1. Pack way more clothes for the little one than you expect and pack clothes for every season! I didn't pack enough warm clothes and Addy ended up looking a little homely for a few days after wearing the same sweatshirt 24/7. Also bring clothes you don't care too much about, the amount of dirt that got all over everything was astounding!
2. Pack multiple containers of wipes. I brought a brand new package of wipes, but found myself wishing I would have bough 3 partially used ones instead. That one container of wipes was needed wherever I was, so I would have preferred to have one in the tent, one in the eating area, and one in my bag/car.
3. Have a tent big enough to hold your pack and play. We have the Coleman WeatherMaster Screened 6 Tent
that we got from Costco. That thing was amazing. It has the capability to be partitioned to 3 separate rooms which was a lifesaver since Addy goes to bed way before me. We put her in one "room" in her pack and play so we knew she was safe and wasn't getting into anything. Also, I really feel that because the pack and play was familiar, she was able to sleep better.
4. Bring a portable high chair
with you that can be very compact. Addy's has one similar to the one I linked too, and we would just set it on the ground and hook her in to eat her meals. It was super convenient and a nice way to keep her in one place for longer than 5 seconds.
5. Bring a baby carrier. I found our Ergo Baby Carrier to be way more helpful than a stroller on this trip. We were at the beach so the sand it tough with a strollers, also we went into town one day and did some shopping and there is no way I could have got my stroller in and out of little shops very easily.
6. If you have the option of electricity to your tent bring a sound machine
. Addy went to bed between 7:30-8:30 each night, which is WAY before the rest of the campground. We had a sound machine plugged in in her side of the tent to help drown out the noise of the other campers (including us).
7. Bring a small inflatable pool
for baths. Most campground just have showers and Addy was NOT a fan. Luckily we had a small pool (even smaller than the one I linked to) that we blew up and gave her a bath in each night. That was a lifesaver considering she was FILTHY by the end of each day.
8. If you can, try and pick a campground with a playground or even a swingset or something for the toddler to do. Addy constantly was wandering into neighbors areas looking for stuff to do. She was fine, but it would have been easier to have some fun options for her when we were just at the campsite.
9. Bring Spark. Okay so Spark may not be your drink of choice, but I drank some daily on the trip. Be prepared to not sleep normal hours and have whatever you need to help you with that. Addy woke up at about 5:30 every morning, which is an hour earlier than normal, which was very tiring!
10. Relax and go with the flow. I will be the first to admit that I was stressed about camping with a toddler. I just tried to mentally prepare myself for less sleep, more sun, and more chasing. I was flexible with Addy's schedule with sleep and eating, and we all survived. I think it's important to try and keep your schedule (if you have one) as much as possible, but don't be obsessed with it. Just allow yourself some wiggle room and try and have a good time. I did!!
.
that we got from Costco. That thing was amazing. It has the capability to be partitioned to 3 separate rooms which was a lifesaver since Addy goes to bed way before me. We put her in one "room" in her pack and play so we knew she was safe and wasn't getting into anything. Also, I really feel that because the pack and play was familiar, she was able to sleep better.4. Bring a portable high chair
with you that can be very compact. Addy's has one similar to the one I linked too, and we would just set it on the ground and hook her in to eat her meals. It was super convenient and a nice way to keep her in one place for longer than 5 seconds. 5. Bring a baby carrier. I found our Ergo Baby Carrier to be way more helpful than a stroller on this trip. We were at the beach so the sand it tough with a strollers, also we went into town one day and did some shopping and there is no way I could have got my stroller in and out of little shops very easily.
6. If you have the option of electricity to your tent bring a sound machine
. Addy went to bed between 7:30-8:30 each night, which is WAY before the rest of the campground. We had a sound machine plugged in in her side of the tent to help drown out the noise of the other campers (including us).7. Bring a small inflatable pool
for baths. Most campground just have showers and Addy was NOT a fan. Luckily we had a small pool (even smaller than the one I linked to) that we blew up and gave her a bath in each night. That was a lifesaver considering she was FILTHY by the end of each day. 8. If you can, try and pick a campground with a playground or even a swingset or something for the toddler to do. Addy constantly was wandering into neighbors areas looking for stuff to do. She was fine, but it would have been easier to have some fun options for her when we were just at the campsite.
9. Bring Spark. Okay so Spark may not be your drink of choice, but I drank some daily on the trip. Be prepared to not sleep normal hours and have whatever you need to help you with that. Addy woke up at about 5:30 every morning, which is an hour earlier than normal, which was very tiring!
10. Relax and go with the flow. I will be the first to admit that I was stressed about camping with a toddler. I just tried to mentally prepare myself for less sleep, more sun, and more chasing. I was flexible with Addy's schedule with sleep and eating, and we all survived. I think it's important to try and keep your schedule (if you have one) as much as possible, but don't be obsessed with it. Just allow yourself some wiggle room and try and have a good time. I did!!
.
One thing I have loved to bring camping and it has been loved by all ages, is a portable sandbox (if they don't eat it). I buy a Rubbermaid tote and add play sand and all the fun cups. Strainers. Funnels, and containers I can find. It has provided long stretches of entertainment!
ReplyDeleteIs she too young to keep sunglasses on while on the beach? I always wear glasses at the beach even on cloudy days, due to the blowing sand. The wrap-around kind that stay tight around your head (like for boating) would be even better, but those probably don't come in toddler size. She is adorable, even when screaming about sand in her eyes. Or maybe especially when screaming about sand in her eyes. -Jeannette
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