Being a parent of a newborn or a toddler is not easy. And when there are some trips planned, our intelligence is put to test. When we first planned a camping excursion with our little one, i wondered about tips for camping with toddlers and babies. Though whatever we plan ahead does not come out exact. But there certainly is a lot of help with each preparatory step. This would help you plan for perfect family camping trip.
It gets even easier when you have already done a camping trip or two with your little one. All of us form our own camping with toddlers checklist. Summer is here, and it that time of the year again when we have absolutely no worry but to plan and pack for a camping trip. The weather is awesome and its just right time for some outdoor fun. So we have compiled a checklist here, on camping with toddlers and babies. To make it easier for you to plan effectively.
Tips for camping with babies:
Taking your newborn or an infant to a camping trip is a lot more mental stress than it would be actually. The most important question that pops up is what if the child is not liking it at all. So for making the camping trip easy, we a have a checklist of essentials to help you survive your camping trip with little ones.
1- Stay close to home: It is very important to be in a 1-3 hour range from your home at your first camping trip with your little baby. Ad babies may not be too comfortable to travel in a car seat for that long. This will keep you relaxed mentally too. And for any emergency you can always wind up the trip and rush back home.
2- Try a test ride once with a day trip: If reaching at the camp site takes a couple of hours, try a test run. Pick a nearby place and be sure to spend the day there. This will help you in understanding other necessary items your little one needs.
3- Bring ample layers for weather changes: Weather may change drastically. Be sure to pack for ample layers of clothes. Specially night time outfits. Do not over dress or under dress your child as this may cause them discomfort
4- Bring ample rattles and toys: Carry ample toys for your little one. Also bring some musical toys to keep them happy. Bring a story book to read out loud to them, in the woods
5- Bring their favorite blanket and pillow if they have any: Little ones may find the campsite scary and they may not sleep because of the fright. Be sure to bring as many items from their nursery as possible. Specially their blanket and night wear
6- Give them comfort: Try to comfort them by staying with them, holding or hugging them for the first couple of hours at the camp site. This will make them come at ease and feel safe
7- Start early and set up tent and fireplace before dark: it is very important to set the text up before dark. Let the little one have their meal and play on time. Also in dark there may be bugs which you may overlook
8- Bring your own car so its easy to leave early for any urgency and let others in your group enjoy: When camping with a group of friends or relatives, it is better to bring your own vehicle so that any urgency comes up you may just grab your stuff and leave
9- Beware of temperature all the time: Morning and afternoon weather also may change quickly. So keep check of alerts and weather forecasts for the surrounding areas.
10- Seek help from neighbors and friends: It is great to seek help from the people who are there around us. This will hep us in easing out a bit and also give a chance to the little one to bond with others too
11- Co-sleep in the tent: Even if you don’t sleep with your little one anymore it is better to co-sleep in a camping trip. It gives a better sense of security and safety to the child.
12- Bring flip-flops as you wont have the energy to put on and take off shoes a hundred times: Being a mom you would be constantly running around for little things. And wearing boots and taking them off every single time is difficult. You must also wear easy and comfortable dresses. This will keep you stress free.
13- Carry ample diapering stuff: The little one may suddenly poop a 10 times or pee a lot more than at home. So be sure to carry ample extra diapers and wipes. Also wipes are not just for poop but for cleaning and sanitizing other areas too. So bring ample of these.
14- Bring a thermometer and all necessary medicines: Thermometer is essential as change of place may cause infection in the little one. Medicines are also important as you may need them anytime during the trip. And when camping you can not be sure of the closest pharmacy.
15- Keep a check on nearby ER or clinics: Find more about ER or hospitals beforehand. Take their contact and address details along with you
Tips for camping with toddlers:
Since toddlers can move around everywhere, their safety becomes the most important aspect of our planning. With toddlers it can get a little more tricky than with younger ones. So lets learn some quintessential points we must keep in mind:
1- Bring familiar toys both outdoor and indoor: Toddlers need to be enriched and stimulated all the time so carry ample toys. Specially both outdoor and indoor options as weather may make it tough to play outside if it rains. The more activities the less cranky toddlers will be
2- Practice sleeping in a tent as early as a week prior to the camping trip: You may practice sleeping in a tent at home also. Begin at least a week in advance. Try to set the same tent up and sleep the way your would at the campsite. Co-sleeping will also help in easing off.
3- Bring your toddlers favorite night-time story book, pillow, blanket and other stuff which are important for them to feel comfortable: This is very important as most toddlers stay happy over the course of the day but by night they start getting cranky.
4- Sippers and plates/ bowls also have need to be the ones which your toddlers love to eat in: Don’t forget their favorite spoons, forks, sipper, plates and bows. This will help them eat well
5- Encourage power naps at least 2-3 times the day for having a more relaxed night time sleep: Taking power naps will relax and comfort the toddler. Also it will help them to not get over exerted. As being extremely tired can bring about temper tantrums.
6- Bring their playpen, mat, chair or a lightweight swing for them to enjoy their outdoor time. This is necessary as it will prevent them from getting dirty on the ground and also give them ample play spaces.
7- Explore places around too: Do not contain the little one at one place, but explore the places around. This will help in keeping the toddler entertained and happy too
8- Bring teething toys as these might be the most important ones to relax kids: Most toddlers have teething itch and pain. So carrying teething toys will help them in easing off
9- Opt for age appropriate hikes: Opt hikes at the camp sites looking at the age appropriateness. Do not over exert your toddler
10- Carry baby wearing, stroller, car seat and other options for you may have to keep on either one at each times. It will be very important for you too. As carrying in a sling may not be comfortable for all day hiking and exploration so keep switching between various options.
11- Sunscreen and bug spray are a must carry items: Heat may tan you and the toddler so keep applying and refreshing the sun screen. Also opt for a deet free insect repellant. This will prevent any insect bite
12- Bring ample ready-to-eat snacks, as you may not have much time for preparing everything. Toddlers just love finger foods, so carry ample snacks. Bring one time packs of each this will help you to organize well
13- Plan for easy to cook meals: Do not bring items for elaborate meals. Believe me, when you travel with your toddlers your intellect reduces to half. And you tend to forget more than remember. So have easy to cook meals to make it easy for you too. And the more time you spend with your toddler better adjusted he or she will be
14- Pack a first aid kit: First aid kit keeping in mind the toddler and adults both. Do not forget to carry bandages and wipes. These wold be most needed
15- Carry ample wipes: Toddlers toilet wipes are just not for diapering, these are antibacterial and non toxic so use them generously for cleaning and wiping everything around. I have been using them for every bit of cleaning stuff at my home. And its so easy and mess free.
Bring ample clothes, socks, cap, hat and napkins too. You may need them more, and it may be difficult to wash and get them dry easily. The above compilation on Tips for camping with toddlers and babies is to help you plan your upcoming summer camping trip with your toddlers and babies as a pro. Be careful about the essentials and also remember it will only get better with each trip you take as family. Check campnavigator resources for more details.
Enjoy and keep writing us, we love hearing from you!
By Minu Manisha
