Parents have several choices when considering the best way to camp with small children. They can choose to camp in an RV, a tent or a trailer. Families without access to their own camping gear can stay at a campground that offers amenities like on-site cabins or park model trailers.
Some campgrounds even offer on-site recreational vehicles that are available for rent. This option can allow a family to get their feet wet and have the campground experience without having to purchase a tent or a camper.
Recreational Vehicle Camping
Recreational vehicles, also known as RVs, provide easier and more practical camping trips with babies or toddlers. The solid walls provided by recreational vehicle create a nice sound barrier for a sleeping infant or toddler. Solid doors that lock prevent small children from wandering off.
These campers have beds for the family to sleep in, and RVs with wider aisles will usually fit a portable crib. The family will have a full-size refrigerator for toddler snacks and a full kitchen to work in. Cabinets and closets provide lots of storage for toddler gear, while a full bathroom allows easy clean-up after a fun day outside.
Camping Trailer
A camping trailer can have solid or canvas sides. These campers also have doors that lock, an important consideration when camping with young children. A camping trailer requires a truck to tow it, so larger families might run into problems if the truck won’t fit everyone in. The upside to having a separate vehicle is that the family can run around without driving a huge RV around.
Camping trailers can hold a lot of gear. The canvas sides don’t block sounds as well so crying babies or loud neighbors are something to consider. Most solid-wall camping trailers have showers and toilets. Pop-up canvas trailers sometimes have showers or toilets of some sort, but most aren’t as elaborate as those in a trailer or recreational vehicle.
Tent Camping With Toddlers
Tent camping is the most inexpensive option to choose when camping with small children. The tent can be set up in many different locations and situations. Most toddlers will love the experience of sleeping on the ground with the family. A child with a tendency to wander should be placed in a portable crib so he can’t get out of the tent while everyone else is sleeping.
Plastic totes can be packed with each person’s gear. These totes can be placed in the family car or left in the tent. Bathroom facilities are usually nearby in the form of a bath house. Food will have to be carried along in coolers and bags and cooking will be done over a campfire or a grill. Toddler-friendly finger foods will make the tent camping experience easier.
No matter which option a family chooses – RV, tent or a camping trailer – the experience will provide a wonderful memory for a family with small children.
CAM101
Paige Dooly - Paige Dooly is the author of nineteen books and novellas and has written and published over 200 articles. As a homeschooling mother of ...
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