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Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months
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Camping with a toddler - would love tips!

rubber_chickenrubber_chicken member
in Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months
Hi there!  We're planning a long weekend car camping trip next month.  My daughter will be 15 months.  She's walking and into everything!

We already plan on bringing her pack n play, a mosquito net, and a tarp for extra rain protection.  Is there anything else we should bring that would be helpful?

Also, my husband and I have sleeping bags that zip together.  We were planning to combine them and then put her in between us.  However, my sister suggested we use an air mattress for comfort and to keep from getting chilled from the ground.  However, is it safe for a toddler to sleep on an air mattress? Would we be better off on the ground?
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Re: Camping with a toddler - would love tips!

  • smileybabyboysmileybabyboy member
    DH and I have done a lot of tent camping. It's true, an air mattress makes it more comfortable but it is not warmer.  You need to put a warm blanket on it that you plan to sleep on since they are not very cozy. It can get chilly sleeping on them since you have a pocket of cold air under you.  I would be hesitant to put a toddler between you 2 since you tend to roll to the middle of an air mattress. DH and I usually wake up against each other so LO might get squished.  I would suggest getting one of those family size tents so you and your H can sleep on the air mattress and there is enough room for a pack n play for LO and be sure to remember lots of layers and blankets for him/her since it's getting cold at night.  Another option is (which we are doing next month) is finding a campground with cabins and do cabin camping. So we have shelter and don't have to worry about buying a new tent and DS can sleep in his pack n play.  Have a great time!  I love camping!! 
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  • SunAndRainSunAndRain member
    We are taking 13 mo camping for the second time this weekend!

    I simply would NOT have LO sleep in between us in the tent. Way too much stuff for her to get in to and with us not sleeping well I'd be worried we would roll on her. We set up the pnp in out tent, put her in warm pjs and she slept in there. She did wake in the middle of the night and to keep her from crying and waking up the while campground I had her snuggle next to me... But I didn't sleet a wink after that :(

    I'd bring deet spray and spray her clothes to keep the bugs away

    And a hat for her as that is where we loose most out heat

    And bring a bucket to wash/soak dishes... Always a chore!

    We also found it helpful to have a large mat to lay out in front of the tent so we could all sit around but not be in the dirt. A tarp would work well

    Oh and we brought a pop up canopy which was great because it rained all weekend.
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