Camping

Camping with Toddlers

Fresh air, fireflies, and first s'mores

Everything we've learned about camping with little ones — from gear that actually works to keeping tiny explorers happy under the stars.

Edison Score

Best SeasonSpring & Fall

DifficultyEasy to Moderate

Camping with a toddler sounds terrifying — and honestly, the first time we tried it, we were convinced we'd made a terrible mistake. Edison cried at the tent zipper, refused to sleep, and ate an entire handful of dirt before 8am. But by day two? He was obsessed. Now it's one of our favourite things to do together.

Places we've been

Our honest notes from every spot we've visited — name, city, Edison's rating, and what we'd tell a friend.

9/ 10

Add your campground name here

City, State

Add your notes about this spot — what made it great, what to watch out for, and whether you'd go back.

8/ 10

Add your second campground here

City, State

Add your notes — the site layout, facilities, how Edison slept, and any tips for first-timers.

8/ 10

Add your third campground here

City, State

Add your notes — what the scenery was like, how far the drive was, and whether it's worth the trip with a toddler.

Our tips

Start with a campground, not the backcountry

Your first camping trip with a toddler should have flush toilets and a short walk from the car. State park campgrounds with electrical hookups are your best friend. Save the remote wilderness for when they're five.

Nail the sleep setup

We use a pack-n-play inside the tent for Edison — it keeps him contained and gives him a familiar sleep space. Bring their regular sleep sack, white noise on your phone, and accept that bedtime will be 30 minutes later than usual. That's fine.

Pack like you're going for a week

Extra clothes (times three), extra snacks (times four), a full first aid kit, sunscreen, bug spray, a portable potty if they're training, and a headlamp for every adult. Toddlers are chaos machines — over-packing is the right call.

Campfire safety is non-negotiable

We set up a visual boundary around the fire pit using camp chairs before Edison even gets out of the car. He knows the chairs are the line. We also never leave him unattended near the fire — not even for 30 seconds. It sounds obvious but tired parents get distracted.

Embrace the early wake-up

Toddlers wake with the sun when camping — usually around 5:30am. Lean into it. Morning at a campsite is genuinely magical: mist on the lake, birds, quiet. Make coffee, let them explore, and enjoy the stillness before the campground wakes up.

The s'more is the whole point

Don't skip the s'mores. Yes, it's messy. Yes, the sugar will make bedtime harder. It doesn't matter. The look on Edison's face the first time he held a marshmallow over the fire is a memory we'll have forever.