Monday, May 7, 2018

Tips for Camping with Young Children


            Hey folks! I'm so excited it's camping season again! While I keep my excitement in check until baby gets better at regulating her body temperature, I thought I would share some suggestions for keeping kids (and, in turn, parents!) happy during your next camping trip.

*Take lots of snacks and drinks. Kids are bottomless pits. Make sure you pack enough for the car too!
*Take entertainment for the car ride: DVD player, Kindle, coloring books, car games, etc.
*Entertainment for down time too. Definitely limit how many books and toys your kids bring, but make sure they have something that will keep them entertained in times of need.
*Bring bikes or scooters, if able. This is a good boredom buster when you're cooking or otherwise hanging out at the campsite not doing anything.
*Bring extra clothes. Kids are bound to get dirty!
*Bring extra blankets and jackets. Weather can be unpredictable. It's better to have something and not need it in this case than not have it!
*Don't forget sunscreen and bug spray! Nothing makes for a miserable trip like sunburns and bug bites!
*Wet wipes, wet wipes, wet wipes! Again, kids are filthy creatures, only exacerbated by food, being outdoors, etc.
*Get help with shower time, if able! We were pretty much the only ones using the shower house on one trip, so we all just went in the women's shower house one evening and showered. Ripley was only 1 ½ at the time, so we didn't really want her to slip and fall. Plus, I don't think I could have handled myself and both of them at the same time!
*Camp at non-peak times. It's not much fun when you're constantly worried about young kids running out in the road, not paying attention while riding bikes, etc. Plus, it's just a lot more pleasant if you're going for a little peace and quiet!
*Make sure to wear them out during the day so they will go to sleep faster/easier at night!
*Don't forget their “comfort item”: Special blankie, toy, stuffed animal, etc.
*Bring extra shoes or a pair of boots as well as tennis shoes. Easy off shoes are especially handy when tent camping!

Have you ever went camping with young kids? What advice would you give to others to make the experience go as smoothly as possible?
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22 comments:

  1. Great tips you have here. I had never gone camping with my boys when they were little though. Now that they are young adults, I think it would be a lot easier.

    #fabfridaypost

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  2. Love camping with children - brilliant for memory making but yes do wear them out during the day. Remember walking miles with a screaming baby in the early hours once in the middle of the countryside #BlogCrush

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    1. Oh gosh! At least you got a nice walk in out in the country? I think we wear ours out TOO much sometimes. ha ha

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  3. Never been camping with the kids but I can just imagine the fun (read: horror) #FabFridayPost

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  4. We love to camp, The first time we did it near some woods not far from home, we had 2 tiny tents and my son was 2, and daughters were 5 and 7. Since then we have been loads of times and invested in a large tent and a wood burner. I think as long as they are warm and you have dry clothes all is great.... #FabFridayPost

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    1. Yes! I think it just depends on your kids' personalities too. In general, I'm usually a "less is more" type person. ;)

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  5. Wonderful tips - we've been camping a couple of times with our daughter who was 2 at the time. It was amazing to see the difference in her being outdoors so much! #BlogCrush

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    1. yes! Our (then) youngest daughter was only 1 1/2 last year when we went and we weren't sure how she would do, but she was a trooper! And our 5 year old asks us all the time still if we can go camping. :D

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  6. Bring extra everything. I'm a fan of filling the car with everything it will fit! #BlogCrush

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  7. What a great list of tips, I used to love family camping holidays when I was a kid. I don't know how my Mum used to managed all the packing!
    #blogcrush

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    1. Packing is THE worst! Definitely my least favorite part of any trip! Maybe it's the stress of being afraid of forgetting something. haha

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  8. Great tips. Thank you #BlogCrush

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  9. I agree with your tips. We went camping when our boys were much smaller and they spent so much time outdoors that they slept like logs. I was worried about them just being able to walk out of the tent through so we each slept with a boy. We haven't tried again since also having the twins #blogcrush

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    1. I am worried about that with my 2 year old this year as well. The 5 year old knows better and doesn't really have the desire to anyways. My 2 year old could care less and just wants to do her own thing, which happens to usually be outdoors. lol

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  10. Great tips although I'm not big on camping I must say I love the glamping vibe. We've gone on a few glamping trips and it is great - the same effect as camping but with a little more convenience #blogcrush.

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    1. I have seen some glamping camps and they look fun! Like a cross between staying in a cabin or hotel and actual camping. :D

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  11. Perfect timing. I'm planning on taking my kids to a cottage this summer. A cottage - with real beds - is the closest I'll ever get to camping.

    I'll be sure to stock up on wet wipes!!
    #blogcrush

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    1. lol It is not for the faint hearted, that's for sure! Staying at a cottage sounds like fun too. :)

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  12. Great tips. We love camping as a family - it's such a great holiday for little ones. Another top tip for us is to choose a site that has a "drying room" so you can hang out their beach clothes overnight and they're ready for the next day. #blogcrush

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  13. I remembered going camping just Ethan and I when he was two. I loved it and the time we spent together. I took his balance bike with us and he loves being in the wild. Some great tips here. Thank you so much for sharing. x

    Thank you very much for linking up with us on #FabFridayPost

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