How to Camp with a Toddler - Embrace Glamping

We took my 21 month old camping for the first time over Easter weekend. It was wonderful!

We learned a lot from the experience and I'm hoping that you can learn a little from us. Below I've written a few suggestions to help you prepare for your outdoor experience. Have fun!

*If you have one of those "perfect" children who mind, eat their vegetables, and love nap time, then this post doesn't apply to you. Please return to your blissfully content, and completely unrealistic, life. For those who have lovable walking terrors, read on. Hopefully you'll be able to enjoy a weekend outdoors without too much toddler drama.


1. Have a Sense of Humor & Be Flexible

When you take a toddler camping, you're throwing caution, and sanity, to the wind. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to make the trip memorable... in a good way. Having a sense of humor is the best place to start. Expect things to be difficult, plan accordingly, and then let the cards fall as they may. If you are having a good time, chances are, your toddler will too. The little tike may not get a long nap and bedtime might be extended an hour (or two), but the kid will survive and so will you.



2. Don't be Afraid to Glamp It Up!

Your life has changed. You can no longer drop everything and spend the weekend at your favorite state park, climbing site, etc. Where packing used to take about 30 minutes, it now takes hours, planning for every possible scenario - play, safety, food, logistics, you know. So don't be afraid, or ashamed, to be a GLAMPER (a glamorous camper*). When your kids get older and you no longer have to supervise their every step, you can go back to minimalist camping. For now, enjoy the comforts of a stand-up tent and air mattress - you'll need a good night's sleep.

(*Just a little side note: Depending on your definition of "glamorous", I was a glamper long before I had kids. If I'm going to car camp, you can bet I'm bringing a stand-up tent and an air mattress. I see no shame in enjoying the finer things, like sleep, while outdoors.)


3. Location

Location will vary from family to family. Some toddlers are capable of spending hours in the car without much of a fight, others cannot. Plan according to your child. We make multiple trips to New Mexico every year, and those trips are typically 6-7 hours long. Our kid HATES his car seat. (I don't think I can emphasize HATE enough.) We plan to stop every 2 hours and spend at least 30 minutes in a city park or a restaurant play area (thank you McDonalds!). We only do this because we have a family cabin. Otherwise, we try not to venture out farther than 4 hours.

4. Gear, Gear, and More Gear

The fact is, you'll need more stuff than you think. Plan for a camp-out like you'd plan a trip to grandma's, except bring more stuff :)

4a. Camping Gear. For the love of all that is sacred, purchase a stand-up tent or a camper. I know you won't be spending much time in a tent, but having room for the kid to play during a rainstorm is worth it. Also, make sure you purchase quality gear and you are familiar with how it works, BEFORE YOU GET THERE. You don't want to arrive to your campsite after dark and have to read instructions by headlamp as your screaming toddler wakes everyone in the campground. The next morning, you just might experience your very first WALK OF SHAME as you make your way to the bathroom. Our toddler cried for 30 minutes after we arrived at the campsite at 10pm. I spent a good portion of the next day apologizing to our neighbors. They were sweet in their response, but we all know what they were thinking.


4b. Baby Gear: Bring the necessities. As a mother, you know what is necessary to keep your child, and yourself, sane. If your toddler will not sleep in an unconfined area, bring a pack and play. If your child will not go to sleep with everyone talking around the campfire, bring a sound machine. I'll admit, I forgot our sound machine on this last trip, but Uncle Chad saved the day by putting Clair de Loon on repeat on his cell phone. Genius. If your child has a lovie, bring it, along with a back-up. Just like you would pack for yourself, be sure to pack plenty of layers for your toddler. Weather and temperatures can fluctuate widely over a span of 12 hours. Make sure you're ready for all possible temperatures and weather events. Finally, bring a new toy or two. When your toddler gets bored or agitated, this toy will save the day, or at least save you from a tantrum.

5. Safety is Paramount

The outdoors, mixed with a little toddler mayhem, can be scary if you are not prepared. What happens if he falls off a rock? What will you do if she gets burnt by the fire? Unfortunately, accidents happen. Your child could just as easily fall of a chair at home as they could fall off a small boulder outside. The key is to manage risk. And the best way to do so is to  PREPARE before you leave.

First, print out details of the nearest hospital along with driving directions. If you have an emergency, the last thing you want to do is drive around looking for a signal or park ranger. Know where the hospital is located, how long it will take you to get there, hours of operation, and the phone number. This is a simple pre-trip planning task that should only take about 10 minutes. Never take the risk of being unprepared for an emergency. Our little ones are too precious.  (See Appendix A for more details.)

Another way to manage risk is to properly pack for all possible scenarios. For example, make sure you have sunscreen and that you apply it often. Sunburns can easily lead to dehydration and they also affect the body's ability to regulate temperature. Putting on sunscreen is a simple task, but it makes a huge difference - especially for a little guy that cannot communicate that he's getting too hot in the sun. To help with packing, I've included a sample pack list below - see Appendix B. Feel free to print it out and change it up according to your family's needs.

 Lastly, you'll have to manage risk at the site itself. Whether you are at the campsite, on a hike, or at the lake, you need to be aware of all the potential hazards around you. I have a fearless toddler, so one of my biggest concerns was him getting into the fire. Luckily, my entire family was on guard around the fire ring and we didn't have any instances. Always watch your kids around water, ledges, wild animals, fire, cooking equipment, tools - at this age, anything could be a hazard. Remember, you manage risk everyday at your house, this is nothing new for a mom. While camping, you just need to be a little more aware of your surroundings.

6. The More the Merrier

The fact is, you'll need help. Toddlers are little Energizer Bunnies and it will be difficult to keep up with them in this new and exciting environment. Also, this is your vacation too and you should be able to sit down, even if its only for 5 minutes. Therefore, invite your family. Invite your friends. My entire family (minus one awesome sis-in-law) went camping with us and they were amazing! I think it's important for our kids to share these experiences, not only with us but with extended family members. It creates great memories for everyone!

7. Love Your Neighbor as Yourself

You are now THAT person at the campground. Instead of playing music too loud or becoming belligerently drunk, your toddler is screaming bloody-murder about having to go to bed (or having to eat a broken cracker, unsolicited eye contact, being touched on the shoulder, you get the idea). Be nice to the people around you. Apologize to your neighbors for the miniature diva thrashing about your campsite. Most likely, if they've had kids then they'll understand. But remember, this is their vacation too.

8. GET OUTSIDE - Nature is Important for Child Development

A multitude of  studies have shown the positive effects of the outdoors on children. Children who spend time in nature tend to be happier, healthier, and smarter. Studies show that kids who play and learn outside:

1. are healthier - physically and mentally
2. do better in school
3. have higher self-esteem
4. have good self-discipline
5. feel more capable and confident
6. are good problem-solvers
7. are more cooperative with others
8. are more creative
9. feel connected to nature 
10. are tomorrow's conservation leaders

Research articles associated with each of these statements can be found on the Texas Children in Nature website.

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I know I've said a lot of scary stuff, but remember, those scary things happen every day at your house, on the playground, in the restaurant, etc. You might as well have the crazy while being outdoors!


If you need more direction, try these articles: Babble and Travel Channel, Kids Activities Blog, Nature Rocks.

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  Appendix A.

Safety – Hospital Directions

If there are multiple people in your party, make sure that each car has a copy of the safety plan. You can easily stash them under the passenger –side visor of their cars.

Things to include:

•  Hospital name (obviously, you’ll want to choose the hospital that is located closest to your campsite. If the hospital is not open 24 hours, then also include the closest hospital that is open 24 hours)
• Hospital distance from campground/park
• Hospital Address
• Hospital Phone Number
• A map printout (e.g. google or mapquest)

 
Appendix B.

Checklist for Camping with a Toddler

Item	Number	Packed	Loaded
Clothing
o   T-shirts
o   Long-sleeved shirts
o   Shorts
o   Pants
o   Socks
o   Shoes
o   Jackets (one that’s waterproof)
o   Pajamas
o   Underwear
o   Sunglasses
Food & Related Gear
o   Milk
o   Sippy cups
o   Plates/bowls/forks/spoons
o   Bottle
o   Veggies
o   Protein (chicken/fish sticks)
o   Fruit
o   Crackers
o   Cookies
o   Multivitamin (or instant breakfast mix)
Sleeping Gear
o   Lovie
o   Plenty of blankets
o   Pack & Play
o   Sound machine
o   Stuffed animals
Play Gear
o   Toys that can get dirty
o   Toddler carrying backpack
o   Two new toys
o   Bubbles
o   Books
Ointments/Medicines
o   Sunscreen!!!
o   First Aid kit
o   Baby powder/diaper rash cream
o   Allergy Meds
o   Tylenol
o   Ibuprofen
o   Band aids and Neosporin
Other
o
o
o
o
o

Example Pack List

Here is an example of how to use the pack list. This is especially helpful if both spouses help pack baby gear. It will help you plan what you need and how many. Notice that I have one column for packed and one for loaded. Just because you’ve packed blankets does not mean it will end up in the car! :)

If you are not familiar with pack lists, below is an example of how to use it.

Item	Number	Packed	Loaded
Clothing
o   T-shirts	5	Y	N
o   Long-sleeved shirts	2	Y	N
Food & Related Gear
o   Milk	1 gallon	N	N
o   Sippy cups	2	Y	Y
Sleeping Gear
o   Lovie	2	N	N
o   Plenty of blankets	4	Y	Y
Play Gear
o   Toys that can get dirty	3	Y	Y
o   Toddler carrying backpack	1	Y	Y
Ointments/Medicines
o   Sunscreen!!!	2	Y	Y
o   First Aid kit	1	Y	Y