If your family enjoys camping but hasn’t tried camping in sub-freezing temperatures, you may worry that your toddler won’t be able to stand the cold. So just how cold is too cold for camping with the little ones?
It’s too cold to camp with toddlers when the temperature is below 13°F (-10°C), as most pediatricians will tell you. However, just how cold is too cold will actually depend on you and your kids. One gauge is if you’re not comfortable out, chances are your toddler won’t be either.
But what if you don’t want the cold to stop you? Stick around as this article will give you some things to consider when keeping your toddler warm when you’re out camping.
How To Keep Toddlers Warm When Camping
Just like adults, toddlers are perfectly capable of having fun outdoors as long as they are dressed warmly. While there are limitations to this, such as if the temperature is too much even for you, camping in the cold does not have to be a problem.
In fact, it can be a different, more exciting kind of adventure. To make sure your kid has a blast on your camping trip, keep these six tips in mind.
Insulate Your Tent
Keeping your tent warm is absolutely necessary. You’ll be spending hours and hours inside it, and it should be something that everyone in the family is comfortable being in if you want things to go smoothly (no tantrums).
To insulate your tent, simply add a layer of insulating materials to the floor of your tent.
Even if you feel like you can tolerate the cool ground when you lay down, don’t forget insulation. The temperature will get lower as the night progresses, and you don’t want yourself or your child freezing at night.
Some examples of insulating materials are:
- Exercise mat
- Old cardboard boxes
- Picnic mat
You can add a layer of blankets on top of these materials to make your tent extra cozy.
Instead of sleeping on the floor of your tent, consider using a blow-up mattress to put the sleeping bags on. Your toddler will need a toddler sleeping bag that’s just the right size so it doesn’t smother them but is snug enough to keep them warm through the night.
Use the Right Tent
No matter how well you insulate your tent, if you’re not using the right tent, you risk waking up wet and freezing in the middle of the night, especially if it’s snowing heavily. While there are no tents that are self-insulating, there are waterproof, dome-shaped ones that are most suitable for camping in the cold.
It’s crucial to bring a waterproof tent because as soon as moisture gets through it, sleeping inside the tent will not only become uncomfortable. It could even be dangerous, and in extreme cases, hypothermia may even be a possibility.
Also, a dome-shaped tent is necessary because it doesn’t trap snow on top of the tent.
Accumulated snow on top of the tent can make it colder inside, and if your tent is not waterproof, it may also cause moisture to seep through. If you’re going to camp in extreme conditions, make sure to invest in a high-quality tent that’s designed to withstand heavy rain and snow.
Pack Warm Clothes, But Don’t Overdo It
Once your tent is ready, the next thing to prepare is your little toddler’s clothes. Make sure to plan your young one’s clothes for the duration of the trip. This way, you are less likely to forget something.
Here is a list of warm clothes that you should throw in your camping bag:
- Thick wool socks: Bring enough for the whole camping trip. Aside from socks to wear during the day, bring ones that your toddler will wear at bedtime.
- Wool gloves: Fingers get easily cold, especially for babies and toddlers. Make sure to wrap those little fingers up in warm gloves every day and night.
- Wool beanie: This should cover your toddler’s head and much of their face.
- Warm onesies: These are great because they cover your toddler’s entire body, and you can layer under or over them if necessary.
- Jackets: Never let your toddler out of the tent without a thick jacket.
As much as you want your child to be warm, though, try not to overdo layering on clothes. If they sweat a lot underneath all those layers, they will get colder instead. So layer on as needed, but don’t overdo it.
Keep Your Tot Dry Before Bed
The biggest challenge when camping in cold weather is nighttime, especially when you need to put your toddler to sleep.
If they’re not comfortable, it will be hard for them to fall asleep. To make sure that they’re warm and comfortable at bedtime, try not to let them get wet. Keep them from playing in puddles of water or playing in the rain shortly before they’re supposed to sleep.
Wearing wet clothes in the cold will cause their body temperature to drop quickly and make it harder for them to get warm. So as soon as they get their clothes wet, give them a change of dry clothes.
Get Active
To keep warm throughout the day, plan physical activities that you can do together, such as going on a child-friendly hike, doing a bit of exploring, or playing physical games. This way, your whole family will feel comfortably warm, while being engaged in spending quality time with each other.
The activities you engage in don’t have to be too physically taxing.
In fact, it’s best to keep them at a leisurely level so that you’re not sweating profusely inside your clothes. The key is to have everyone moving and engaged, instead of just bundled up in a corner.
At night, you can have everyone help out in building a fire. This way, you keep each family member busy. And once a fire is going, you can all sit around it and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
A few smores won’t hurt either.
Final Thoughts
Camping in sub-freezing temperatures can be a totally different experience from camping when it’s warm out. Your little one doesn’t have to miss the fun. Just make sure to plan ahead so your toddler is comfortable, happy, and warm throughout your trip.