Here are five things to keep in mind while camping with kids, especially those of the toddler variety!

1. Your child will get VERY dirty! - It seems obvious, right? What is not obvious is how hard it might be to let him/her stay dirty! Just keep in mind - waiting until the end of the day to do a thorough clean up is key, otherwise, you will go mad trying to help him/her stay clean throughout the day…I find that a washcloth and some water do the trick before bed~

2. Sleep schedules are difficult to keep - most likely you will find that your child will not nap or go to bed at their regular hours. If they are babies or under one year it is a bit easier to get them to follow their at home schedule but toddlers tend to be too excited to nap (unless they pass out in the backpack while hiking which I highly recommend) and go to bed until after the campfire activities have ended. Part of the reason is because the tent is super fun to play in and they become distracted! Stressing out about getting them to sleep “on-time” will take away from the joy you will have whilst they sit on your lap making s’mores and telling stories. By the time sitting around the campfire starts they are so exhausted they are happy to just to relax.

Here are two recommendations for backpacks:

Phil&Teds “Escape” Carrier

Ergo Carrier

3. Bring a toilet seat! - If your child is of the age of toilet training or is toilet trained and is still small enough to need some extra support you will need a toilet seat. Though drop toilets are lots of fun for the kids you do not want the kid dropped in!

Here is a recommendation for a toilet seat that you can buy at your local Target or box store:

Potty Seat

4. S’Mores may be dinner and hot chocolate may be breakfast - When camping all everyday practices and rules go slightly out the window. It creates more stress when one tries to ensure all eating habits and behavior habits are followed. Remember- you are in an entirely new environment that your child rarely gets to experience. They are so excited and intrigued that getting them to have three square meals may be difficult. Trust me, if they are hungry, they will eat.

5. Don’t sweat the small stuff - Camping with small children is a practice in letting go. Think of it this way: If it is not a health and safety issue then it probably isn’t worth arguing over!

Hope this helps!

Up next: “Organize, Organize, Organize - The Art of the Itemized List and Menu” In which I will be discussing trip planning, list making and overall preparedness for your camping experience. Be on the lookout for it today or tomorrow!