Can You Camp in a Tent with a Toddler? (Or Have Tent, Will Camp)

I'm so glad that you had such a good time!

We've been camping every summer for about 26 years. We started when my older son was about 2, continuing through my second pregnancy (camping when I was 6 mo along and my DH said something like "Don't worry, I will do all the work" AND he did!), and my younger son's first experience at age 6 mo. It's had its challenges, but we've loved it.

Maybe you'll enjoy this story...

http://www.mothering.com/parenting/my-playa-boy

Peace,
J.

Yes!! My husband and I just took two fourteen year old girls and one 15 month old girl camping for two nights in a tent and we SURVIVED!! It was great. We had a pack and play and it was perfect. She slept in it and played in it. The people next to us had a toddler and they had no pack and play and the mom was stuck in the tent the whole time trying to keep the baby from the fire and mud and other stuff. Our daughter has sitting right by us, talking to us and having a ton of fun. We covered the bed at night with a sheet to keep bugs out and she got one bug bite, so it must have worked. We had a thunderstorm, moved campsites and all kinds of other fun, and she smiled through the whole thing. One thing I would do differently is take really study shoes for her so she could have walked around more, but that's easy to remember for our next time. Enjoy!!

We've camped with our son (at 8 months and 11months) twice this year. Never took the pack and play. Our son slept on a pad (used for backpacking)and was fine. Since he wasn't walking we would put him in the umbrella stroller like it was a chair. he loved it. We even had him sleeping in a pop up camper with suitcases to keep him from rolling out.

Hi S.,

My husband and I always went camping when my kids were 1 years old. We brought alot of things because we were the serious campers. Always be prepared is the cub scout motto. The thing I always had to worry about is that sometimes my children had bed wetting problems so I made sure the camp grounds we went to had a washer and dryer. There were times I had to wash some sleeping bags because of accidents or bring an extra sleeping bag just in case. Also, I made sure I bought some toys or things like coloring books so that they can be occupied when my husband and I were setting up the campfire or start to cook outdoors. We were always well prepared like flashlights, air mattress that blows itself up, small propane grill, cooking utensils, paper plates or camping dishes to eat on, fishing poles, swim suits if near a lake or water park, extra clothes for baby in case of accidents or get very dirty, lawn chairs for the campfire, we usually cook over the campfire too so I have tonkas for cooking and heavy pans, and the list goes on. You can't forget to make smores and since my kids are now older, the cub scouts have great ideas for campfire cooking. One great idea is to have cooking oil over a big fire in a rather large pot. Buy those bisquits in a can and put a hole in them. With a long camping fork, (also great for marshmellows because I hate using sticks)fry them until done. Put them in a bag of sugar and cinnamon or powered sugar and instant doughnuts. The kids love the experience. Have fun. The more you camp, the more ideas you get for the next time.

Former camper here... When our son was a toddler we went camping and what we would do is bring a play pen to set up at the camp site. Would put stuff in the play pen to do while we were preparing meals or just sitting around talking. When we went on hikes or down to the beach we had him in his back pack. He went about everywhere with us and that backpack got good use. He got a little heavy for me to carry him by age 2 but prior to that the A-frame back pack was great.
Our son is now 19 and my husband and I do not camp we like the hotels better but our son is an avid camper. So get the tent out and have a great time. Just don't forget the bug spray and the Raid Yard Guard to spray the camp site if the camp you are visiting does not fog in the evenings for mosquitoes.

S.

Hi S.,
We do alot of campping. We usually bring more just for the little ones. Ground pads in the tent if you have them. We have 2 comforters to lay on and one to cover up. Maybe a throw blanket for each person so there is no fighting. Pillow, stuffed animal, etc.
Food : hot dogs, marshmallows, chips, soup, sandwiches, etc. whatever you want to eat and cooler for drinks.
tiki torches, bug spray.
I don't bother with pajamas. We just grab a pair of sweats and if the temp. is cool then a long sleeve short to sleep in.
A few toys the kids like to play with.
Just have fun. It's really not to hard.
Good luck and have a great time!
J. J.

Of course you can!!!!!!!!! Best times of our life pictures, pictures, pictures......... You will be buying a camper next.lol we did try a yogi bearcampground. Pool hot tub, lake showers mini golf fun,fun,fun.keep us posted K.

We started camping with our daughter at 14 mos old! We brought the pack n play and set it up in the tent. She loved it. Now our girls are 3 & 5 and they can't wait to camp out as much as possible!

We camped a couple of years ago with our then 8 month old. It was so fun! Just plan on getting dirty. We used an air mattress for ourselves and a playpen for our son. I don't know if your daughter still sleeps in a crib or not, or if you even have the room, but the playpen worked for us. We went on a lot of walks in the stroller and generally just hung out. Make sure you bring Tylenol though. Our son decided to cut all four of his top teeth that weekend, and luckily we had Tylenol, but no teething rings or ice, so it was a challenge. Other than that, we had tons of fun. Good luck!

I know you asked about a toddler, but you have a lot of advise about that. Here is mine about camping... Keep all your food either in a cooler or the car. Nothing is worse than having raccoons trying to get your food in the middle of the night, while you are cooking, during your meals, while you stand a few inches away from your food supply, etc. It left us with a funny story, but those wild animal can be persistent!!

We went camping last month with our 2-year-old and 3 1/2-year-old. It was a blast after the first night. We didn't have a clear cut plan on how we were going to get them to sleep. Night number two we all piled in the car after we were ready for bed and they fell asleep within in ten minutes and slept until 9am (unheard of around here). Our 2-year-old slept between us on the air mattress and our son slept in the sleeping bag next to the mattress. I just had to be prepared to have them dirty for the weekend (swimming helped) and we just went with the flow - fishing, digging in the dirt, walks. There are books at the library on camping and camping with toddlers you may want to check out. Don't forget plastic table clothes for the picnic table and her favorite snacks. Have fun!!!

We have been camping with our daughter since she was a baby. She loves it! I agree with the other poster about overpacking. When she was a toddler and we'd go camping she had more fun discovering leaves and rocks and things like that then playing with toys. We have a large air mattress so she always slept with us but if you're not into having your child sleep with you a pack n play would work great.
Be sure to bring some warmer clothes in case it gets chilly at night. And bring something that makes it easy to carry tolietries back and forth to the shower. (We have a small plastic caddy thing)- speaking of the shower- I have a pair of flip flops I bring with me to wear in the shower.
(Campground showers can be not the cleanest!)
If you haven't used your tent before- try to set it up once before you go so you know what you're doing when you get to the site.
We always bring a flashlight or two and batteries. And a way to start a fire (nothing stinks more then getting everything all set up and realizing you forgot the matches LOL).
Have fun! Camping is a blast!

My husband and I went starting taking our daughter camping with us when she was 1. Our son's first camping trip was when he was 3 weeks old!!! It is totally possible. We camped at a forest preserve close to home just in case we needed to leave (which we did with my son because it started storming and our tent leaked).

I recommend bringing an air mattress and sleeping bags, a small fan (if you can get a camp site with electricity), plenty of healthy snack foods, a magnifying glass to look at bugs, and a jar with holes in the lid to catch lightning bugs (release them quickly so they don't die...that is quite tragic for a little girl). Pack all of your food and clothes in plastic rubbermaid bins. It will keep them dry if it rains, and keep animals away from your food. And if you ever go camping while potty training, bring your toddler's potty chair in the tent with you.

Toys can be optional...there are so many fun sticks, rocks, plants, etc to look at you don't really need toys. We bring a couple of my daughter's dolls, bubbles, and a ball to kick around. Plan on some nature walks too.

We normally take a fire starter log just to be sure we can get a fire started quickly. Marshmallows and brats are fun, but make sure you have a long enough stick for your daughter. She will probably want to help "cook" them.

Have fun!!!

We did it and our son loved it. Don't plan to many things. You will be surprised at how much fun they find rocking in soda cans or bugs. We brought an extra mattress for the kid, but he ended up sleeping with us. Have fun!

have fun She will be among many other toddlers and you other parents gogogogogogogo have fun

Hi S.!

Unfortunately weather has never cooperated every time we try to go for the last 2 years but we are hoping next month for vacation we can go camping! Our daughter will be 3 then though.

A few things to do/bring....
-besides bug spray- get a spray to do the ground all around your campsite (if there is not a lot of people around) It helps a ton along with the skeeter spray!
- if you plan to have a campfire PLEASE make sure there is nothing your daughter can trip on!!!! If she is a active one please keep her close! I have seen young children when my father was in the burn ward who were burned from campfires- very sad!!!!
- talk it up! Put a blanket over the kitchen table or couches connected etc- bring in a flashlight and tell stories!
- lots of baby wipes!!! marshmallows are too sticky and lots of dirt to get into! lol
- warm jammies and extra protection from the cold on the ground for her atleast!

Most importantly, bring a camera! You will want to look back and think of all the great memories you made with her while there! When my son was younger (hes 20 now) we used to bring him camping all the time. That is one of his fondest memories and he wants to still come with us- if the weather ever works out! lol

I hope you have a great time and I look forward to hearing how it went for you! Blessings to you and yours!

We have camped with our 2 and 4 year olds, and I would suggest that you take lots of wet wipes and plastic bags (grocery store type) for trash or wet/dirty clothes. Glow bracelets/ necklaces are great for finding kids in the dark, and also serve well for night lights for bedtime. Good luck, and have fun!!

Our experience camping with toddler is good and we plan to do more of it. The drawbacks are 1)since one parent is tending to the toddler, all the setup and take down falls to just one person (the other parent) 2) Have a backup plan if it rains during the day. Toddlers don't appreciate staying dry and mud free!

We discovered that our Pack n' Play fit in our small tent the last time we camped (over the 4th of July weekend). We are so glad we brought that for our toddler (she was 17 months at the time). It worked really well (she slept through the whole night in it). Of course, it rained all day on the 4th, and our beds ended up soaked (except for hers: hers was raised off the ground).

I suggest bringing your daughter's pack-n-play if it fits in the tent. She'll be familiar with it and probably sleep better. I would also get her a toddler size chair to sit in around the camp fire. Good luck! You'll learn from experience so give it a try!!

I am not a camper but...if you plan to do this long term you might be interested in the phil & teds pop up crib:

http://www.philandteds.com/upload/index.php/sleep/109

it is made for outdoor use and is great for beach/forest use becuase it cleans easily. Also it is super light and packs up so small.