Okay for Kids to Camp Out on Floor?

This cracked me up because one of my boys camps out in the closet every night. There is a nice little space on the floor an he brings in his blanket, stuffed animal, and favorite toys, and falls asleep like clockwork. We just fish him out a few horus later and put him in his bed. I dont' think it is a big deal at all!

I did it all the time as a child at slumber parties. I don't have any problems.
If you're worried, why not get them the sleeping bags that have a blow-up air mattress attached to them? It will make you feel better and they will still have fun.

My kids like to camp out, too. However we don't make it a habit. Especially with a TV involved. We save it for special occasions ... one big one is when my nieces come over to spend the night. Everyone camps out and has fun. As other posters have said, it helps them make memories and that is important! I just wouldn't do it on a regular basis ... it's a hard habit to break. As a teacher, kids need good, deep and regular sleep. Don't start something you'll have to break in two years ...

Hi E.,

If it were my kids, I would not allow them to do this on a regular basis. Maybe a once a month movie night, but then wake them when the movie is over and put them in their own beds. I personally think that maintaining good sleep habits is so essential for when they are in school. I cannot imagine the sleep they are getting is very good.

Plus, I've always followed the rule 'don't start anything you're going to have to break later' (like sleeping in our bed, chocolate milk at every meal, allowing picky eating, etc.)

That's my 2 cents :)

good luck!

Hi! I say, let them have fun!! They are only lttle for a short time! While everyone's responses are great, i think many are being too technical. Didn't anyone have sleepover's as kids? I would have slumber parties as a young girl and we all camped out on the dining room or living room floor-in the morning my father made pancakes and sausage and we all joked and laughed around the table! I realize that they are a bit too young for that but - They are kids! Let them be kids! It won't hurt them physically or damage them emotionally in any way. As long as it is a once in a while thing, i realy see it as a positive and fun thing! Make some memories! Enjoy!

I think so. I slept on the floor alot as a kid. Can't think of any harmful side effects from it. As long as the kids aren't getting into anything at night while your sleeping that could harm them than why worry. As long as they sleep, who cares where.

Yea won't hurt once in awhile, not recommended habit. i I did it growing up and my 4 year old and 2 year old do it with me on movie nights about once a week or 2 weeks.

Yes it is alright but I might suggest going to wal-mart or K-mart and buying a air bed so that they will be more comforatable and not laying on a cold drafty floor and if they love it that much and let that be their reward for being good each day.

It won't hurt them physically. I slept on the floor most of my early years - we only had five beds and there were six kids and I am the youngest. Keep a sleeping bag or feather mattress under them and it would be very comfy. I think that is a great treat/ reward (I don't think I would do it every night)for them and a wonderful memory for the future!

I think it sounds like wonderful fun for a weekend treat. Kids don't get uncomfortable sleeping on hard floors like adults do, anyway - they're a lot lighter.

I did it all the time as a kid and don't think I have suffered any negative consequences. Have fun!

My twins are 12 years old and they still love to camp out on the floor- now they just do it with their 9 year old sister! They love it. They all begin to wrestle sometimes- it's great to watch them all bond together.

I don't know if this helps, but I let my kids "camp" all the time. (The even sleep on my bedroom floor sometimes if they've had a bad dream, instead of keeping everyone up by sleeping in our bed.) In the past we've used a large bedsheet or blanket as the "tent floor". Then this past Christmas my mother got the kids their own sleeping bags with their names on them (from LilyKids). Now they can't wait to "camp out" using their own sleeping bags.

Hope this helps.

My children do this once in a while. Good sleep habits are important but so are making memories. That's what weekends are for. Last summer I slept out in our yard with my kids in the tent. Did I sleep well or was I comfortable? No. Especially because I was pregnant too. Those are the things your children will remember when they are grown. I remember learning how to play war (a card game) with my cousins when I was young at a sleep over where we slept on the floor. There are also times when my older 5 had a bad night and couldn't fit in my bed. I just told them, throw a blanket on the floor next to my bed. They were usually out the rest of the night. How is that not better than sitting in the dark in their own bed terrified from a nasty dream? Oh, and none of them have done that for a long time. Kudos to kids feeling secure!! Sorry I rambled off the subject of your question.
I probably would have a time that the tv had to be off. Just because I know how mine would act the next day if they were up too late. Especially at three.

Of course it is okay. Sounds like fun!!! I used to build "forts" out of sheets with my cousins all the time and "camp-out". Those are the memories they will remember when they are older!!

Hi E.,

Your question was about sleeping on the floor. How clean is it? Your call. It's probably fine.
More important question; Should they be falling asleep in front of the TV? The answer is NO! Sleep is precious, and bed time should be sacred! The old saying, " Give them an inch and they'll take a mile." is TRUE! You'll have both of them at you to do it all the time. Bad habit!
So, my advise is make it super special. At 3 they don't know what is special or not. You make sleeping on the floor in front of the TV a really special event, like when you and your partner need a little alone time, or when relatives come and they 'camp out' in the family room or to reward a run of really good behavior.

They'll appreciate it more and learn to work for it.

Have fun!

S.

I don't see anything wrong with that as long as the kids are comfortable with it. My kids have done it numerous times, and they say the floor is comfortable to them. Make a nice little pallet with a few blankets, unless they are the type of kids who perfer the bare floor. It's harmless, it's good for adults also who want to relieve back aches.

one of my favorite memories is "camping out" on the floor with my best friend when we had sleepovers. we'd even put up a "tent" of sheets. i think its perfectly normal and fine. only thing i'd watch out for is to make sure the floor isn't too cold.

When I was a child, my babysitter came from a large family and always slept on the floor. She has the best posture I've ever seen. I would however, not let this become a habit or they will never go to bed at night...T.V. is a big draw and the sleep is more important.

I see nothing wrong with it as long as they aren't there glued to the television set all night long. No child should be watching too much television, but rather be directed in a educational direction i.e: puzzles, word games etc... things that will challenge their minds.

E....my kids sleep outin the living room EVERY Friday and Saturday night. They watch a movie or TV, and we make sure that they either turn off the TV before nodding off or else put the TV's timer on. The whole routine is a nice little break from their hum-drum beds! During the week, because they are school nights (and work nights for us), it's back to the regular beds, though. That issue has never been a problem for us. We have a ton of old comforters and blankets that we layer on the floor rather than mess with an inflatable mattress. Heck, just for the fun of it, my hubby and I camp out in there, too, sometimes!

It is fine for them to sleep on the floor but they shouldn't really be seeing much TV. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no TV until at least 2 yrs of age as young children need 3-D rather than 2-D stimulation and thereafter, TV should be very limited - no more than 30 mins per day.

My 5.5 and 3 year olds have "camp outs" in one of their rooms about once a week. They pile some blankets on floor for cushion and sleep soundly. I don't think there is any problem with it.

My kids do it all the time. My only complaint is the big mess of blankets and pillows that they never manage to get picked up the next morning!