Tips for first time camper with a 2 and 4 year old?

Question

HI!  My family and I are going camping for the first time next week.  We are going to the Outer Banks to fish and play in the ocean.  We have never been camping before and I was just wondering about some tips on different camping things.  For example we have a 30 foot camper with no bunks.  Our 4 year old will sleep on the futon and the 2 year old will be on the dining table that turns into a bed.  How do you get them to go to sleep at night without playing all night?  Should I put the 4 yo in our bed until asleep then move him to the futon (our bed area has a door to shut).  He is a deep sleeper and my husband and I could sit outside together until they go to sleep.  Oh, do the other campers get upset when a child is crying b/c they don't want to sleep?  I don't want to keep up the other kids at the campground with my yelling child.  My 2 year old gets upset sometimes when going to bed, but not every time.  What are some common courtesy things to keep in mind for other campers?  Also, are there a lot of partying and drinking at the campgrounds?  Has anyone ever had a problem with alcohol or anything?

mtwaites · Accepted Answer

Plan a lot of activities for them to do during the day, and that will help them to take the energy out.  I find that when I go into any wilderness area such as camping etc., that after the day being in the fresh air, it tires you out.  You will likely find that if you go swimming, play games, go on small little walks around the camp ground etc. that it will tire them out.  Here are some tips to ensure that you and your family are safe during your trip:

1) If you're swimming, then choose areas that are designated for swimming. Many campgrounds that are desgined for swimming will have this.  Often, at many parks, and camp grounds they do not have lifeguards available so make sure that they have some sort of kickboard, air matteress or something like that.

2) If you are hiking, then make sure that you keep your children in close view, There are lots of natural hazards such as roots, swamps, marshes, wildlife, and other things like cliffs and embankments and so on.

3) Make sure that you keep a clean campsite. This is really important to keep wildlife and unwanted critters away.  Keep all of your food, and heavily scented items in your car, securely locked, or suspended high up into the tree.  When you're cooking, if you don't cook in the camper, make sure that you cook downwind from your trailer.

4) Check for local regulations on campfires in the area that you're camping in, to make sure that there are not bans due to weather patterns.

5) Make sure that your kids drink lots of water to ensure that they keep hydrated, and use suntan lotion as well as insect repellent (please check the labels for appropriate ages of the product). 

Below are some fun things that you can do with your children:

1) Look for pretty leaves, stones, shells, and also tidal pools (depending on where you're camping)
2) I see with my little eye something that is ..... and then they have to guess what it was.
3) If you're able to have a campfire, it is alway fun to roast marshmallows and hotdogs over the fire.
4) Also tell your children to listen at night for different sounds like crickets chirping, frogs ribbeting etc.

I hope that you have an excellent trip, and that your children really enjoy their camping experience for the first time.

? · Answer

Short answer is, if you're camping and doing it right.  The problem won't be getting them to sleep, it will be trying to keep them up long enough to eat dinner.  With my children and grandchildren by the time bedtime comes around they are so worn out they don't put up much of a battle.

Don't worry children thrive in the outdoors, be sure to feed and water, and they'll be fine.

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Tips for first time camper with a 2 and 4 year old?

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