Camping with Toddlers & Young Kids
Photo: Toddler sitting on picnic table at campsite and adjusting the lantern for lighting at night
Unzipping the tent and emerging into crisp summer mornings seeking the cup of steaming hot chocolate that awaits on the picnic table. Splashing in the stream in the dappled light from fluttering leaves overhead as the smell of blackberries baking on the vine wafts through the air. Singing songs and listening to stories around the warm glow of the campfire under the starry sky. These are just a few favorite childhood camping memories that have inspired a life-long passion for outdoor adventure.
Interested in camping with your toddlers and young kids, but not sure how to get started? Or maybe you’ve tried it, but are looking for pointers to make the trip go a little more smoothly the next time? You’ve come to the right place! While camping with toddlers and young kids does require a few more considerations, it can be such a rewarding experience. Camping with little ones is also a great opportunity for teaching them about flora and fauna, while nurturing their connection to nature. Together, we’ll walk through planning, a full day at camp, and additional safety tips for camping with toddlers & young kids. Let’s get started!
Planning and Preparation
Take your time with this step, and know that your effort here will make for an easier trip later. Especially when you’re first starting out, choosing a destination closeby keeps the travel time to a minimum, gives more flexibility for leaving home (it may take longer to get out the door than expected), and leaves plenty of daylight to set up camp. Look for a campground that has amenities that fits your family’s needs. With camping with toddlers, you may prioritize easily accessible potable water, bathrooms with flush toilets, or even a play structure. If things go unrecoverably awry on your trip, it may be handy to have an exit strategy in mind such as directions to a nearby hotel. No one wants to plan for the worst, but we’ve found it’s better to be prepared just in case!
Researching local hikes and activities ahead of time gives you a chance to print out directions and maps if necessary. Remember to check the length and difficulty ratings to ensure any hikes are well suited for your family.
When it comes to packing, keep in mind that clothes and toys are bound to get dirty or there could be a potty accident if they are potty training still, so choose accordingly! Dressing kids in layers gives the flexibility for temperature regulation throughout the day as conditions change. Wool and synthetic materials will wick moisture and dry much faster than cotton, but if you only have cotton options on hand, just bring a couple extra garments for a dry change if needed. Even if no rain is predicted for your trip, rain gear is often good to pack just in case. If any of your campers use diapers or have started potty-training, remember to bring extra diapers (or pull-ups) along with a training potty, and potentially an extra sleeping bag in case of a mid-night accident. Camping toys for toddlers can be a comforting addition, along with anything to enhance an outdoor experience – binoculars, a magnifying glass, markers/paper, etc. To make mealtime and down time easier, consider bringing a portable camping high chair or playpen for safe containment and easy supervision while there might be other tasks at hand.
We’ve found that tasty food can be a stand out part of a camping trip and getting kids involved in menu planning helps connect them to the experience. Try presenting a couple options for kids to choose from of one-pot meals that you know they already enjoy. Meals that can be largely prepped ahead of time will also make for less scraps and quicker results at camp. Bringing extra snacks is also a key to success! Making sure everyone stays well fueled through midday activities will keep spirits high around camp. If there will not be a picnic table to set up as your camp kitchen, we recommend bringing along a collapsible camp table to keep the stove off the ground, safely away from kids.
The final piece of prep is setting expectations and leading by example. Keep in mind that parents guide the tone of the trip and your enthusiasm can be contagious. If kids are feeling hesitant about the upcoming trip, try setting up your tent in the living room or backyard to practice elements of camping while still at home. There are also kids shows and books where the characters go camping, which can be a fun way to build excitement ahead of time.
Setting Up Camp with Kids
You’ve arrived! Now what? While it may be tempting to have adults set up camp as quickly as possible so that the family can move on to other activities, efficiency is not the goal. Instead, let kids get involved by providing age-appropriate tasks. This not only keeps them occupied, but also provides the opportunity to learn about camping and their new environment.
Some ideas include:
Carry light things from the car
Remove rocks and sticks from the designated tent site
Spread the ground cloth for the tent
Assist in tent assembly (e.g. clip the tent to the poles)
Sweep out the tent with a handheld brush/pan
Find tinder on the ground for the campfire
Assemble the wood/kindling/tinder for the campfire (adults should do the lighting)
When there aren’t kid-friendly tasks left, present activity options to keep them engaged while you finish up.
Camping Activities for Kids
Perhaps you’re out on a hike or have some down time at the campsite, here are some camping activities for kids to keep them engaged while they explore their new environment that require little to no extra supplies:
Nature Walk: Practice using all your senses (except maybe taste!) – what sounds might you not hear at home? Do you see a new kind of flower or critter that you’ve never seen before?
Plant identification: This can be led by parents who are familiar with plants in the area, or aided with photos researched and printed ahead of time. This activity can also be important for safety so kids know how to avoid contact with plants such as poison oak, poison ivy, and stinging nettles.
Collection Games: This could be a competition to see who can find the most pinecones, or perhaps build a fairy house from fallen twigs and leaves – be sure to specify materials must be on the ground (let the living plants be).
Draw Observations: With a marker or paper, or a stick/the ground, have kids draw what they see – this could be a map of the campsite, a landscape, or a detailed flower, leaf, or bug.
Jr. Park Ranger Programs: If you’re visiting a national park, ask a Ranger at the Visitors Center about their Jr. Park Ranger program. Some activities can also be found online and printed ahead of time to complete at any location. Certain campgrounds may offer kid-focused activities as well.
There are plenty of more camping activities for kids.
Meals for Kids
Once again, mealtimes are a great chance to get the whole family involved. Kids can help stir, set the table, or even taste-test!
Camping is also a good time to review portion-sizes in order to prevent food waste as much as possible, especially if you’re in a location where you need to pack out your own trash.
When it’s time for clean-up, kids can help with drying dishes, which reduces the chances of them wandering off while you’re finishing up.
Winding Down with Kids
Sleeping outside in a tent can bring up many feelings around bedtime. Some kids might be full of excitement and find it hard to settle, while others may be nervous about the dark and unfamiliar nighttime sounds. One way to guide a smooth bedtime transition is sticking to normal routines that you would practice at home. After brushing teeth, and changing into a favorite pair of jammies, enjoy a family storytime in the tent. Battery-powered twinkle lights or a little lantern can make the space feel extra cozy!
For the best sleep, every kid is different, but we’ve found it can be helpful if everyone goes to bed at the same time to minimize outside distractions such as noise and light. This also helps avoid waking kids up when entering the tent later, particularly if they’ve already had trouble falling asleep the first time. If there will be a baby that needs mid-night feedings, it can be helpful to bring your breastfeeding pillow or other preferred accommodations so that it’s still comfy for mama and baby. Finally, don’t forget to make that final bathroom trip to reduce the chances of getting up in the middle of the night.
General Safety for Kids
Some special packing considerations include a first aid kit (equipped with tweezers, aloe, anti-sting, and anti-itch cream), kid-friendly bug spray, and sun protection (sunscreen + hat). It can also be useful for kids to have their own flashlights/headlamps for night time, and whistles in case they get lost.
Since you will be spending time in a new environment, kids will naturally be curious and want to explore. Before your trip begins, establish some general ground rules so everyone can have fun while staying safe. Setting expectations from the beginning helps empower kids to choose the best option when they know what’s off limits. This is a great time to teach older kids the seven Leave No Trace principles, while you can emphasize for younger kids what it looks like to respect the plants and animals around them. A couple of our favorite phrases are “take only pictures, leave only footprints,” and “let the wildlife be wild.” While some campsites may have more clear designations of space than others, communicating clear physical boundaries can make sure everyone is on the same page about acceptable areas to play.
Spending so much extra time outside also means proper hydration is essential! Not only should kids have water accessible at all times, they might need extra reminders to keep sipping throughout the day. Depending on the camp set up, older kids can be tasked with making water bottle refill runs for the whole family.
Wrap Up
Camping with toddlers and young kids may involve a few extra considerations, but the joy and memories created are priceless! If you’re concerned about balancing supervision with camp tasks, you can also consider planning a trip with another family to share responsibilities and allow parents to take shifts. Despite your best efforts to prepare for the trip, you’re bound to face some surprises, and that’s okay! Every trip is a learning opportunity. When you return home, gather the family and collectively jot down some notes about what went well and what could be done differently next time so you have feedback from all perspectives.
Key takeaways:
Preparation can make or break a trip
Meaningful, age-appropriate tasks help kids get involved and have a stake in their experience
Embrace the dirt, practice patience, and be ready to adapt on the fly
