Camping with a toddler

[ElDub1950]

Toddlers are far more work when you're camping than when you're at home. If your wife didn't care for her first time camping with you, without the kids, she'll hate you at the end of this camping trip LOL.

We went twice when my kids were 2 & 3. Didn't try again until they were 4 & 5.

[slickshoes]

Just got back from taking my 2 and 4 year old's camping out in Anza Borrego. It was my 4 year old's 4th trip, and my 2 year old's 2nd. Every time I stress out and at some point think "Never again!", but then by the next morning, all is well. Regardless of the stress, these are some memories I will always be grateful for.

Best advice I have is:

1. Keep the meals super easy, especially if you are the solo adult.
2. Those light up shoes, glow bracelets, and headlamps are reassuring after dark.
3. Bubbles are hours of cheap, easy fun. Though my kids ended up having the most fun throwing rocks and making mud in a bucket of water.
4. If you have a little portable potty training toilet, bring it.

[ethalienhosh]

bring the porta-crib, you will thank me.

Yep. Pack-and-play FTW

[d33pt]

Yep. Pack-and-play FTW

Totally should've brought that! That's a great idea.

Took my 15 month old camping in BLM a couple months ago and he was all over the place while I was trying to set up camp. Kept jumping on the tent and throwing sand everywhere. Then he grabbed a cactus and cried.

Turned out to be a great trip. Just takes longer to do everything while you watch a toddler. He had a great time I think. Just a big playground all to himself.

[mls343]

My oldest went base camping (backpacking to a remote destination and setting up there) at 11 months (I had to carry her). My youngest went car camping at 3 months. We now get out over 10 x per year (car camping, backpacking, and base camping). The earlier you start them, the better it is in my opinion. My ex was also not into the outdoors, so I did this solo.

If this is your first foray, I'd suggest using a State campground. Supplies, water, and bathrooms make it more convenient on all not accustomed o the outdoors. You are in a travel trailer, but if using a tent, I would suggest air mattresses as sleeping comfy through the night (staying warm too) will be a huge positive.

Also, bring some familiar stuff or them - a favorite toy (no electronics), blanket, stuffy, etc. For the super young ones, do bring their jumpy or fold up play pen. After all, it is car camping!

From a food perspective, do bring special snacks and make it only camping related. Someores, for example, are only camp worthy (Little Debbies as a breakfast addition???), and do make meal prep fun (cooking the whole meal over the fire!).

Fire and fire safety are important too. Fires have a pretty calming effect on kids, but don't let the learn the hard way that fire burns (as does the ambers that sometimes flys out)! My kids are pyros now, so a simple stick can add hours of enjoyment (both know how to actually make and start their own fires...).

This may sound silly, but your attitude will go a LONG way towards their enjoyment. Show them that the outdoors is awesome, new things fr them to explore, get wet in a river/lake, and just make it fun. Even if it is more work for you initially, it will pay dividends in the long run. Make it fun first and foremost as everything is new and everything is a new opportunity to show them cool and interesting things (note: this will be fun for you too as you get o see things through your child's eyes...).

Finally, and sorry for this long post, but you have to do it often. If it is a one-and-done, than all the work you put into the initial trip is gone. Once you start, keep it up and make a few trips over the year. Again, each trip gets easier. Once they get into a routine, trips will start being an exciting event that they look forward to. Who knows, maybe even the wife will start liking it.

The last thing, do consider the weather and bugs as part of your planning. Generally, cool nights keep the bugs down, and setting up in a rain/snow storm is not recommended until they have a number if good trips under their belt.

With that, have fun and if done right, you will have a lifetime of fun and adventures to look forward to!

[dozer wright]

Slickshoes what's with the propane tank hose in the fire is that a fake log set up like in a fire place ?

[slickshoes]

Slickshoes what's with the propane tank hose in the fire is that a fake log set up like in a fire place ?

It's a portable fire pit w/ lava rocks that packs up into a bag. Being solo with the kids, it was handy to be able to "turn on or off" the fire as needed. Just no quality campfire smell.

http://smile.amazon.com/Camp-Chef-Propane-Portable-Campfire/dp/B000L4HSH8

[gorn5150]

My father took me camping when I was about 6 month old. I did the same with my kids. My wife loves camping so that may be a factor. Just like anytime, you have to keep your eyes on the kids. I made sure the kids were aware that it can be dangerous to wander around and they needed to stay by adults.

If you are thinking of renting a trailer then I would suggest you check out pop up tent trailers. We went to the tent trailer after years of tent camping. It was a great upgrade that lasted until we went to a class A motorhome. The tent trailer is much easier to tow and they have all the amenities of a full size trailer.

[Socalman]

Many outstanding tips already posted. I would emphasize make meals simple; take some familiar items for the kids; get something new and special they kids will like.

Last but hardly least - WATCH THEM LIKE A HAWK, DO NOT LET THEM OUT OF YOUR SIGHT FOR 10 SECONDS. Little ones will begin to wander and explore and have no idea how to get back. Don't allow a fun time to end in tragedy.

[slickshoes]

On that subject, I've been debating getting some form of ID for my kids to wear. Was going to go the RoadID route, but especially my younger one will rip it off if it's loose, and be miserable if it's too tight.

Granted I may loose some man-points for posting a link to Etsy, but I ordered a set of these and will give them a shot at the next trip/event.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/161514881/id-bracelets-for-kids-set-of-17?ref=related-0

[Zartan]

I've been taking my son since he was two for 1 night, then at 3 we went for 2 nights, now he's 4 and we'll go for 3 nights this August. He wants to help put up the tent now. He even caught his 1st fish last year!

Enjoy OP

[lowracer]

Camping with a 2 year old? Depends on the kid. Some things my wife and I tried that worked, camping in a Sportsmobile camper van:

1) Pancakes - involve the kid in meal prep. Kids love to "help" cook.

2) Beach Camping - just open your doors and let 'em run on the beach. They usually don't get far before finding interesting shells to collect or sand to play in.

3) Bring books for story time after dark.

4) Campfire & Marshmallows.

5) No hiking - kids live in the here and now. They do not grasp the concept of moving along to see something else. They're happy right here, playing in this mud puddle, unaware that there's a scenic view a half mile up the trail.

Our memories of camping with our toddler are among the best we have of our time in California. Good Luck!
-Mark

[elx144]

This thread is great. I can't wait to take my son camping. Renting a trailer is not a bad idea, but I wouldn't mind getting a bigger tent. The tent I have now was barely big enough for two adults and a small dog.

[golfish]

We started tent camping with our oldest daughter when she was 4 (1986) just a couple days at a time. With in a few months we went on a camping trip that went from SGV, to Yosemite, up to Tahoe and back to Yosemite. It was a 2 week trip. If your not going to get help from your wife or other then I'd suggest do a night in a tent then a night in a motel, add more tent time as it gets better. and you get the hang of it.

We did a 2+ week trip to Yellowstone in 2004 with our 5 year old daughter and 2 year old son. Our oldest daughter was working in the park at the time. It was all mostly tent camping, just like we have done for the last 15+ years. We always have a solar shower and try to take a real shower every other day. again!! I can't stress how important it is to have help from your wife or other.

I think the longest we will do, on an average is a week in one spot, then its packup and move with a motel stop along the way, this way we can wash cloths, have somebody else cook a few meals and watch some TV.

I'm too old for that kind of camping now. I'll do it with my son for a day or two but that's about it. Now its motels, condos or house rentals when we can afford it and have the time.

Good luck and enjoy your family camping

[TrailerparkTrash]

I only read post #1 from the OP. So if I'm repeating stuff here, forgive me.

I'm a HUGE hunting and camping guy. I prefer "boon docking" (camping in remote places and without hook-ups). I have plenty of water, propane and Honda generators for our family trailer. I've been a camper since I was two with my parents and have gone every year and multiple times per year. I personally love tent camping, but the wife, forget it. She wants a microwave, heating, air conditioning and ...a REAL TOILET.

I say bring your youngn's NOW. I also have a few more recommendations:


1). Don't get the BIGGEST trailer you desire. I wish I had gotten a smaller trailer because there are many camping places that I can't go into, due to the enormous length of the trailer.

2). For the first trip or two, prepare for some hard work setting up, until you get used to a routine.

3). Try to do most of the work setting up, in order to give your city-girl wife an enjoyable time to want to do it again.

4) As the kids get older, get them involved in setting up camp with you and do it immediately when you arrive. My wife takes care of the inside, while I do the outside. (Unload bikes, chairs, firewood, outdoor cooking stuff, power and sewer (if applicable), awnings, leveling jacks, etc....

5). Have a beer and take a few quick breaks in between.

6). Set up the firepit and have it ready to light BEFORE dark.

7). Get a smaller but comfortable trailer. (Did I mention that already?)

8). Ask the wife if she needs help. Have her chair in the shade and ready to go for when she's ready.

9). Have a gun ready close by for a "plan-B" if needed.

10). Don't complain AT ALL!!!! If the wife hears you complain while she's taking care of the kids, she won't like camping.

11). Have night lighting ready to go on standby, BEFORE it gets dark. i,e. Lantern(s).

12). Bring marshmallows and coat hangers for the kids (and grown-up kids) for the evening, because happy busy kids makes for a happy wife.

12). Bring a shovel

13). Bring your own firewood and DO NOT store it inside the trailer. Spiders and ear wig bugs suck at night inside the trailer.

14). Bring a good mini torch or torch cigar type wind proof lighter to get fires started quickly as well as a BBQ, charcoal, camping fuel for the outdoor stove and all the applicable accoutrements with it.

15). Don't complain.

16). Enjoy the outdoors. It's better than Disneyland.

17). CONSERVE YOUR WATER SUPPLY if you don't have hook-ups. Boys go #1 outside by a bush (our family rule to help conserve water).

18). Bring bottled drinking water because you don't know how sanitary the rental is. The tank water is fine for washing up and doing dishes with soap.

19). Bring your own clean sheets, pillows and blankets/sleeping bags for a rental. Trust me on that.

20). Never ever ever have even the smallest tree branch, bow, bushes or leaves touching ANY PART of your trailer. This is how ants find their way into your RV. Once we hand one tiny small branch touching the roof. At around 3am, the wife found a trail of black ants that got into the kitchen. Yup, what a mess!

21) Bring a hatchet (to cut down any and all branches or bows that may come in contact with your trailer.

Finally, when renting, make darn sure before you drive off the lot that the air conditioner (if you want that luxury) works great, otherwise get a different trailer or tell the guy you want a cheaper price on the rental. (I learned the hard way before we bought our own. There's nothing worse than sleeping inside an RV/trailer at night in 90*F temps this time of year.).

I'll probably think of more later.