Camping With Kids: Top 10 Items To Pack When Camping With A Toddler

As if being parents to toddlers wasn’t enough when it comes extra responsibility and chores, but speaking of going camping with your littles that takes responsibility to whole new level.  We understand not everyone likes camping, let alone when accompanied by kids.

So, if you’re someone who isn’t comfortable peeing in the woods, lighting bonfires, and hate dealing with bugs, or anything that related to outdoors, then it’s fine with if you stopped reading right now and switched to something else. But if you and your partner like going camping and outdoor adventuring, then this isn’t a problem. You’ll probably take this as a good challenge.

Nonetheless, without further ado, below are a few top tips for camping with toddlers. Let’s get started:

Safety First
When you’re camping or outdoor adventuring, it’s not uncommon to get a burn in a bonfire, bug bites, snakes bites, bruises, and so on, regardless how cautious you are. More so if you’re with toddlers, who will do or touch anything despite you telling them a million times, not to touch or do anything without asking first. So, pack a well-equipped first aid kit with Band-Aids, hydrogen peroxide, gauze, Q-tips, fever medicine, tweezers, etc.

Don’t Forget The “Sticky” Stuff
Pack a sensible amount of insect-repellent lotion, bug spray, sunscreen, and aloe Vera gel. You never know when you need these kinds of stuff.

Layers
Mother Nature is unpredictable, no matter what the weather network says. If maybe sunny in the morning, but who can tell it won’t rain in the evening. So, bring enough t-shirts and shorts, wool socks, blankets, wool hats, long-sleeved pajamas, comfy shoes, etc.

Comfortable Beds
Did we forget to mention you need comfy beds for your toddlers to have a good night’s sleep under the magnificent star-lit sky? Most folks prefer single air mattresses, but if you’ve been camping for a while, you already know air mattresses tend to deflate easily. So, to keep things simple, just get your little one’s cots or sleeping mats.

Foods And Other Essentials
If there aren’t any lakes or ponds near to your camping site, then wipes will be your go-to-washing system. And if you’re living off the grid, pack yourself sufficiently with snacks, sausages, diapers, cereal, bread, butter, peanut butter, jam, drinking water—you know the drill. And if you like cooking, then bring along pasta, frozen foods item that can be cooked and prepared quickly.

Pack Some Outdoor Toys
Let’s be honest, your toddler will spend most of his or her time playing inside the tent. So bring along some toys that they play with regularly. This way they can familiarize themselves with a new place and will feel safe to play with their toys without you encouraging them. Also, if you’ve got a baby, you know these cute little beings like to chew their toys. So, bring some chew toys that are easy to clean.

A Head Lamp
Remember your toddler is in an unfamiliar place. So for additional security, fasten a headlamp on your toddler’s head when he goes to the bathroom or around the campsite during the night. We recommend headlamps with red lights which are easily visible in the dark and will not blind you when you look at the light directly.

Diapers and Portable Potty
There aren’t any portable toilets in the woods or a dumping spot to dispose of your toddler’s smelly diapers. So, we suggest you bring yourself a portable potty if your toddler is potty training or you can bring extra large Ziploc bags for the dirty diapers to keep the stench away. Just dump everything in the garbage on your way home. If you folks are camping near a lake and planning on taking a few dips, remember to bring towels, swimsuits and swimming diapers and a shade tent.

Invest In A Good Quality Tent
Get a good-quality two room tent or more if you have got a bunch of kids! Make sure you can stand up and walk inside the tent you’re buying. Check for features like mosquito protection, sealed seams, and plenty of screened “windows” for better air circulation as things inside can become pretty hot in the summers.

The Right Camping Gear Is Key

I already mentioned buying a quality tent. Here is some additional stuff you need to add to your camping gear. Don’t forget to bring your kids favorite pillows, wool blankets, and sleeping bags. Bring a few good quality lanterns. Also, bring a folding table that can be doubled as a dining table and other purposes. And speaking of dining; pack some cooking gear, plates, and utensils, too.  A good propane camping stove is great. Always lay a tarp under the tent. Ensure that the tarp extends beyond the total floor area of your tent. It will come in handy when it rains. Oh, yes, I totally forgot, bring rain boots and raincoats.

This article was written in collaboration with a Singaporean tution agency, SmileTutor (https://smiletutor.sg)