- No tech, let them be bored at first, then find better, outdoor things to do.
- Mine hate bugs, dining tent was a win.
- Middle of the night bathroom walks suck. Portapotty ftw!
- Beach toys/stuff
- Smores around the fire
- Bikes for exploring
this post was submitted on 13 Jun 2023
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Yes. My boys, (now 13& 16) grew up camping on many a spring/summer/fall weekend. Being without tech is key. That's half the point and fun of it. Let them bring toys of all sorts for both inside and outside the tent.
Mine always used to bring army men damned near everywhere. I'm sure there's piles of them at dozens of sites we camped at over the years. Water guns if it's warm. Glow sticks for at night. Play in the mud and the rain. Get dirty. stay up late.
Extra socks and maybe a change of shoes. Let them go barefoot. Don't over plan too much. See what's up. And go with it. We're getting ready for our vaca ourselves 8+ days of camping across the northeast:) it should be grand
Smores around the fire
Don't forget breakfast - Biscuits on a stick. Just as fun as roasting marshmallows.
Are those biscuits from a cardboard tube - on a stick?
They are. Sometimes you have to wrap them around the stick a little, and you do kind of have to watch them over the fire, but boy are they good. My kids (and I) loved sitting around the fire in the morning and eating biscuits right off the stick.
Sounds great, I'll add it to the pack list for next time. Thanks for the tip.
If a bear is chasing you, just run faster than the toddler
I took my 4yo twins camping last month and it was a success. We made sure they had lot of snacks. We bought a couple new board games for the trip. They loved cooking hotdogs over the campfire.(Be sure to bring extra. We had a few that got dropped)
I have a 4yo and went camping last summer with my 14/17yo daughters too.
- bug spray
- SPF
- Fav outdoor toys
- games
- downtime activities (books, coloring, video)
- snacks and water!
Go for walks. Look at bugs. Play with sticks. Should be good.
If they're still napping during the day bring a rechargeable fan! Tents can be way too hot during the day, but if you bring a fan and leave it on low to circulate air it can make it bareable.
If you're car camping, bring board games! Those are super fun when all cozy in a tent at night
Piggybacking here to ask if anybody's done it with someone younger than 2? Thinking of taking my kid when they are ~14 or 15 months for a short car camp to test it out.
We took our youngest son camping regularly starting around one. He was still breastfeeding and in diapers... Actually, they both were the first time or three we went camping. THAT was a bit rough. We were into cloth diapers... But, ultimately decided that, while camping disposables were worth it.
I'd say that it's easier with babies before they start moving around, and then with 3+ year olds. The in-between is a little harder to manage, but still doable. My advice would be to do it together with another couple of parents. More hands to cook, etc., while someone else looks after the kids. Also best to find a place without too many mosquitoes!
If you're camping near a beach bring some sand toys (buckets, sucrose l shovels, etc.)
There are cheap sleeping bags you can get that have built in air mattresses that can help them during sleep time.
Been camping with the kids for a few years now, we bought a cheap caravan about 6 months before covid hit (perfect timing as prices went crazy after covid). Been everywhere from little camp sites to big resort style sites and would recommend the resort style for younger kids, they have good playgrounds, pools and games rooms next to the camp kitchens. There is always lots of other kids they can play with and they always sleep well at nights because they are tired. Win win for the parents. Oldest says he doesn't want to go camping any more but when he gets out in the river or down to the beach he has a great time. We don't let them have iPads or phones while camping. Just let them have fun, be kids and get dirty.
Camp at a camper pad so you have power at least the first time. Do it on easy mode. You'll be able to change the phone, (for safety) power a fan or a big light, use a light bulb to draw bugs away from the tent etc.
Get the kids some loud whistles in case they wander off and get lost, toddlers not being known for their judgement.
Like someone else said, do let them be bored. After a few minutes they'll forget that they're bored and acclimate; play with sticks, pick grass, watch bugs etc.
Bring more bug spray and sunscreen than you think you'll need.
Plan for unexpected rain. If it rains, be able to entertain them. Maybe download their 5 favorite movies to a phone or tablet, bring their favorite songs etc. Don't tell the kids in advance so they don't pester you to watch a movie at the first sign of boredom.
Bring a headlamp for midnight bathroom runs.
Get a shower caddy for the kiddos' bathroom stuff.
Hopefully some of that helps. Have fun this summer!
We did our first tent camp last summer at a friend's crown land trailer camp location. In our case, day time was perfect. We brought toys and loads of sugar free snacks and water. We didn't want them amped up and it worked.
Now the reality of night time for us was a nightmare. The second they went in the tent it was chaos. We ended up just going home after an hour.
This year we're gonna try with a travel trailer. Literally just bought and towed a cheap used Jayco Songbird 100km home to try out. After a little TLC it should good to go.
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