We have been camping with Lucy since she was a little baby. Here on the blog and on the podcast we have shared lots of tips for camping with a baby, but as Lucy has grown and is a full-blown toddler, we’ve come up with a few new tips and ideas that help going camping with a toddler run more smoothly.
Expect a Rough First Night
Just like our tip for camping with a baby, expecting a rough first night is still a tip we suggest when camping with toddlers. The first night of our camping trips are always more rough than the rest of the trip. Mostly that is just because Lucy is excited (camping is her favorite!) and doesn’t want to go to sleep! If you camp frequently the first night does get a little better each trip. We have been on 5 or 6 camping trips this summer and Lucy does better with each trip because she’s more familiar with it. The first night is always the worst, but the first night of our 5th trip was a lot better than the first night of our first trip of the summer.
Think Through and Practice Sleeping Arrangements
How does your toddler usually sleep at home? Are they still in a crib? In a bed? How do they usually sleep when you travel? These are all super important questions to ask yourself before you leave for a camping trip with your toddler. When Lucy was a baby she slept in a Pack N Play which we brought with us when we traveled. When she was a little older up through this summer, she has slept in a little travel tent. This has helped her be contained so she is safe inside the tent as she is falling asleep and helps her feel secure in a new environment. She uses this tent whenever we travel so she is very used to it and can sleep well in it. This summer though she has figured out how to unzip it and has started getting out so we will have to re-think what we do next summer. Whatever you choose for your child, try to make sure it is something similar to what they are already used to or make sure you practice before going camping so they can get used to the sleeping arrangements. For Lucy’s birthday we are planning on getting her a sleeping bag for next summer’s camping trips. We are hoping to have her practice sleeping in her sleeping bag at home an as we travel throughout the year so that next summer she is used to it and knows how to sleep in a sleeping bag.
Set Safety Rules
Toddlers are so mobile! And love to get into everything! One of our tips for camping with babies is to keep the baby contained. There isn’t really a way to do that very easily with toddlers! Before going camping make sure that you set safety rules and go over them frequently with your toddler. We have taught Lucy to not get too close to the fire and to not turn her back to it. We have taught her to sit in her chair when a fire is being built so she stays safe and out of the way. We also talk to her about staying close to us, holding hands, not picking up things from the ground, etc.
Plan Toddler Friendly Meals and Snacks
When we talked about our tips for camping, we shared that planning your meals is key to having an enjoyable trip. When you’re planning your meals make sure that you have some toddler friendly options since they will definitely be hungry and you want to make sure they are getting enough to eat so you can have a happy toddler on your trip! Our camping meals are generally the same so Lucy knows what to expect and she likes what we have. Breakfasts are usually muffins, pancakes or oatmeal. Lunches are always sandwiches, chips and some kind of fruit. And dinner is usually hot dogs with chips and fruit followed by s’mores (the highlight of camping for Lucy!)
Establish a Camping Routine
Toddlers thrive on routines. Especially if you are planning on camping frequently, try to establish a camping routine fairly early so your toddler knows what to expect and when. For us, that looks like setting up camp as soon as we get to our campsite then going on a hike or making dinner depending on what time it is. After dinner we make s’mores and after s’mores, Lucy gets ready for bed. She follows a similar routine to her bedtime routine at home which includes getting on pajamas, brushing teeth, eating her vitamin, reading scriptures, listening to a story, getting in her tent with her blanket and stuffed animals and listening to music as she falls asleep. We usually leave the tent and sit by the fire as she falls asleep so she isn’t distracted by us being in there with her. In the mornings, Lucy usually wakes up early and crawls into my sleeping bag with me which wakes me up and I can’t fall back asleep. When Ben wakes up, he will take her for a little walk around the campsite while I go back to sleep for another 30-45 minutes. Then we have breakfast together and get going on our adventures for the day.
Pack Extra Clothes
Camping is dirty. Your child will get dirty. Bring them a couple extra outfits. Also pack some different pajama options and things that can layer. You never know if it is going to be cooler than you thought while camping or hotter so I like to make sure I bring hotter weather pajamas, cooler weather pajamas and a fleece zip-up pair of pajamas to layer on top of the other options if Lucy needs it.
Bring Baby Wipes
Like I mentioned above, camping is dirty. So at night before Lucy gets into her pajamas and gets into her bed, I give her a baby wipe bath and try to clean off as much grime as I can from the day so she goes to bed relatively clean.
Sum Up
Camping with toddlers can be a lot of fun. Lucy adores camping and it is so fun to take her to do something she loves so much. But it is definitely a lot of work! Hopefully our tips will help you on your next camping trip. Do you have any tips for camping with toddlers? We would love to hear them in the comments!
