Adventure Tykes

setting up camp

Car camping can be one of the most fun and family oriented outdoor activities.  It can be done at any age, any ability and can be done close to home.  You can even camp in your own backyard!  For first time campers pitching a tent in the backyard is an easy trial run without leaving the comfort and security of home.

Car camping involves some planning and a small investment in gear but since you’re not carrying it all on your back you can even bring luxury items for you and your tyke.  Why sleep on a 1” thick piece of foam or eat dehydrated meals-in-a-bag when you can sack out on a plush air mattress and chef it up on a two-burner stove?

Planning:

Car camping can be done as a last minute escape, especially as you gain experience in this fun adventure.  After spending a couple weekends sleeping in the outdoors you will know what works, what doesn’t, what gear to bring, how to plan your meals and most importantly, how fun it is.

With campgrounds all over the U.S. adventure awaits whether you’re staying close to home or venturing across the country.  Some have kid friendly activities and trails, ranger led hikes and an assortment of amenities.  Amenities vary and you may find you prefer a completely spartan site without so much as a picnic table.  Other times you may prefer to stay at a campground offering running water, showers, potable (drinking) water and electricity.  A great resource for finding a campground is www.reserveamerica.com.

The length of your trip will determine how much food, clothing and toiletries you’ll need.  If you are camping near a town a forgotten item isn’t a big deal as you can always pick up the missing item at a local grocery or outdoor store.  Camping remotely doesn’t allow such conveniences so you’ll want to be extra certain to bring everything you’ll need.  We recommend using checklists when you’re packing to ensure that nothing is left behind.

Gear:

First, you’ll need shelter.  Tents come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit nearly every need.  We recommend a tent that is large enough to be comfortable for your family should you have to stay inside and wait out a storm, but not so big that it requires an engineering degree and half an acre to set up.  We use an REI Taj 3 tent (unfortunately no longer offered).  The tent you choose should be sturdy enough to resist wind gusts and completely weatherproof so you and your tyke stay nice and dry.  Don’t forget to stake out your tent so it doesn’t become a kite when a thunderstorm strikes!  If you’re camping on sand tent stakes won’t work as they pull out of the ground too easily.  Luckily, there is a solution – sand/snow anchors.  We bought some after a sleepless night in Arches NP when strong winds tore the stakes from the sand and beat them against the tent walls all night.  We now keep them in the stuff sack with the tent, rain fly, tent footprint and stakes.

Inside the tent you’ll need a comfortable air mattress to ensure a good night’s sleep.  Your choices are endless and run the gamut from a traditional backpacking style, lightweight self-inflating pad to an Aerobed designed specifically for camping.  If you opt for a mattress that requires a pump (we did!) make sure you bring along extra batteries or an inverter.  There’s almost nothing worse than having a cozy air mattress you can’t use because you left the batteries to the pump at home!  You’ll save yourself some hassle by setting up your tent at home and pumping up your chosen air mattress inside the tent to ensure it fits before you head into the great outdoors.  Finally, don’t leave home without a patch kit for your air mattress.  No matter how tough they claim to be an errant thorn or sharp rock can quickly ruin your night.  Atop your air mattress you’ll have to decide whether you use sleeping bags, sheets and blankets or some combination thereof for bedding.  Whatever you choose it must be compatible with sleeping with your tyke. Make sure that all blankets, sleeping bags and pillows are away from your tyke’s face so they don’t become a suffocation hazard.  Always take necessary co-sleeping precautions!  We like sleeping bags that zip together and allow all three of us to snuggle up inside one big, puffy sleeping bag.

Lighting your campsite is generally very straightforward.  Headlamps might look dorky but the hands-free light makes camp chores a breeze after sunset.  They’re also great for reading in your tent.  For an area light, nothing beats the old school Coleman lanterns.  They’re incredibly bright and easy to operate.  We haven’t yet found a battery operated lantern that throws the same kind of light.  Inside the tent, a small LED lantern provides plenty of light for most needs.

If your tyke is nursing, food preparation is simple.  If your tyke is formula fed, you’ll need plenty of bottles, formula (which can come in travel packets) prepared water and a heat source to warm it up.  Always bring a couple extra days worth of formula and water.  If your tyke is on solids you can modify the meals you will eat or bring a supply of baby food.  A baby seat, such as a Bumbo, can come in very handy.  You can use it as a chair to feed your tyke and it also gives your little explorer a place to sit and look around at nature, especially if he isn’t able to sit up on his own.

You will need a cookstove, pots and pans, cooking utensils and hot dog/marshmallow roasters.  You may also need additional items if you’re really planning to chef it up in camp.  Don’t forget extra stove fuel and, even if your stove has electronic ignition, bring matches or a lighter as a back-up.  Another really fun and super tasty option when campfires are allowed are hobo meals.  Kids are fascinated by fire, so watch your tykes closely to avoid any accidents around the campfire.

A pack-n-play or playpen makes it easy to corral your curious tyke while you tend to camp chores like setting up or tearing down the tent or cooking dinner. It gives your tyke a safe place to play and take naps, and gives you freedom to move around camp unencumbered by your tyke.  A sun umbrella that  attaches securely to the pack-n-play helps to shade your tykes sensitive skin from the sun when no other shade is available.

A picnic blanket isn’t critical but they are really nice to have around camp.  They’re great for tummy time or lounging under the pines with your tyke.

If your tyke uses a bouncy seat or a travel swing it doesn’t hurt to bring it along, especially if you have extra cargo room in your car, SUV or van.  It gives you another option for entertaining your tyke and gives them some familiarity of home

Even with all the sights and sounds of nature your tyke might find themselves getting bored.  Bring a few of her favorite toys and your tyke will be less likely to let you know that she’s getting bored.

Diapers.  Bring lots of diapers and lots of wipes.  You really don’t want to run out of these or you will cut your trip short.  The wipes can perform double duty as you can use them to freshen up when a shower isn’t available and bathing in an ice cold, glacier fed creek doesn’t sound appealing.  Bring sunscreen if your tyke is more than 6 months old or your pediatrician has approved its use.  Other items to consider bringing are your tyke’s toothbrush, diaper rash cream, thermometer, nose aspirator and anything else you use regularly.  Some items, such as diaper rash cream, might not seem essential but a miserable tyke with a bad diaper rash is guaranteed to send you home early.  Don’t forget to pack medications your tyke is using, whether over-the-counter or prescribed.  Lastly, and this is very important, a first aid kit with items appropriate for your tyke is an absolute must.

If your tyke is in the midst of potty training you can bring their potty chair so you don’t skip a beat.  Getting up in the middle of the night and walking to the bathroom in the dark can be unnerving to some tykes.  Having their potty chair inside or just outside the tent can make life easier for you and your tyke.

An inflatable bath tub doesn’t take up much room and makes it easy to bathe your tyke if you’re out for any length of time or if you just want to be able to keep them clean.  Don’t forget to bring small containers of their soap and a sponge!

If you plan on day hiking you’ll need all the necessary gear like backpacks, water bottles or hydration packs, and snacks.  Tykes old enough to carry their own appropriately sized backpack can carry a few of their own essentials.  Having your tyke carry their own backpack gives them a sense of independence and can make the hike more enjoyable.

Clothing:

You and your tyke will need clothing suitable for the environment and activities in which you plan to participate.  For details about what clothing is appropriate for outdoor adventures refer to the “hiking” resource page.

When you arrive at camp make sure you set rules and boundaries for the older tykes, such as the perimeter of camp where they can wander without direct supervision.  Allow them to get dirty and have fun.  After all there is a whole new world out there to explore.

Always take necessary precautions around camp with the fire pit, the surroundings and know the camp rules when it comes to food storage (such as bear proof storage), trash and quiet time.

For older tykes it is fun to bring along books pertaining to the area.  Flora & fauna, geology or wildlife books are great learning tools that can entertain you and your tyke, and you might even learn a thing or two! : )  Constellation books are a fun night time activity before bedtime, especially when light pollution from the city isn’t hindering your view of the stars.

Enjoy one of the great family outdoor activities!