Summer is ending and with it, our second year of camping with a little one. Turns out, traveling with a curious and energetic 18-month-old reveals some valuable insights. Here's what we've learned about how to pack smart and efficiently for family camping adventures:
What to Pack
- Blackout tent: Game-changer for those summer nights when it doesn’t get dark until late.
- Portable booster chair: Ideal for mealtimes, keeping our toddler secure and happy.
- Noise machine: Helps maintain sleep routines and masks campground noises.
- Portable charger: Keeps noise machines and phones charged.
- String lights: Fun for nighttime and useful as a gentle barrier between campsites.
What to Leave Behind
- SlumberPod: We upgraded everyone to a blackout tent and avoided the hassle of ‘more stuff’.
- Too many outfits: We always overestimated how many clothes we'd need. Stick to the basics.
- Complicated meal plans: Simple, easy-to-prepare or pre-prepped meals worked best for us.
Camping with a toddler taught us that less is often more. By focusing on the essentials, we spent way less time managing gear and more time exploring nature.
I’m sure we’ll find ways to improve next year — can’t wait!