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Home » Travel Blog » Tips For Camping With A Baby Or Toddler

Tips For Camping With A Baby Or Toddler

04/10/2015 by shastalynn 13 Comments

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These are our tips for camping with a baby or toddler. Or maybe a better title would be, "Things We Wish Someone Would Have Told Us" before we had to get a hotel the first time! 😉
Tips For Camping With A Baby or Toddler. Things someone, anyone should have told us before we took our baby camping!
When you consider camping with a baby or toddler there are a few things you can do that will make the trip a little less stressful.

Tips For Camping With A Baby Or Toddler:

- Pack N Play: This item is a life saver. Getting a baby to sleep on the ground (even in a sleeping bag with you) can be tricky. If you travel often your child has probably spent a few nights in a portable crib like this, and that can make a world of difference when your in unfamiliar places. It may also be a good idea to toss in one of your shirts or a blanket you use at home, because your perfume can be enough to calm your baby.

- Don't Stay Away Too Long: The first time you take your baby camping you, may want to go over a three-day weekend. On our most recent, trip the weather was beautiful and the low was in the high, 50's but it proved to be too cold and damp for our daughter. She woke up the first morning at 3 am and didn't go back to sleep until noon. Needless to say she was pretty cranky until she got that second nap. A week of that would have been unbearable, and some campsites still charge even if you check out early, so keep it short.

- Pack Warm: Even if it's 90 during the day it can get very cold at night, and cold babies don't sleep! Make sure you bring thick blankets to keep your baby warm (of course with an infant you would want to use a warm sleep bag and a light blanket to prevent suffocation.

- Choose A Camp Site Wisely: If your baby is a light sleeper, it is probably not a good idea to set up camp near 5 college kids on spring break. Try to find a location that you think will be peaceful, and that isn't too far from the restrooms. This is especially important for toddlers who are potty trained.

- Baby Gear: If you have room bring it all! Making the trip as much like home as possible is your goal. If you have a portable high chair, a comfy stroller, a baby carrier or backpack, bring them. Not only will they give your baby a sense of security they will also make your life a little easier!

- Plan Ahead: If you don't want to pack up and head home (especially important when the baby isn't the only child on the trip) make other arrangements for lodging... just in case. I told you that our daughter was cranky and didn't get much sleep, so we had to make a minor change in plans. After she woke up the from nap the rest of the day went beautifully, we went fishing, spent time at the park, and played together until bed time. When we  noticed that  it was getting colder than it had the previous night we started considering a change in plans. We knew the area well, and decided to get a hotel room so that we could all get some, rest and the baby could sleep through the night. We didn't have to check out of the site until, 11am so we just left everything and headed to the closest hotel, and we had a blast! Know the area, and find a few places you wouldn't mind spending the night if it gets too cold, or rains.

- Make It Comfortable: Make sure to pack some of your baby's favorite toys and snacks. My daughter didn't eat as much when we were camping, but she loved getting snacks she doesn't normally eat like yogurt, and pop tarts! If your baby likes to listen to music at bedtime, put lullabies on your MP3 player. Also bring along a battery powered night light for the tent or a lantern that has a low setting.

- Protect Baby: Don't forget to pack baby-safe bug repellent and sun block. Not only can insect bites, and sunburn make a baby cranky they can be very dangerous, so don't leave home without these items. You can also purchase mosquito nets for the stroller and pack n play at most Babies R Us stores.

Have some tips for camping with a baby that you'd like to share? Leave 'em in the comment section of email me using the contact button! Have a great trip!

Printable-Family-Camping-Checklist

Need a packing list? Print our Printable Camping Checklist 

 

We hope these tips for camping with a baby or a toddler were helpful to you. I know they would have helped us out tremdously during our younger camping years!

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Annie @ Mama Dweeb

    February 22, 2011 at 4:59 am

    Great tips! I have been nervous about taking the whole family camping. I really like the idea of packing foods baby normally doesn't get. Gotta make it fun!!

    Reply
  2. Paula @ Frosted Fing

    February 22, 2011 at 2:06 pm

    Great tips! We plan on camping with the kids this summer for their first time. David may or may not be out of the crib by then... we may be bringing our pnp with

    Reply
  3. Whitney

    February 23, 2011 at 10:12 am

    Our idea of "camping" always involves a travel trailer, but these tips apply even there. We spend a lot of time at the river every summer. My son was four months old the first time we took him. The pack n play was a lifesaver- for sure. Even though we didn't stay over night, it was great to have. I would also recommend a UV protectant suit for baby and a hat.

    Reply
  4. MomStart

    February 23, 2011 at 12:46 pm

    What great tips you've shared here. Planning ahead is one of the best tips you can give for traveling with kids!

    Reply
  5. Marianna @ Green Mam

    February 24, 2011 at 10:09 am

    These are great tips! My husband wants to take the boys camping someday, but I have absolutely no interest. I like my be. 🙂

    Reply
  6. Shawn Ann @ Shawn An

    February 25, 2011 at 6:31 am

    Those are great tips! We love camping and we were just getting back into it since our son is 5, but with the baby coming we were bummed that we wouldn't be able to do it again for a while. With these tips we can!

    Reply
  7. Nina Say

    February 25, 2011 at 12:52 pm

    My daughter is 2 and I still wont go camping with her--I think her bed time screams will wake up all the animals! LOL

    Great tips, though. Boy do I miss camping.

    Reply
  8. Shasta Walton

    March 02, 2011 at 7:53 pm

    @NinaSays LOL - That was my biggest concern as well. I didn't want my daughter to wake up the other campers!

    Reply
  9. Jane Pare

    October 22, 2012 at 8:40 am

    We are taking our 4 month old camping this weekend. Thanks for the tips. We are only going to be a hour away so if we have to pack up and go home it won't be too bad. It is suppoed to be getting cold this weekend though, so maybe we will have to find a hotel too!

    Reply
    • keepinitcheap

      October 23, 2012 at 6:27 am

      Good luck! Have fun 🙂

      Reply
  10. MamaGatsos

    June 24, 2015 at 2:46 am

    I just put a super light weight sheet over the pack n play when baby is sleeping or when it's not in use. It keeps the bugs and random debris out. Also I use the Off mosquito fans for my kids. My toddler thinks it's awesome and my baby doesn't even know it's there. I clip it to the side of the pack n play when she's in it.

    Reply
    • Shasta Walton

      June 24, 2015 at 1:26 pm

      That's a great idea! I have never even heard of those!

      Reply
  11. Dee

    February 14, 2017 at 2:42 pm

    If the campsite locks it's gate at night, make arrangements to park on the other side so you can go for a drive if needed. We wanted an option if baby started screaming that didn't involve waking the rest of the campsite.

    Reply

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