Camping with Little Ones?

I took my son camping from the time he was an infant, get them each their little sleeping bags, and a little kids flash light, they will be fine. They will be out running in the fresh air all day and should lay down and go to sleep fine for you. You may even opt to let the twins sleep with the grandparents who so eagerly invited you to join them. Have fun!!

In my experience, we used the pack'n play in the tent for my daughter. My husband, son, and I were a little cramped... but the tent was just for sleeping anyway. We put the pack'n play in the center area and we slept around her.

Good luck in whatever you decide.
~SR

Hey J.,
My hubby and I and our 21 month old went tent camping for the first time this May (Memorial weekend). It was COLD but fun! My suggestion..bring a pack 'n' play if it fits in your tent..we tried it out ahead of time to make sure we'd all fit..and surprisingly it did..even with an air mattress for us to sleep on! Our son did great (naps were hard because of the daylight and noise obviously..but the car helped with that) but night went okay. We had lots of layers (clothes/blankets) and ended bringing him in with us when we went to bed since it was so cold. You can do it :) its just a matter of how much you want to do it :) We brought little pails/shovels, etc so he could dig in the dirt and bubbles, etc for the daytime. Good luck and have fun if you go!

J.,
I would go! I took my son when he was about 20 months old camping this summer. It was really hot was the only problem we had, but there was a swimming beach I was able to take him to. I would suggest prepare for the weather, that is the biggest issue! We had a tent and my husband and I slept on an air mattress and we put my son next to us on a mat. He slept pretty good, but didn't really take a nap, it was really really hot! He slept through the night but did get up early, so I agree with other poster, bring lots of coffee! Just bring some toys, lots of wipes, and I would suggest some some of booster chair for feeding...The biggest thing is to keep a good eye on them. Unfortunatly not all campers are respectful of the campsites so there can be trash and such around. We had to deal with beer bottle caps mainly. And I agree with poster about trying to find a place to camp near your home, so if it is too hard you have an easy retreat. That is what we did. We only went once this summer because of the heat, but I am hoping we get another chance this fall. Toddlers LOVE being outside so any excuse to have them outside all day is a huge plus! If you go have a great time and relax. One of the posters mentioned all the dangers in camping, but really you have four adults and two kids, that is a pretty good number of eyes to be watching them. Have fun!

We love camping with our children! We go at least 3 times per year and have gone ever since they were babies. This year we took our 4 year old, 2 year old and 4 month old! everyone thought we were crazy but we loved it! we take a pack an play for the baby, let our two big girls sleep together and we are on the other air mattress (we have a big tent for this reason) I found having both sleeping bags and blankets make me feel better because I can put them to bed in the sleeping bags and then cover them up if I notice they are not covered or need extra. We pack a TON because we have so many kids but I figure the more things to entertain them and keep them happy the more time we have to enjoy ourselves! We take them on a hike with backpacks and they have always loved it, even letting us go for hours, usually falling asleep or just enjoying the scenery. My advice, you just have to try it and see how you like it cause I always say "if momma aint happy no one is happy!!!" Good luck!

J.,
At the end of May we went camping in Yellowstone for 6 days. Our son was only 1 and we have a tent. We had an amazing time so I wouldn't miss it if I was you. We took his porticrib with us and he slept in that. Expect your boys to be dirtier then normal so pack plenty of extra clothes. Have a wonderful time.

My advice is to use a port a crib for the boys and you and your husband sleep on the ground in your tent. Go, it will be fun.

Yes - go! We have been camping with both of our children by the time they were 6 months old. In a tent. Bring a pack and play for each to sleep in - keeps them warmer, since they are off the ground, and keeps them contained! If your tent doesn't have room for them, get them each a sleeping bag or even just comforters to sleep on and under. Don't expect great naps or early bedtimes - but it's only a short trip. Bring strollers for walking and possibly eating. Or, if you have room, bring boosters or high chairs. Also, bring stuff for them to do - balls, crayons if they can do that yet, etc. That's it! Expect lots of dirt, and lots of fun!

That doesn't seem to be such a dilema at all. I took my kids camping, my son was 1 mo old and my daughter was 15 mo old. my husband wasn't able to go with us, so it was just me and my children in the tent (for 1 week!) and my inlaws were in their camper, so I at least had their help during the day. Anyway, we had a wonderful time and i would do it again in a heartbeat!!

camp out in the backyard first!

I think everything will be just fine as long as you are able to keep an eye on your kids. I'm sure they could just sleep in between you and your husband

Go...it's a great time. I can't wait til next summer and we'll be doing a BWCA trip with our 5 yr old and 1 yr old. Kids are flexible and will have so much fun exploring, etc. Get a family sized tent, that helps alot. As long as you are all there together, they won't be scared.

They are asking a lot of you to expect you to venture into the wilderness with your twin boys at that age. It could totally screw up your sleep routine at home once you get back! I think you should feel free to decline their offer if you don't want to go. You are not obligated to take them camping with your in-laws. Maybe a year from now would be a more reasonable time to take them. My husband and I tent-camped in the desert in Arizona with my daughter at that age and it was quite a job and it was only one child!

We used a pack-n-play when our toddler was one. But we also had to invest in a larger tent to accomodate it. Now at three, he just sleeps between us.
The stresses - you have to pack so much stuff... diapers, supplies, his food, ...
- at 3, he will wriggle up & out of his sleeping bag, so Mommy keeps waking up to cover him back up on a chilly night... not so restful for Mommy, Daddy sleeps like a log.
The positives - even at 1, the boys do love being outside.

I would say try it out. if it works it works, if it doesn't then wait a few years.
My husband and I went camping at a family reunion a few weekends ago and we had to tents. My husband and my 5 yr old daughter slept in one tent and then my 3 yr old son and my 18mo old daughter slept with me in my tent. I pushed the air mattress tight up against the wall of the tent and put blankets in the crack where the tent and air matress came together and put my 18mo old daughter next to them and my 3 yr old son next to her and later after the campfire was over I crawled in. They were so warm with a sleeping bag each and an extra warm blanket over the top (it was quite cold that night) but my 18mo old was almost sweating. It was fun, the kids loved it and didn't want to leave. My 18 mo old loved being outside but she did like to wander alot...always need an eye on the little ones

I'd go...nothing ventured, nothing gained. That's how we learn things in life, by doing. I am older than most moms, (48) and I was thinking just this morning how different my life would've been for my and my children had I tried more things, been more outgoing, joined more clubs, made more friends. I say go for it, and then you'll have memories, and that's what life is made of::: misadventures and comedy :)

J.,

It's not easy, but it can be done. Your sons can sleep with you or you can set up a pack n play if you have a big tent. If they can walk, it will be easier. But you will just have to watch them with rocks, sticks, campfire, etc. Camping gets much easier as they get older.

Good luck,
S.

Hi J.,
I just camped with my 14 month old this past weekend. For some reason I had this vision that she would explore the tent for a few minutes, get bored, and go to sleep like she does at home. Not really the case, but she still did pretty good. We actually took her for a drive and let her fall asleep in her car seat. We then thought we would move her after she was asleep into the tent. She ended up waking up before we could move her, so I spent an hour in the tent with her until she finally went to sleep. She slept great and didn't wake up until 7 am the next day. The pros definitely outweighed the cons. She had so much fun getting dirty and exploring. If we go again, I will probably bring a pack n play as suggested, although an hour really wasn't that bad. I still had the night to sit in front of the camp fire. Good luck!

We took our daughter out for the first time at that age! It was a great learning experince for future trips! Granted we all sleeped in the same tent but we didn't get much sleep that night! We also were in a park with other campers so every little noise kept our daughter awake. We tried to lay her down around normal bed time but i think it was around midnight before she finally went to sleep. She kept asking what every noise was and we would tell her. Ever since then when we go camping she knows what the noises are and now she's ok with it. It's like when you move into a new house all the new sounds! But i think it was well worth going if you plan on future trips! Good luck and have fun that is what camping is all about!

Hi, definitely go camping! You can make it work, it may be a little tricky, but hopefully will work out and turn into great memories for your family. We've taken both our daughters camping almost every weekend during the summer since they have been 2mo old. I will be honest and that this summers trips with our 16mo old were a bit trickier than our first daughters trips. But, we finally figured out how to make them work. We put her to sleep usually much later than her regular bedtime (because of all excitement and activity going on she wasn't sleepy as usual). We did bring a pack and play (it's a must to keep her confined and in the same environment as home as much as possible). That also was the big helper...keeping everything as homelike as possible. We brought a CD player with batteries to play her lullabies (played them louder than usual to keep outside noises from waking her). What we found worked the best at keeping her asleep was to bring her into our bed when we went into bed so that if she did wake up she felt comfortable because we were with her and wasn't freaked out about not knowing where she was. We also had a battery lantern turned on dim as a nightlight. And most likely, your child will wake up much earlier than normal so bring lots of coffee! Good Luck!

We've been camping many times with my son, now almost 2. Personally I find it easier to sleep with him between my husband and I -- and we are NOT co-sleepers in our "real" life. We don't use sleeping bags, we use blankets, and this way we are sure that our son is warm, dry, etc. etc. If he was in a different bed we wouldn't know as easily.
We let him stay up later, and usually if one of us lies down with him there is no problem getting him to sleep. We can even get him to take naps.
Camping with kids is great fun. Good luck!

Hi J.-

My family and I go camping at least twice a year, with the entire family (grandma, grandpa, cousins, etc.) We all have small children and we only use tents. This year I had my second baby (and 8 year old daughter). My baby was 6 months old and I was so worried. It turned out WONDERFUL. We just use two air matresses in our tent, one for my husband and I, and one for my oldest daughter, and used a pack-n-play for the baby. Another tip would be to bring a screen tent for naps during the daytime. We would put the pack-n-play in there during the daytime and she could play or nap without worrying about bugs or too much sun. You can also buy misquoto netting that is designed to fit over strollers so that was another place for naps after pushing her around for long walks through the woods. Bring a rubbermaid tote full of toys that can be washed when you get home and books and you're set! Since your kids are a little older it will probably be even easier and more fun.

one other tip- we always bring a baby backpack for hikes that don't allow for strollers. You shouldn't worry, if you relax your kids will too, it's a great way to have family time with no distractions- good luck and have fun!

You should just go. I f you hate it you never have to go again! Just ask your in-laws if they would mind going somewhere very close to your home so if the babies are really distressed and you aren't enjoying it at all you can just go home.

Do your in-laws have a pop-up-camper? We went camping with our 13 month old, and we only have a tent, but the people we went with had a pop-up. So we brought a pack n play and she slept in that. We kept her up unitl she was very tired and then she went right to sleep. I also brought along the portable moniter so we could hear her. Maybe if your tent is big enough a pack n play would fit in there??

I say go for it! you will have extra help! We have camped with our children since my son was only a toddler himself. just be sure to take WARM clothes for the night time no matter how warm you may think it will be. It always get way cool at night especially for those who kick off covers, and just not being active. We always had our son sleep with us for practical reasons, a pack and play wouldn't fit and he didn't really sleep in one anyway. Take sunscreen, bug spray, EXTRA clothes they can get dirty cause they will! Take some toys to play with and be ready for busy fun! We love to camp and my children can't wait to go as many weekends as we can during the spring, summer, and fall. Of course it does help that now we have a pop-up! But tent camping is fun too.

I know for many it's tempting since this is a very affordable family vacation. But I say, go with your gut, not anyone elses advice on this one. Only you know your family dynamics. If you know the ride to site will be crazy and actual camping will be a whine-fest, you might want to take a raincheck.

My husband and I are avid outdoor people, but when the kids came along quickly realized it was going to be a long time before we felt it would be doable, let alone safe for us to camp with our little ones. People tend to forget, campsites are full of many hidden dangers, ranging from strangers to seemingly friendly but dangerous wildlife. Things can really go from nice to nasty if you don't go into "any" camping situation with a hardcore safety plan. Danger isn't only reserved for those braving a climbing expedition on on K-2. Kids go missing and tragedy strikes more often than people realize at park reserves and mobile home/camp sites all the time.

If your kids are anything like ours, and they dart off, get into everything, pull-away, get easily overwhelmed or over stimulated in new surroundings, or have allergies etc. you might want to wait. You won't have much fun let alone time to spend with the grandparents, since you'll be worrying about keeping them safe and chasing them down the whole time.

Another thing to consider is weather and your surroundings where you will be camping. Will there be open fire pits, others (strangers not with your party) at nearby sites, open water, pools, or heavily wooded trails where they could get lost?

I say think about it carefully. There is plenty of time for them to enjoy a full-on camping experience. When they're older you, your parents and your children will all appreciate it more. I like another poster's idea about trying out the backyard first. You might get a mini-preview of how they'll behave. If you go, be sure to stress to the grandparents you want an agreed upon safety plan to help cut down on unexpected issues.

Go! We've been camping with our daughter all summer and she's only 6 1/2 months old now. It's a little extra work, but well worth it. She loves being outside now! She sleeps in the pack and play and use a warm sleep sack for cool evenings. We go camping with a group of friends that have a one to two year olds and most of them put them in the pack and play in the tent as well. A few of them have their own sleeping bag (though those are the ones that are closer to 2 years old.)

If you're worried about them running off at all, one of our friends has a gate system that's pretty much 6 gates that hook together to make a little play area that we sometimes use. (Especially if we leave all the kids behind with just a few adults to watch them all while the rest of the adults do something else.) They still get to play in the grass, but can't run off.

Have fun and they'll have fun too! And if doesn't work out, it's only one night. Even if it doesn't go smoothly this year, I'd still give it a try again next year.

J. did you go after all?
I just wanted to say to you as one twin mama to another if you aren't really excited about this don't do it. The times I've been on vacation with my girls when they were about a year old were very very difficult for me and not really worth it for them. We have a life time ahead of us to go to all these really exciting places and there's no reason to do things when the children are this little. It's more than double the work than it is with a singleton and your in-laws should be understanding of that.
My girls are now 2yo and this summer we didn't go anywhere because I think it's just too hard and they were very happy to spend time with us and didn't miss going on holiday at all. None of my friends understood why I didn't want to go anywhere and all of them told me stories of all the great things they did with their little ones but none of them have twins so they have no idea how it would be for us. Just getting them out of the house somedays is a challenge much less going somewhere for an overnight. And the amount of stuff you would have to take for just one night.
not worth it!

For sure GO! The memories you create are well worth it. We've been camping with our daughter, in a tent, since she was 5 months old. She absolutely loves it everytime! As recommended already, be sure to bring a pack-n-play for sleeping. We would stick to the same routines as at home as far as times and books before bed, etc. One other thing that is very important is a stocking hat for sleeping. The nights can get rather cool even in the summer and the heat escapes from the head so try to keep your little ones warm and they will sleep much better. Enjoy the outdoors!

Good morning, J.! Just thought I'd offer a little practical advice. First, and probably most obvious, where is the camp site located? Safety issues such as the presence of wildlife and fire hazards need to be addressed. Secondly, what type of weather are you having? If it gets colder through the night, condensation from your family's collective breath and warm bodies could make for a pretty miserable morning, what with the possibility of congested little noses and sore throats. Also, disposal of dirty diapers should be a concern. You'll want them in an airtight container because you don't want any animals snooping around. Camping with 15-month-olds is definitely feasible and could get more enjoyable every year. An argument for NOT camping this year could be that they'll remember the experiences when they're older. Who knows though? Now may be a good time to practice. That way you'll see how much easier (or harder) it gets every year. Have fun!

Take a playpen, let them get really tired and dirty, then put them to bed. They will sleep well and enjoy the time. Just remember that camping with kids is for the "experience" not for rest!

SAHM of seven, currently on a month-long camping trip/family visit across country. The kids are loving it!

As far as in a tent I am not sure because it is getting so cold at night. Blanket sleepers for sure. I have had my daughter camping since she was 4mo. and she is very good at it now. She does get to stay up a little later but she naps extra long when we get home. Kids really enjoy being outside just take old clothes and them get dirty. This is a real bonding time for our whole family. The kids have lots of fun and mom and dad are more relaxed with things. Good Luck. Also bring lots of wipes we use them through out the day and then a good cleaning before bed.

Have you checked out the ready beds for kids? They are awesome. They inflate in just a few minutes and they have a blanket and a headrest on them. They also come in all different kinds. Two of my boys have Thomas the Tank engine beds. i have also seen them with Spiderman and Cars designs on them. You can find them at Walmart I think. We ordered ours from QVC. Good Luck.

Go for it. It is great fun to take little ones camping. For sleeping arrangements we always take a samller pop up tent & set it up inside our larger tent for our son. He loves this. It gives him a smaller confined space for naps & quited time & the smaller tent with in the larger also keeps his body heat confined for cooler nights. just remember to pad their area well so they are off of the ground some.

My sister has two little ones and puts the younger one in a pack & play & the older sleeps with them on the sir matress..

Have fun!!