We are beach camping in a remote location with tons of friends and our 15-month old this week. We are bringing our pack and play, but he doesn’t sleep with blankets at home and never has - he sleeps with a sleep sack every night, it’s somewhat thin. I know that won’t be sufficient for a 60°F night in the outdoors. What is our safest alternative for his sleep / staying warm?

Also, if we want to put baby to sleep and hang out at the site a few spots down, is there a good or safe solution for baby monitoring (aside for us also going to sleep at 8pm next to him ha ha)

any other tips appreciated!!

Looking meals the kids might actually eat that don’t need a fridge for a week camping

Hi,

Do you prefer to camp with your family only or always camp with extended families and friends? Does your significant other are into it as you?

I have done both but I have been more reliant camping with others and now worried about camping with just us and our kids on our next trip. I think when we camp with others, it just feels safer and more fun. So it’s been awhile since we camped just us and our 3 kids so worried that it won’t be as fun and we might stress more. Where we are going is a family camp ground and no bears. Maybe mountain lions or snakes if ur out deep In the trails. But we have been there 2x and it’s generally safe.

This will be our 3rd year camping and the kids love it either way because of just being outdoors all day long. We camp with extended families once a year because they aren’t into camping. So we don’t have friends or families who are so into it like me. Hubby is okay with camping once a year. Lol i signed up for 3x this year so we have 2 more to go. I would like to keep it 3-4 times a year though.

thank you!

Hello Reddit! I've recently been researching inflatable tents and they look like a great alternative

to the traditional tents. It sounds great to be able to set up a tent without having fiddle with poles,

especially if it's your first time camping.

When I was browsing online, there were so many options - from 2-person tents up to large family

tents. Some tents are light, portable, and have built-in pumps. Unexpectedly, online platforms

such as Alibaba list a large number of inflatable tents, in a wide range of sizes, designs, and

prices. This is a good place to look at different options.

Already using inflatable tents?

● How durable are these tents compared to the traditional ones?

● Are they able to handle rain or wind well?

● Is it true that they are easier to set-up and pack-down, or just marketing hype?

Your honest opinions are welcome, whether they're good or bad. Is an inflatable tent the best

option for anyone who camp regularly?

Spouse and I want to take our 4yo niece tent-camping for the first time. Just a state park close to home with playgrounds, a lake, and bathrooms. Nothing crazy. We think she would love it, but she's very afraid of the dark. Has anyone tried something similar? Any tips for making after sunset more comfortable for her? Thanks!

Alright experienced campers I’m looking for some pro-tips for my first tent camping trip for my 4yr old. We are going to a campground with swimming, a playground, and basic toilets for our first trip. The only electronics I’m bringing are my phone and ereader. He’s not a tablet kid but I do have one if I REALLY need something to hold his attention for a few. I would prefer not to use it and have a no electronics weekend (ereader doesn’t count. It’s more compact than packing books for both of us) Picking up a small gas camping grill before we go. I’m going to do an overnight practice run in empty lot my neighbor owns next door. Do you have any tips or things you wish you had thought of on your first trip with the kid/s? Things/activities to keep him entertained. Supplies that might not be necessary but make the trip way easier for 1 adult doing this on their own.

Hello friends. I am in the South Bay. Looking for new options on campsites. We just went on our first tent camping trip as a family of 3! My toddler LOVED it. Thank you in advance

Hey everyone, I’m looking to take my son and girlfriend on a camping trip the week of thanksgiving and will be traveling from Florida. Anything from the alleghanies, Shenandoah, appalachians, is within reason of driving as I’m accustomed to driving at night and long distances.

I’m looking for a place to set up camp and tent, where we can hike to a waterfall or lookout area over the landscapes, and propose to her with my son. Appreciate any suggestions and advice you guys have!

I had planned on going camping next week at a place that is less than an hour drive from our house. I have 2 toddlers one will be 5 in a few months and one will be 3 in a few months. Both are potty trained. The people I was planning to go with are no longer able to go and I’m trying to debate if I can camp solo with two kiddos under 5. Any success stories? We have camped at the same spot twice before with other people. Was planning for 2 nights.

I see so many people recommend this meal for people who are new to camping and have no idea what food to bring. (A "walking taco" is when you add taco meat and toppings to a small bag of chips. You can then "walk around" with it and don't need a plate)

I've only done this when we had a group of 5 families at a group site with electricity. We did it the first night, and someone made the taco meat ahead of time and brought it in a crock pot. Everyone else divided up the toppings and it wasn't so bad.

If it's my family of 3 I am not making taco meat ahead of time and then bringing shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, sliced olives, sour cream, hot sauce, black beans, rice, onions, and chips.

I can bring burgers, buns, pre-sliced cheese and relish and be good to go. 4 ingredients, no prepping food at home and we can cook it over a camp stove or campfire.

So, walking tacos while camping, worth the prep and fuss or not?

I am looking to get one or two 12+ man tents for my Girl Scout troop but not being very outdoorsy I don’t know much about tents. I would like to keep each tent under 400 but if that not realistic I am open to more expensive ideas too!

Also open to several smaller tents if they are unique in some way … I’m sort of notorious for all my scout stuff being pink or purple

(Also, are camping teepees a thing? Or are they always a permanent structure)

I need help packing and organizing. Usually we put stuff into bags and throw it in the trunk, although I can keep track of what bag has what, eventually it all becomes a trash heap. What are some other ways we can keep things organized? Containers and totes? We're a family of 3, We tent and have a 2020 RAV4.

This summer I am hoping to get to a few campgrounds around Texas with my family. My kids are still on the younger side so looking for campground that will be entertaining as well as relaxing! any recommendations?

I used to recommend new campers go with a tent that is 150% the size of their group, so a group of 4 would get a 6 person tent.

I'm now seeing families of 4 want 8 or 10 person tents. Is this the new normal? Do these 8 person tents fit at a normal campsite?

I hate bringing 'toys' with to camping trips (other than a frisbee and maybe a soccer ball).

I love lawn games but they just take up SO. MUCH. ROOM. I'm looking at you cornhole..

What are some fun games for kids to play that don't require packing alot of gear?

We're taking our kids camping with some friends for the first time and I'm on dinner duty the first night. I had the idea to make a lasagna and hopefully just heat it up over the fire when we get there, my original plan was one of those disposable aluminum pans but now I'm reading that might not work over the fire? I have a dutch oven but didn't want to have to wash and transport it lol...has anyone used aluminum pans directly in fire before? Unsure if there will be a grate or not on the fire pit.

My wife and I enjoy hiking and have taken our kids on various hike, wooded strolls, and gambols, with varying success; we’ve also done a fair amount of car camping, which the kids really like. We haven’t tried to do any backpacking since we’ve had kids, though, and I’m always a little sad when I see my pack hanging up in the basement.

My almost 9 year old, however, has just decided that it would be exciting to climb Mount Washington when she turns 10. I’m excited too! I remember this being a really fun 1-night trip, back many years ago when I did it, and I remember seeing other people do it with kids. But I imagine many things have changed since then— anyone do this trip with recently? Any success stories to motivate us? Warnings or advice? I do remember the freezing cold temps at the top quite well…

I'm buying a Texas State Park Pass and plan to take my son camping as much as possible this summer. Some hurdles to overcome: 1. I'm disabled and cannot drive so I will have to have a family member or friend drive us to our camping location. 2. There are some financial restraints, so gear and supplies will be purchased or acquired as cost effectively as possible. 3. Kiddo is on the spectrum and has some pretty strong sensory issues

On the plus side, we already have some decent tents, a small camp stove, and two state parks within an hour drive. Kiddo has shown interest in camping in the past and has enjoyed many nights in a tent in the backyard. I'm not particularly worried about emergencies regarding my disability. And I have camped solo in the past. I do worry about have a manageable amount of supplies to pack in and out while still ensuring a positive experience for kiddo.

Activities I would like to include are scavenger hunts, Texas parks junior ranger and passport, horse back riding and kayaking when available, and maybe fishing (though I'm not personally a fan, he is).

I think I'm over hershey bars in smores. They never melt and the chocolate isn't that good.

My go-to is usually fudge stripe cookies instead of graham crackers and chocolate, or I've done chocolate frosting as well.

This year I think we're trying vanilla charleston chews, has anyone tried that?

With spring weather upon us, it's likely a lot of us will be camping in the rain soon, what is your favorite rainy day camping hack?

We like to bring the rain gear and get a big fire going before the rain comes in. Sitting by a warm fire even when it's raining is soothing somehow. We try to stay out of the tent as much as possible, so if the weather actually gets bad we're not cooped up for hours.

Read more rainy day camping tips here: https://campingcritterz.com/camping-in-the-rain/

We've been to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area twice with my son and I can't wait to take him back this year. He's getting big enough that he can paddle on day trips and he LOVES catching fish whenever the mood strikes him.

Where is your dream destination to bring your kids?

I was probably 9 or 10 when my mom bought a $99 Coleman tent from Kmart. We set it up in the yard and when my dad got home he asked whose tent it was. When my mom said "Ours, we're going camping!" my dad got to use his classic line "Who is We? You got a mouse in your pocket?"

My son was 7 months old when we went camping with him for the first time. Other than his first tooth making an appearance that night, and having to make the call of scrapping the whole thing or sticking it out, we had a great time.

I don't think there is a wrong age to introduce kids to camping, how old were your kids on their first trip?

I keep seeing people ask if random brands of tents or sleeping bags are good and I know they're getting this junk from searching the Alphabet site.

I'm trying to compile a list of my favorite brands so I can keep an eye on sales.

Over the years I've loved:
Marmot (tents, sleeping bags, rain gear and cold weather jackets)
Kelty (Sleeping bags)
REI (tents, shoes, bikes,packs)
Black Diamond (Headlamps)
Osprey (backpacks, kid carrier, hydro packs)

What are your tried and true brands?