I dont promise it will be easy, but by following a plan, keeping it simple, having a few essential toddler camping gear items, and slowing down a bit Im sure you can all have a very (or somewhat very) successful trip! 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. Challenges like the ideas below will help keep your toddler happy and entertained when out hiking or exploring: Toddlers love playgrounds. I started this website to expand and share my knowledge, findings, techniques and distribute anything that I find worth sharing. Bring a warm knit hat as Are you thinking about heading out the campground with your toddler in tow? 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! This little package of toys usually ads enough of a diversion when needed. A warm, windproof jacket to layer at night will keep them warmer on cool evenings. Bring along extra tarps to 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. Liners are easy to insert in your toddlers sleeping bag, adding an extra layer of warmth. and hopefully this is something you and your kids will do for years to come. 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! Also figure out how close you want to be to the bathrooms and playground (if they have one). They wont keep your toddler warm on cool nights. Using a meal plan will make the food planning much easier. (More on potty business below.). Make sure there are opportunities to relax, nap if needed, and keep your expectations reasonable for your familys abilities. So, let them help. Below are just some considerations to keep in mind when deciding where to camp. Make sure to grab the camping with toddlers checklist here and all these toileting items are already on the list! Cotton pjs wont cut it when youre camping. Will they wear rain gear, sun hats, or mittens when asked? so. Will they stop in their tracks when called or do they take off running? Put warm clothes or pajamas on Or, use the screen tent as a way to keep them playing in one spot with you near by for a while. To remedy this Ill go to the trouble of rag-washing them before bed. 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! Done. Rain pants or one-piece rain suits will keep their clothes dry and cleaner. If youre up for the challenge of a long hike with a back-pack carrier, then fantastic! Little thermal undershirts are easy to wear underneath pajamas. I promise, its totally doable! When my kids were very little I preferred to be out of visual sight to the playground. You might be thinking, okay, i see why a screen tent could be helpful, but why a pop-up tent? your toddler is open to sleeping in one, purchase a sleeping bed for toddlers The mud underneath this station was very counterproductive! Always dress your toddler in So, what does all this mean? Check during the night, or before you go to bed yourself, to see if your toddler is too warm or cold. and babies. Read through this guide and get a sense of what camping with toddlers is really like. Ive even seen families put a small pop-up play tent inside a screen tent for their toddlers! And, again, let them lead the pace. And, perhaps more importantly, knowing your 2 year old will ultimately determine whether or not youre ready to try camping with the little one. So, again, figure out what youre comfortable with and start there. But its not always the ideal way to sleep, particularly if your toddler moves around a lot during the night. (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. If I was tenting with a very young child, I would just go to sleep with them at the same time to make sure they didnt wake and wander. your toddler before it gets cooler at night. And, as for the toilet situation well, believe me, you dont want to get to the campsite and realize your toddler is terrified of outhouses (and really, whod blame them those dark scary black pits with monsters waiting below!) Inside toys: As for inside the tent or trailer toys. Make sure you have lots of easy to eat food, lots of snacks, and plenty of fluids. And, have you camped in that situation before? Hi Katie, Thanks for leaving your comment. As with other For toddlers still in diapers: You might actually have it a bit easier, in my opinion. 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! If it is really cold we make sure they have extra warm socks and I may have also had my toddler wear an under shirt and/or leggings as well. Weve found that camping in itself is pretty exciting for toddlers. Mostly, this answer will depend on your camping set-up and your routines at home. Hello, thanks for visiting my site! Yep. However, (and this is a super important tip), youll want to practice first! Lets stop and sit on the next boulder we see, Every time we walk past a sign we have to do a dance, If your toddler has a runner bike, these are great on relatively flat dirt trails, Friends usually keep toddlers moving fast, Let them find a stick and carry that as they walk. Because little nature lovers grow into big nature lovers! Make sure to bring along some disposable cleaning wipes and paper towels for messy clean ups. This will add an insulating layer between the For toddlers using pull-ups at night: Same as above. If the gear is organized I spend less time searching for random items. Loved your tips and I think you narrowed it all down. So, often times, we never really did anything special or different just because we had a toddler along with us. When tenting, both the toddler and I would sleep on camping mattresses or, if tenting in luxury, our air mattress. Best of luck with your first camping trip:), Thank you so much for this! Ive put together some ideas for how to keep a toddler warm at night while camping so that everyone can enjoy a good night of sleep. Mitts or gloves may be nice for eating breakfast before the day warms up. This is a great way to keep your toddler off the floor of the tent, Check out this read on how we pack and organize our camping gear and supplies. Kids love searching and finding. So, if you do have potty trained little ones, just keep that in mind. If you read books at home or have a chocolate milk before bed, then do those things at the campsite as well. rains or not. Need some camping activities for toddlers? Ultimately, when it comes to camping with toddlers, its not that much different from camping without. A large tent means more space for cool air. It also means you likely dont have to use your camp stove (or campfire) as long to cook it as youll just be warming the food up instead. Even if you dont use them, pack along at If he gets too warm, its easy to just remove Having padding between the sleeping bag and the tent floor is going to keep cold ground temperatures away from your toddler. find a hill, a small creek, a huge fallen tree, a sandy shore and theyre all set! 11 Effective Ways to Keep a Toddler Warm at Night While Camping. well, thats up to you. If you toddler has security items do make sure to bring them (favorite blanket, stuffies, soother, etc). cool off by removing layers than it is to try and warm up. And, a comment on smell: Okay, perhaps this is leaning towards over-caution, but I know these things happen. If your little kicks the blankets off at home, theyll likely do that at the campsite too. Youre camping! When camping, wed just place this on the ground or strap it to an adult camp chair, or even sideways on the picnic table bench. This way, the littles didnt see it and wander over. Sit down and enjoy seeing this new adventure through their eyes at their own pace. 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. I dont know how well this works as I havent tried it. Have you introduced your toddler to the fun of tent camping? Two and three year olds love to help. Dont forget to bring the supplies! But, the outside of our sleeping bags are slippery and Id be worried they just slip around on the folded part, maybe? And, if not, they usually entertained themselves easily enough with the rocks, sticks, dirt, trees, and random camping gear wed let them play with (like tarps, buckets, and ropes). If you have ample space even a pack-n-play will work! And if he starts to get too warm and sweat a bit, cotton material gets damp and stays damp. fall, or winter months, a snow suit can keep your toddler warm on those really To avoid sleeping with a restless toddler, make sure he has his own sleeping bag. We didnt have a special portable camp chair. And, you know what? My toddler then had the freedom to roam reasonably and an open campsite allowed me to keep a good eye on them. Bringing along a winter jacket, toque, mitts, and boots wont hurt if it cools at night. But, then there are many parents that embrace the fact that hiking with toddlers is going to be different than the pre-kid hikes they used to take. Youll need some layering options and some t-shirts or shorts if it warms up during the day. 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. Oh, no, little Sallys grilled cheese falls onto the ground what do you do? the size of your tent. Most likely all the other campers are there to have a good time and will have an eye out for your little one. 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? But it can get cold at night no matter the time of the year youre camping. Heres a tip on for easier eating at the campsite: Consider bringing frozen meals instead. When camping in our trailer, the toddler would be put to sleep on the bed that we would share that night. This is a great way to keep the tent warmer at night whether it 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. clothing items, you can remove socks if your toddler is warm enough in his Hopefully you want to take your toddler camping more. Or, does this idea make you cringe? Even if you toddler doesnt have a strong attachment, having a familiar blanket, book, or stuffed animal may help them feel comfortable. I have heard of parents using an adult sized bag, but folding the legs up under the body as a way to trap head just around the body. Camping with toddlers is totally doable. The smaller the tent, the These scavenger hunts are made specifically for the campground. Warm pajamas, a sweater, socks, mitts, and a hat. Click here for more tips on choosing the perfect family campground. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may earn a commission. And, dont forget lots of socks and extra pajamas! If youre planning to use the public bathrooms, or outhouses, consider bringing along a toddler toilet seat too. A toddler ride-on toy or push mower might also be popular depending on the age and likes of your little one. What will you do? And, Im happy you found this article interesting and helpful, even for a super camping mom like yourself:) Happy Camping! Or that they hate going hiking with their kids because they have to carry them the whole way. Some portable sleep cribs even have an insulating mattress that slides into a pocket underneath the sleeping surface. As mentioned above, sometimes little ones can have a hard time settling down at the campground long enough to eat meals. sleeping in their sleeping bag on the floor or camping mattress in their bedroom, using their sleep pod or portable crib if youre using one, eating outside while sitting in their camp chair, using an outhouse or peeing in the woods (because thats probably going to need to happen at some point), Have healthy snacks available for them to graze on throughout the day. That little green potty has been everywhere and seen a lot of action! Some campsites are set up better for kids. Hopefully they grow to enjoy camping (if they didnt love it first time around). can keep your toddler warm and comfortable. Really, they can probably just wear their bathing suite all weekend! Click here for more camping games, activities, and toy ideas! And, if you child has indeed wandered away, act fast, and dont wait to enlist help to find them! (Regular air mattresses do not insulate well). Having ), (This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. neck warm. And, its so easy to wash off! Those extras of electricity, a toilet in the trailer, a bed, an indoor eating table, are all to make you feel more comfortable. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If being prepared is your thing, check out this very comprehensive article on camping first aid by REI. And, youll not have to worry as much on making sure kids are warm. Ill tell you a secret here your kids really dont care what sort of luxuries they have while camping. 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. I know, sometimes this is really hard especially if its raining and cold and you wanted to get to the waterfall but your toddler was tired and needed a nap and you realized you forgot his blankie and he wont sleep and your neighbours dog keeps barking and there are so many mosquitoes like how is it actually possible that that many mosquitoes can live in one spot. Right, sure, youve got to bring a bit of extra gear, make sure theyre safe, and tend to their every whim. Give them small jobs at the campsite. How much do you want to pack, haul to the campsite, clean up while youre camping, re-pack, and haul home again? 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. and one for the kids to do their own packing too (if you have older kids). 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. sleeping bag with your toddler. Little hands can get cold at night. In fact, our potty has been so inviting that weve had freinds kids help themselves to it as well! toddler is going to make a big difference in keeping him warm. Is your campsite close to a busy road, a body of water, or surrounded by dense forest? cold nights. Is there room in the tent for a portable crib? Let them stop and explore when they need to and know that turning back isnt a failure! We tended to bring just a few items. Also, dont forget the danger of too much sun and heat. Its never too early to get started, sharing good times with your family as you camp in nature. hot water and put it into the sleeping back with your toddler. toddler gets cold, he may feel like letting you know that its time to go home! Some parents (us incuded) have actually had their toddlers just go to sleep wearing their snow suit. Some tents will be big enough for a travel crib inside. You have the luxury of changing diapers in the place of your choosing. For camping outdoors, choose child-size sleeping bags that are filled with down or that are made from a top-quality synthetic material. It took up almost all the floor space and it was not convenient to move around or have in the trailer, but this was the safest option, I felt, for the little little ones. If you have a large enough tent, and if Its okay to be disappointed if the trip doesnt go as planned. And lastly, make-ahead meals will prevent any raw meat food contamination at the not-so-sanitary campsite. training. Aside from bears, this is perhaps my biggest fear when Im camping with kids. cute hot water bags that you can now purchase for kids to make it more fun. 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. Even that was ignored. Using the potty at the campsite: Where you decide to put the potty at the campsite is entirely up to you and your childs comfort levels. They fold down nicely for space-saving and are easily cleaned. If the idea of cleaning the potty isnt your thing, you might be interested in this type of portable potty. can drop below 50 degrees. Layering, sleep sacks, appropriate sleeping bags, and quality camp mattresses are your answer. Just the activities of setting up camp, making a fire, cooking, eating, and exploring was enough to keep them entertained. 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. This makes it a challenge to get them to focus on eating and drinking. Are they potty trained or will they use strange places? These are the two most common travel cots that families use for camping. I tried this once. Super mom tip: If your littles will be using a public bathroom, bring a small step stool (like this one that folds). or the dreaded leaky meat container in the cooler! After youve packed all the essentials, then consider how much space you have left and what else you might like to bring as extras. But, do what you need to do to make sure youre comfortable too and enjoying your trip as much as you can. A portable bed side rail would also be a useful item to use when worried of toddlers rolling from beds in campers. You can print one off before heading out or make one up when youre there. I would use pillows and/or backpacks as a deterrent to keep the toddler from rolling off the bed until I could join them. You dont need to spend a lot on a But, this being said, you can still bring your toddler to any campground you like (except those no-kids-allowed RV campgrounds!). For cool nights, having your littles wear mittens (or socks on their hands) and a toque will keep them warmer as well. 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 want to read this posts super-tip for camping with potty trained toddlers wearing one-piece pajamas hint, just dont do it! Look for drop-offs, signs of dangerous animals or insects, poison ivy or oak, water features, and such. And, if I dont over-plan with games or expectations I spend less time trying to control the flow of activity and more time just enjoying the quality time and being there with my family. Ive seen families set up a washing station right at the campground with a water bucket, soap, and towel near by. least one fleece blanket. Ill hear parents complain that they only made it a kilometer down the trail. Some families will first line their potties with a plastic grocery bag. However, Ive found that kids love when they have a tent of their own to play in at the campsite. Try to keep their bedtime routine as close to regular as possible. Safety: Think about the safety of the surroundings. Here are the quick tips for maximizing your time and enjoyment when camping with toddlers: Using a checklist while planning and packing will help you make sure you arrive at the campground with everything you need. 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. Weve also found a ball is also popular if theres another kids to kick it around with. Weve even visited campgrounds that had specific toddler play areas set up with small security fencing and comfortable parent seating nearby, perfect! This is your first consideration. 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.
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