Camping with toddlers

I'm not worried that it can't be done. I've learned that I can do anything a mom with a singleton can do. Plus, my whole family (mom, dad, sis, and friends) is going and it is just one night.

My question is...Is there any advise someone might have? We will be sleeping in the same tent and are going to take their pack-n-plays for them to sleep in (I would have just let them sleep on the ground with us, but I am worried them might wake up and decide to wander away). I will take warm pj's and lots of blankets in case it gets cool. I'll also take bug spray and sunscreen.

Are there any lessons you have learned about camping with toddlers? (They are 21 months old, by the way)

Thanks!
Stacy

 

I take mine camping all the time. Our last trip was a week long trip to the sequoias. It can be done and it is so much fun.

One night shouldn't be too complicated. I also take my pack n plays (I have a big tent so they fit just fine). Mine are only a year...but I took booster seats and attached them to some metal chairs so that they were contained during meals. That was the best idea I ever had! I wish I had thought of it sooner! But your's might sit ok at the table. If you are having a campfire, take marshmellows. The LOVE that

Have fun! Where you going?

 

We just got back yeasterday from out first camping trip, the girls seemed to really enjoy it. Not much went wrong but was hard to get them to fall a sleep and they would not take a nap either day. We stayed two nights and had a lot of fun. We did buy a huge tent which worked out really well and brought their wagon, which they enjoyed going on walks in.

Good luck

 

My experience is that naps are very difficult if not non existent but for only one day not too big a deal, also with my 3 year olds and even my 13 mo old we kept them up later so that they were just exhausted and fell asleep more easily in the new environment.

 

Thanks, guys! We are just going to a local campsite that is less than an hour away. Not a big trip.

 

For one day, it should be fine! My only suggestion would be when you go to sleep, put the tent zippers so they're up at the top....then they shouldn't be able to unzip the tent for a little midnight stroll.

We have a motorhome this year, so camping has been a lot easier. But next weekend we'll be going again; that'll be our 3rd trip so far. And Labor Day we'll be going yet again.....camping for at least 6 days where there's NOTHING.

Biggest help for me, camping with toddlers, has been some of those Superyards. We hook them up & put a tarp underneath so it's clean and then keep that as a play area. Very, very nice.

 

i would bring hats for them just in case its chilly @ night to sleep. And do u have harnesses they were great when taking walks.. and a great big blanket to throw under them (on the ground) when they are eating, it makes clean up easie ...

 

Naptime and bedtimes will be different. Mine never napped while camping and at bedtime we had to lay down with them to get them to fall asleep. Or, we would bring tilt back beach chairs and each lay with one in our laps, look at the stars and fall asleep. Very nice!

Also- if you have portable high chairs or boosters, bring them! It is a good way to contain them when you have an open fire or just need to have them secured while you cook or unpack, etc. We used to bring playdoh to keep them busy while in their chairs.

Flashlights are fun! Get a couple of cheap ones for them to play with. Glow necklaces are a big hit too.

Have fun! We have camped with our girls since they were about 2 years old and intend to keep on camping until they are tired of it! Keep us posted.

Lisa