But as it turns out, many families love the adventure of camping, even with little ones in tow. The fresh air, the smell of the fire and the warmth it provides at night, and endless fun as you explore nature together. Camping with a toddler or baby is not only possible, but it’s also enjoyable too. Here are a few tips for making the most of your family’s first camping experience. If you choose to stick local for your first trip, you might be surprised to find out how many camping sites there are nearby and just how many resources they offer. For example, many state parks offer perks like free shower facilities, paved trails, advanced reservations, and low site fees. Some county parks can offer everything from splash pads and pools on-site to full restaurants and family fun like tennis courts or putt-putt golfing. There are so many different options for exactly what you’re looking for, so think ahead about what type of camping experience you’re hoping to find. If you want a very rural and rustic camping experience, you may have to prepare for the unexpected. Some sites do not offer advanced reservations and only give sites on a first-come, first-served basis. So take advantage of your baby’s early wake-up time to hit the road in time to be the first one to reserve your site. Some states, like Michigan, have a flat fee for entrance into all state parks, which makes camping a very affordable option for families. You can also filter your search by site type, or if there are resources like showers available. If you can, check out reviews of the campsites so you can hear what sites work best for families. For example, if you’re using a tent and won’t have access to a bathroom, you may want to choose a site that is nearest to the bathroom if you’re traveling with a potty-training toddler. If you book a site in advance, you can look at the campsite map and gauge what might be best for your family. Also consider the shade and sun of your site, which might sound like a small thing, but I can guarantee you that’s most certainly a very big deal indeed. If you have a tent without shade and choose a full-sun spot in the summer, you may all end up sweltering and constantly worry about sunscreen. On the flip side, an overly shaded area can be a magnet for bugs and mosquitoes and make for a miserable, itchy camping trip. While camping with a baby, you’ll want to be sure to bring the following items:
A portable camping highchair or pod: These usually run from around $30 to $60, and can be easily folded up and wiped down. There are so many options that you might even want to purchase just to have around the house! A hiking carrier: This is a must if you plan to be hiking or walking a lot. Look for one that’s sturdy and can accommodate a baby to toddler. If you’re on a budget, check online swap sites or sales for used carriers. Wet wipes: You can never have too many wet wipes, to be honest. You’ll also want to bring a bag to dispose of all of your trash, including wipes and diapers. An outdoor rug or beach mat: You’ll want something to extend your living space, especially if you have a crawling baby on the loose. There are many options you could use for this, from a leftover piece of carpet to indoor/outdoor carpeting to a plastic tarp. A beach mat is a great idea to keep your little one from spending too much time in the sand. (Which includes, of course, eating the sand and/or stuffing sand down her diaper because you know it will happen.) A playpen or Pack `n Play: You’ll want a portable crib of some sort to both uses for your child to be entertained and corralled, as well as sleep in. A noise machine: I know, I know, a noise machine isn’t exactly rustic camping gear, but if you’ve got a fussy baby, it may just be worth it to bring a battery-powered noise machine of some kind to help soothe your little one to sleep. A cooler: A necessity if you plan on storing breast milk or formula. Lots of layers: Temperatures can drop drastically at night, especially if you’re tent camping, so you will want to be sure to have layers for your baby to add as the night goes on.
While camping with a toddler, you may find the aforementioned items useful too. Your toddler may not want to spend too much time in a playpen, for example, but it will be helpful when you need to keep your toddler nearby and safe while you get dinner going over the fire. If you’re going camping, thoroughly prepare to be on guard against bug bites and to carefully monitor your children for any bug bite reactions. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that repellant used on kids contain no more than 30% DEET. As an alternative, the AAP recommends parents choose bug repellants with an active ingredient of picaridin first. Essential oil bug repellants such as soybeans, cedar, or citronella can be used, although they are very short-acting. These repellants haven’t been studied in long-term use, so sparingly use them on your young children. If you can, use a bug net attached to your baby’s car seat or playpen whenever possible to ward off bug intruders instead. You should never apply any bug spray on a baby younger than 2 months old. Only apply bug spray to exposed skin and monitor your baby or toddler for any reaction to the spray as well. The AAP also notes that many “natural” products on the market, such as wristbands soaked in essential oils or ultrasonic devices have not been proven to be effective against bugs.
A Word From Verywell
If you take a camping trip with your family, rest assured it’s the kind of vacation you will remember for a very long time. As fun as it may be, camping is not a trip to undertake spontaneously when you have a baby or toddler. The key to camping is preparation, and having the right supplies and gear to actually make it an enjoyable experience for everyone. So if you’re willing to do a little research and prep work, you can have fun camping experience, even with little ones in tow.
