WIP and Camping with Small Children

This weekend Mr. Tupelo and I took out two little (3 1/2 and almost 2) boys camping.  We started our first  married Valentine's Day with a tradition of camping, so we though it would be a great way to celebrate with our kids. For those of you not in the lower latitudes, camping in February here is not unheard of.  It was cold and sunny Saturday, and last night was in the 20s...let's ignore the sleet and snow that rolled in as we left today.

We ran the kids out hiking, and while C had naptime, I worked on a new project, due to the weather.  I let my sister borrow my warm winter hat, since I was so proud she and her family made the trip....so I was down to a baseball hat.  Not so ear warming.  So I made an ear warmer that fits around the baseball cap and covers your ears. It came together really quickly and I'm excited to show it off.  I'd like to tweak it a bit and use a prettier yarn, and then I'll show pictures!  I might even share a pattern if you're interested.

So in the meantime, since that's not ready, here's my tips on camping in cold weather and camping with little kids.

Bring layers. Lots of layers - hats, long johns, thermals, long sleeve and short sleeve shirts, coats, puffy vests, and gloves.  We forgot gloves and our littlest will probably remember that forever.  He was sooo cold, and his hands were puffy.

We hike with our boys, so I swear by our Kelty baby carrier.  It has a wide weight range, and adjusts a lot, so both the Mr. and myself can carry our littlest one comfortably.  Our oldest can slowly hike about 2 miles before his body is done (and he's not).

Invest in good walking shoes that stay on, with good cushioned socks for everyone.

On the campsite stuff, we tent camp, and use a smaller tent than what some people do, so it's a little easier to keep it warm in cold weather.  Keep in mind that if you use an air mattress in cold weather, it will be freezing under you, no matter how many layers you have.  So if you have access to electricity (scoff all you want, I can handle cold but my boys can't) get an electric blanket to use on top of the air mattress. It'll work better than a tent heater.  Plus, many places online have them on clearance for end of season right now.

Spend the money for the good sleeping bag for cold weather. It'll be worth it.  Also, bring lots of hot chocolate mix, a percolator, and a french press.  Because in my opinion, if you have 2 ways to make coffee, you might not have to go without in a worst case scenario.

If your kids won't go to sleep after it gets dark, just let them play it out, outside if they aren't too cold.  Mini flashlights and light sticks will entertain them for FOREVER.

Pack kid friendly meal items and breakfast, because kids just don't understand waiting for a fire to get hot enough to eat food in the morning.

Get a campsite by a bathroom. Trust me, it's so much easier to make multiple trips when you only have to walk across a street.  A bonus for us: our bathroom was heated and had showers.

Send kids looking for perfect marshmallow roasting sticks. Mine didn't care about roasting them, and they certainly aren't patient enough, but that one entertained them for a good while.

Let them get muddy and dirty. That's why you're camping. Resist the urge to wash their hands.  :)


They will overexert themselves. It's fine. Just be ready to carry them and feed them at any time.  It's almost like caring for them when they're sick.  And keep in mind it'll take a couple of days for them to recover when you get back home.

We camp with our 2 dogs too.  Not to nag, but please pick up after your animals. The next people at your campsite will appreciate it. And share with your dogs - they are working harder than normal and the extra calories will be welcomed. This is Big Dog on the drive home...he's out cold.

It seems like a long rant, but it's been a lot of learn as you go for me, so I thought it might be worthwhile to share.  Don't bend behavior rules, but break all the bedtimes, and have no preconception as to whether anyone will nap or sleep all night. Take it in stride, and everyone will be happier.  10 more months of camping for my resolution, and I have March and April reserved already, so no backing out.  Be back tomorrow with a project!