Camping with a two year old?

Question

We're thinking of going tent camping with our 23 month old (crazy huh!). If you've done it what do you suggest that I bring? She climbs out of her pack in play so I don't even know what to do about sleeping. I appreciate any advice, thanks!!

Answer 1

i bought a childs sleeping bag in cars for each of my boys and a cars tent that i set up and let them play in it all day and at bedtime we set up our tent and put their tent inside of ours they loved it then i bought two of the jingling fishing clips that ring when you have a bite and put one on our zipper and one on the kids zipper so i woke up if they opened the tent or if someone tried to open our tent. they do make tent tops for pack and plays http://www.amazon.com/Graco-Pack-n-Play-...   this would work too.

Answer 2

My son has been camping twice and he is only 15 months old. The first time we did bring the pack and play but the second time he just slept on blankets like we do, that was much easier.  All kids are different, but if your child likes to be outside then I would say she will love it.  It is a lot of fun but it also takes patience because one person will have to be constantly following her.  At night after my son went to sleep and everyone else said up I thought for sure he would wake up but he did not.  My advice is it can't hurt to try once, CZ you won't really know what she will be like until you go.  Good luck and have fun.  Don't forget to pack sunscreen, bug spray. extra clothes, and snacks for your little one in case they don't like food cooked on a grill or over fire.

Answer 3

I did that once.  It was not fun.  My son was ok for moments.  and then he would start asking to go back home.  He was relentless the entire weekend we heard "I wanna go home." over and over and over....

Of course all kids are different.   I do know people who have camped with toddlers and had no problems.  Bring her comfort items.  Let her run around all day so she's tired by bedtime.  

Good luck to you.

Answer 4

What size tent are you going to be using?  When my kids were that little, we went to the Army/Navy Surplus store and bought a 20 man canvas tent.  We took our playpen and they slept in that inside the tent with us, of course.  That worked for us.  Oh, and we also brought our potty chair along -- actually brought that along until they were simply too big to use it, but we also bought one of those portable pottys that are made to be used by adults as well.

I have a lot of good memories of camping with my kids even when they were really little.  :-)  They are now 30, 23, 21.  They all say they LOVE camping too!

Answer 5

First make sure the camp grounds are okay with the child's age.

Answer 6

We always put our daughter in the sleeping bag with us when she was little. Easiest way, I think. Or get her her own bag.

Are you doing drive up, faux camping? If you're not going to be out in the wilderness, get a spot as secluded and far away from the roads as possible. That way she has more room to explore and it won't be nearly as stressful. Otherwise you'll be running after her every two minutes.

Have fun, though! Camping with toddlers can be pretty irritating.