Camping with toddlers IS hard.
BUT it can also be AMAZING.
You get to see the wonder of nature through your child’s eyes. You watch them run around carefree. You witness them enjoy the outdoors for the first time.
IN PRECIOUS.
Don’t sweat having everything go perfectly. And don’t plan every second of your day. Instead, relax and just focus on being prepared, adaptable, and present.
That’s the secret to having FUN camping with toddlers.
Ready to learn everything you need to know about camping with toddlers?
From prepping for your adventure to keeping them happy, safe, and entertained, we’ve got you covered.
Table of Contents
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- Why Should You Camp with Toddlers?
- Tips for Camping With Toddlers: Picking a Campsite
- When to Go Camping With Toddlers?
- Packing Essentials When Camping With Toddlers
- Tent and Camp Setup With Toddlers
- How to Keep Toddlers Entertained While Camping
- Sleeping Tips for Camping With Toddlers
- Food Recommendations for Camping with Toddlers
- Safety Tips for Camping With Toddlers
- What To Do If Things Get Tough
- Additional Tips To Have a Successful Camping Trip With Toddlers
- Camping with Toddlers: Wrap Up
Why Should You Camp with Toddlers?
Ok, so you convinced yourself that camping with toddlers is a good idea.
But why camp with TODDLERS specifically?
Here are some of the biggest benefits:
Early Introduction to Nature
Your toddler is full of curiosity. There are so many things to see, do, and explore outside.
Running around on grass or sand. Digging their hands into mud. Watching bugs crawl on the ground.
These may be simple activities but your child will find wonder in everything.
Independence and Confidence
Don’t underestimate what your toddler is capable of just because they’re little.
The smallest tasks like holding a flashlight or carrying their own small backpack can give them a sense of confidence.
More Quality Family Time
When was the last time you spent this much quality time with your toddler?
With no phones, TVs, or outside distractions, you’ll get a lot of one-on-one time with your child.
And trust us when we say those little simple moments will be what you remember most about this trip.
Tips for Camping With Toddlers: Picking a Campsite
You’d be surprised how many campsites aren’t ideal for toddlers.
First and foremost, you should look for campgrounds that offer some basic amenities. This includes access to clean bathrooms with running water.
You also want to be close to where other campers are located in case you need help.
As fun as backpacking or camping in the middle of nowhere may sound, it’s not ideal when you have a toddler.
You should also look for a campground that isn’t too far of a drive from your house.
The last thing you need is a grumpy toddler from being in the car too long. If things don’t go well, you’ll also want the option of leaving early.
Another thing to consider is flat ground. Since toddlers love to crawl around, you’ll want to be somewhere that doesn’t have steep drop-offs.
Also avoid low hanging trees with lots of foliage, quick-moving rivers, and tall grass.
Lastly, find a campsite with plenty of shade. Trees are your best friend when camping with a toddler.
When to Go Camping With Toddlers?
Spring and early fall are typically the best times to camp with toddlers.
Hot summer days can be brutal on anyone, let alone little children.
Likewise, if it’s cold at night your toddler may have a difficult time sleeping.
Just like with any outdoor activity, dress in layers so you can always add or take off clothing to adjust to temperature changes.
Try your best to get to the campsite before it’s your toddler’s bedtime.
There’s nothing worse than having to crank-pack after a long day.
Pack Essentials When Camping With Toddlers
You know how toddlers have a way of breaking everything you pack?
Make sure to over-pack for your little one and DON’T RUN SHORT on these important items.
Sleeping
Bring some type of sleeping gear for your toddler.
Ideally a portable crib or toddler sleeping bag. If you’re extra lazy you can even just bring extra blankets from home!
Don’t forget their favorite pillow or stuffed animal.
Clothing
Change often occurs when your toddler. Bring a few extra sets of clothes just in case.
Pack both warm clothes for nighttime and lighter clothing for daytime activities.
Hats and socks are also good to have on hand.
Food and snacks
Always have snacks ready for your toddler. They get hungry easily and trust us when we say no parent wants a hangry toddler.
Stock up on some of their favorite snacks that are easy to grab and eat.
Fruits, crackers, cheese, and sandwiches are good options.
Diapers, Wipes, Hand Sanitizer
If your toddler isn’t potty trained yet, you better stock up on diapers!
I’d recommend bringing more than you think you’ll need, just in case.
Don’t forget wipes, hand sanitizer, and a changing pad.
First Aid Kit
Bring the essentials just in case you or your toddler get hurt.
Band-aids, antibiotic ointment, and your toddler’s medication (if they have any) are a good place to start.
Familiar Objects From Home
It’s always good to have a few comforts from home for your toddler.
Whether that be their favorite toy or bedtime story. Something familiar will help them feel at ease.
Setting Up With Toddlers
Alright, camp is finally here. Now what?
The worst thing you can do is try and set up camp with your toddler crawling around you.
If you have a partner, have one person setup while the other watches your toddler.
You can even keep them busy by allowing them to help you unpack things from your car.
Setup your tent and sleeping arrangements FIRST.
You don’t want to be stuck assembling a tent while your toddler is bouncing off the walls.
It’s also smart to set boundaries from the get-go.
Show them where they’re allowed to play and where they’re not.
Setting boundaries will also keep your toddler from wandering too far away.
How to Keep Toddlers Entertained While Camping
Keeping toddlers entertained while camping is the easiest part.
Let’s face it, the great outdoors is your toddlers playground.
Depending on the area you’re camping at, your toddler can entertain themselves for hours.
Just throw them in the grass and watch them discover.
Spend some time showing them insects, different trees and flowers, and easy outdoor activities.
Remember, toddlers love to take things out of containers. So collecting leaves or rocks will keep them busy.
As long as you stocked up on some of their favorite snacks from home, your toddler will think they’re in heaven.
Here a few other fun toddler activities you can do outside:
Singing songs
Going on nature walks
Playing with sticks
Playing in the dirt
Staring at the sky
Again, don’t feel like you need to come up with activities to keep your toddler occupied 24/7.
Sleeping Tips for Camping With Toddlers
Sleeping can actually be one of the tougher parts of camping with toddlers.
You want to keep their bedtime routine as normal as possible.
If that means packing a favorite blanket or reading them their favorite bedtime story, then do it.
Just because you’re sleeping outside doesn’t mean your toddler has to be uncomfortable.
If there is one thing I wish I would’ve known about toddlers and sleeping, it would be to utilize white noise.
There are tons of free white noise apps you can download on your phone.
A white noise app will help mask any other unfamiliar noises (wind howling, animals in the woods, etc. ).
Your toddler will feel much safer falling asleep next to a white noise sound.
Food Recommendations for Camping with Toddlers
Similar to keeping your toddler entertained, food doesn’t have to be complicated.
Keep things simple and stick to easy meals you can make with little clean-up.
Pre-made meals, sandwiches, and snacks are your best friend when feeding a toddler.
Also keep track of how often your toddler is eating. Toddlers love to eat and often go long periods of time without eating.
Make sure to bring along lots of water and continue to offer it to your toddler frequently.
Another helpful tip is to try and keep your toddlers eat times consistent with how it would be at home.
Safety Tips for Camping With Toddlers
As always, safety is priority #1.
Always keep your toddler within eyesight.
You should never let them wander off too far on their own, even if your campground is fenced in.
Teach your toddler a couple simple safety rules before you arrive at camp. Rules like “stay within the yellow fence”, “don’t go near the fire pit”, etc.
Also dress your toddler in bright colored clothing. This way you’re able to easily see them from far away.
Try your best to put a form of identification on your toddler.
It doesn’t have to be a fancy GPS tracking device. But make sure there is some sort of identification with your contact information on it.
You can get them a bracelet, ankle tracker, or even mark their clothes with a Sharpie.
What To Do If Things Get Tough
Camping with toddlers isn’t always going to be fun and games.
There will be times where your toddler is exhausted, cranky, and just wants to go home.
Don’t sweat it!
If you and your partner are extra stressed out with your toddler, take a break!
Take turns watching the toddler while you both destress.
Remind yourself that everything is a learning experience for your toddler.
They’re discovering something new every day and camping is no different.
Embrace the good with the bad and just enjoy watching your child grow.
Additional Tips To Have a Successful Camping Trip With Toddlers
Ok, last but not least. A few more helpful tips when going camping with toddlers:
Start SMALL. You don’t need to leave for days on end.
Pick a weekend and try one overnight camping trip. If everything goes well you can plan your next adventure.
Practice setup at home. If you’re worried about your toddler destroying your tent, setup it at home once.
Let your toddler climb around in it!
Your toddler needs to get used to sleeping in a tent.
Give yourself extra time. Pad your travel time just in case things don’t go as planned.
Stay organized. Try not to have your toddlers essentials scattered everywhere.
THESE ARE KID STOLEN EASILY!
HAVE PATIENCE!
As fun as camping with your toddler sounds, it’s a lot of work.
Both you and your toddler are going to be doing this camping trip for the first time.
Your toddler may not like sleeping in a tent or may get extra carsick from riding in the car.
Just always try to remain calm and don’t stress!
Bring your toddler outdoors and let THEM have fun camping.
Camping with Toddlers: Wrap Up
Camping with toddlers requires a lot of work. But if done correctly, you’re guaranteed to have a blast!
Make sure to go into this trip with lower expectations and take everything as it comes.
Try to always BE PRESENT when you and your toddler are outside.
You don’t want to look back years from now and regret not spending more time with your little one.
Plus, if you do it right, you may just create a toddler who loves the outdoors as much as you do.
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