https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 26 Apr 2026 17:28:44 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-camping-with-3yo-and-1yo#post-2748317 Fri, 16 Jun 2017 11:44:38 +0000 KT326 2748317@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs.kiwi: I'm in the South Bay too! We don't really camp around here in the summer, it's too hot and crowded. Sunset and Manresa near Watsonville are nice for beach camping, they fill up fast though. Big basin is nice too but you have to book at least 6 months in advance. </p> <p>We camp at Grants ranch and Uvas reservoir during the off season, late fall and early spring. It gets chilly at night but it's nice because it isn't crowded at all and we don't have to worry about keeping kids quiet early in the morning. Uvas is probably my favorite, lots of hiking and tons of trees around the sites so it stays nice and shaded during the day. </p> <p>For summer camping we usually go up to Lake Davis which is about an hour north of Truckee. It's not too crowded and the lake is nice and chill. We've camped at sugar pine point in Tahoe but it gets really crowded during the summer. Nice hiking though and it's not too far of a drive to south lake. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-camping-with-3yo-and-1yo#post-2748174 Fri, 16 Jun 2017 01:05:29 +0000 JCCovi 2748174@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs.kiwi: We liked Shaver Lake more then Morro Bay. Nicer campground, less crowded. We didn't go to the beach at Morro Bay though (looking back I'm not sure how) so I think we owe it another shot! We may look for something other then the state park campground though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-camping-with-3yo-and-1yo#post-2748172 Fri, 16 Jun 2017 00:51:36 +0000 mrs.kiwi 2748172@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JCCovi: I've been in the area for 10+ years but have zero experience camping with the kids so you're still ahead of me. Did you like Morro bay and shaver lake? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-camping-with-3yo-and-1yo#post-2748168 Fri, 16 Jun 2017 00:04:32 +0000 JCCovi 2748168@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs.kiwi: We just moved here in February so no go-tos yet! We have done Morro Bay and Shaver Lake. Plans to do Napa this summer and Big Sur this fall. Basically I got whatever was available on reserveamerica! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-camping-with-3yo-and-1yo#post-2748153 Thu, 15 Jun 2017 21:50:27 +0000 mrs.kiwi 2748153@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JCCovi: oh you're in the area too- where are your frequent go-tos with kids? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-camping-with-3yo-and-1yo#post-2748151 Thu, 15 Jun 2017 21:49:36 +0000 mrs.kiwi 2748151@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@KT326: @Eko: @birdofafeather: @JCCovi: @youboots: @MsMini: @sunnyday: thanks all!!</p> <p>@KT326: may i ask where are your frequent go-tos in the area? We are starting with lake chabot but I know there are tons within an hour or two around here (I'm in the South Bay).<br /> @birdofafeather: I'd love that thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-camping-with-3yo-and-1yo#post-2747030 Tue, 13 Jun 2017 19:22:07 +0000 sunnyday 2747030@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bedtime = darkness.</p> <p>Make all meals and snacks ahead of time.</p> <p>Is anyone potty trained? Middle of the night pee options?</p> <p>I made up a few treasure hunts on paper gift bags. Simple time killer!! </p> <p>Glow sticks!!</p> <p>First aid kit, an exhaustive one. I like having everything on hand and for me that's a worthwhile space taker. I have everything adults, kids and our dog might need. Not literally, but pretty damn close in one Rubbermaid bin.</p> <p>Ummm I need to find my lists! We did a few weekends two summers ago with 1y/o and 2 y/o, last summer for three full weeks with 2 and 3 y/o. We are taking a break from camping for a few years with weather variablity we had last summer while they're young, it was miserable at times last summer (tent camping). Cottage rentals this summer!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-camping-with-3yo-and-1yo#post-2746972 Tue, 13 Jun 2017 16:40:34 +0000 MsMini 2746972@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just got into camping last year, when my kids were 1 1/2 and 4. We do have a trailer which helps a lot but here are my tips that should helped for tenting too:<br /> - lots of glow sticks/glow swords and LED fingertip lights, they keto kids busy forever<br /> - bring lots of individually packs snacks. No prep and easy cleanup. We have lots of goldfish packs, breadstick dippers etc.<br /> - bring sidewalk chalk, use it to mark the boundaries of where 3 y/o is allowed to go. It works like a charm with my guys.<br /> - bring a familiar item or 2 for bedtime that you keep in their bed. Don't let them wander with it though!<br /> - bring double the amount of clothes you think you need 😂 If they are anything like my kids they will find anything disgusting and sit in it!<br /> - toys like matchbox cars and those little army men are great! I bought a bunch at Value village and they are always fun in a pinch. Plus since they are cheap you won't feel bad if a couple disappear.<br /> - we use an outdoor playpen from summer infant for the little one stocked with mega blocks for when we need to cook or set up a fire.<br /> - I found my kids needed white noise, the different campground sounds threw them off at bedtime.<br /> - Don't get too wrapped up in your normal schedule! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-camping-with-3yo-and-1yo#post-2746593 Mon, 12 Jun 2017 22:57:54 +0000 youboots 2746593@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think scary mommy had a good blog post about this. We took DD at the same age as your youngest several times last summer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-camping-with-3yo-and-1yo#post-2746580 Mon, 12 Jun 2017 21:38:09 +0000 JCCovi 2746580@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You're going to love it! Such a fun age for camping! The kids will be entertained by anything and everything. We just went this past weekend with out 3.5 and 2 year olds and had such a blast. We're also in California, Bay Area, and we went to Shaver Lake. So beautiful.</p> <p>I recommend: Bringing the baby carriers (we use toddler tulas) for any hiking you're going to do, figure out how you're going to handle potty trips for your 3 year old (we use a travel potty so we don't have to make late night trips to the bathroom), pack lots of snacks that you can whip out while you're preparing meals, and prepare to wake up early! </p> <p>I also wrote a blog post on 13 tips for camping with toddlers and preschoolers, might be handy!<br /> <a href="https://magnetsfromeverywhere.com/2017/04/04/13-tips-for-camping-with-toddlers-and-preschoolers/" rel="nofollow">https://magnetsfromeverywhere.com/2017/04/04/13-tips-for-camping-with-toddlers-and-preschoolers/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-camping-with-3yo-and-1yo#post-2746535 Mon, 12 Jun 2017 19:34:59 +0000 MrsBucky 2746535@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@birdofafeather: inwould love that master packi list too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-camping-with-3yo-and-1yo#post-2746487 Mon, 12 Jun 2017 17:54:19 +0000 birdofafeather 2746487@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i have gone camping with our kiddos a bunch and i wrote a blog post about it for a friend's blog. i'll link to your wall and if you wall me your email, i can send a packing master list that i have!</p> <p>:) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-camping-with-3yo-and-1yo#post-2746481 Mon, 12 Jun 2017 17:41:09 +0000 Eko 2746481@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree about setting low expectations and prep alllll food. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-camping-with-3yo-and-1yo#post-2746474 Mon, 12 Jun 2017 17:33:45 +0000 KT326 2746474@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have very low expectations! </p> <p>The only way my son would nap camping as a toddler was in the stroller as I did laps around the campground. Also, be prepared for late nights and early mornings. My son does not sleep when it is still light out and wakes up with the sun. </p> <p>I try to do as much food prep as I can beforehand and I keep it simple. It's so much easier to already have fruit and veggies washed and cut up. </p> <p>I'm in California too (Bay Area) and we've gone camping quite a few times with kids. It's so much fun! We are planning a trip to Shasta for later this summer! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-camping-with-3yo-and-1yo#post-2746470 Mon, 12 Jun 2017 17:23:18 +0000 mrs.kiwi 2746470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm super excited to finally take the kids camping next month. My boy is 3 and my girl will be 16 mo. I grew up camping but never did any of the "work" so even though it seems super familiar I've never actually made the packing list and had to prep anything myself! I was hoping to go with another family or two but DH wants our first time to be with just our little family.</p> <p>It will be in mid-July, only an hour away, tent camping but not too hardcore (there will be bathrooms nearby and only a short drive to civilization). The camping sites are pretty close together so it might be noisy. We are in northern ca so won't be super humid or anything. There will be a lake nearby and hiking trials. It will be for 3 days 2 nights.</p> <p>My kids love being outdoors and playing with rocks/sticks/dirt (but don't they all?) and thankfully the 1yo is walking well now so she won't be crawling around all over the place. They're decent sleepers but not as good about sleeping in new situations or on-the-go (unless they're exhausted.. which they might be)...</p> <p>Any tips/advice!? I've scoured hellobee and the internet but I thought I'd start a new thread! </p>