Tent Camping With a 17 Month Old

We love spending time in the outdoors. From boating to hiking to camping to walking laps around our yard inspecting rocks (Calvin’s personal favorite). But getting outside with little ones isn’t always easy, so I’m here to give you the help that I could have used myself.

I love camping and I always have. I waking up with the sun to the sounds of bugs and birds, snuggled up in my sleeping bag. I love eating cold cereal, trail mix, and tinfoil dinners. I love spending all day outside, moving my chair around to follow the shade, and reading my book. Camping with 17-month-old Calvin is a little more energy intensive and takes a little more planning, but the experience can be just as rewarding.

GEAR

This section is going to be long. I anticipate that some of the readers of this post won’t have very much experience with camping in general, so I am going to go through most of the gear that we use when we are on a camping trip. If you only have interest in the gear we have specifically for our toddler, click HERE. If you don’t have any interest in the gear section of this post and are looking for tips and tricks, click HERE to skip past this section.

Here is the thing when it comes to camping gear: you can easily spend thousands of dollars on outdoor gear, but you absolutely do not have to. I’m going to let you know what gear we have, bring, and use when we go tent camping with Calvin. But I’m also going to let you know what budget-friendly alternatives I would use if we didn’t have all of the gear that we do.

We also usually go camping with my parents, who have a camping trailer from the 1980’s. This means that we usually have access to a refrigerator, stove, oven, sink, and toilet for the duration of our trip, so we don’t do a lot of food prep or campfire cooking. We usually light a fire at night for s’mores and tinfoil dinners or hot dogs, but nothing other than that.

I’m leaving normal things like clothes, shoes, hats, diapers, wipes, toiletries, electronics, and hobbies out of this section. Just bring the normal things you would bring on a normal vacation. Just make sure that you bring items that you don’t mind getting dirty and stinky, because everything comes home from camping smelling the same…and it’s the smell of dirt, smoke, and sweat.

FAMILY GEAR

Tent – unless you plan on camping in very warm weather and only in hammocks, you will need a tent. You don’t need to spend a ton of money on one, however. We have the Coleman Sundome 4 Person Tent and it works great for us. We can easily fit Colter, Calvin, myself, and all of our gear in the tent with us. It’s also super simple to set up. When this second baby joins our family, they will fit as well, we will just have to keep some of our stuff in the trunk of our car overnight. Our tents retails for about $70 on Amazon.
Tarp – I always like to put a tarp down between the ground and the floor of our tent. Our tent is roughly 9’x7′ when it’s set up, so we just use a simple 8’x10′ blue tarp from Walmart. It cost us around $10, but I love the extra barrier between us and the ground, especially if it rains.
HydroFlasks – we are a HydroFlask-loving family, but whatever you choose to bring your water in, I suggest making sure that it is durable and reusable. My 32 oz. HydroFlask retails for $50 on Amazon. You can get a simple uninsulated 16 oz. Nalgene bottle for $10. If you do choose to use prepackaged 16 ounce water bottles, please recycle accordingly. Let’s take care of the earth we are enjoying.
Flashlights – this is a must-have piece of gear when you’re in the outdoors. I usually like to bring two flashlights per person, so there is always one accessible and easy to find. I don’t have a specific brand or type that we use, I just find whatever we have that has good batteries in it. I do recommend looking for flashlights with LED bulbs in them as they are brighter and last longer.
Lantern – we have one of these battery-powered LED camping lanterns and it works beautifully. You can open it completely for lots of light or you can just crack it open for a dimmer experience. (The light is just as bright, just less of it is exposed). Two of these lanterns cost $18, so I don’t really have a more economic option for you here.
Sunscreen – my son and I are very fair-skinned people. My husband is light also, but his sunburn will turn into a tan, whereas mine will just peel and burn all over again. Plus, I’m a huge advocate for protecting your skin from the sun no matter your complexion, so we use sunscreen around here. I usually use SuperGoop Unseen Sunscreen on my face and SuperGoop PLAY Sunscreen for all of the rest of us and absolutely love it. Bring plenty and reapply often.
Bug Spray – do your research about the area you plan to be camping in, and find an appropriate bug repellant. I really like using BuzzPatch repellent stickers for Calvin. They are essential oil based and last a long time. I love not having to spray him and his clothes with deet or other greasy repellents.
First Aid Kit – a first aid kit is an absolute must-have when doing activities outdoors, especially when it comes to camping. There are knives, poles, nature, fire, and many other potential hazards to be prepared for. I built my own first aid kit a few years ago. It contains: ibuprofen, latex gloves, gauze, coban, sterile saline, bandaids, ace bandage, bactroban ointment, burn cream, iodine, hand sanitizer, gallon ziploc bags, anti-itch cream, and Benadryl. If you are looking for a good first aid kit to purchase you can look into this budget-friendly option on Amazon for $20 or this more expensive option from MyMedic for $120.
Chapstick – bring lots of chapstick and keep it everywhere. One of safest, but most uncomfortable discomforts while outside is have dry, chapped lips and no chapstick anywhere. Bring lots and make sure that it has SPF in it. Buy whatever brand you want, just make sure you like it and you’ll actually use it.
Tylenol/Ibuprofen – I list this separate from the first aid kit, because I think you should have more than an emergency supply available. I like Tylenol over ibuprofen because it is a fever reducer and it doesn’t have to be taken with food. Whatever you prefer, make sure you bring the right varieties for all members of your family. For me, that means 500 mg tablets for Colter and I and liquid Children’s Tylenol with a syringe for Calvin.
Clothesline – we purchased these clotheslines for our five-week trip to China back in 2019 and I still use them when we travel. I’ve found them easy to attach to trees, pavilions, or whatever is around and I can hang clothes, shoes, life jackets, etc. out to dry.
Foldable Picnic Blanket – having a durable, wipeable, compact blanket is very convenient. I have this one from Amazon. It cost me $40 when I bought it. You can find alternatives for around $20, but I highly recommend the one that I got.
Pocket Knives – a knife is always an important tool to have while camping. I come from an outdoorsy family, so there is no shortage of simple gear like flashlights and knives, but I’ll link a few highly rated options from Amazon: classic Swiss Army knife for $17 here, 3.5″ Kershaw knife for $30 here, and Albatross folding knife for $10 here.
Solar Charger – if you have things like phones, watches, white noise machines, e-readers, etc. that you like to use while camping, I highly recommend a portable solar charger. Leave it out in the sun during the day and it should provide all of the charge power that you could need on your camping adventure. This is the charger that we have and it works great for us. It cost me $40 on Amazon, but you can find other reliable options for as low as $23.
Life Jackets (as needed) – we often go camping on reservoirs because we love to paddleboard, kayak, and float in the water, so life jackets are important. Make sure to bring them if you need them and that every member of your family has one that fits correctly.

ADULT/PARENT GEAR

Sleeping Pads – we just upgraded our sleeping pads to two of the Klymit V Luxe pads. Colter is 6′ 2″ so having a larger, thicker sleeping pad makes things much more comfortable for him. I am also pregnant this summer, so having a bit more cushion and support for me was also appealing. These pads retail for $100 each. If you are looking for a more economic option, the Sleepingo Large Pad is highly rated on Amazon and sells there for $40 a piece.
Sleeping Bags – to be honest, I have no idea what brand or type our sleeping bags are. They are huge, fluffy, and warm. I think the inside is flannel and the outer shell is cotton. They zip together and keep us warm even on chilly mountain evenings. If we do need extra warmth, we always have hoodies/sweatshirts we can throw on and a denim blanket we can spread over top of us. I think our bags are similar to these ones.
Denim Blanket – denim quilts are my absolute favorite blankets for camping and outdoor adventures. They are heavy, warm, and durable. All of the denim blankets that we have I made myself using old jeans, batting, and bolt flannel. But, if you aren’t handy with a sewing machine and don’t have anyone to teach you, there are plenty of vendors on Etsy to choose from.
Pillows – since we are car campers, not backpackers, we bring regular pillows when we camp. We don’t use our nice, normal pillows from our bed. The ones we use are the cheap Mainstays pillows from Walmart. They were $4 each and we use simple handmade flannel pillowcases on them.
Camp Chairs – we were given a set of two camping chairs as a wedding present that we have been using ever since. You don’t need to fork out a ton of money. You just need something to sit it. You can get a foldable camping chair from Walmart for as low as $10.

INFANT/TODDLER GEAR

Infant Sleeping Bag – we have the Little Mo 20° and 40° sleeping bags from Morrison Outdoors in the 6-24 months size. The warmer rated bag is for use during nighttime temperatures from 40°-60° Fahrenheit and costs $85. The cooler rated bag is for use during nighttime temperatures from 20°-40° Fahrenheit and costs $160. These are a super simple solution and I really loved them, but they definitely aren’t a necessity and not in everyone’s price range. If the temperatures are going to be 40°F or warmer, I recommend a non-cotton base layer, socks, footed fleece pajamas, socks over the hands, warm adult socks over the legs, a sweatshirt, a normal warm sleepsack, and a beanie. This was the method we used when we went camping with Calvin last summer. If the temperatures are going to be cooler than 40°F, I would recommend using an infant snowsuit/bunting in place of the sleepsack. In general, dressing baby in one more layer than you would dress yourself is a pretty safe bet.
KidCo Peapod – I like to have Calvin in his own space in the tent, so we use the KidCo Peapod for that. It’s a tiny, pop up tent that we set up inside of our own tent. It has a pad attached to the bottom of it to keep your child comfortable and Calvin does great in it. The Peapod costs about $70 on Amazon, but you can get a similar product from Overcrest for $35. If you want to read my full review of the KidCo Peapod, you can find that HERE.
Denim Blanket – I made a kid-sized denim blanket specifically for our first camping trip of 2021. It measures about 48″x54″ and when folded in half fits inside the Peapod really well. It gives Cal a little extra cushion and keeps him from sleeping right on the nylon. It’s also the perfect size for laying out on the ground or in the car.
Pop-Up Highchair – having a portable, pop-up highchair to strap Calvin into while eating outside is just so convenient. We have one from hiccapop that cost $35 and it works beautifully. I can put in on a tabletop or right on the ground and Calvin can eat his food in peace. If you won’t get enough use out of something like this to justify the price, having one adult hold the toddler on their lap while another adult feeds them is a great alternative. I would just suggest putting a blanket or towel down on the lap parent to catch any food that the toddler drops or spits out.
Portable White Noise Machine – white noise is one of the most important parts of Calvin’s sleep cue environment. We have the Letsfit portable sound machine and I really love it. It cost us about $25 and it will run for 60 hours on one full battery charge. I highly recommend it.
Travel Stroller – this suggestion only really applies if you are camping at an established campground with paved roadways to walk along. We were given the Mountain Buggy Nano when I was pregnant with Calvin and it was one of the best gifts that we received. It costs a pretty penny at $190 on Amazon, but you can get a basic Cosco umbrella stroller from Walmart for $15.
Onbuhimo Carrier – I got my Onbuhimo carrier from Sakura Bloom in bourbon colored linen for $198. I love the fact that I can wear Calvin on my back or on my front even as a toddler and that there is no waist band so I can comfortably carry him while pregnant. I bring the carrier camping because it makes setting up our campsite so much easier when one of us can strap Calvin to our backs and help the other set up the tent and get our gear organized for our stay. If you want a cheaper Onbuhimo, you can get one like this from Mama & Roo’s Supplement Co. for $80.
Sunglasses – I get asked about Calvin’s sunglasses all the time because he wears them pretty much all the time when he is outside. I think protecting little ones’ eyes from the sun is so important, so I started having Cal wear his sunglasses when he was about 6 months old and he’s gotten so used to them that he will leave them on for hours at a time (as long as we’re outside). I got this pair of Amazon for $12 and so far they have proven to be as durable as they claim to be.
Merino Wool Base Layer – this is definitely an investment piece for your little one, but if you plan on spending a lot of time outdoors, I think it’s worth it. Merino has this magical ability to keep you warm when the weather is cool, but keep you cool when the weather is warm. It’s also UV protectant. I have a zippered one-piece from Iksplor that Calvin sleeps and plays in when we are camping. It cost me $90. Merino isn’t cheap, so if you are looking for an alternative, look for non-cotton synthetic fabrics.
Wool Socks – I got this six-pack of toddler wool socks on Amazon for $14. They are thick, fluffy, warm socks that fit Calvin really well, but there are no grips on the bottom of the socks, so he can’t wear them around our house because we have laminate everywhere but the bedrooms and Calvin will immediately fall down.
Booger Sucker – Buy this OCCObaby Nasal Aspirator and then TAKE. IT. EVERYWHERE. Being able to suck the snot out of a stuffed or runny nose anytime, anywhere is worth taking this gizmo everywhere with you. There’s a lot of things you don’t need while camping, but this isn’t one of those things. It’s worth every penny of the $15 it costs and I like it way better than the Nose Frida.

PACKING YOUR VEHICLE

When packing your car, think about what items you’ll need very first when you arrive at your campsite and put them in last if you can. When we reach our campsite, this is usually the order I need things in:

Diaper Bag
Baby/Toddler Carrier
Sunscreen
Tarp and Tent
Sleeping Pads
Sleeping Bags
Pillows
Bags with clothing, etc.
Camp Chairs
Food/Meal Supplies
Flashlights

So, when packing our car, things like our meal supplies and camp chairs go in first and our tent, tarp, and diaper bag are at the very top of the pile.

I also recommend following local guidelines regarding wildlife and food storage and keeping things like the storage bags for your tent, sleeping bags and pads, and camp chairs in your car rather than in the tent. The less gear you have to keep in the tent with you, the less you have to maneuver around in the dark.

SCHEDULE AND SLEEP

I wish that I had good advice for maintaining a schedule for toddler life and toddler sleep while camping but I don’t, because when we go camping (or on any trip really), I go back to my newborn strategy of watching for hungry and sleepy cues and going with the flow. Obviously, Calvin’s cues are different as a toddler than when he was a newborn, but if he’s acting tired and he’s been awake for at least a couple of hours, I usually encourage him to go to sleep. He still sleeps fairly well in his car seat and the stroller, and he can sleep in his tent with a binky and white noise.

Calvin’s sleep area for camping was pretty basic, but pretty important. He slept in his Kidco Peapod. It has a mat attached to the bottom, so we didn’t worry about a sleeping pad. Inside the Peapod, there was a denim quilt, folded in half, flannel-side up that I made specifically to fit in the Peapod and give him a more comfortable sleep surface. When we laid him down to sleep at night, he wore his merino wool baselayer, wool socks, and his Little Mo 20° sleeping bag. It only dropped to about 42°F overnight, but the shipping on the Little Mo 40° I had ordered was delayed, so we worked with what we had. We gave his his lovey and binky and used the battery powered white noise machine. He slept all night long. (I, on the other hand, slept poorly. Which I expected being 4 months pregnant and sleeping on an air mat).

ENTERTAINMENT

Calvin loves to be outside and will self-entertain beautifully when given the freedom to do so. I just made sure that he was wearing shoes and sunscreen and followed him around from a few feet away. He found all sorts of rocks and sticks to carry and stack and put into a bucket.

I also brought bubbles to entertain him when wandering around wasn’t an option (like during camp set up or meal preparation). Calvin doesn’t love chasing and popping the bubbles quite yet, but he does love to swing the bubble wand around and fling soap everywhere.

Cal woke up (and woke me up) before everyone else at camp, so I got him a bottle of milk and pouch of applesauce and we watched cartoons in the tent until everyone else woke up. We didn’t have cell service, but I had previously downloaded some of Cal’s favorites to my phone for just such a moment.

FEEDING THE TODDLER

When we were packing to leave (and my parents were packing their trailer), I added some “safe foods” for Calvin into the mix. This included yogurt, grapes, and applesauce pouches. He isn’t necessarily a picky eater, but I always like to have some of his favorites on hand while away from home, in case he rejects the other food offered. I don’t really do this at home. I try to follow a “eat what is offered, or choose to wait until the next snack/meal to eat” philosophy at home, but when traveling I figure that keeping the hanger at bay is more important when everything around him is different.

Thanks for reading my post on family car camping with a toddler! In case you didn’t catch my vibe, I follow my child’s lead as much as I can when traveling, and so far it has lead to minimal meltdowns and enjoyable traveling. If you are looking for more information on camping and getting outdoors with your kids, I highly recommend checking out @haileyoutside on Instagram or on her blog. I also recommend looking into a membership with Wildkind Inc. They have an entire library full of resources for getting families outside and offer great discounts on outdoor gear to their members. You can find them on Instagram or visit their website.

Have other questions for me? Please feel free to leave a comment, message me on Instagram, or shoot an email to jaycee.barrelofmerrells@gmail.com and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can!