Tent Camping- with a 4 year & 1 year old!

Let’s start with the fact that I have only ever been camping one time before taking our whole family camping! Nick and I went camping for maybe one or two nights when we lived in California and were totally ill-equipped! Plus it was cold and I just can’t do cold.

To say all that we had such an amazing time camping with the kids! I absolutely will be making a camping trip a staple adventure every year! Both Olivia & Everett LOVED it! They love being outside period- so that just made things easy.

I researched A LOT on what to take, pack, Pinterest hacks and of course safe activities for the kids since they are still so young! They really both enjoyed walking around and just touching everything from dirt to leaves to the water, They wanted to explore everything.

We stayed at Lake Greenwood and we camped in a 12 person camp! Nick and I had a queen air mattress (that is totally getting upgraded this year!) Olivia had a twin size air mattress and we took the Pac n Play for Everett! We had plenty of space for all our beds and a small play area for the kids. There was water and electric at our camp site- so it wasn’t like real roughing it or anything. We also had like a shower house for potty trips and showers! To be honest we took out the portable training pot and let Olivia use that quite a few times at our site, it was so easy.

We took our trash to the dumpster every night, and locked away any food packages or anything that would draw in animals into our car. We did spot a few opossums one night. Nick thought they were cats and I went to the bathroom and saw them and speed walked back to our tent because I KNEW those were not cats! Haha

A few tips that I have to make your camping experience go smoothly::

Pre-Make all your food so all you have to do is warm up and assemble!
I hate saying this- but paper plates and forks were soo much easier to clean up meals then reusable. I just hate being wasteful with those things. We did have a little collapsible bin to wash things in it just wasn’t the cleanest thing- but I guess you’re living outside…so!
Don’t go crazy make plans and filling all the time slots in your day- you’re there to relax, explore and spend time with your family- just let is be!!
Make sure you have a great tent- with no holes, and a rain cover just in case! We 100% recommend getting an INSTANT tent. It comes with the poles all put together and attached to the tent you just have to find the right angles and prop them up- it’s a million times faster!
Bring plenty of wipes & trash bags for your littles messes
A broom and a little mat to have for your tent was helpful in keeping dirt out of our beds!
Clip on – battery operated fans for the littles. Everett fell asleep in the stroller when we took walks so having the fan on him made him more comfortable!
Obviously you all know to bring sunscreen and bug spray- flashlights or light up bracelets for night time!
Search Pinterest for camping hacks with/without kids because there is a wealth of information!
Just have fun!! Turn off your phones, read books, listen to the sound of the trees or the water and just soak it all up.

I am so looking forward to our camping trip this year, I was thinking something near the beach?! Anyone have any great spots around Charleston or Savannah?! Drop them in the comments!