Go camping with little kids in tow? Here are five things to watch out for

Afii started going camping with us when she was 7 months old. But even if she sleeps through the night, toddlers can sometimes still have nightmares and cry in the middle of the night. It’s best to let your fellow campers know in advance—most will totally understand.

Before setting off on a camping trip, you’ll often hear a lot of dissenting voices. The elders might worry: Will they catch a cold? How will they eat or drink outdoors? Will being in the wild scare them? There are lots of concerns, but the ultimate message is usually the same: Don’t bring little kids along. We were lucky—the elders did voice their worries and reminded us to pack enough clothes and essential medications, but they didn’t forbid us from bringing our little one. So when Afii was just 7 months old, we took her to “Fushoushan Farm” during the freezing winter. That time, we didn’t actually camp—we booked a simple cabin. Another little one, 6-month-old Dora, came along too.

Winters are really cold—you might want to bring a heating lamp, which is available at most supermarkets. Just be sure to use it in a well-ventilated area and opt for a safer model if possible.

Two parents wrapped their 6/7-month-old babies up like little mummies.

Every time we go camping, Afii comes along with us, no matter how cold it is in winter or how hot it gets in summer. She seems to enjoy it, and the best part is that she’s never caught a cold from camping. Sometimes, if there are many kids around and one has a cold, it’s normal for others to get infected—but that’s just as likely to happen once she starts school or goes to public places, so I don’t stress about it.

Basic first aid supplies: a digital ear thermometer, fever-reducing medicine, cough syrup, and fever patches—these are the medications I always bring camping. In all our camping trips so far (she’s now 2 years and 8 months), we haven’t had to use any of them, and I hope we never do. But it’s reassuring to have them on hand.

Make sure to bring everything a toddler might need, especially the younger ones—you should really “pack everything and the kitchen sink.” While group camping allows parents to share items, you wouldn’t want to borrow essentials like your child’s usual “formula” or “bottle.” It’s also best to bring their favorite little blanket or stuffed animal, because sleeping in a tent can be unsettling for some kids, and familiar items help soothe them. Afii insists on taking her chipmunk plushie to bed, so we can’t forget it when we travel.

Pack some books and small toys in case of rain during the trip. The most convenient option is coloring supplies, which can be shared with other kids. A play kitchen set is also a great choice for toddlers. For outdoor games, a bubble machine is a must, or at least a ball—there’s no kid who doesn’t love those. Our friend, the mom of Jin Dou, is practically the queen of packing toddler toys—she always magically produces a ton of random stuff to keep the kids entertained and calm for a bit.

The most important thing about camping with little kids is having a strong, unshakable mindset—don’t sweat the small stuff, like obsessing over cleanliness or worrying excessively about your child getting hurt. Toddlers are often more resilient than adults think, and their adaptability to new environments can be surprisingly impressive. Outdoor facilities might not always be ideal, but try not to be too picky—it’ll make the experience better. Getting wet or dirty while playing outside is inevitable, so pack extra clothes and don’t scold your child too much. You’ll all feel more at ease.

As your child grows, you end up packing less. Back then, we needed to bring a rice cooker mixing attachment to prepare baby food or porridge, but now we don’t need any of that.

Taking little kids camping is really tiring. Sometimes, driving up and down mountain roads makes everyone carsick and vomiting, which is super frustrating. Or the kids cry all night, making it awkward for other campers and leaving you sleepless. But if you think about it, isn’t parenting always exhausting? These things would happen even at home or in your comfort zone.

Looking back at our camping photos, we realize Afii has grown up bit by bit without us noticing. From when she was 7 months old camping with 8-month-old Dora to now.

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