten tors, DofE, sailing, in/out door bouldering, her new 6th form college does Devises to Westminster canoe racing....
we ve been euro camping and independent camping trips to france and we have entered a french Sportive in August
sure there are kids with over protective (or lazy) parents but it doesnt have to be as you say, just needs a bit extra thought put into it.
As for the OP, my concern is that your daughter will get bored/tired/lonely, kids are social things and that why we went to campsites, hired bikes, did cycling day trips and where kids could socialise with others their own age.
oh and stay away from Maccd's they are are full of sugar and salt and wont do your kid any good what-so-ever. good eating habits start from a young age.
Hi Mamba.
Thanks for your reply, where we live we can get a train or cycle to Wales, which isn't to far for my daughter to ride,due to a new route that has been opened,
There are campsite's within reach,of where I intend to cycle out to with plenty of stop off points on route,place's of interest and parks etc , McDonalds was used as a treat, as she does eat pretty well balanced diet. Plan is to ride to where goin to stay, park bike's up and my daughter to enjoy the outdoors.0
