When camping with toddlers, bedtime is one of the trickiest things to figure out. Kids are almost always up for play or an adventure, but when it comes to sleeping, things can get pretty tricky. Thankfully, knowing what your toddler should sleep in can make them go to sleep as easily as possible.
When camping, toddlers should sleep in a separate sleeping bag or co-sleep with you on a folded-up blanket or inflatable mattress. The key is mimicking your child’s sleeping environment and routine as closely as possible while allowing them to enjoy the things that make sleeping outdoors different.
Do you want to understand how you can make bedtime easy for your toddler when camping? In the rest of this article, we’ll talk about sleep must-haves for camping with toddlers and tips on how to make toddlers sleep when camping, so stick around.
Sleep Must-Haves for Toddlers When Camping
As much as you’d want to pack light, remember that your child’s sleep essentials are absolutely needed. Unless you make your toddler’s sleeping environment comfortable and relaxing for them, it will be impossible for them to sleep when they’re supposed to. This can only mean less rest for you as well.
So to keep the tantrums at bay, here are some bedtime must-haves to make space for in your camping pack.
Wool Base Layers Plus Jammies
Even in warm weather, it could get pretty chilly at night when you’re sleeping outdoors. So don’t take any chances, and pack trusty wool base layers for your child’s jammies in case they get cold.
Wool is a great option because it’s so effective at keeping you warm while being soft and comfortable to wear.
Aside from a warm base layer, be sure to pack your child’s favorite jammies. Adults can make do with using outdoor clothes to double as sleeping clothes when we want to keep things extra light, but small kids are a different story.
To make it easier for you to put them to sleep, bring their favorite jammies. This way, they get a slice of home with them, and they are more relaxed and comfortable in the new and possibly strange place that they’re in.
This is especially necessary if your toddler is out camping with you for the first time. As they try to adjust, giving them something that reminds them of home will make it easier for them to feel at ease.
Toddler Sleeping Bag
Pack a toddler sleeping bag that’s the right size for your child, which gives them a warm, snug place to sleep. Since you will be sleeping in a tent, you’ll be lying down on the ground, which can be uncomfortable for your toddler.
Kiddie sleeping bags offer extra cushion plus insulation on really cold nights.
If your child moves a lot in their sleep, letting them have their own sleeping bag will also prevent them from disturbing your sleep so much while keeping them close enough so you know if they need you for anything.
On a warm night, you can simply use the sleeping bag as a mattress instead of tucking your child inside, so it doesn’t get too warm. If you need to get a sleeping bag, check out this Coleman Kids 50 Sleeping Bag (available on Amazon.com) that comes in cute colors and is warm but not too thick so it’s not bulky to pack.
Warm Blankets
If you don’t want to use a sleeping bag, you can opt for a warm blanket instead. This is a great option for those whose kids can absolutely not tolerate being inside a sleeping bag or who want to sleep next to you instead.
If your toddler is a warm sleeper and they don’t like sleeping in a sleeping bag, it’s imperative that you bring blankets along.
Just fold the blanket until it’s a comfortable thickness and there’s no cold seeping from the ground, through the tent floor, and to the blanket. If you’re co-sleeping and you don’t have a mattress, you can use several blankets. Use one to sleep on, another one to layer on top of the base blanket if the base layer isn’t enough, and another to cover you.
To make it extra homey, take your toddler’s favorite blanket with you. You’ll be surprised what a difference that can make.
Insulators
If you’re going camping in winter or sleeping outdoors on a chilly night, insulation will be your best friend. But before you look for insulating materials, remember that the first step to insulating your sleeping space is making sure that your tent is waterproof.
If moisture is able to seep in, you run the risk of freezing in the middle of the night, no matter how warmly bundled up you and your family are. So start by looking for a tent that’s ultra-waterproof, and that can withstand snow and heavy rain, as well as one that is dome-shaped so snow doesn’t accumulate on it in winter.
To insulate your tent, start by adding insulating materials on the floor of your tent.
These materials can be anything from blankets with plastic bottoms, cardboard from old boxes, and even the sunshade that you use in your car. All you need to do is lay these on the tent floor before setting up your sleeping bags, blankets, or mattress.
Inflatable Mattress
This is a good option for outdoor-loving parents whose kids go wild if they can’t sleep on a soft mattress, which is often the case for children who have never been out camping before. So you need to make extra allowance as they try to adjust and get used to the outdoor lifestyle.
As long as you start them out early, there’s hope even for the really finicky ones.
An inflatable mattress is a good substitute for your child’s bed at home. It’s soft, comfy, and can even be made compact for easy packing. If you’re looking for one that’s extra compact and lightweight, you might want to try out this POWERLIX Sleeping Pad (available on Amazon.com).
When deflated, it can fit in a tiny carry bag that you can comfortably insert in your backpack.
It’s a must-have for families that prefer co-sleeping. Plus, it’s so much easier to set up and fix the morning after.
Blackout Cover
When camping with little ones, don’t forget that nap times are important.
You don’t have to throw their normal sleeping pattern out the window the moment you arrive at the campsite. To make naps possible during the day, you can make use of a blackout cover to block out the sun during the day.
If you want a portable space where your toddler can have a nap, you can opt for a blackout tent, such as this SnoozeShade Pack N Play Travel Crib (available on Amazon.com) that you can set up wherever you want.
Or you can simply set up blankets inside your car and cover the windows with sunshade. Just be sure to open the windows a bit on a warm day beforehand, as a hot car can be very dangerous and fatal.
What you do will depend on how finicky a sleeper your child is and what kind of environment makes it comfortable enough for them to nap in.
Best come prepared though, because you never know when these may come in handy.
Their Favorite Toy
When the tantrums come, nothing works as magically as a child’s favorite toy. When you’re out camping, don’t forget that your child will still need their kiddie faves. It’s great for them and convenient for you.
If you’re worried that it will take up too much space in your pack, why not allow your toddler to have their own backpack and bring along their favorite toys to your camping trip? This way, they will not only be able to have a slice of home with them at camp, but they will also experience carrying their own pack themselves.
By doing this, you both have fun, and you’ll be able to teach your child to bring their own stuff next time you go camping again.
Hammock With a Mosquito Net
If it’s nice and warm outside, you could try to have your child nap in a hammock. It’s breezy, comfortable, plus they get to enjoy the view of nature as they rest.
If you’re going to bring a hammock along, though, make sure to choose one that’s not only durable but that can also be fitted with a net to protect your child from mosquitoes and other bugs.
If you’re looking for a hammock for your camping trip, try his Tavolozza Camping Hammock (available on Amazon.com), which is fitted with a mosquito net, tree straps, and carabiners so it’s easy to set up and capable of keeping pesky bugs off while your kid is snoozing.
How To Make Toddlers Sleep When Camping
When it comes to putting the little ones to sleep, it’s rare to hear of parents who think it’s a breeze. But when the kids are in a new environment, it often only gets worse. Thankfully, it’s not impossible to make bedtime easy for kids, even those who are new to the outdoor lifestyle.
Try a Night Light
One of the things that you can try is bringing a night light.
Some kids are uncomfortable and even scared of sleeping in absolute darkness. And if your child is used to having a night light in the bedroom, using one in the tent will make it easier for them to feel comfortable enough to fall asleep.
One of the downsides to having a night light, though, is that because the space is pretty small inside a tent, even the smallest night lights can be too bright. To avoid having this problem, choose a night light that allows you to adjust the brightness, such as this MAZ-TEK Dimmable Night Light (available on Amazon.com).
Adjust Your Toddler’s Clothing
When it’s bedtime, especially on the first night at camp, spend some time observing your child to make sure they’re comfortable with their clothing. Ask yourself these questions:
- Are they feeling too hot?
- Are they too cold?
- Do they look too bundled up?
If you notice that they’re not feeling great with the way they’re dressed, make adjustments right away.
If your child isn’t vocal enough to speak out without being asked, initiate the conversation by asking questions about how they feel. This will help you figure out how to go about the sleeping arrangements moving forward.
Give Them Lots To Do During the Day
Another tried and tested way to make kids fall asleep quickly at night is by wearing them out during the day.
Give them lots of fun activities to do. Take them out hiking, have them play in the river (but keep close watch), and let them run around. You’ll thank yourself later when you see they can’t even keep their eyes open as you dress them for bed.
Aside from the fact that this will help make sleep come faster, it’s also a sure way to make sure that your kids are having a blast. When you plan your itinerary, ask them about what they want to do, and what kinds of games they want to play.
These are great suggestions to take into consideration.
Keep Them Company
For first-time campers, you may need to stay with them until they fall asleep, as the new environment may make them feel unsafe or uneasy. So make sure to be around as a reassuring and comforting presence.
Show a positive attitude throughout your camping trip so that your child knows that what they’re experiencing is actually a great thing. They will echo your attitude more than you know.
Maintain Your Night Routine
If you have a night-time routine at home, make sure to maintain that even when you’re camping. If your child likes hearing bedtime stories, having a warm glass of milk, or simply chatting with you about their day, then do so before tucking them in bed.
Set a Wind-Down Time
And lastly, set a definite wind-down time. During this time of the evening, you should be relaxing, changing into sleeping clothes, and starting with your sleep routine. Make this as calm as possible, and don’t miss it even once. That way, it will be easier for your child to get accustomed to the routine.
Final Thoughts
Camping can be not just an exciting outdoor experience, but even a time to make special memories with the whole family. With the right amount of preparation, your little one can have a blast throughout the day and have restful, undisturbed sleep at night out in the outdoors, exactly as you want them to.