Have you taken your baby camping? I was an avid tent camper my whole adult life before having kids, and I heard stories about my grandma taking my dad at 6-weeks-old. So, naturally, when my first was born I had visions of taking him camping all the time, no big deal. Boy was I wrong!
The amount of work that went into our first camping trip with a baby (which didn’t happen until my son was 10 months old) was more than I had imagined. Overwhelming, to be honest!
Fast forward 2.5 years later from that first trip and I have learned a few things about camping with my now two littles. I want to share what I’ve learned about bringing a baby camping—the fun, organized, and easy way!
8 Tips for Camping with Babies
Let’s Talk About Sleep
Sleep is important but will likely be of a shorter duration than normal. Accept that and let your kids experience campfires (at least for a little bit). But also do what you can to get as much sleep as you can! This meant a Mac Daddy tent for us. And an easy to assemble one. Personally, we LOVE this Coleman Instant Tent for its ease in set up and large size. This size tent fits two twin air mattresses (one for me and one for hubby), a floor bed big enough for my three-year-old, and a Pack ‘N Play for my 1-year-old. Yes, I brought the Pack ‘N Play, and it was TOTALLY worth it. I may have even put a SnoozeShade over the Pack ‘N Play to encourage a later wake up time than sunrise!
Bring Familiar Bedtime Items
Also on the sleep front, bring all the things that are familiar! Their lovey and/or blanket, books to read before bed, even a battery-operated white noise machine is great. Depending on where you are, there can be a fair amount of noise in campgrounds from 7 pm–midnight from campfires and chatting.
Keep them Warm
Depending on where you’re located and the time of year, bring warm sleepsuits for your littles. Even preschoolers don’t stay in their sleeping bags very well. Babies definitely need something warm to wear over PJs at night. This warm baby sleep sack was perfect for Texas in November for my 1-year-old. For toddlers and preschoolers who use a regular sleeping bag, here’s a quick hack so they don’t scoot too far down: put a hair tie around the bottom below where their feet land, so it fits them just right.
Consider a Containment Unit
We don’t own this (yet), but our neighbors on our last camping trip had this gazebo, and I thought it was a GREAT idea for a safe play space for kids under 2 while you’re making dinner, starting the fire, etc.
Pack Extra Clothes
Let your kiddos play in the dirt and make all the outdoor eating messes they need. Simple clothes with lots of layers for spending all day and all night outside is key. But also, playing all morning in last night’s PJs is totally acceptable!
Don’t Forget to Bring…
Don’t forget sunscreen, baby wipes (even if your kids aren’t in diapers, you’ll want wipes!), hats, gloves, coats, multiple pairs of shoes (they will get dirty and/or wet), and fun outdoor toys—for my boys this was every dump truck or excavator we owned. They LOVED digging in the dirt at the campsite with their trucks.
Plan Your Meals Smartly
Check out my post on easy and fun family camping meal tips!
Start Close to Home
On your first attempt at camping with babies and littles, do a trial run that isn’t too far from home, in case you forget something crucial and/or have to come home early.
Don’t skip a camping trip just because you have little ones. Planning ahead and bringing all the supplies you need (regardless of how much you hate overpacking), will make it MUCH more enjoyable!
Read More: Want to go on a Family Camping Trip? No Tent Required!
