Camping for The First Time with Baby or Young Kids

 My husband and I started tent camping at campgrounds together as a couple on a fourth of July holiday (many years ago).  Both of us were brand new to camping but were excited to try it out.  After our first experience we were hooked. Even when kids entered our lives, we were determined to keep camping.  There is no question that our first camping trip with our baby was quite an adventure even though we decided to camp just an hour from home.  As with most things as a parent, we had to relearn how to camp with a little one in tow, but we got into a new rhythm.  Our one year old has already been on camping countless times. Even with our baby, we camp year round: spring, summer, fall and winter (yes, even in the snow!).

If you’re contemplating your first camping trip with baby, you probably have many of the same questions that I had myself, so here are some road-tested tips to smooth out the bumps for your first camping trip.

 
First question that most parents ask is:
What the best age to start camping with kid?

Photo by: Flickr/BenedictFrancis

Questions every parent is stressing out about:

• What makes a campsite kid-friendly?
• How do I book a campground?
• How can I help my baby sleep while camping?
• How do you keep kids from getting too cold or too hot?
• How do I feed my baby while camping?
• What are good toys to bring camping?
• What are important safety rules I should teach my child about camping?

 
Do you have a question that one of our camping savvy parents can help answer?

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Now that you’re equipped this arsenal of practical tips on how to ensure your first camping trip with kids is a smashing success, what do you need to pack?

• Camping Packing List and Gear Recommendations for Families

And how do you begin planning a kid-friendly camping menu beyond s’mores?

• Kid-friendly Camping Recipes

Finally, as with any type of travel, to have a good time camping, every parent has to have the right attitude and stay flexible because the unpredictable will happen and it can either be aggravating or exciting.  With the right attitude, you could be on the happy side of the same coin.  So, here are some words to the wise from some camping savvy parents:

• Start small and work your way up
• Keep things simple
• Remain flexible
• Keep a positive attitude
• Know when to throw in the towel
• Don’t suffer needlessly
• Don’t get discouraged – keep trying
• Keep your expectations in check:  if you previously camped without kids realize your camping experience with kids will be very different
• Teamwork between adults is a must
• Make friends with dirt:  you must accept kids will get dirty, perhaps the dirtiest they’ve ever been.  If it really bothers you, envision the giant bubble bath they’ll be soaking in as soon as you get home.  They will get clean again.