How to Make Camping Comfortable for Babies

Last summer I reflected on the bad things about camping… a little tongue in cheek. This year we used our past experiences to make our camping experiences better – more comfortable for babies. I like to think I learn from my mistakes!? However, given the amount of food we had to throw out because I overpacked, I’m guessing it was more a combo of great weather and lots of family!

Still… every year I learn more about how to make our camping experiences… not so painful!?

How to Make Camping Comfortable for Babies

I received a complimentary product sample from Joovy to facilitate this post. All opinions are my own. 

When camping you give up a lot of comfort items. Namely, your own bed. Also, clean showers…. or any showers at all, sometimes. Plus… bugs in your living room and kitchen!

I’ve resigned myself to these facts of camping. So while camping as people is sometimes less than pleasant, my main goal is to make camping as parents a better experience. That means, keeping the kids happy and comfortable!

While camping as people is sometimes less than pleasant, my main goal is to make camping as parents a better experience. That means, keeping the kids happy and comfortable! Click To Tweet

Set up a comfortable and well-defined sleeping area.

Sure it’s all roughing-it to throw some blankets or a sleeping bag on the floor but, it’s not going to be fun at 2 a.m.! I vote for cots to make camping comfortable for babies and toddlers too! Our recent camping trip we brought our Joovy Foocot, which was an amazing improvement for our oldest son (age 4).

The Foocot is child-sized so it doesn’t take up too much space (fits a child up to 45 inches tall and max of 75 pounds). It folds up and down in seconds, and has a locking clip to keep it open during use. When your kids wake up, you can quickly fold the cot up and stand it in a corner until the next bedtime, creating more room inside the tent!

A cotton sheet is included, and the Foocot has great features like two side pockets for storing flashlights, “lovies,” books, or even your child’s hygiene items.

The Foocot put our son up off the hard ground, and kept him from rolling or scooching all around the tent in a sleeping bag. We’ve also been using the Foocot at home for quiet times and nap times because we can move it to any room we want! I’m planning to take the Foocot along any time we’re visiting relatives or staying in a hotel because it’s so convenient.

Use a hook-on chair for feeding times.

I have learned a thing or too about cooking at a campfire. Of course, safety is an issue so to keep babies away from fires and stoves while prepping foods, I always put them in their seats.

In the past, I’ve had to put them on the ground in their travel high chair, because there’s no way to strap or buckle a booster seat chair onto a picnic table that I can figure out. But let me tell you how fast babies will start eating dirt off the ground next to them! This year we brought a hook on chair so our baby could sit right at the table with us. The sturdy wooden picnic tables you’ll find at most campsites are absolutely perfect for a no-assembly-required hook-on chair. (Pictured is the Joovy Hook which is no longer available – see links below for similar chairs).

This year was the first time our children all ate at the picnic table with us, thanks to our hook-on chair! These fold up into a slim case so they are easy to pack in the car.

Bring your own potty chair.

When your potty training (or recently trained!) child is tearing up a campsite and having fun, chances are nobody (including him!) will want to make the trek down to the ONE bathhouse in your area. Need I explain how a long walk to a bathroom is NOT a great idea for kids who usually tell you “I gotta go” mere seconds before they’re going to go!?

A portable potty chair like my favorite, the Joovy Loo, can be placed behind the tent, or behind a curtained off area so your children can “go” right away. This avoids accidents (which while camping mean more dirty clothes!) and rushed trips to the bathroom. Sure, you’ll still have to run the potty down to the bathroom to clean it out, but now you can breath easy and take your time! Also, for those “extended” potty visits, trust me that you generally don’t want to spend those suspending your child over a camp bathroom. Trust me.

Have multiple methods of transportation.

If you’ve camped before, I know you’re giving me the hairy eyeball right now. I know, I know, there’s only so much you can fit in the car! That’s why I recommend a three-in-one jogger/stroller/bike trailer. These usually come with a bug screen and rain screen for comfort, which you definitely need while camping. Plus I could throw some gear in the back. We like to put them in ours while breaking down the campsite so they can watch safely nearby, or I can take them for a little stroll to get them out of dad’s hair!

This last trip, the beach area was a bit far away and no car parking available, so we biked down with the boys in the bike trailer version. Yes, it takes up some room in the car, but I think it’s an essential tool for camping with babies and children! (Pictured here is the Joovy Cocoonx2 which is no longer available!

What camping tips do you have to add? Comment below!

Read more about camping with a baby!

• How to survive a camping trip with babies!
• Tips for camping with babies
• Camping and cloth diapering your baby!

Shop for camping gear for your baby!

Joovy Foocot Child Cot, Blueberryphil&teds Lobster Highchair, BlackSummer Infant SecureSeat Chair & Hook-On BoosterJoovy Loo Potty Chair, WhiteAosom Elite II 3in1 Double Child Bike Trailer, Stroller & Jogger – White

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I received a complimentary product sample from Joovy to facilitate this post. All opinions are my own.

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