Camping with Babies and Toddlers: 10 Things you Need to Know

AD. Camping with babies and toddlers can be a daunting prospect. But with a little preparation and a sprinkle of PMA it can be a really wonderful experience. Road trips and family camping weekends are so beneficial for all involved. Whether it's your first camping trip or you're a bit of a veteran, family travel is an incredible bonding experience. So let's make some memories, shall we?

In this article we’ll look at 10 top tips to ensure camping with your small humans runs as smoothly and stress free as possible.

Tips for Camping with Babies and Toddlers

1. Choose the Right Campsite

Looking for a family friendly campsite is crucial. Amenities such as toilets, running water and designated cleaning stations are all needed when camping with babies and toddlers. Think of the small things… Where can you put dirty nappies? Are there amenities for heating up baby food? Can you prepare bottles easily? Granted you're going to have to think outside the box, but a small humans require extra care so finding a campsite with these necessities is essential. When booking your pitch it's handy to think about the amount of space you need. With children I'd definitely recommend giving yourself extra space if you can. This could be by brining a car awning, booking an a neighbouring pitch or utilising clever storage solutions. It’s also worth thinking about the distance from the campsite to home. If there are any emergencies, or if things don’t go quite to plan, it’s always handy being not too far from home.

2. Meal Plan

I hate meal planning. It’s not something we do as a family, but when it comes to camping with babies and toddlers it’s a necessity. Easy to prepare meals are imperative. As are snacks! If your children are anything like mine you’ll want to pack enough picky bits, considering dietary requirements such as allergy-friendly summer camp snacks if you need to. If you’re formula feeding your baby, it’s essential you establish a routine for creating hot water, whether this is through the campsite itself (massive bonus) or you have a stove set up with a flask for keeping the water hot. Cold baby formula is also good to use in emergencies where hunger prevails. Again, it’s all about thinking a little differently. You might not have the luxury of a kettle or a prep machine, but that doesn’t mean you can’t adapt and take your baby with you.

3. Pack Appropriately

You’ll be surprised how much the temperature can drop at night time. Even in summer! Keeping your children warm and safe is crucial. We take plenty of blankets as they can be just as easily thrown off as they are put on. Before your trip research the temperatures at night to make sure you pack appropriate camping clothing. And remember, it’s always best to take too much than too little!

4. Set up a Safe Sleeping Space

This is one of the things I was most worried about. Creating a safe sleeping space for your child is paramount. Babies and toddlers can’t sleep on a blow up mattress the same way we can. They need to have a safe sleeping environment, the same way they would at home. A travel crib is brilliant for making a home from home for your small person. Pop them in the same sleeping bag you would at home too. This way you’ll be able to mimic their bedroom within the tent and create a restful space which hopefully (she says very loosely) leads them to sleeping through the night.

5. Keep them Entertained

How many times a day does your child say that they’re bored? I’ve heard it countless times today already. Now, imagine there’s no tv, no games, nothing to keep them entertained other than sweet mother nature. It could make for a very stressful time for all parties! Pack their favourite toys. You could even go out shopping together for ‘camping toys’. That way it will get your toddler excited for the new experience they’re about to partake in. We love outdoor activities so usually take the balance bike, a football and some rackets to keep the kids entertained. Followed by a bit of Mario Kart on the switch on an evening. And if you want to stream their favorite shows, having the best VPN for Netflix can be a lifesaver, ensuring they have access to their usual content, no matter where your campsite is located... Because my 4 year old is going on 14.

6. Embrace the Chaos

Camping isn’t for everyone. I think part of the reason is that it’s so far from normal everyday life for so many of us that it can’t seem enjoyable. But for me, and for so many others, it’s the craziness of it all that makes it. Your kids are going to run wild. They’re going to get messy. They’re probably not going to sleep all that well. But going into it with an open mind (hope for the best, expect the worst) is crucial.

7. Follow a Routine-ish

Stark contrast to the previous paragraph - yes! And I say this as someone who doesn’t follow a strict routine with my kids. But trying to keep things as normal as possible routine wise is really important. Go in with an open mind, but initiate bed time at your child’s normal time. See if they’ll go down smoothly. If it works, brilliant! If not, embrace the chaos for what it is. You’ll be able to re-establish your routine again when you get home.

8. Prepare for Emergencies

Something I’ve learnt as a mum is to prepare for the unexpected. I’ve been caught out many a time, but after four years of trying I think I’m finally getting there. Think first aid kits, insect repellent, suncream and lithium batteries. Oh, and research where the nearest hospital is. It sounds extreme, but unfortunately accidents happen and they can happen at any time. The best (and only) thing we can do is prepare for them.

9. Make Friends

Camping is a brilliant way for your kids to meet other children and interact socially with others. Chat with other campers, let your children play together. It’s a great way to share experiences and learn from others. You’ll probably pick up even more tips and tricks for camping with babies and toddlers. It's important however to remember that what works for one family might not work for yours. It's all about finding your funk and just going with it. I was surprised when we first started camping how many tiny humans there were embracing the great outdoors. It's brilliant! It's such a lovely community and a fantastic thing to get the kids involved in.

10. Relax and Have Fun

Parenting isn’t a relaxing thing. I get that. But by letting go and trying to embrace camping with small people for what it is you’ll have a much more enjoyable experience. Try and not let the little things get to you. Let your hair down. Embrace the chaos of camping and I’m sure you’ll have an incredible time. Memories are memories after all, the good, the bad and the chaotic!

Camping with babies and toddlers can be an incredibly rewarding experience. I do however believe you’ve got to be a little more care free and embrace the experience for what it is. By following these tips hopefully you’ll have a stress free as possible camping trip with your wee ones. I say hopefully as we all know the unpredictability of children! Eeep. Good luck!