Camping with Babies and Toddlers

One of my favourite parts of summertime is camping. I remember in my younger days when that meant tossing a sleeping bag and a tent in the car with a package of hotdogs, some marshmallows and a case of beer and sitting around a fire relaxing with some friends under the stars. It is definitely not quite so simple these days!

We try to take a camping trip, even if it's just a weekend, every summer. We haven't taken a tent with us the last few years since my son was born, so I can't speak to how difficult that would be, but I can say we pack an awful lot more these days than just a package of hotdogs and a case of beer.

I know we found our first trip with a baby, and this one with a baby and a toddler in tow, a little intimidating. That being said, so far we've been pretty successful so I thought I would share some of our experiences for anyone who may be thinking about a trip of their own.

Where to Go

We are perhaps not the most adventurous these days. We are not too worried about how far we go, we just enjoy waking up with the outdoors as our living room. We head out to a little lake near my parents place. It's a great little lake that is rarely overcrowded. It also has the benefit of being near their place (only about a 20 min drive) which gives us a place to head to give the kids a bath or just to have the peace of mind that if things go a little pear shaped we are not that far from civilization.

If you are new to camping, or just a little nervous about taking young children with you, I highly recommend staying somewhere close to home for the first couple times out. It is also a good idea if you are feeling a little concerned about taking little ones to make that first trip relatively short. You can learn a lot about what you need from a one or two night stay, which will let you feel more confident the next time.

We also borrowed my parents camper. They had been using it out at the lake anyway, so they just vacated so that we could stay for the long weekend. This has been how we have camped the last couple of years. It may not be tent camping, but it allows us the ability to relax a little more than we would get to with a baby and a toddler in a tent. My parents tend to rent a campsite for a month or two at a time and split their time over the summer between the camper and home. This is a great option for the first trial runs if it's available. It is definitely easier for the running water alone. Tent camping is totally possible, it would just take a little more planning.

If you are tent camping, you will want to make sure that you choose your campsite very well. Try not to be far from the potable water or from the bathrooms. It's a good idea to choose a site that has ample shade as well, the sun can get very hot, very early and turn your tent into a sauna in no time at all. Just a little care in choosing your site will make the entire experience much easier. Another thing to keep in mind is how far you may have to walk to get to the lake or any other feature you may be hoping to enjoy.

In with the where to camp, when is an important consideration as well. We were a little spoiled in that the camper has both heat and air conditioning, but if you are staying in a tent with little kids you are going to want to watch the weather. Too cold is easily remedied with layers but too hot can make for a miserable time.

What to Bring

As we were staying in the camper our packing list was a little lighter than it would have been otherwise. We also shared meal responsibilities with my parents and siblings families as we were all staying at the same lake. This cut down on the food items we had to bring with us as well. We have a pretty small car so camping supplies plus food leaves us pretty full. If this is the case it may be worthwhile to purchase food on the way out or make a quick run for consumables after setting up the campsite.

Food

You will need to feed yourself and your family for however long your stay will be. It is very important to make sure that you either bring some food that can be eaten without cooking, or bring an alternative method of cooking your food in case something goes wrong. I would recommend both if you are able.

My parents have a small camp style bbq that they keep at the camper. You can also purchase quite small, portable camp stoves if you are tent camping. Most of these require propane but they can come in very very handy, if things don't go to plan.

We were only able to have a fire on the first evening of our trip as a fire ban was put into place the first morning after we arrived. If we didn't have a back up plan for cooking our trip would have been cut very short.

You will want to plan your meals for your trip in advance and make sure you bring lots of snacks for your little ones. All that fresh air will likely leave them hungrier than usual. I know our toddler ate and napped far better at the lake than he ever does at home! If you have a cooler I would recommend lots of fruit and easy to cook meals. We made campfire crumble one night which was very good. I will try to do a post with some camping recipes later but there are a ton of wonderful recipes available if you do a quick search for them.

When planning your meals keep in mind you need foods that are easy to prepare, and easy to store as you will not likely have reliable refrigeration if you are tent camping, and camper fridges tend to be quite small. You will also want to keep some basic camping safety in mind. All food should be stored in your vehicle or camper, not outside or in your tent, so that you don't attract any unwanted wildlife. Garbage should be disposed of properly. Most campgrounds or parks can offer advice on the best way to do this.

Other items that belongs here are cooking and eating utensils. These will vary depending on your meal plan. Try to keep them as minimal as possible and don't forget to bring dish soap so that you can wash and reuse them. It is a good idea to make sure you also bring some drinking water. Most campgrounds have potable water available, but it is always best to be prepared. Dehydrated kiddos is something you will definitely want to avoid!

Activities and Entertainment

Generally speaking camping and swimming are entertainment enough, however it doesn't hurt to have a plan for rainy days, or for mornings and evenings spent around the campsite.

We brought a couple of bubble guns and some dollar store water guns, along with a ball, and a shovel and bucket for the beach. Our kiddos also played with sticks and pinecones and rocks, as children often do, but these were very helpful to keep them busy while we were cooking meals or doing other things. We also brought a couple of books and decks of cards and a toy car or two, just in case we found ourselves trapped inside on a rainy day.

If you are camping with a baby you will need a safe place for baby to hang out. As we try to camp once or twice a year, usually for 4-6 days at a time we really love this collapsible play yard. It also works quite well to dry swimsuits on, though a few clothes pins would help with that as well. If you don't intend to camp often a pack and play works well for this also, and can double as a bed for your little one to nap in. I would also recommend a bug screen to use with whatever you choose to bring.

Another item we found very handy was a small umbrella stroller. This was handy in taking baby around the campgrounds and also took the place of a lawnchair/highchair at mealtimes. A good collapsible wagon is another must, especially if you are tenting. It can be used to carry kiddos down to the beach and to haul firewood and water back to the campsite if necessary.

We try not to bring too many toys and extras with us, and to have the items we do bring serve as many purposes as possible. We also try to stick to small or collapsible items, to save on space, as there are a large number of items to pack when camping with little ones. The diapers alone take up a lot of space!

Other Camping Necessities

This is not a comprehensive list by any means. There are so many things to pack and so many clever camping items that can be purchased. I would recommend a little research if it is your first trip. Things like an axe or hatchet for firewood, and some type of fire starter are some pretty standard camping gear. Camping with babies and toddlers you will need all of the usual equipment, plus extra items to make the stay with children a little easier.

One thing worth considering is your sleeping arrangements. I really recommend a pack and play style bed for this with babies, whether you are staying in a camper or in a tent. Babies in particular will do much better in a comfortable and familiar bed. Toddlers can sleep in sleeping bags, if you are tent camping you should look into a sleep mat or an air mattress for this. It keeps the chill off from sleeping on the ground and is a little more comfortable for everyone.

I would also recommend bringing some rope and some clothes pins for a makeshift clothesline. If you are staying at a lake or need to wash any clothing you will likely need a place to dry the suits, clothes and towels.

Make sure you pack warm layers for everyone, in case of cool nights or mornings. You never know for sure what type of weather you may encounter so it helps to be prepared.

Of course you also want to make sure that you do not forget the sunscreen. Sunscreen, bug spray, first aid kits, burn kits, tylenol for the kids and aloe in case of sunburn are items that we never leave behind. We actually keep most of these in our car all year round just in case, but they are extra important to bring along if you are camping.

Hygiene is something else to keep in mind, particularly if you are tenting. You will need soap and a jug of some kind for water for hand washing and toothbrushing. You will also need to make sure you have what you need for bathroom trips. Definitely see what is available at the campground you will be using or if you need to provide your own facilities. I encourage a roll or two of toilet paper regardless. Dish soap and a basin of some kind for washing dishes and spot washing clothing is also a great idea.

If this is your first trip or you don't camp often there is no need to break the bank on camping gear. If you find you will be going often however, it wouldn't hurt to slowly stock up on some gear. The real value in purchasing camping gear is in repeated use. Some items are so handy, and can make the experience much better, others you will likely want to pass on. It's a good idea to go out a few times to see what you use prior to making any large purchases.

A few items we are really happy with are a collapsible fabric dish washing basin, that folds up to fit in the palm of your hand, as well as a good cooler, and our campfire sandwich toaster, which we use to make bush pies, another favourite treat around the fire.

An Open Mind

This is a must if you are considering an adventure in the great outdoors. You and your children will get dirty, you will get bitten, you will find bugs. You will also find the space to breath a little. Camping with kids can be a lot of work, but watching your kids with dirty faces, exploring and discovering is well worth it. I firmly believe that trips like these help build confidence and foster a sense of wonder in very young children. Probably to an even greater degree than with older children. It's new and valuable every time, as no two camping trips are ever exactly the same.

You will have to adjust your schedule and expectations. Kids may stay up later to see the stars, or take naps at unexpected times, or suddenly gain an appetite that you never knew existed. They will be dirty, and they will scrape knees, but they will learn so very much from the experience. We use it as an opportunity to teach water and fire safety. They gain confidence and learn that they can do so much more than they thought. Be prepared for a lot more "My do it!" from your toddler on your return home! Spending a few evenings sitting by a campfire, surrounded by forest, is also a fantastic way to let go of some stress. I think it is an excellent boost to the mental wellness of both kids and adults.

We enjoyed our trip so much, my son has been asking to go back to "lake home" for the last 2 weeks! I guess we are going to have to go again. This particular post has mostly been about summer camping, but camping can be done in almost any season if you are prepared enough. I love camping in the summer and the fall particularly, so I'm really hoping for another trip in a month or so.

A little preparation goes a long way when camping. I know it can be a little daunting with young kids, but I highly recommend giving it a try if you get a chance. Whether you haven't been before, or just haven't been in years, camping is always a great way to spend a weekend!

Until next time, be safe, be kind and go camping!