Have you wanted to go camping but feel nervous because you have little ones in tow? I’ve been there! The idea of camping with energetic, curious toddlers can feel overwhelming. But let me tell you—do it anyway. Watching your children explore, get dirty, and connect with nature is one of the most rewarding and memorable parts of parenting.
To make things easier (and a lot less chaotic), here’s everything I wish I had known before our first family camping trip—with tips learned the hard way, so you don’t have to.
Prepare for Chaos (Then Simplify)
Embrace the Mess
Dirt will be eaten, knees will be scraped, and your child’s clean clothes will last approximately five minutes. And that’s okay! Camping is one of the rare times when it’s perfectly fine (and even encouraged) to get messy.
Don’t Overplan
Bring along a few campsite toys like trucks or sand buckets, but don’t stress about a packed activity schedule. Let your toddler’s curiosity lead the way by exploring sticks, bugs, and puddles will entertain them more than you think.
Simplify Your Routine
Stick to your basic rhythm (meals, naps, bedtime), but be flexible. If you’re driving, align nap time with the car ride. If bedtime is usually 7:30 but it’s still light out, adjust based on natural light and your child’s mood.
What to Pack when Camping with Toddlers
Portable Booster Seat with Tray
Keeps food off the dirt and your toddler in one place during meals. It’s way easier to pack than a full-sized highchair.
Battery-Powered White Noise Machine
Nighttime in a tent can be loud. There can be birds, wind, people, and zippers. A white noise machine helps mask it all and soothes your little one to sleep.
Toddler Air Mattress
After trial and error (Pack ‘n Plays, sharing an air mattress…), we found toddler-sized air mattresses to be the winner. My kids are wild sleepers; this mattress eased any worry about them rolling off a bed, and it is compact and packs in the car easily.
Extra Clothes…Then Pack More
You’ll go through more outfits than you think—dirty, wet, cold, or all three. Include layers for changing weather.
Comfort Items
Don’t forget their favorite blanket, stuffed animal, or familiar sippy cup and plate. These little touches make a big difference in helping them feel secure.
Favorite Snacks in Grab-and-Go Bags
Single-serve snack bags make it easy to hand out treats without contaminating the whole bag. Plus, they’re meltdown savers in a pinch.
Easy-to-Clean Blanket
A large, washable camping or beach blanket gives your toddler a defined space to play, eat, or rest off the dirt.
Pro Tip: Teach your toddler how to go potty outdoors early on. It removes fear, adds flexibility for future trips, and might even be their favorite part!
Set Up a Toddler-Safe Campsite
Create a “Yes Space”
Designate an area where your toddler can safely roam and explore without constant redirection.
Fire Pit Safety
Keep the fire pit away from the play area. Before lighting a fire, introduce your child to it, explain it’s “hot,” and establish a rule that they must walk behind the chairs around the fire.
Choose Your Campsite Wisely
Pick a spot with fewer hazards—steep drops, heavy traffic, or large wildlife. The safer your environment, the more relaxed (and fun) the whole experience will be.
Sleep Is a Whole Thing (Here’s What Helped)
Expecting your toddler to sleep like they do at home is wishful thinking. But here’s what made our nights smoother:
- Dress them in layered pajamas for shifting temps.
- Stick to your familiar bedtime routine: stories, snuggles, etc.
- Use blackout fabric or towels to darken the tent.
- Lie down with them until they fall asleep.
- And yes—bring that white noise machine!
Keep Them Busy (Without Burning Out)
You don’t need a full itinerary. These simple activities go a long way:
- Bubbles, rock painting, and collecting leaves/sticks
- Let them lead mini nature walks—at toddler pace!
- Use nature to build things: Some of our favorite camping activities with small kids include building monster truck tracks and fairy houses with what is around the campsite.
- Schedule downtime to prevent overstimulation (and meltdowns)
Tips We Learned the Hard Way
Start Small
Try a one-night trip or backyard camping to ease everyone into the experience. Even spending a longer day in the area similar to where you will be camping goes a long way to get kids used to the environment and can make camping go smoother.
Camp with Friends
More adults = more eyes on kids + built-in playmates = way more fun.
Let Go of Expectations
Your idea of the “perfect” camping trip might not happen—and that’s okay. Be flexible and present, and the magic will follow.
Bring Special Snacks
Kids love it when they get snacks and food that they may not normally get. When we go camping, we let the kids pick a special drink and snack they want to bring. Helping plan the food has become one of their favorite parts of camping as they grow up. We also love experimenting with different S’more combinations.
Stay Organized
Pack gear in labeled bins by category (meals, hygiene, toys, etc.) to make setup and clean-up less stressful. We also have a full, printable Camping with Toddlers Packing List.
You’ve Got This!
Camping with toddlers might sound exhausting—and it can be—but it’s also one of the best ways to create memories and spark a love of the outdoors early on. With a little preparation, a flexible mindset, and the right snacks, your trip can be fun, meaningful, and maybe even relaxing.
Have tips of your own? We’d love to hear about your camping adventures with toddlers—share your stories and ideas in the comments below!
For more tips about camping with kids, read this article: Camping with Kids: 12 Helpful Tips for New Campers or Camping made easy: The Ultimate Family Camping Checklist! (free printable)