We did it. We went on our first camping trip. With a toddler.
Seven years ago, my husband and I were engaged and creating our wedding registries. One night, a friend and I were having some fun and thought it would be funny to add random items to our Target registry. Enter all things camping (and a wall-mounted fish bowl that a former friend now has in his possession.) We received every single camping item I added to that list. And we had never used it.
(Family selfie! Notice the toddler saying “Cheese!”)
Camping was added to our 2014 Summer Bucket List, and I decided to tie it into Father’s Day weekend (I kept it a secret for as long as possible. I ended up telling my husband about our trip last Wednesday. We left Saturday.) It was only one night, and we were 40 minutes from home. We stayed at Jellystone Park in Marion (a Yogi Bear-themed camping resort) and the toddler had a blast.
My husband and I didn’t have an awful time either. ๐ We didn’t think to bring a hammer or mallet (so we were very grateful for our camp neighbors who loaned us one.) And we didn’t set up the tent before we went. We just prayed we would get it up and all of the parts would be there.
There was no wi-fi, or cell phone service for that matter. We were shut down for 18 hours. It doesn’t sound like much, but it was pretty cool to just turn my phone to airplane mode (to keep the battery from draining) and lock it in the car for the day/night.
Lucas did NOT sleep well, and we had a few meltdown moments. He also only took a 40 minute nap on Saturday afternoon. That said, he had so much fun swimming. His Puddle Jumper life jacket is so perfect (a last-minute purchase on my part) and now all he wants to do is “swim with feet.” Meaning: He wants to kick (like he was taught in swim lessons last year) and he wants to do it all by himself. This life jacket is going to be a game changer this summer!
And swimming is exhausting.
He ate his first s’more this past weekend, and my husband taught him to eat Cheerios with milk. (He’s only had dry Cheerios – and he normally has oatmeal or eggs for breakfast.) Life lessons were learned, y’all.
My husband apparently had a good enough time that he wants to go camping again. And I’m sure we’ll go camping again. Just maybe not this summer. I’m still tired.
Have you ever attempted camping with kids? Young kids? What are your tips?
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
It sounds like you guys had a great time. I imagine camping with a little one in tow can’t be easy!
Lindsey @ Redhead Baby Mama says
I can’t believe it! Red wouldn’t stand for it… but maybe he would sit still for smores!
Kay Adeola says
Looks like you had a great time.To be honest i hate camping lol.
Shecki @ Greatly Blessed says
Married 20 years, and we’ve never camped together, although we both camped as kids. :/ Maybe someday we’ll get brave enough.
Tamara says
Looks like y’all had a blast! I just borrowed a friend’s puddle jumper for Lillie this past weekend – and yes, total game changer!
Jaime says
I can’t wait to swim every weekend! He is going to take SO MANY NAPS.
Tracey says
Looks like you had a blast…I’m sure the s’mores made it even more fun!
Liz Mays says
He did pretty darn well for his first time out, don’t you think? And what is it about swimming that is so exhausting? It just drains you!
Debbie Denny says
That looks like so much fun. You had one tired baby!
Beth@FrugalFroggie says
That sounds so wonderful. I would so love to go camping with my family.
Chrystal @ YUM eating says
Looks like a fabulous time. Mmmmm s’mores. Best part about camping!
Veronica says
Sounds like a lot of fun. Camping with a toddler has to be an adventure in itself I bet
Amanda Love - Growing Up Madison says
Anything with a toddler is super exhausting in my book, even going to Walmart. You’re a lot braver than me my dear, I dread doing much outdoor stuff by myself much less with a toddler. I’m a city girl by heart. ๐
Jenn @ The Rebel Chick says
I bet things will go much more smoothly next time, in regards to naps, etc. He’ll know that you did it before so it won’t seem so unfamiliar.
Renee says
You are a very brave mama!! The thought of camping scares me, much less with a toddler, but it looks like he had a blast. I love his expression while he eats the smores!
Pauline Cabrera says
Now that’s a great way to spend time with your family! I’m sure that you all had a great time together. Itโs really wonderful to do new things and gain fresh experiences out of it. ๐
Brandy says
Let’s just say you are braver than I. I will not camp with the boys, not yet. My oldest and only daughter? sure, maybe someday. With Aj being on the spectrum, I am pretty sure the change in routine in camping may not go over well, but we are working with him and he’s getting better about some planned routine changes. I have not yet dared this, but hopefully some day I will! Glad you survived, and love all of the pictures!
Carly Bellard says
Funny that you said something about registering for camping stuff. We did the same thing- we received a 7 person tent for a wedding gift and we have yet even get it out of the box!
Pam says
Sounds like you had a good experience even if you are exhausted. I did take my kids camping when they were young and they had a great time. We just made sure that they had air mattresses to sleep on and they were happy.
cam | bibs and baubles says
Sounds like so much fun. Even with a sleepless toddler. Great memories were made, I’m sure!
Kiwi says
Wow camping with a toddler had to be something else! I love how he is devouring that s’more now I want some!
Susanna @Zealous Mom says
It sounds like you guys had a ball despite a few toddler meltdowns. We have yet to go camping with the boys for that very reason, but I think we’re about to the point where we want to go. Todd and Brooks have camped, but Mommy and the little one have not been yet. We shall see…
Rosey says
I like sometimes too when the Internet is unable to be accessed (after the initial panic of course). I’m loving the pictures. And wanting some Smores. ๐
Christie says
I love the s’mores shot! A summer must when camping!
Amanda says
It looks like you had the pool to yourself! Camping is so fun! Everyone looks like they had a ball!
Becka says
Aww he is so sweet and cute. sounds like an amazing time!
Family Travel Blogger says
Haha I love your pack up and go style. We mostly wing it when we camp too. Its been an adventure.
krystalskitsch says
Sounds like an awesome day, those smores look tasty!
Angela S says
One camping trip per summer is enough for me too. LOL I’m glad you had a good time in spite of a few toddler meltdowns.
Jessica (Savory Experiments) says
I can imagine it is hard for a toddler to sleep while camping. Heck, I can’t sleep while camping! It looks like got good use out of the pool though!
Emily says
What a neat campground! I love that they had so much to do. We are heading to South Dakota next month. I may be a week without wifi. I’m looking forward to it!
Marina says
I’m chicken to go camping. So I think you’re mighty brave. Your little one looks like he had a blast though!
Toni says
We have not really camped with our kids yet. I am not a big outdoorsy person, the closest we got was on the football field for Relay for Life LOL
Carly says
I’ve heard about Jellystone from a couple people now! It sounds like a blast!
Ashley says
You are super brave for taking a toddler on a camping trip! Looks like y’all had fun!
Onica {MommyFactor} says
I haven’t gone camping with my son yet but I’d love to. Looks like your son had quite an adventure and learn so many things. Yay for enjoying cereal and milk!
teresa mccluskey says
I have two little ones ages two and three they are 18 months apart! So my hands would be full as could be!!
Christina Shirley says
My 3 year old keeps saying he wants to go camping. I think we’re going to do a back yard camping try first, but we have a daddy-son camping trip planned in August.
Kim says
we camp w/friends w/kids & the more they do it the better they get. just always bring something from their bed at home.. pillow, pillow case, blankie.. something that smells like home to help w/bedtime.