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How to Camp With Babies and Kids – Everything You Need for a Successful Camping Trip

March 23, 2016 by Jennifer 29 Comments

Figuring out how to camp with babies and kids can certainly seem daunting at first. It doesn’t matter if you’re in a tent, tent trailer, trailer, or RV. All it takes is a little planning and preparation, and knowing exactly what you need to bring versus what you need to leave home. With these tips, you can feel confident taking your 4 month old to your 4 year old (and beyond) no problem, and even manage to have a good time!

These are the Best Tips for Camping with Babies and Kids #howtocampwithkids #campingwithkids

Tips on How to Camp with Babies and Kids

Preparing for SLEEPING 

First thing’s first… Depending on the age of your babe, you need to figure out sleeping arrangements. When our first was really little, we were still camping in a tent so the three of us just snuggled on an air mattress to sleep. Nap time was no biggie because there was really no where for her to go.

If you are in a tent, but don’t feel comfortable leaving your little one on the “bed” without you, we have friends that swear by the KidCo Pea Pod. They used it for both their kids and love it. It’s basically a cute little baby tent you put inside your tent.

As we’ve grown as a family, we now have a pop up tent trailer with actual beds. This is fine for our older girl, and when we went camping last year the baby was only 4-5 months old so we were able to create a “nest” around him on the bed so he wouldn’t fall off. This year, at 15 months, that wouldn’t work so well. We thought about making one of the benches into a “crib” of sorts, basically building crib rails and screwing them to the bench. But I was having a hard time envisioning how well that would work.

How to Camp with Babies and Kids

Update, we now have a full on trailer… you can see a bit of it in the background.

I ended up finding a super compact Pack n Play on Amazon fits PERFECTLY in between the two benches. I feel much better about the safety of it, plus we can take it outside during the day if we need a little containment.

The 4 year old is self sufficient when it comes to sleeping. She has her kids sleeping bag (I recommend going no warmer than 30 degrees. At least where we camp, it can get really cold at night). We bring her pillow from home, and she’s good to go.

Click here to get the ultimate camping checklist as an instant download.

Ultimate Camping Checklist

THE GEAR LIST

Oh boy… the gear. This is where it is super easy to go overboard. I remember our very first camping trip with a baby. We brought EVERYTHING!!!! But all you need are a few basics:

  • Baby Carrier– This is handy right up until the kid’s about 1.5-2 years old (at least for me, but my kids are teeny). It’s perfect for short hikes (and long ones when the baby’s too small for a Baby Hiking Backpack), exploring, setting up camp, and basically anything you need two free hands for. It’s a lifesaver.

CampingWithABabyCarrier

 

  • Portable High Chair – This little gem folds up to the size of any other camp chair, but gives you a place to set your baby and strap ’em in for both meals and play time.

CampingBabyHighChair

  • Baby Hiking Backpack – We were fortunate enough to inherit one from some friends. But while the Baby Carrier is perfect for short hikes, this one is great on the longer, more strenuous hikes after they’re about 1 year. Just make sure it has a sun shade on it, that’s necessary.

BabyHikingBackpack

  • Sun Hat – Hopefully it’s nice during the day where you’re camping. That’s the point of camping, right? To enjoy the beautiful outdoors and cross your fingers for sun instead of rain! This is a necessity for both the little and big kids.
  • Warm Baby Bunting Suit – Where we go, it gets cold at night. There is nothing more stressful than lying awake all night worrying that your baby is warm enough. You can layer as much or as little as you want to under these, and our kiddos have always been nice and toasty.

BabyBearBunting

  • Wipes – Believe it or not, I use these more for the bigger kiddo than the smaller one (other than the obvious diaper changing). As they get older, they are better able to really roll around in the dirt. They acquire this special knack for getting it in every nook and cranny of their bodies, and sometimes a fresh wipe is the only saving grace. If you really want to “go green” here, try making these DIY Camping Wipes.

CampingKidWithDirtAllOver

  • Sun Block – This one is self explanatory, don’t leave home without it. Use it on everyone, liberally!
  • Bug Spray – Again, self explanatory… but you don’t want to forget it.
  • Infant Tylenol – Or Advil, or Benadryl… whatever works best for your little when the sniffles or teething pains show up.
  • Kids Camping Chair – They will need a place to sit. And if they don’t have a place of their own, they will sit in your chair. Then you will not have a place to sit. These are small and take up very little space.

KidSittingInCampChair

What You’ll Need for PLAYING 

Not much needed here. Just let Mother Nature do her job.

  • Sand Toys – This is pretty much all you need. I used to bring bags and bags of toys in fear that the kids would get bored, but all they want to do is play in the sand or dirt, depending on where we are camping.
  • Glow Sticks – Ok I lied. There is one other toy you will need. Glow sticks area powerful tool. At the end of a long day, when the kids are all tired and cranky, nothing brings them back around like glow sticks. They hold a magic power over kids that is incredible. You could almost get away with forgetting everything else, as long as you have these (except for those 12 other hours of daylight you need to keep them entertained for).

How To Camp With Babies And Kids

And there you have it. Your list of necessities when camping with babies and kids. Everything else is just superfluous, other than a few changes of clothes and food of course. What are your must-haves for camping?

You may also want to check out these 9 Awesome Camping Recipes, 9 Camp Kitchen Necessities and Campfire S’mores Dip.

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HowToCampWithBabiesAndKids

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Filed Under: Favorites, Getting Outside, Homemaking, Living, Parenting, Pregnancy & Babies, Toddlers & Elementary Tagged With: babies, camping, how to, kids

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Elizabeth says

    March 24, 2016 at 12:08 pm

    Great post! Sharing on Facebook today! Elizabeth thislittlehomeofmine.com
    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      March 25, 2016 at 1:02 pm

      Thanks so much Elizabeth!
      Reply
  2. Megan says

    March 24, 2016 at 9:43 pm

    First. Avila is TINY in these photos. Second. You guys totally rock the camping with kids thing. Third mention the MAGIC bug cream. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00VV5KRD8/ref=mp_s_a_1_30?qid=1458877370&sr=8-30&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=mosquito+repellent
    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      March 25, 2016 at 1:04 pm

      MEGAN!!!! I was racking my brain trying to remember the MAGIC bug cream... I'll add that in.
      Reply
  3. jessica says

    March 26, 2016 at 10:46 am

    I've only camped once with my children. I was pregnant and had an 18 month old who got covered in mud head to toe...it made me never really want to camp again. Rain and mud and air mattresses that deflated made it not so enjoyable for me. But I know my kids would love it. I'm pinning this in case i get brave again...
    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      March 26, 2016 at 2:55 pm

      Oh no, that doesn't sound extremely enjoyable! There are definitely stages in life that are harder than others. When I was pregnant with a 3 year old, that was a little tough as well. But it seems to just get easier each year.
      Reply
  4. Molly @ Love the Everyday says

    March 26, 2016 at 4:01 pm

    Glow Sticks. Brilliant. I love that! Camping is one of our favorite things! We don't have kids yet, but when we do we will appreciate this advice!
    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      March 26, 2016 at 4:38 pm

      Molly, they are seriously the key to happy camping with kids!!!
      Reply
  5. Alison says

    March 27, 2016 at 4:45 am

    This is so helpful! We're hoping for a few camping trips this year with our 4 year old and 1 1/2 year old, we've got a Tula carrier for him but he's getting heavy in it now for longer hikes so we're gonna need a baby hiking carrier this year - yours looks great. And glow sticks are such a great idea! They're great for sunset trips to the beach too.
    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      March 27, 2016 at 9:06 am

      Thanks Alison. I'll have to remember that for the beach!
      Reply
  6. Poppy says

    March 31, 2016 at 10:15 am

    Do you ever go camping with babies and grandparents?
    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      March 31, 2016 at 1:29 pm

      We do, ask again after our trip this weekend though and the answer may be different:)
      Reply
  7. Mel says

    May 10, 2016 at 4:00 am

    Don't forget to pack bubbles - they are the equivalent of gloss sticks in the day!
    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      May 10, 2016 at 10:03 am

      YES!!!! Bubbles are essential as well.
      Reply
  8. Elaine Matthews says

    May 31, 2016 at 11:58 am

    We love to camp!! Just had the grand Daughters out this weekend!! We like bubbles too! and of course roasting dogs and marshmallows for s'mores are always a great treat!! Sharing!!
    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      May 31, 2016 at 2:59 pm

      Thanks Elaine, yes bubbles are always fun!
      Reply
  9. Kris says

    August 3, 2017 at 3:45 pm

    Thanks for the great article and suggestions! I've been looking up a lot of different ways to incorporate nature-based play into my kids' routines at home ever since enrolling them in their nature-based preschool, Harmony Learning . The environment was so welcoming and friendly that I immediately knew I wanted to bring some of that magic back home. It's really amazing to see the positive effects of bringing nature into your routine, such as something as simple as a camping trip, can have on your kids! Personally the change has been so drastic that I'm not sure how other parents can doubt the effect. Thanks again for the great tips! We will definitely be using these for many trips to come.
    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      August 3, 2017 at 3:56 pm

      I looooove the idea of a nature-based preschool! Thanks for the note Kris.
      Reply
  10. Lindsey says

    April 19, 2018 at 9:11 am

    Such great tips! We bring a pack n' play as well. IT's nice to know that my son won't fall out of the bed, but it's also helpful for containing him when we are cooking or need to set up. Cheers!
    Reply
  11. Elnore Macey says

    September 14, 2018 at 3:34 am

    Oh my word - I absolutely LOVE the portable high chair. What a genius idea. We have been investing energy and time into selecting proper camping chairs for our lot. Can the tray part detach from the actual chair Jen? We found this article but they don't seem to mention anything about tots. https://www.camp4.com/best-camping-chair Our lot are aged 5,2 and 1. Very busy! What would you recommend? Have a lovely day Thanks Elnore
    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      September 15, 2018 at 9:42 am

      What fun ages to take camping! I love the portable high chair, but unfortunately the tray does not come off.
      Reply

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Welcome, I'm Jen! I'm here to offer realistic (sometimes semi-green) parenting, eating, and homemaking tips so that you can embrace life and let go of perfection. Because if I can do it, you can do it! Get to know more of Jen →

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