Little Kid, Big Sleeping Bag

“I am taking my six year old nephew on an overnite camping trip (car camping). He does not have a sleeping bag so he will use one of mine. How do I make the bag fit him? I have a liner that I could stuff down into the bottow of it, or should I fold the thing in half (top to bottom) so he will stay warm. The overnite temp will be mild, around 40 degrees, and he will be using my 0 degree hollofill bag. Is that to much or not enough.

I could really use some advice from you TTers with kids, I don't have any, so I don't exactly know what to do here.”

“I wouldn't do anything to the bag. Just have him climb in, curl up, nighty night!”

“He'll love the trip. Is the bag longer than his bed at home? At 40 degrees he'll be curled up deep in the bag. If you're really worried, put something heavy, like a pack, tools, or a spare tire on the lower part of the sleeping bag. Have fun.”

“Thanks for the advice and reassurement, is that even a word? He is totally looking forward to going and I can't wait to take him. I just hope that nothing comes up that I can't take care of. (regarding him). We have day hiked and stuff like that, I just hope he dosen't come unglued in the night wanting to go home. Eventhough I would take him home if he really wanted to get out of there.”

“PS: You could leave the side zipper open to make sure some air can enter.”

“I wouldn't worry about it but if length is your concern you could just tie off the bottom length from the occupied space. You know, kind of like making a sausage.”

“Tahoe, My youngest was 6 when I first took my boys camping and it was an adventure. (their father doesn't take them camping)

The scariest part is at night, so we brought books to read in the tent (gave both of my sons their own flashlights), brought a deck of cards and their favorite stuffed animals to go in the sleeping bag.

I made the food familiar stuff for them too..mac and cheese and let them roast hot dogs over the fire by using wire hangers I had straightened before hand. The hot dogs just slide right over the ends of the wire. Ya gotta make S'mores, too!

Also, jiffy pop, pop corn is still around, if you can find it (our walmart has it) and the kids really like that too!

Good Luck, Keep it simple and don't minimize his fears..walking in the dark, for instance, it might be trivial from your point of view but HUGE to him..

Take care!

Tex”

“Tex, thanks for the good advice.
Hey, as far as walking around in the dark goes, I always carry a flashlight at night. The boogy man is sure to get me someday.”

“If not the boogieman, then Marvin Gardens..”

“a test run in the back yard might help.”

“coleman makes a small 32 degree kiddie size bag thats not to expensive.”

“I fear actually meeting MG. That must be one crazy dude.”

“Good for you tahoe! You're sure to be the "favorite" uncle! My nephews still talk about their first overnighter with us (pictures are still on Phil's page).

A 0 degree bag on a 40 degree night will be fine for a kid. Is it a mummy bag? A mummy is a better choice for kids. Six year olds are known to squirm right out of a regtangular bag. Pantscandy had a good idea with the sausage tie.”

“I don't like to walk in the dark either.”

“I was 2 when i first went on a 5 day canoe trip... i can't tell you anything about it 'cause i can't even remember what i did yesterday... but it's ok”

“Yeah, its a mummy bag, and I have a bungee that I think will do the trick for the length of the thing.
I can't wait to see my nephew pull his first crawdad (crayfish) out of the pond, It is going to be an absolute riot. I'll let you all know how things went when we get back.
What does a six year old eat for lunch? I was thinking about just making some PBJ's before we go. I know that is what he likes.”

“Yeah, PBJ's go good at any age...”

“Good luck Tahoe! Test out some foods on him before you go unless he is not a picky eater. Some kids like cold cereal, some like pancakes, I bring PBJs all the time for my kids. My older daughter likes camp cornbread that I make in a cast iron frypan(vanilla pudding mix, 2 TBSP is part of the secret). He will sleep just fine, I'm sure.”

“Well, today is the big day!! I am picking my nephew up after work. Can't wait to get out in the woods and have some fun!!
Thanks for all your advice, it will be great so what life with kids could be like.
Have a great weekend everyone!!”

“Had a great time, and thanks again for the advice. My nephew slept great, could it be that he was tired from hiking, fishing, and swimming all day? I know that I was.”

“Cool! Glad it all worked out!”

“I had a little kid stay with me this weekend- my niece. She's 6. She has her very own Barbie sleeping bag, all kiddie sized and everything. I pulled my bag out too, and we camped in the living room. She thought it was the coolest thing ever! I took her to the zoo first, but she kept saying she wanted to go home and start the slumber party. I wanted to hang out at the zoo longer. Anyway, it was cute. Next she's going camping with her dad in the back yard.”

“Amazing what kids will think is the fun part, isn't it?

We took my daughter to the zoo when she was 2. Her favorite part, apparently, or at least the one she talked about the most, was "Watching the tiger go poo-poo!"”

“Funny how kids connect with animals by bodily functions. In their innocent minds, it becomes normalized, which it should be, however unpleasant we may deem the process.”