Forum Discussion

Happy_Camper3's avatar
May 18, 2014

Tips for camping with babies ??

We have a camper on our land an hour or so up north. Today was our first time bringing our 4 month old daughter. Everything went very well. She was in the camper 95% of the time with one if us.. She had her exersaucer, toys, and everything else.


Any tips or tricks from people that have done this a lot ? Does it get harder or easier once they can walk ?

We did not use bug spray near her, I wonder at what age you can ?

27 Replies

  • It mirrors parenting in general. You MUST be ever vigilant. It's easier to child proof your home than a campsite. Todlers can't appreciate the camping experience so it's best to keep them on a short leash (figuratively speaking). We tent camped with two babies. They slept between us, like ( xx ). All the same routines apply as at home. They will get to discover the world around them and you will grow to enjoy their awareness of new experiences. As at home, sharing all the duties while preventing accidents has it's stress moments. But you will learn to enjoy the experience as much as they will. Good luck.
  • You're in the Golden Months of parenting, enjoy them.

    The "Skin-so-Soft" product is good, most kids are OK with it and it makes a dandy hand cleaner for Dad.
  • I wonder if they make toddler size bracelets with GPS trackers? If so, use it.
    The bell idea is really good for keeping track while in camp.
    Doesn't Avon make a hand or body lotion that is mosquito repellent? I've heard hunters and fishermen swear by it.
    Also, lavender and mint are supposed to be good, natural repellents, just search online for home made recipes.
  • I'd say it gets easier physically as they can do more like dress themselves, buckle the seat belt, etc. At the same time it becomes more of a challenge emotionally.

    Can't say it's either harder or easier but rather it changes with time.

    And congratulations!
  • CA Traveler wrote:
    It gets harder when they know more than you do. :@


    Make that when they think they know more than you do!

    But seriously, it does get more difficult as they get more mobile. Make sure that an adult is ALWAYS responsible for the child. Don't assume that someone is. If you pass on your watching duty to someone else, make sure that person acknowledges that he/she is now watching.

    My two daughters started camping at age 6 weeks. They survived. They are now in their late forties. They and their children are all campers, some with tents and some with TT's.
  • I think it gets harder once they start to walk- right now she can't disappear on you!

    My experience as Mom and Grandma is that the most dangerous time is from the time they first walk until they're about three, or whatever age the particular child (and Mom/Dad!) has been more or less reliably trained to some rudimentary camp rules. Here's a tip I learned from my own mother: put a bell on little kids when camping. Whether on a shoe or pinned to the shirt, that sound will clue you as to exactly where she is at all times.

    We always rely on netting for bug protection with very young babies. I'm sorta hazy on exactly when we started using bug juice on them...I'd bet it varied according to the extent of the bugginess where we were!