Taking your baby camping for the first time can be quite daunting, even for experienced campers! You wonder how much stuff you will need to bring, in addition to the long list of camping items you have to fit into your vehicle. After camping with two babies, I am here to tell you that you actually do not need much! In fact, most of the things you need you already own! In addition to items you probably already have in your diaper bag, here are five essential items for camping with a baby.
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My experience
We started camping with our son when he was 1 and we started taking our daughter since she was 4 months old; we have not stopped since. Through these experiences, we’ve done some things well, and we’ve made quite a few mistakes – but, mostly, we’ve adapted and we’ve learned.
When it comes to camping, especially if you are new, you probably already have a very long list of items you need to take. Throughout our camping years, I have narrowed down what is truly essential to facilitate the experience, and this is what I am presenting to you now. These items will make camping safer for your baby, and, equally important, will make the experience more enjoyable for the whole family.
Before I get going…
I want to be upfront about our situation. First, we are fortunate enough to own a HUGE 8-person tent. Years ago, my mother gave me this tent, and it remained unused until the first time we went camping with our son! While having a large tent makes camping with a baby easier, an 8-person tent is hardly a must. Still, if you are on the market for a tent, do keep space considerations in mind.
Additionally, the camping items I recommend only work with car camping. These recommendations would not be practical (or possible) if you backpacking with a baby. I have no experience with backpacking, so I cannot help with that! Go here for some resources on that.
Related: The Best Instant Tents for Families
Essential items for camping with a baby
Now that I have given you some background, here are some items that you should consider packing for your first camping trip with a baby.
1. Portable crib/playpen
You may not know this about me, but I follow evidence-based recommendations. For that reason, you may have already guessed this about me: I am a huge supporter of infant safe sleep. I do not encourage bedsharing under normal circumstances, but with camping, it is even more important. You will probably be sleeping on an air mattress, and/or with heavy blankets and sleeping bags! For this reason, I highly recommend you keep your baby sleeping in their own space.
We used a regular playpen because, as I mentioned above, we had a very large tent. But there are now tons of different portable cribs on the market of all sorts of different sizes! The bonus is that you can move the crib in and out of the tent. Your baby can nap under a shady tree, enjoying the sounds of nature.
- Portable Travel Crib- Our Foldable Travel Crib is spacious enough for babies from 0 to 3 years old. Its soft mattress makes the travel crib a comfy place for your baby to rest or play.
- Lightweight & Durable- The net weight is only 12 lbs. Lightweight, Reliable and built for endurance, it is made of a sturdy frame, polyester fabric, and reinforced stitching. The portable travel crib lightweight structure is easy to assemble.
- Breathable Mesh- The Portable Playard sides are made of soft, airy mesh fabric that allow your baby to breathe easily. The see-through fabric helps you keep an eye on your baby and allows your baby to look out.
- Side Zipper Door- The sides of this Travel Playard are made from soft and airy mesh fabric, allowing you to see your baby. You can nurse, cuddle or play with your little one comfortably through the side zipper door.
- Travel Ready- The Travel Crib sets up and folds down in minutes making it the ideal travel companion for infants and toddlers. It folds up flat and can be stored in its durable carry bag. It is perfect for vacation or travel.
Related: Best Camping Cots for Families
2. Camping rug
Think area rugs, but for camping! Very popular with RVs, but used ours well before we got a camper. You could also just use a picnic blanket, but my experience with those is that they are difficult to clean, wrinkle easily, and are simply not very large.
Camping rugs, on the other hand, are made of a light material, let some dirt fall through, are easy to clean, and also provide a tiny bit of cushioning. These mats provide a large space where you can set your infant to do some tummy time and a “clean”, safe surface for them to play on.
They do come in different sizes, so I would recommend getting the smaller ones that are more portable. This 6′ x 9′ camping rug is exactly the one we have and it has lasted years of frequent camping. Keeping them portable will allow you to use this mat in your yard, or when taking your family to a nearby park or beach.
Don’t get me wrong, I am all for letting babies get down and dirty in nature! I mean, that is why we go out so often. But I found it VERY useful to have a safer space where baby can play while you get those hot dogs going in the grill!
- 100 percentage virgin polypropylene material makes a durable mat
- Breathable material does not hurt grass
- UV protection against sun exposure
- Easy to clean, just spray with water or sweep
- Light weight and can be folded into a very compact size for easy storage
Related: 37 Best Gifts for Campers
3. Baby carrier
While I am not into attachment parenting for many reasons, I was all about babywearing my kids. It was probably the best way to get things done around the house, walking dogs, or grocery shopping. Without a doubt, having a baby carrier handy while camping is imperative.
Sometimes babies just need to be near you, and this desire is never stronger than when you have many other things to do (am I right?). Having your baby carrier will allow you the freedom to tend to your family, put sandwiches together, or go on those beautiful hikes you have been looking forward to!
Are you also a photography enthusiast? If so, a baby carrier will also be essential to your photography efforts. In fact, I wrote a whole article with photography tips for babywearing mamas!
There are tons of options out there, and I will probably write an article about my favorite carriers for camping and hiking. In general, however, I have always been a fan of Lillebaby carriers. If you are very new to babywearing, take a look at this article with the best types of baby carriers for travel.
- Six Positions, including front, backpack and hip styles.
- Superior Airflow: Ultra soft, 3-D mesh fabrics offer cool comfort and breathability.
- Newborn to Toddler: Transformational carrier seat can be folded small for newborns and infants and expanded to a wider setting as your child grows.
- Hip Healthy: Child is supported from knee-to-knee, the best ergonomic position for their hips.
- Certified: The Complete carrier is certified as a Hip-Healthy product by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute.
4. Baby rugged stroller with tray
Wait, you are already bringing a baby carrier…do you really need a stroller, too? Yes, and no. The primary purpose of the stroller is not to take baby around on hikes. But you can use it for many other things on the campsite.
The “rugged” part is optional. What I mean by rugged that is that we used our jogging stroller with the large wheels. We rarely used it for hikes, but the large wheels came in handy if we had to move baby around in terrain that was not very stroller friendly.
What matters about the stroller is the tray. Make sure you bring a stroller that has one! One obvious use is that you can feed your baby solid foods using the tray. This eliminates the need to buy camping or portable high chairs that will only come in handy when you do go camping.
In terms of safety, having a stroller with a tray came in handy when it was time to sit by the fire. Using the stroller helped! We made sure the baby was strapped, and that allowed the baby to enjoy the mesmerizing flames from a safe distance, and maybe even enjoy a treat while doing so! On a good night, our babies would even fall asleep. Bedtime, anyone?
If you want to avoid bringing a stroller and a pack n play, an option is to have a wagon stroller. These beauties can be used as a flat, safe sleep space, stroller, and you can attach a food tray! These come with attachable canopies too, so you can keep the little one safely in the shade while they sleep or eat.
- One-step foot brake system.
- Two seating options, face-to-face or in the same direction. It includes a removable center bar that can support the seat back. It is designed to be versatile and can carry 1-2 kids with a
- Maximum capacity of 200 LBS. Each seat can hold a maximum weight of 33 LBS.
- 10-inch rear wheels that are better suited to handle uneven surfaces like stone roads and cracks in sidewalks.
5. Portable dog fence
No, I am not joking. It is not something I ever used, but I honestly should have. Indeed, I did not think about it until recently!
I think it would be especially useful with mobile infants, as it gives them a lot more space than just their play yard. Yes, you can find fences for babies like this one that is specific for kids, but they are much more expensive and heavy.
A portable dog fence is much lighter, and there are no places for the babies to get caught or hurt. You can also get stakes to attach it to the ground if that gives you more peace of mind. They come on different heights, and you can even get a couple of different ones and attach them together to have even more space. Set it on top of the camping rug and you are golden!
- Indoor/Outdoor Versatility: Exclusive reversible legs have outdoor stakes for lawn stability and anti-movement/non-scratch floor pads for any interior floor surfaces
- Spacious: Over 18.5 square feet and 28 tall provides a safe space for the child to play
- Easy and Quick Assembly: No tools required
- Unique Hinge Design: Each panel can be a door access
- Portable: Foldable with molded handle for On-the-Go Safety
- Multiple Uses: Great for pets, too!
- Each panel measures 24"W x 30"H, Exercise Pen / Pet Playpen folds flat for convenient storage
- Exercise Pen provides 16 square feet enclosed area (1.5 meters) for your dog and other pets, Suitable for Dogs 26 - 40 lbs
- Includes 4 ground anchors for outdoor use and 4 thumb-snaps for easy assembly; Easliy attaches to your crate for a playspace area
- Easy set-up & no tools required for assembly.
- Not Recommended for Puppies or Dogs That Jump
Is that really all?
You can always bring more (a favorite lovie, a portable sound machine, etc.). You know your baby best, so you can always bring more items that are specific to your child’s needs. Also, I am not including items that you need to bring for everyone, such as bug spray, sunscreen, proper clothing, toiletries, food, and nursing items. That list goes on and on…
If you are new to camping, then you are probably already overwhelmed with all the preparations involved. Check this article on tips for planning your first family camping trip.
This article is specifically focused on the essential items for camping with a baby. These items will help keep your baby safe and will help ensure you can enjoy the adventure. Now, breathe deeply, get out there, and hopefully, you will all “sleep like a baby” at your chosen campsite!
