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The Dream is Free, The Hustle Sold Separately

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Products and Tips for Tent Camping with Babies

June 17, 2016 by Bethany Sy

Are you preparing to embark on a camping adventure with littles this summer? I’ll go ahead and start by saying… the BEST thing you can pack is appropriate expectations and a flexible attitude. Babies and toddlers are unpredictable. Especially when they’re out of their element and routine… throw in a bit of over-stimulation and humidity.

I think you get the point.

If I haven’t talked you out of it, GOOD! Camping with kids can be so fun… maybe even more fun than camping sans-kids. So let’s chat about what things you can pack to make the experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible. For you AND the kiddos!

Brilliant tips and products to help make CAMPING with kids and babies more fun and less stressful | Reality DaydreamThis post contains affiliate links.

I’m writing this after lots of experience tent camping with both babies and kids. We took the twins camping when they were 11 months, again at age 2, and last summer? Think two 3-year-olds and a 3-month-old. Camping with little kids vs camping with babies are two completely different ball games… with different challenges, needs, etc. So I’m going to cover both!

(I also went tent camping when I was full-term pregnant with twins. I just straight-up don’t recommend that)

My BEST piece of advice is to find a shady campsite… preferably somewhere close to home in case you need to abort mission.

Camping with kiddos

I should add that almost all of these things aren’t absolutely necessary, but have potential to make your camping-with-kids experience WAY more pleasant.

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This first item is such a small and inexpensive thing that is a GAME CHANGER. When it’s hot and/or humid, the slightest breeze makes a huge difference. And you can clip these little fans on just about anywhere! Just make sure they’re out of reach of baby. And don’t forget to bring lots of batteries!

Portable Clip-on Mini FanMust-haves for camping with kids and babies - Clip on fan

My kids were all big fan’s of the ‘Exersaucer’ and could be entertained for hours at a time. So I got pretty excited when I saw that there’s a fold-up camping version of an activity center! There are even a bunch of velcro loops to put toys and such, as well as cup holders for sippy’s and bottles!. And the best part is that your little cherub is stationary when they’re in this thing. So if the campfire is a’blazin and you don’t want the babe to crawl too close, pop ‘em in one of these for a bit!

Go Pod Activity CenterMust-haves for camping with kids and babies - Camping activity 'exersaucer'

Raise your hand if you remember SNAP BRACELETS! This particular snap bracelet is an insect repellent that’s safe for babies, DEET-free, non-toxic, and is one-size-fits-all!

Insect Repellent Snap BraceletMust-haves for camping with kids and babies - insect repellant snap bracelets

For baby’s sleeping situation, we always just used a pack-and-play with the crib-sheet trick. I love that it keeps all the bugs out, but let’s air flow through the mesh on the sides.

Keep the bugs away with a fitted sheet over the pack and play

Another sleeping option is these super portable ‘Pods’. What I love about these is that you can move them around easier. If baby needs a nap, but the tent is in full-sun (and therefore STEAMY HOT inside), just move the little ‘Pod’ out to a shady area.

Portable Baby TentMust-Haves for camping with kids and babies - baby sleep tent

We’ve utilized these foam squares as a ‘floor’ to our tent, and love the extra cushion it gives. Especially for those of us that slap the sleeping bag right down on the floor of the tent without an air mattress or cot or anything. Plus the kids think it’s fun, colorful, and makes the tent feel like a special place.

Wonder Mat Floor SquaresMust-Haves for camping with kids and babies- foam squares

Oh my gosh… this next thing is probably the SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING for us… this Sports Brella.

Portable Shade UmbrellaMust-haves for camping with kids and babies - Sports-brella

It’s basically portable shade. There are sooooo many opportunities to use this thing while camping with littles. And we use it all the time when we aren’t camping too… for picnics, hanging at the park, beach, or even just in our yard. It opens up to 9’ wide, and yet it’s so easy to fold up and take with. This girl spent a LOT of time hanging out here last summer (and I suspect again this summer):

We love this sportsbrella

If you have limited room in your tent, these portable camping bunkbeds could save the day. I’m thinking we’ll be snagging this in the next couple years for the twins. And I love that each bunk has it’s own little pocket organizer for flashlights, water bottle, etc. You can also configure these cots as a little couch too!

Camping Bunk Bed CotsPortable Camping Bunkbeds

My youngest won’t keep a sun hat on for the life of her, but for some reason she doesn’t mind these ones that tie under her chin. I love that it shades her face and keeps the sun off her ears and neck too. And it comes in lots of colors!

Sun HatsMust-haves for camping with kids and babies - sun hat

One thing to think about when scoping out campsites is to try and fine one near a bathroom. HOWEVER, if your kids are like mine, they won’t go in those outhouse toilets if their life depended on it (you know the ones… peeing into a dark stinky hole). So even though the twins are wayyyy past their potty training days, we still bring a potty chair every year, and set it behind the tent or in an obscure place.

Camping must-haves- Potty Chair

We’ve always just put a grocery bag in the bowl of the potty chair, but I found these disposable potty chair liners that look SO HANDY. And they’re universal and fit any brand potty chair. Sign.Me.UP.

Disposable Potty Chair LinersMust-Haves for camping with kids and babies - potty chair liners

This next thing is an item lots of parents have recommended to us… it’s in my Amazon shopping cart as we speak. This portable play yard is big enough for multiple kids to play in together, and is great for corralling the children from time to time. I’ve done a lot of research on these, and this one looks like the best value and gets great reviews for durability. I love that it has a floor so that the littles aren’t snacking on twigs and acorns, or digging holes. I might even be ‘that mom’ that throws a handful of cheerios in there.Portable Play YardMust-Haves for camping with kids and babies - play pen

These are not a camping-specific item, but I’m always trying to pack things that serve multiple purposes. Isn’t this the ultimate ‘spork’?! Plus they’re just cute.

Kids Spoon/Fork/Knife Combo UtensilsMust-haves for camping with kids and babies - spoon fork combo 'spork'

Here’s a PSA for you… if you’re going to splurge on a good off-road stroller, this BOB Stroller is the the one to splurge on. It’s hefty (yet light-weight), and it rides SO SMOOTH… even in bumpy grass. We had the double version for the twins, and it was a legit lifesaver.

Bob Flex Stroller

Double Bob Stroller

Have you ever tried to hold a giant sweaty toddler-baby on your lap while holding a flimsy paper plate filled with messy camping slop-food, and try to feed both yourself and the giant sweaty toddler-baby with your third invisible hand? It’s unpleasant. And often doesn’t end well. That’s when we all wish we’d brought one of these:

Must-haves for camping with kids and babies - First Aid Kit and Wet Ones

Portable High Chair

That camping high chair pictured above is the ACTUAL one we have, and we absolutely loooove it. It allows us to corral our little child Cypress, while allowing her to conveniently eat and feel like a part of the group in her very own camping chair! I also love that it has a cup holder. And folds up.

Finally, don’t forget to have a First Aid Kit on hand. And it’s impossible to over-estimate just how many containers of Wet Ones you’ll plow through.

First Aid KitMust-haves for camping with kids and babies - First Aid Kit and Wet Ones / Wet Ones

This last one is for YOU, Mom and Dad… are you ready? Camping Wine Glasses. For after the crazies have finally fallen asleep, and you’re listening to crickets and gazing at the flicker of the campfire. #yourewelcome

Insulated Camping Wine GlassesMust-Haves for camping with kids and babies - Portable Camping Wine Glasses

Because this is what you’ll look like at the end of the day.

Survived camping with the kids

And your kids will look like this:

Camping with Kids

Here are some other good tips, ideas, games, and kid-friendly meal ideas for camping that I’ve found around the interwebs.

Ultimate Checklist for Camping with a BabyCamping BingoCamping gamesGlow in the dark RING TOSS
Hand Washing Station30 Kid-Friendly Camping Meals
Nature Scavenger HuntCamping Hacks for FamiliesCamping Crafts for Kids
Camping mac and cheeseGlow in the Dark Bubble SolutionToys to bring Camping for Kids.jpg





Like I said, you can get by with the bare minimum, but as parents I think we can all agree that sometimes it’s worth the $$$ to make things more comfortable and enjoyable… for parents AND kids/babies.

Most importantly my friends? Just take a deep breath and try to have fun! You’re making memories that will last a lifetime!

And don’t forget to take lotsa pictures.

Camping with kids

Do you have any tips, ideas or products that you’ve found to make your family-camping experience go more smoothly? Please share in the comments!

~Bethany

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Thanks for pinning!!

SUCH good things to remember to pack when camping with littles! {Reality Daydream} #kids #babies #musthaves #tentcamping

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About Bethany Sy

Nick and Bethany Sy are the creative free-spirits behind DIY/Lifestyle blog, Reality Daydream. They recently purchased a historic mansion and have been documenting the ups and downs of renovation and making this home their own... all while sharing tips and tutorials along the way! When they found themselves in the trenches of infertility, they started a journey that would prove to be their most important DIY project ever, and have 3 beautiful girls to show for it. <3

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Comments

  1. 4

    Jessica Ruiz says

    May 24, 2020 at 11:34 am

    Great post! Planning our first trip with my son and these tips will be very handy. Thank you.

    Reply
  2. 5

    Erika Jayne says

    May 10, 2017 at 10:38 am

    Hi BETHANY,

    I always let my kids spend time on blending into nature. It does help enhance their body physically and emotionally. It doesn’t matter what outdoor activity you are passionate about or your skill level, nature is always a part of us.

    Thanks for the useful tips, dear & keep up the good work.

    Reply
  3. 6

    mercury says

    June 17, 2016 at 12:13 pm

    Great round up! We love camping! I typically go with my brothers and between us we have 12 kids. It can get chaotic to keep track of everyone, but it’s always so fun. We’ve even resorted to using a sharpie to write our campsite number on the little kids hands. You never know, they can be fast little suckers!

    Reply
    • 7

      Beth @ Reality Daydream says

      June 17, 2016 at 3:20 pm

      LOL I love that tip! 😉

      Reply

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We are Nick and Bethany! Welcome to our blog, Reality Daydream where we share our DIY adventures!
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