first camping trip with 6 m.o. and 3 y.o. What to bring??

[artgirl]

I need help FAST. We are going camping this weekend. Just overnight, nothing extended but I want to be prepared. I'm worried about safely sleeping in the tent with my 6 m.o. ds. Anyone have experience? Advice?
One of my co-workers was at a campground this summer where a 6 m.o. died in a pop-up camper. Her face got pressed up against the canvas of the pop-up and she suffocated. Made me pretty paranoid.
Beyond sleeping in a tent with little ones, what else is good to bring? I never use the port-crib/pack and play thing we have but I'm thinking of bringing that so we have a safe place to put ds when we need both hands.

I already thought slings and backpacks but tell me about your nifty tricks for camping with youngsters.

THANKS! We leave tomorrow morning at the crack of dawn.

[HairyArmpits]

We have been camping with the babes since they were about 4 mo....
We have a big airmattresand put it in the middle of the tent so no one can get trapped between it and the tent wall, then when we come in to bed later, we sleep on the ends...just like at home.(common sense.)
You will want a battery powered light to leave in the tent on "dim" for a nightlight, and I once got them each their own flashlight to play with...then they didn't always want to play with ours and they are hours of entertainment for kids of many ages!
Also, lots of snacks and lots of warm layers! :)

[ZachsMommy]

I'm SOOOO jealous. Our camping season is over. :( We're lucky if it doesn't freeze overnight already and I'm expecting snow anyday.

I've gone camping and while it was in a trailer and can't help you with the tenting part I have a few suggestions if you don't mind ;)

Definitely bring your pack and play or an exersaucer with you. You are going to be pretty busy and may need a few seconds of hands-free time and you can't just lay your DS anywhere(:lol) The pack and play is also nice for naptime if you get one of those mosquito nettings to cover it and you want to lay DS down for a nap and have him near you.

Bring some disposable antibacterial wipes(Wet Ones) for those quick cleanups. :thumb

Lots of snacks cause your older DC may get more hungrier than usual cause he'll be busy. Bring him some push/ride on toys cause they like to be busy! And some quiet toys(like books and crayons) if it rains.

Lots of layers and jackets with hoods for both.

We always bring those nightsticks (you can buy them at the dollar store) for the older children. You crack them and they glow for 12 hours. They make great nightlights and they're helpful to find the older kids in the dark :wink


If I think of more, I'll be back! But have fun!!!!

[artgirl]

Thanks both of you!
Camping went great. Both kids were great! We did get some glow sticks and that worked well for a night light. I never would've thought about that until it was too late.
It got pretty chilly at night but we cuddled together and everyone slept soundly. My 3 y.o. wants to know if we can go camping "lots of times" now. :love

I was surprised how many people had young babes with them. I guess I've been a wimp until now. We did bring our exercise ball so I could bounce ds to sleep. Luckily the tent was tall enough.

[lilyka]

glad to hear it. we always brought the pack and play (even thopugh we didn't use it at home) because camp grounds aren't exactly nice comfy lawns. I have never been worried about sleeping. Do be careful with pop ups. My nephew ended up with a head injury from falling out before it was completely set up.

we usually bring litte doll house dolls for them to play fairy people with. thats always a hit as far as activity.

glow sticks, but you know that :) also for light those flash lights that turn into a latern are good.

pack in a rubbermaid tub that can later be used as a cozy fire side bath tub. :)

My babies have always done realy well. the hardest thing has been keeping them away from the fire but the pack and play mde it possible for them to be close enough while being safe so that i could tend to the other kids.