Favorite Baby Camping Foods

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR FRIENDS AT MORRISON OUTDOORS Camping is such an awesome adventure - from long scenic hikes during the day to nights spent under the stars, there are so many reasons to take a camping trip with the whole family!  Whether this is your first camping trip ever or you are a seasoned camper heading out for the first time with baby, it can feel overwhelming to pack for a little one. You want to pack enough and not miss the essentials like diapers and wipes, but you probably don't need every single baby toy in the house to make your trip a success. If you are ready to head out for your first camping adventure with baby and not sure what to bring, we’ve got you covered!  First, grab a copy of this camping checklist. It covers all of the basics of what to bring when camping from shelter to cooking gear and all of the random important things like headlamps and flashlights, plus all of the "kid specific" extras if you’ve got a little one on your trip. Let's go over some tried and true gear and packing hacks to get you out into nature, sourced from our Hike it Baby Community! Large Plastic Storage Bin In terms of packing, try packing items in a large plastic bin with a lid.  It keeps your gear dry in the event of packing or unpacking in the rain, but can also double as a kid bath tub if your little one is old enough to sit up on their own! Pack and Play The most commonly suggested item in our community to bring along for baby is a pack n play.  Throw a bug net over the top, and baby can hang out in there, tucked away in the shade while you set up the tent or even cook a meal. If you don’t have room for a pack and play, a baby carrier can certainly help keep you hands free while cooking or setting up a tent as well, or event a booster high chair that would typically strap to a chair can be placed on the ground with some toys to keep baby contained and safe while you get everything ready. Bedtime The pack and play is a safe sleep space for little ones rolling around in the tent while everyone tries to catch a little shut eye in between adventures.  It's also important to check the weather for the days and the nights during your trip.  Since babies' bodies don't regulate their temperature like grownups do, remember that you may need to accommodate a variety of temperatures for sleeping! It may be warm in the day, but you may need to bundle up in the night as the sun goes down.  If it's chilly at night, be sure to grab warm sleeping bags for the kiddos, and Morrison Outdoors Baby Sleeping Bags for your littlest campers. These sleeping bags keep baby warm through a chilly night and alleviate the concern about having loose blankets near the baby while sleeping. Other Helpful Gear Finally, some other important gear grabs include multi-use burp cloths, sun hats, sunscreen (when your pediatrician gives you the okay to use it), and insect repellent wipes (instead of spray) or permethrin-treated clothing.  We suggest bringing some pre-prepped meals so you can heat them up when it's time to eat.  But meal time is a subject for another blog!   As you can see, our community is resourceful and experienced in packing for camping adventures with little ones in tow! Most of our gear needs to do double duty since babies can require a lot of gear. What did we miss? Do you have any awesome gear suggestions or hacks to add?   OTHER ARTICLES IN THIS SERIES: How to Dress Baby for Cold-Weather Camping How to Choose a Baby-Friendly Campsite Tips for Sleeping in a Tent with Baby Favorite Baby Camping Foods   Photos by Deanna Curry     ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org    EDITORS NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR FRIENDS AT MORRISON OUTDOORS Camping while your kiddos are babies can be an incredible experience, making memories and starting traditions that last for years to come. However, the preparation and execution of a camping trip with a baby in tow can be daunting. Everything from how to dress your baby, what gear to bring, and even what to eat can get overwhelming. Luckily, we’re here to help! In this blog series, we will cover various topics and provide tips and advice to make camping with a baby a huge success! In this article, we provide tips and things to look for when choosing a baby-friendly campground and campsite. Tips for Choosing a Baby-Friendly Campground Every campground offers its own unique mix of views, recreation options, amenities, etc. Start by researching what the campground has to offer by checking their website. Not sure where you want to stay yet? Websites such as Recreation and Campendium can help you find a campground with availability in your desired location along with what amenities are offered. Regardless of where you stay, try to book in advance so you find a place to meet your needs (especially with a baby in tow!). Here are some things to consider when searching for a baby-friendly campground: Start Close to Home During the first few camping trips, consider choosing a campground that is fairly close to home (within an hour). This is a great way to work out any kinks (such as forgetting a favorite blanket or leaving the wipes on the counter). If your baby is just not having it, you can pack up and head home, trying again another time. Access to Amenities Choosing a less-rugged campground that offers bathrooms, showers, and even a playground can help tremendously when you have a baby in tow. These luxuries come in handy when dealing with situations such as an unexpected blowout or mud adventure with a limited supply of wipes. Choose a Campground with Recreational Options If possible, choose a “recreation-included” campground to reduce driving time. The first time we camped with my oldest, we chose a site that included a beach and hiking trails within walking distance. This helped reduce the in-and-out of the car seat and finding a parking spot chaos. It also gave us the flexibility to bail on an activity if he needed an extra nap. Proximity to Essentials With the chaos that can come with packing for a camping trip, it’s easy to forget something, whether it’s the hotdogs or the baby wipes (both of which have happened to me). Being close to a grocery store or gas station can make it easy to grab what you forgot (or didn’t realize you needed). Near Desired Activities If you are planning to visit a specific location (such as a National Park, a popular trail, etc.), finding a campground close by takes some of the stress off the commute to and from those areas (nobody like to have to drive an hour back to the campground if they can avoid it!). Tips for Choosing a Baby-Friendly Campsite Now that you have a campground picked out, there are some factors to keep in mind when choosing a campsite to fit the needs of your family. Looking at a campground map with labeled campsites can help you determine which will work best. Here are some things to consider: Proximity to Other Campers Choosing a campsite that is more isolated (or finding a campground where sites are a bit more spread out) can help to reduce noise issues. Some campers like to stay up all night, which can make it hard to settle your baby. Alternatively, if your baby wakes in the night or is having a hard time in their new surroundings, being further from others means you’re less likely to disturb your neighbors. Get to Know your Neighbors It’s not always possible to find a campsite that is a good distance from others. Introducing yourself and chatting with fellow campers in nearby campsites is a great way to show them you have a tiny adventurer in tow. This can result in far more understanding fellow-campers who will hopefully limit the rowdiness or be more accepting if they hear cries in the night. Amount of Sunlight Finding a site that offers some shade in the summer can cut down on the heat in the tent and protect your baby’s sensitive skin from over-exposure to sunlight. Alternatively, sunny spots can help warm up a campsite during the fall and winter, making for a more comfortable trip. Near restrooms and water sources Being close to bathrooms and showers is convenient in case you need to quickly clean off baby after a messy adventure or just want one less thing to stress about when getting up in the middle of the night (finding a bathroom in the dark is not a happy adventure, even without a little one!). Campground Intersections Some campgrounds have various intersections that can get busy and noisy as cars come and go. They can also be dangerous if your baby is a fast crawler. Choosing a site that is a good distance from these intersections reduces noise pollution and helps keep your family safe. Are there amenities you prefer when camping with a baby? Do you have a favorite baby-friendly campground? Let us know in the comments below!   Other Articles in this Series: How to Dress Baby for Cold-Weather Camping Essential Baby Camping Gear Tips for Sleeping in a Tent with Baby Favorite Baby Camping Foods Photos by Deanna Curry   ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org    EDITORS NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach.