Okay, here’s my blog post about camping with my 2-year-old:
So, we decided to take the plunge and go camping with our little dude. He’s two, full of energy, and loves being outside, so we figured, why not? It was…an experience, to say the least. Let me walk you through it.
Prepping for the Trip
First off, the packing. Oh, the packing! It felt like we were moving, not just going away for a couple of nights. We loaded up the car with everything but the kitchen sink (though, honestly, we almost brought that too).
- Tons of clothes: Because toddlers and dirt are like magnets.
- Snacks, snacks, and more snacks: Gotta keep that little engine fueled.
- Toys: A few familiar favorites to keep him entertained.
- Sleep stuff: His favorite blanket, a lovey, and a portable crib.
- The usual camping gear: Tent, sleeping bags, chairs, cooking stuff. You know the drill.
Setting up Camp
We arrived at the campsite, and the first challenge was keeping the little guy from running off into the woods while we set up the tent. Teamwork, people! My partner wrangled the toddler while I wrestled with the tent poles. We finally got it up, and it felt like a major victory.
Then came the fun part (ha!): trying to keep a two-year-old contained in a campsite. We basically created a perimeter of chairs and bags and hoped for the best. He spent most of his time picking up rocks, throwing dirt, and attempting to eat pine needles. Constant supervision was key.
Mealtime Mayhem
Cooking over a campfire is always an adventure, but add a toddler to the mix, and it’s a whole new level of chaos. We stuck to simple meals: hot dogs, pre-made sandwiches, and lots of fruit. Keeping him away from the fire was a constant battle, but we managed to get everyone fed without any major incidents.
Bedtime Battles
Getting a two-year-old to sleep in a tent is no easy feat. He was overstimulated from the day, and the new environment was definitely throwing him off. We tried our usual bedtime routine: book, song, snuggles. It took a while (and a few escapes from the tent), but he eventually drifted off. We collapsed into our sleeping bags, exhausted but happy.
The Verdict
Was it easy to take our little one camping? No. Not at all. It’s exhausting. Was it worth it? Totally! Even though it was a lot of work, we do have some adorable photos and memories that will be charished, seeing the little guy exploring nature, the excitement on his face.
It’s all about managing expectations and being prepared for anything. Would we do it again? Absolutely…maybe after a long nap, though.
