Single Mom, Outside with Toddlers

There is one goal that most parents wishing to get back to nature are trying to obtain.  And that is….The Family Camping Trip.  It’s like a visit to mecca for nature lovers, often dreamed of, planned, and interupted.  It seems like the whole world is heading out in their cars with back packs and camp stoves for some wonderful adventure, while we are stuck at home watching the latest Dora the Explorer episode….Irony alert….I want to be the Explorer.

Camping with Toddlers is not something that most people will try, but I know I have to.  So, I have been scouring the internet, reading all the books I can get my hands on, trying to find the key that will unlock the mysterious secret to successful camping with toddlers.  There is no key…sigh.  Instead, there are the same tips repeated over and over.  I haven’t had the pleasure of camping with my kids by myself yet, but when I do, I promise frequent, detailed posts so that you can learn from my mistakes (trust me, I expect quite a few).

Until then, though, here is the compilation of those tips I have already found, to save you the time and expense (check out book prices….ouch).

Bring  Play Pen or Pack n Play.  These things seem to be the holy grail of successful camping with Toddlers.  They act as a crib at night, a restraining device when you are working around camp a toy room when little ones need to be entertained, and storage area or toy box when you are otherwise engaged.  All in all, I don’t think this is a terrible idea, but I don’t think it would be the end all be all that some people think it is.  I worry that too many people are using this to contain their smaller children so that they (the parent) can enjoy an easier weekend…which is fine, so long as the children are being played with and allowed access to the world around them.  After all, that’s why we are out in the woods, right?

Spray Bottles, this one has been deduced by me from the stories I have read.  It seems to me that a simple spray bottle would be a nice thing to have with little ones.  Filled with water it can be an air conditioning accessorie when sprayed on little faces, or a toy to play with siblings or other children or indulgent adults, a tool for cleaning both the picnic table and dirty hands, or even an effective way to get water in to busy mouths.  I can’t remember anyone else suggesting this, but I am going to be trying it, and seeing how it works, I think it will be a success.

Flashlights, it almost goes with out saying that this is a big one.  They are toys, they are night lights, they are the only source of vision you might have to get to the bathroom after sundown…don’t forget to bring one for everyone.  Personally, my kids got little Elmo and Cookie Monster flashlights for Christmas, just for this reason.  They are the kind where you push a button and the mouth opens and turns on the light, the handle makes carrying easy even for little ones and points the light to the front, where it is needed.  And, it only cost about $3.00 each, well worth the safety and fun they bring.

Bug Spray, don’t forget it, most of us adults are able to deal with the aggrivation if we forget this important item, but it could be the difference between happy campers and whiney little ones if you forget.  Trust me, I know this from experience, visiting my dad at his beach home in the off season, I thought we wouldn’t need bug spray.  Here’s a tip, bug exist in Summer AND Fall, and Winter and Spring for that matter too.  Also, sand fly’s are a real pain…litterally….so don’t forget the bug spray.

Snacks, lots of them, just because you are going to be busy hiking, actually, because you are going to be busy hiking, your kids are going to get hungry.  And, you won’t have a whole cupboard of food stuff to choose from, nope, you have to PACK SNACKS.

Toys and Books, you want kids to enjoy the great outdoors, but you don’t want them to get bored after the first day, whine and never want to go back.  Better to make the introduction gradual and let them bring along a few toys.  I would hope that parents would pack less electronic toys and more imaginative toys.  If you are going to be near a lake or pond, why not bring a wooden sail boat.  If you don’t have  a wooden sail boat or still body of water, why not put a nut shell boat in that little creek beside camp and watch it wash away.

Compass, older children will love to watch the spinning arrow and finding (and telling you incessantly) which direction you are heading in.

Potty Seats, this one is pretty self explanitory.  But, for those of you who can’t imagine really camping, the call of nature happens everywhere, even in nature.  And most toddlers won’t be able to hold it until you can get to a bath house or the required distance from camp (for those brave wilderness campers).  One little poty seat can really save the day, several changes of clothes, and many parents’ sanity. 

Sun Protection, now, I am not an avid campaigner for sun screen, for my own reasons.  But, when you are outside ALL DAY, as when camping, some form of sun protection is just smart.  Personally, I like hats, but many kids’ won’t wear them.  If that is the case it is better to slather the old sun screeon on rather than risk having even one sun burnt, miserable, whiney child for the rest of the trip.

And that’s all for now folks….do you see why many people don’t dare to camp with toddlers.  There just isn’t enough information to prepare.  But, hopefully I will be able to help at least a few people get out there and see what they can see, with out having to worry what is waiting around the corner.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 15th, 2008 at 12:26 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.