If you have a large enough tent,

2021/05/21

If you have a large enough tent, and if sleeping bag. See my policy page for more information). Try to keep their bedtime routine as close to regular as possible. Dont over-fill your days with activities. Ive seen families set up a washing station right at the campground with a water bucket, soap, and towel near by. How full and comprehensive your kit is varies tremendously between families. This is a great way to keep your toddler off the floor of the tent, You could go all out and spend the night in the tent in the backyard first or set it up inside. Clothing thats even slightly damp will quickly cool Done. Which reminds me, another great tip is to have a package of baby wipes on hand at the campground for quick hand and face washes throughout the day. So many other good ideas here, thank you so much for putting this together. hot water and put it into the sleeping back with your toddler. And, a comment on smell: Okay, perhaps this is leaning towards over-caution, but I know these things happen. Ive camped with each of my three kids as toddlers, but you mentioned multiple things I had never thought of. Yes, there are a lot of risks when out in the woods but having idea of how to manage and respond to those risks will go a long way in keeping everyone safer and happier. A hoodie is another option the hood will keep his head and

They fold down nicely for space-saving and are easily cleaned. For your kids, any type of camping will be an adventure! Its never too early to get started, sharing good times with your family as you camp in nature. Because little nature lovers grow into big nature lovers! Are they potty trained or will they use strange places? Ive never been comfortable with using a hat with a strap for fears of strangulation (who know if that would actually happen) so instead I repeatedly re-adjust their hat when I wake up during the night which isnt ever a problem since I never sleep well in a tent anyway! Having Colder weather camping: Youll want to make sure you have enough clothes to change into dry warm clothing if kids get wet or cold. Sleep sacks come in a variety of weight/warmth and sizes. You can get my favorite family camping packing checklist here. And if he starts to get too warm and sweat a bit, cotton material gets damp and stays damp. Hopefully you want to take your toddler camping more. Give them small jobs at the campsite. For toddlers using pull-ups at night: Same as above. Bringing a frozen chili will mean you can use it to keep your cooler colder and you dont have to fully make the chili at the campsite. Or, if youre using a camper, sleep in it while its parked in your driveway or on your friends farm. clothing items, you can remove socks if your toddler is warm enough in his So, read on for your complete guide on how to bring your toddlers camping, make it a success, and have fun along the way! and one for the kids to do their own packing too (if you have older kids). Please make sure theyve washed any food off their faces and hands as well. Check out this read on how we pack and organize our camping gear and supplies. Is there room in the tent for a portable crib? Heres a tip on for easier eating at the campsite: Consider bringing frozen meals instead. Some parents (us incuded) have actually had their toddlers just go to sleep wearing their snow suit. For babies and young toddlers I used a portable crib in the camper.

There are some If he feels too hot, you can start to remove items to keep him comfortable. And, for the most part, thats just fine. The mud underneath this station was very counterproductive! Your email address will not be published. I started this website to expand and share my knowledge, findings, techniques and distribute anything that I find worth sharing. ground and your toddlers sleeping pad. Really, they can probably just wear their bathing suite all weekend! down your toddler. If he gets too warm, its easy to just remove If the gear is organized I spend less time searching for random items. warmer it will be. However, (and this is a super important tip), youll want to practice first! Look for snow suits that are easy to get your toddler in and out Hi Katie, Thanks for leaving your comment. A fleece onesie will keep your toddler warm and cozy. Ill tell you a secret here your kids really dont care what sort of luxuries they have while camping. (Plus Good Alternatives to Consider). Some campsites are set up better for kids. You can just use the regular one you use at home, or pick up one of these cute travel ones. Here are a few questions to ask yourself: But, even with all these questions, Im going to guess that the real answer here is yes, your toddler is ready to go camping. If you go camping and theres a play area then youre all set! Along with your meal planning, do as much ahead-of-time preparing as you can before you get to the campsite: If youd like some help on meal planning, weekend menus, managing your camp kitchen, and prepping ideas, check out the family camping guide to eating seriously, this guide is great! Also figure out how close you want to be to the bathrooms and playground (if they have one). (In my parents RV we didnt have space constraints and our toddler slept happily in the same bed he slept in while visiting Grandma and Grandpas. Ill hear parents complain that they only made it a kilometer down the trail. For some reason when camping our cleanliness standards seem to fall a few notches. Youll want to read this posts super-tip for camping with potty trained toddlers wearing one-piece pajamas hint, just dont do it! How much do you want to pack, haul to the campsite, clean up while youre camping, re-pack, and haul home again? Look for fleece sleeping bag liners for added warmth. so. For cool nights, having your littles wear mittens (or socks on their hands) and a toque will keep them warmer as well. If you are looking for a camping sleeping bag for 2 year old or toddler, do know that a properly fitted sleeping bag will keep them warmer.

On day one the little guy dumped this huge tub of toys onto the grass and were talking tonka trucks, little people, nerf guns, t-ball set, buckets, balls, big building blocks, some sort of weird doll thing, and a whole lot of other random plastic. As mentioned above, sometimes little ones can have a hard time settling down at the campground long enough to eat meals. This is your first consideration. Getting prepared to camp with a 2 year old. Thats just the way it is. To remedy this Ill go to the trouble of rag-washing them before bed. Throw a blanket in there, some books or toys, their water bottle, and theyve got an enclosed, safe (bug free, sun free, rain free) place. When my kids were very little I preferred to be out of visual sight to the playground. In fact, just last summer we camped beside a little guy and his dad for 4 days. How to know youre ready to go camping with a toddler? Be organized (just basic family camping tips), spend the night in the tent in the backyard, more tips on choosing the perfect family campground, a properly fitted sleeping bag will keep them warmer, how to care and store them properly (and clean them too!). How do you want to feel about all this? Just the fact that youve landed here reading this article means youre considering it. While using a travel toddler chair can help kids get their fill of food, they can also help keep kids secure and safe around the campfire or if you need to keep them close and occupied while you make dinner or attend to another matter. If you have ample space even a pack-n-play will work! Youre camping!

When my kids were old enough to visit the playground alone, then I preferred to be within visual sight of the playground to easily keep an eye on them. We used a basic toddler booster chair (like this one) that is intended to strap onto kitchen chairs. For more details on these tips, check out this article where I share how and why these two things were so important to me when I camped with toddlers. I find it most helpful to pack like-items together. Instead, I try to encourage them to wash up before eating and going to bed. But, sometimes you meet a bad apple maybe someone with an off-leash aggressive dog, someone who doesnt think about driving slowly, someone who really doesnt want kids around you know, those people. Are there frequently dangerous animals or insects in the area? Ultimately, when it comes to camping with toddlers, its not that much different from camping without. Two and three year olds love to help. Cotton pjs wont cut it when youre camping. Heres an experienced mom tip: It is rather challenging to change diapers in a small cramped tent that you cant move freely about in while holding a flashlight in your mouth and trying not to wake any of the other sleepers! I would use pillows and/or backpacks as a deterrent to keep the toddler from rolling off the bed until I could join them. Easy. But it can get cold at night no matter the time of the year youre camping. Also, dont forget the danger of too much sun and heat. Did I mention that little guy also had an electric kiddy car at the campsite? If you have an RV and toilet then youre probably fine. please, if you are tenting in bear country, please do not let your children sleep wearing clothing that they ate in especially if it was sticky sweet smores! So, often times, we never really did anything special or different just because we had a toddler along with us. I have seen parents go really overboard here. But, weve found this to be an easy solution to cold weather camping. Rain pants or one-piece rain suits will keep their clothes dry and cleaner. Also love that you have tips for both camping options (tent/RV). Little hands can get cold at night. An extra pair of shoes will be handy if your toddler gets theirs wet. Decide how much you want to have on hand, how far you are from assistance, and what your likely needs will be. Liners are easy to insert in your toddlers sleeping bag, adding an extra layer of warmth. Sleeping in a tent or camper is darn exciting to a toddler. Safety: Think about the safety of the surroundings. And, perhaps more importantly, knowing your 2 year old will ultimately determine whether or not youre ready to try camping with the little one. Check out these other helpful family camping reads: Your email address will not be published.

If ticks are in your area remember to do frequent tick checks since your toddlers will likely be exploring a lot in the grass and shrubbery. And, if you child has indeed wandered away, act fast, and dont wait to enlist help to find them! Let them stop and explore when they need to and know that turning back isnt a failure! Usually Id just pick a few small imagination play toys whatever they happen to be enjoying at the time: a handful of cars or animals, a few little people, a mini board book, and an interesting container to put them in like an old purse or tin box. dry clothing before bed. Below are just some considerations to keep in mind when deciding where to camp. What will you do? They exist. carpet check out carpeting stores for leftover pieces of carpeting that fit but (deep breath) It is what it is. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. toddler gets cold, he may feel like letting you know that its time to go home! A toddler ride-on toy or push mower might also be popular depending on the age and likes of your little one. We just left our potty out for the kids to use on the rug by the door a few toys right there beside it. place on the floor of the tent. A large tent means more space for cool air. These sleeping bags arent meant for camping outdoors theyre meant to be fun for your toddler to sleep in when at home or on a sleepover with his grandparents. Or that they hate going hiking with their kids because they have to carry them the whole way.

your toddler before it gets cooler at night. Using a sleep sack will prevent them from kicking all their covers away. Dont just put your toddlers sleeping bag on the floor of the tent or on a layer of blankets invest in a sleeping pad thats at least one-inch thick. Even if you toddler doesnt have a strong attachment, having a familiar blanket, book, or stuffed animal may help them feel comfortable. Many parents get frustrated with the slow pace of toddler life. Or, this article for tips on staying warm in a tent! For camping outdoors, choose child-size sleeping bags that are filled with down or that are made from a top-quality synthetic material. Make sure to bring along some disposable cleaning wipes and paper towels for messy clean ups. Super mom tip: Using a pee pad / bed protector on your camping mattress or inside the sleeping bag might be a good idea if youre worried about leaky diapers or accidents. Ive camped with lots of different families and what being organized looks like really differs from family to family. cold nights.

the blanket. Click here for more camping games, activities, and toy ideas! If the climate were warmer I would just have my toddlers take a tub bath in the evening, but its usually too cold here for that. If you are looking to go all out and get the best, you might want to consider merino wool pajamas (or base layers) for your children to sleep in. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may earn a commission. neck warm. For toddlers still in diapers: You might actually have it a bit easier, in my opinion. If you toddler has security items do make sure to bring them (favorite blanket, stuffies, soother, etc). On colder nights you can put the blanket into the Have your toddler wear sunscreen, a hat, drink water, and take breaks in the shade when needed. Im planning my first camp trip with my 18 month old son in a few months and I must say, the bells on the shoes is GENIUS. Some portable sleep cribs even have an insulating mattress that slides into a pocket underneath the sleeping surface. After theyve done their business Id walk it to the outhouse myself, give it a rinse with water and its good to go again. Even if you dont want to go to the trouble of having a paper scavenger hunt on hand, you might just want to start a game of search and find to keep them happy and occupied if youre out on a walk / hike. Mostly, this answer will depend on your camping set-up and your routines at home. Or, maybe youve never camped at all or the last time you slept in a tent you were in a leaky canvas Girl Guides tent in some community halls back yard? So, let them help. We tended to bring just a few items. The dark can be scary for little ones. If your toddler is out of diapers, thermal underwear will keep him warm when youre camping in the spring and fall. The toddler camping bed What do toddlers sleep in (and on) when camping? So, again, figure out what youre comfortable with and start there. Dont forget to bring the supplies! And, Im happy you found this article interesting and helpful, even for a super camping mom like yourself:) Happy Camping!

If were tenting I do not let my kids play in the sleeping tent during the day. Thank you for joining the Wild Week Challenge. Outhouse tip: If your family will be using an outhouse (or the woods) and doesnt have access to water for washing afterwards, tuck a bottle of hand sanitizer (like this one for kids, below) into the toilet paper bag or a package of sanitizing wipes for everyone to use. Aside from bears, this is perhaps my biggest fear when Im camping with kids. To kick this site off Ill primarily be focusing on grilling and / or smoking in which I'm on a quest to develop the techniques and skill of a true pit master. But, here are some considerations: No matter who youre camping with there are basic items you should be carrying in your first aid kit. If youd like to skip the reading and just get to the top 3 suggestions, here they are!

Make sure to grab the camping with toddlers checklist here and all these toileting items are already on the list! Or, if that seems too much, you could practice small pieces of camping, such as: For me, nothing can be as frustrating as laying in your sleeping bag while a 2 year old jumps and rolls all over you in a cramped tent for 3 hours while you wait for them to fall asleep. Youll need some layering options and some t-shirts or shorts if it warms up during the day. This year camping with our neighbors (so two 9 year olds, a 6 year old, a 5 year old, and two 2 1/2 year olds) will be a breeze! And, toddlers are that great age where everything is new and exciting they want to explore and watch and learn. A portable bed side rail would also be a useful item to use when worried of toddlers rolling from beds in campers. This makes it a challenge to get them to focus on eating and drinking. And, have you camped in that situation before? Just remember to bring a few more extra garbage bags, a change mat (and an extra one), your wipes and creams, and a few more diapers than youd anticipate using just in case. Once you have the right camping gear and clothing to keep your toddler warm, youll be ready to brave even the colder months of year in a tent. Butterfly closures for those super deep cuts, Antihistamine and pain relievers in both child and adult dosages, have your toddler wear a bell or squeeky shoes so you can hear them even if youve lost sight of them, Bring bright colored clothing for them to wear, cut and proportion any ingredients for meals to be cooked at the campsite. training. Well, we also happened to be right beside the playground. Sure, these may provide less privacy, but I was willing to trade privacy for safety (and less chasing). But, the outside of our sleeping bags are slippery and Id be worried they just slip around on the folded part, maybe? But, this being said, you can still bring your toddler to any campground you like (except those no-kids-allowed RV campgrounds!). Especially camping, a wet sleeping bag could mean the end of the trip and I wouldnt even know how to begin to wash out our foam camper mattress at the campground! Of course, you need to ultimately be the judge when it comes to the safety of your surroundings. If youre camping in the early spring, late Try to remember why youre camping, whats good about this situation, and soak up their smiles and giggles and adventures as reward for all your hard work in making the trip happen in the first place! Have you introduced your toddler to the fun of tent camping? well. But, if this were possible for you, just use an empty plastic bin for a stand-in toddler bath and voila, a clean baby before snuggling in bed! the right clothing for sleeping. Here are a few tips for more smaller, less ambitious, but still fun, toddler walks: Heres an article with more in depth details and tips on hiking with kids.

And if his skin feels cold, you can add a blanket on top of his sleeping bag or put it inside. Most toddlers love to explore! Layering, sleep sacks, appropriate sleeping bags, and quality camp mattresses are your answer. Make sure you have lots of easy to eat food, lots of snacks, and plenty of fluids. Use tubs or bins or plastic drawer systems (or your camper cupboards) to keep all your gear and supplies organized. Ill be honest. fresh cut veggies, fruit, cheese, crackers, and dip plates, hearty pancakes made with lots of fruit and whole wheats. Well, if you happen to have an active explorer, having a second tent for them to call their own could help keep them contained and safe when youre tired of chasing. Instead, youll be very grateful you carried the stool to the bathroom and saved your arms, back, and patience;). I promise, its totally doable! ), (This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. So, if you do have potty trained little ones, just keep that in mind. For the last 10 years theres a small IKEA plastic potty in the secret under-seat compartment of our van. You may want to bring along something to use as a night light as they fall asleep. Weve pulled it out on highways, at the beach, in parking lots, at grandmas pool, and at many, many campsites. If being prepared is your thing, check out this very comprehensive article on camping first aid by REI. This was so thorough! Does it have shelter from rain or sun? pieces of clothing you pack, its better to have options. If you plan on camping a lot in cooler weather, consider buying a sleeping bag liner (view on Amazon). Youll have a better idea of how much of certain foods you should be bringing and when would be the better time to eat certain foods. Make sure there are opportunities to relax, nap if needed, and keep your expectations reasonable for your familys abilities. If you read books at home or have a chocolate milk before bed, then do those things at the campsite as well. If your little kicks the blankets off at home, theyll likely do that at the campsite too.