Must-haves for a camping vacation with a small child

Must-haves for a camping vacation with a toddler 

Hey! I'm Johanna from VanEssa mobilcamping and I've been the mom of a little whirlwind for two and a half years.

Last month we were able to experience our fourth camping vacation together as a small family.
In this article, I would like to introduce you to our „must-haves“ for a camping trip with a small child, so that your trip is as relaxed as possible.

Travel buggy

Initially, I thought that maybe a carrier would be enough for us when traveling. Although our two-year-old still likes to be in the carrier, it turned out that our travel buggy was one of our best investments. Especially when it's particularly hot, I was very happy not to have to carry the child on my body all the time. The older he got, the more he wanted to see.

Even the long nap was always easy to do in the buggy. The mosquito net not only protected him from insects, but also from the hustle and bustle. (And don't forget the rain cover!) You can also store snacks and other bits and bobs in the bottom of the buggy.

When buying, you should look for a small pack size and easy handling (quick and easy folding and unfolding) so that the baby carriage can be stowed away quickly and easily in the car - this is also easy on the nerves.

(Changing) rucksack

Vn our first vacation, we switched from a changing bag to a rucksack and I was over the moon with it. A rucksack is much easier to handle and as it feels like you have half the household with you when you have a small child, it's much easier to carry the weight on your back. We also bought the necessary attachment for the rucksack so that we can attach it to the buggy from time to time so that we don't have to carry it all the time. However, we still always carry valuables on our bodies, as the rucksack can easily be left unattended.

Mud pants

These were always in use with us - and not just in rainy weather. The mud pants were often used to protect our clothes and avoid having to change our pants three times a day. They were particularly practical when we were letting off steam in the playgrounds or out in nature. Afterwards, we took off the overpants and were able to put a clean child in the car seat, buggy or carrier. An absolute must-have, especially for toddlers.

Baby carrier

Despite the buggy, we always have a carrying option with us. Whether it's a classic carrier, sling or hip sling, something that supports you when carrying your baby makes a lot of sense when traveling.

A combination of buggy and carrier has always worked well for us. This gave us flexibility, for example when sightseeing. When visiting the Château, you can't get far with a buggy because of all the stairs - you're happy if you don't have to carry the child up and down the stairs in your arms. And the children can take unplanned naps in it at any time. There are now also really good models for older children that have a much smaller pack size than the classic „Kraxe“.

Crocs (or similar shoes)

Everyone knows the plastic slippers. I generally prefer shoes made from natural materials, but when camping, these colorful shoes have simply proven their worth. Whether on the beach or in the shower at the campsite - we use this type of shoe a lot on vacation. Even though he walks barefoot a lot, I find these shoes very practical for in-between, as it doesn't matter how dirty his feet are. The shoes are easy to clean and are immediately ready for use again. They are a great addition to normal footwear.

Fleece jacket

A thin fleece jacket is a must on every camping trip for our junior. It's great for layering (for example, in combination with a thin rain jacket) or as a quick layer.

The material dries quickly in the event of a small accident while drinking or if the jacket does need to be washed. It's also easy to stow away, lightweight and doesn't crease.

Bath poncho

Whether on the beach or after a shower, we also use a bathing poncho a lot. That way, you don't have to drag all your clothes into the shower and end up getting them wet. We usually undressed our son in the car and only wore the poncho into the shower and back again. A toddler can walk well in a poncho and is still covered, so it doesn't get too cool after the shower. On the beach, it serves as sun protection after swimming and the child can warm up a little.

What are your „must-haves“ for a road/camping trip with your little ones?

Let us know under the social media post.
I'm really excited to see if there's anything I haven't thought of yet.

Have a nice and relaxing vacation, Johanna.

Are you still looking for a suitable campsite for you and your mice? Globetrotter introduces you to here presents the 20 most beautiful campsites for families in Germany that are particularly well suited to the needs of families.

If you are still looking for ideas to keep your little ones occupied during the trip, then take a look at here on my blog post over.