Tent Camping with Little Ones

We use three air mattresses for 5 of us. We have a big tent and had a queen for my husband and I, a double for my two boys and a super single for my daught. We then arranged the mattress on the outside, so you could stand and walk through the tent. We also use a variety of blankets and sleeping bags. I used to sleep in front of the door, so if someone needed out in the middle of the night they had to pass by me (especially when they were little). Have fun!

My girls (4,3,and 1) just sleep on the ground with thier sleeping bags. They have never complained about it and sleep great. last summer the baby just slept with me but this summer she will probably just use a couple of blankets!
Have fun! Tent camping is a great experiance for kids!

We have gone camping every year of my life and my kids lives so far :-) For a week at a time...

Until they are about 3 I still take the pack and play for the little one... They are not expected to stay in it for naps (usually put them on one of the bigger airmattresses) But at night its nice to know that they are not rolling around the tent bumping into heaters (if its chilly enough for one.)

If your munchkin is a restless sleeper (mover and roller) and WILL not stay in the pack and play then I have pulled them in bed with hubby and I. I know where they are, and that they are warm /cool enough...

I also put my bed closest to the door and inbetween the kids and the porta potty we take with us and keep in the tent... :-) Hey, you should see it... Our camping get up has been equated to the "palace" of camping... Guess noone uses tarps to make their "compounds " anymore...

Little hint from experience... Rainflys DO NOT work. Tarp over your tent to really keep dry. If camping for an extended time (more than a weekend) then set a screen tent up a few feet infront of your door and tarp over both tents with one tarp... Instant play area in rainy weather and dry cooking area if needed...

If your 2 year old is still in a crib I would reccomend the pack-n-play. When we last camped our then 2 year old slept in it fine. She was using a toddler bed at the time. She actually liked the pack-n-play as it was a new thing to do. I also found that our children passed out so fast from all the fresh air and active days they didn't care where they were sleeping.
T. K.

Last year when we went camping in a tent with a then 4 yr old boy and 2 yr old girl, we used an air mattress (Coleman brand I think) that was large enough for our whole family to sleep on but also folded into a couch for the day time. This worked out great for us.

The first time we went camping my girls were 17 months and 2.5. We got a queen mattress for them to share and sleeping bags for each of them. They feel comfortable enough sleeping together. The pack n play was not an option because it takes up to much room. I'm sure your 2yr old would be fine sharing with is brother.

My 2 year old loves her air mattress. She has one at home and both her grandparents house. She sleeps in it all night. Maybe your little one will be okay with one too.

My girls each have their own "Ready bed" - probably what you have with the mattress attached. My four year old slept on hers from two on and did really well. I don't think mine would do well sleeping together on one mattress - I think they would mess with each other - but some kids can sleep together just fine. They love having their own little bed and I am thinking of having my 18 month old sleep on one when we go camping this summer.

we just let our 2yr. sleep in our tent on our air mattress. We put blankets on the air mattress than opened our sleeping bag up like a blanket and he slept between the two of us. It worked out great. When he was three we bought him his own sleeping bag. He still ended up sleeping with us most of the time. Hope this helps.

I went tent camping when my second child was just a few months old. Of course, I used a pack n' play for him. I did the same with my next two. However, because I was nursing my last child exclusively, she slept next to me on the mattress only, so I could just pick her up and nurse w/o waking everyone else. It worked just fine. I just laid my 4 young children on air mattresses by the time they were 2 and older in their own sleeping bags. I would put them away from the door, but not together unless they are use to being together in one room. There will probably be a lot of giggling before sleep. Also, camping may have a tendency to tire them out. Being outdoors did tire my kids.

I've never done it myself...but how fun! I would get one air mattress and put them both in it. Your little ones will think it is really cool, they will be cozy together and in a few years you don't have two toddler size air mattresses. Have a great trip! :)

Have you considered a cot? We used one for our son, because it is harder to climb out. Happy camping!!

Get him a air mattress with sleeping bag. All four of ours has that. Be prepaired though the two year old may want to sleep with you and dad. But he will have fun. My love camping.

We went last year for the first time with our then 3 and 2 year old... I just bought them little Lightening McQueen sleeping bags, put a comforter underneath and their pillows. I was shocked, they slept like logs! and they love their sleeping bags so much they occasionally ask to sleep in them when at home!

My kids sleep together on a queen size mattress together, with sheets and sleeping bags under and over them...

we have a 3 & 4 yo, who we've taken camping the past two years and plan to this year. we also used a pack and play when they were a about a year and younger. now we do two twin air mattresses, b/c my kids tend to hog the blankets and someone would just end up cold. :) plus it's easier to separate them if they're not calming down - our tent is huge and has 'walls'.
we've also used a queen size air mattress for both and just gave them their own covers.
i personally can't stand sleeping bags (claustrophobia thing!) so we just use them opened or used extra comforters that we have.
have fun!

Hello Tracy, The question is, does your 4 year old enjoy sleeping alone, or would he rather have his little brother sleep with him. If not, get your two year old a sleeping bag of his own, and make a big deal out of him being a big enough boy now to sleep like his big brother. If your 4 yr old would prefer sleeping together, don't deprive them of the bonding time it could create. Good luck, and have fun.

We just used sleeping bags in the tent. And ran around all day so our 4yo at the time slept very well.
Happy camping! A. H