What to pack/take camping with a 2 year old and a 7 month old?

Arora - posted on 03/14/2012

We started camping with our boys at roughly the same ages that yours are now. I agree with the above comments about the pack-n-play. We have one that is smaller and is designated just for camping so I don't care if it gets dirty. The nice thing is that you can get the bug guards that go over it so you can put your child in and know that he or she is safe from bugs and all while you are doing things that require two hands. I swear by my ergo carrier. My now three year old still rides in it and that is so wonderful to have when you are setting up or tearing down camp. My older son has his own inflatable mattress with a sleeping bag that zips on to it. You can get them at Target. Unless you are backpacking, I'd go with inflatable mattresses instead of bedrolls because you are farther off the ground so they stay warmer. I also would bring many wash rags, towels and changes of clothes, a separate trash bag for diapers depending on how many days you are going to be camping, and an extra tarp or two is nice to be able to put on the ground to keep dirt from getting tracked all over. We make a large shoe removal/sit down area for the kids since that seems to be a necessity. And we always take a lot of sand toys and buckets to facilitate collecting dirt, leaves, pine cones, acorns and other treasures. And SUNSCREEN

Melanie - posted on 03/12/2012

Your sense of humor.

Cara - posted on 02/28/2012

I have 4 children and have camped with all of them( I also have breastfed all of them:) Porta crib is a must and I invested in a really nice hiking backpack with my first child and have never regretted it. When you are setting up camp and taking it down it is so nice to just tote them around on your back. For bedtime I always give my older kids flashlights to have in their sleeping bag with them. They love to play with them and they go right to sleep. With my last little one I had one of those high chairs the attach to a chair and that was SO nice to attach to a portable chair. Hope this was helpful=0)

Cinda - posted on 12/05/2011

Diapers (lol). I've read the thread about the port-a-crib (or Tot Yard as mine was called). It was wonderful. Will you be camping in a grassy area or dirt? If dirt, take an extra tarp to put under the port-a-crib when you have it outside - thus any toys etc that get tossed out will remain cleaner. With two so young, both you and your husband will have to be diligent watching around campfires, stoves, lanterns. Let them get dirty during the day and clean them up for bed. When my son was that young, he actually slept in my sleeping bag with me for warmth. I had a large bag. Enjoy - post a story about your adventure.

Christina - posted on 09/23/2011

Help..a grandpa or grandma so you can relax!

AVa - posted on 09/15/2011

Wonderfull..i have six children from 21 to one and have breastfed all and camped in every climate and age...my favorite tool is still a porta crib I found slightly smaller then the ones with all those crazy bells an whistles. The older ones can ne safe while I cook or feed the next one...please NO food in it.. As you acyually put it in ur tent. Most come with changing table ...second is ...i know it is creating more garbage,but glow sticks help night time blahs ,a large soft towel to put under u while u feed night time, as those milk spots do smell ,at least u can rinse and hang for next day, I made each one adobt a stuffed animal that only stays in tent. As u are geeding defenitely use an air mattress to fit u and tje baby also I have had a small bouncy chair to put baby once asleep but porta crib works wonders ha, have fun